Town Hall, Lower level conference room, 600 Main Street, Somers, CT
CALL TO ORDER
NEW BUSINESS:
Application #23-003: Mark and Karen Murdoch, 359 Mountain Road, Somers seeking a modification of the Special Use permit for operation of farm winery, amending the conditions of approval regarding parking, food, music and tents.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Kenneth Prior, 364 Mountain Road, Somers – complaint/request to revoke Worthington Vineyard’s Special Use Permit
MINUTES: April 3, 2023, April 18, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
The Zoning Commission appreciates citizen input. Please contact the Land Use Office (860) 763-8220, during Regular business hours or in writing to find out the best way to communicate your concerns.
Recreation Commission- CANCELED
– May 1, 2023
SOMERS RECREATION COMMISSION
Meeting Agenda
May 1st, 2023
7:00 PM
Kibbe Fuller Conference Room
CANCELLED
Call to Order
Members Present
Audience
Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes – 3/6/2023
Recreation Report
Parks Report
New Business
General Discussion
Spring Sports
Correspondence
Opportunity to add agenda items
Next Meeting – June 5th
Adjournment
2May 2, 2023●●(2 events)
Annual Town Meeting 7pm
– May 2, 2023
Legal Notice
Town of Somers
Annual Town Meeting
Tuesday, May 2. 2023
7:00pm
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Town Meeting to act on the following items will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 7:00pm in the Town Hall Auditorium.
To elect a moderator
To consider the annual budget for 2023/2024 Fiscal Year as proposed by the Board of Finance, consisting of total revenues and expenditures of $38,048,558.
To set the date, time, and place for a referendum by optical scan voting on the question of adopting the annual budget as proposed, Selectmen recommending the referendum be conducted on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, between the hours of 6:00 am and 8:00 pm, at the Town Hall Auditorium.
Dated at Somers, Connecticut this 24th day of April 2023
Recommendation to hire Anne Cournoyer as the part-time Emergency Management Director with an hourly rate of $27.00., with a start date of 5/8/23.
Appointment of Anne Cournoyer as the Emergency Management Director with a term expiring 12.22.25.
Recommendation from the Appointment Panel to Appoint Alissa Hanvey as the Somes Tax Collector effective April 27, 2023, and expiring on March 31, 2025.
Referral from the Planning Commission and the Department of Public Works – Acceptance of Hitching Post Lane as a Town Road.
Discussion and Possible Action to Authorize the First Selectman to sign the Exclusive Developer’s agreement with Winn Developer for 40 Maple Street.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of April 18, 2023, Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
The Board of Selectmen waives the reading of the minutes of the Special Meeting from April 18, 2023, and that minutes of said meeting be approved.
Approval of Minutes of April 20, 2023, Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
The Board of Selectmen waives the reading of the minutes of the Special Meeting from April 20, 2023, and that minutes of said meeting be approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Conservation Commission
– May 3, 2023
4May 4, 2023●●(3 events)
BOE- Curriculum Comm
N/A May 4, 2023
Somers Board of Education
Anne Kirkpatrick, Chairperson Agenda Committee: Curriculum Committee
Chairperson: Jan Martin
Date: May 8, 2023
Start Time: 6:15 p.m.
Place: Central Office Meeting Room Agenda:
1. Approval of the April 24, 2023, Curriculum Committee meeting draft minutes.
2. Continued discussion of the 6-8 Science Curriculum Update
EPAC
– May 4, 2023
TOWN OF SOMERS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA Thursday, May 4th, 2023 8:00 AM Fire Station
1. Call to Order 2. Members Present 3. Old Business
a. Sanitarian
b. Social Services
c. Police
d. Fire
e. DPW
f. Schools
g. CERT 4. New Business
a. Upcoming Events:
i. Saturday, May 6, Paintcare @ Recycling Center,
ii. Saturday, May 6, Annual Farmers Market @ Four Town Fairgrounds,
iii. Saturdays, 1:00 PM, Concerts on the Green, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3,
iv. Week of May 22nd, Fill-A-Public Works Food Drive @ Kibbe Fuller,
v. Saturday, May 27, 8:30, Veterans’ Coffeehouse @ Town Hall
vi. Saturday – Sunday, June 3-4, Annual Paul Bowers Lacrosse Tournament @ School/Park Complex,
b. General Discussion, 5. Approval of Minutes: April 6th, 2023 6. Adjournment
Selectmen Board Of Regular Meeting 6pm Cancelled
– May 4, 2023
5May 5, 2023
6May 6, 2023
7May 7, 2023
8May 8, 2023●●(3 events)
BOE- Curriculum
– May 8, 2023
Somers Board of Education
Anne Kirkpatrick, Chairperson Agenda Committee: Curriculum Committee
Chairperson: Jan Martin
Date: May 8, 2023
Start Time: 6:15 p.m.
Place: Central Office Meeting Room
Agenda:
1. Approval of the April 24, 2023, Curriculum Committee meeting draft minutes.
2. Continued discussion of the 6-8 Science Curriculum Update
Board of Education
– May 8, 2023
Somers Board of Education Meeting
Monday, May 8, 2023 7:00 PM
Somers Board of Education Chambers, 1 Vision Boulevard, Somers, CT 06071
1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
1. 2023 CABE Student Leadership Awards
• Margot Martello, MBA Principal, will present the MBA CABE Student Leadership Awards to Jayden
Root and Luke Lessard.
• Gary Cotzin, SHS Principal, will present the SHS CABE Student Leadership Awards to Rylee Ferro and
Jake Breton. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the April 24, 2023 BOE Meeting Draft Minutes
The Board to review and approve the draft minutes from the Board meeting on April 24, 2023. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1. Superintendent Update
2. Monthly Budget Report
Stephanie Levin, Director of Business Services, will update the Board on the April budget. 6. OPPORTUNITY TO ADD/DELETE AGENDA ITEMS 7. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Warrant of May 8, 2023
The Board to review and consent to the warrant of May 8, 2023.
2. Resignation
Amanda Cicciarella, SES ParaEducator, resigned effective 4/28/23. Amanda worked at SES for 10
years. 8. OLD BUSINESS 9. NEW BUSINESS 10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Curriculum
2. Policy
3. Planning/Finance
4. Salary & Negotiations 11. CABE/CREC/State Dept. of Ed. 12. AUDIENCE TO CITIZENS/STAFF/STUDENTS 13. ADJOURNMENT
Cultural Commission
– May 8, 2023
SOMERS CULTURAL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
May 8, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. at Piedmont Hall
Pledge and Call to Order
Secretary’s Report – P. Bachetti
Approval of April 10, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes – P. Bachetti
Correspondence – Bachetti
Treasurer’s Report
Financial Accounts Report – T. Schmidt
Bills for Approval/Pay – T. Schmidt
Other Items for Discussion at this meeting
Old Business
Update: 2023 Holiday Fest on Dec 9/KC Sisters – D. Marti/A. Levesque
Piedmont Hall for 2023 Outdoors Concert rain dates – A. Levesque
Yvonne Besse as SCC Historian – A. Levesque
Letters for sign in front of Piedmont Hall – P. Bachetti
Piedmont Links to Somers Website to address calls coming to Town Hall (incident w/call coming into Deb Murphy re. Photo Show) – A. Levesque
Another Scout Project? Piedmont porch repaint? – A. Levesque
9 Festival wreaths storage at Piedmont lower level? – A. Levesque
SCC Summer Gathering at the Schmidt home, Sat., Sept 2nd or 9th after concert – T. Schmidt
Dec 9 Fest idea for Piedmont besides wreaths wall display & gingerbread houses/vote – Renata Bowers reads Holiday story @ Piedmont – Levesque
Adjournment – next regular mtg., Mon., June 12, 2023, 7 pm, Piedmont Hall (This June mtg is final meeting before summer break – no meetings in July & August)
Meeting ID: 870 4887 6030
Passcode: 545403
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,87048876030#,,,,*545403# US (Washington DC)
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Please call Daniel Parisi at 860-840-4194 if you are unable to attend this meeting. Thank you.
Zoning Board of Appeals – Cancelled
– May 9, 2023
TOWN OF SOMERS
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
REGULAR MEETING
**MAY 9, 2023 MEETING CANCELLED**
A special meeting and public hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 15, 2023.
Questions or concerns should be directed to Jennifer Roy in the Land Use Department #(860)763-8220
Vote to approve March’s (3.8.2023) regular meeting minutes: Vote to approve March’s (3.21.2023) special meeting minutes:
Committee Reports:
Finance
Landscaping – John Guzie
Sexton – Jeff Buckley
DPW-Todd Rolland (if needed)
American Legion – representative, (if needed) Memorial Day, Flag Day
Old Business
Buy Back Policy status (passed by Of Selectmen) date of implementation:
Report of progress on securing a landscape architect to design the outer ring of Center Cemetery with the input of the committee (from the Finance office).
Status of the Ordinance prohibiting the leaving, scattering and burying of cremated remains on town property. (from town meeting 20.23)
Status of Job Descriptions, both Committee and Finance office from 3.21.2023 meeting. Does this go before the Bd. of Selectmen for approval? Schedule?
Rules/ Regulations Committee: No meetings scheduled. Send ideas to Chair for July (Working subcommittee to start up again. Streamline process)
Comment/ Complaint/ Compliment form online: Option to print/ Address to mail/ ..
New Business:
Request to use SPD sign to advertise Cemetery Clean Up (Ann Levesque)
Request all pricing be on a CEMETERY NEWS page on the town web (plot pricing, columbarium pricing, foundation pricing, Buy Back Policy, Seasonal or special clean up information, ordinance report) We are a customer service agency within the town and need to advertise changes in a similar fashion as the library does. Discussion: Do we want to have an active web page as the library does?
Digital Management: Set a possible date range for a digital vendor before the July 5th meeting?)
List the kind of information we expect to have available to the town, committee and public (including professional genealogists). Veterans: service dates active and reserve, branch, conflicts, other.
Adjournment:
Next meeting July 5,2023
11May 11, 2023●●(2 events)
CIP – Special Meeting
– May 11, 2023
TOWN OF SOMERS
CIP COMMITTEE
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
Town Hall
Thursday, May 11, 2023
4:00 pm
Call to Order
Members Present
Discussion and Action on Previously Approved SHS Generator Project
Update on Fire Department Roof Project
Approval of Minutes
March 16, 2023 – Special Meeting
Adjournment
Planning Commission
– May 11, 2023
MEETING AGENDA
Thursday, May 11, 2023 – 6:30 PM
Somers Town Hall Lower Level Conference Room 600 Main Street, Somers, CT
CALL TO ORDER
NEW BUSINESS
Zoning referral – Application #23-003: Mark and Karen Murdoch, 359 Mountain Road, Somers seeking a modification of the Special Use permit for operation of farm winery, amending the conditions of approval regarding parking, food, music and tents.
DISCUSSION/DECISION
Zoning referral – Application #23-003: Mark and Karen Murdoch, 359 Mountain Road, Somers.
218 Wood Road – Expired sub-division plan
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 13, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
12May 12, 2023
13May 13, 2023
14May 14, 2023
15May 15, 2023●●(2 events)
Zoning Board of Appeals Special
May 15, 2023
TOWN OF SOMERS
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS – SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
Monday, May 15, 2023 – 6:00 P.M., Town Hall
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
NEW BUSINESS:
ZBA23-003 – Somers Mountain Properties, LLC, Mark and Karen Murdoch, 359 Mountain Road, Somers – Appeal of Cease and Desist order for April 13, 2023 Wine and Food Pairing.
PUBLIC HEARING / DISCUSSION / DECISION on each application:
Cont’d from 4/11/2023 – ZBA23-001 – Somers Mountain Properties, LLC, Mark and Karen Murdoch, 359 Mountain Road, Somers – Appeal of Cease and Desist order for February 14, 2023 Valentine’s Dinner event.
Cont’d from 4/11/2023 – ZBA23-002 – Somers Mountain Properties, LLC, Mark and Karen Murdoch, 359 Mountain Road, Somers – Appeal of Cease and Desist order for February 16, 2023 Date Night Dinner event.
ZBA23-003 – Somers Mountain Properties, LLC, Mark and Karen Murdoch, 359 Mountain Road, Somers – Appeal of Cease and Desist order for April 13, 2023 Wine and Food Pairing.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 11, 2023
ADJOURNMENT
Open Space and Trails
– May 15, 2023
Open Space and Trails Committee Meeting Agenda
Monday, May 15th, 7:00 pm Kibbe Fuller
Call to Order.
Members present.
Audience.
Approval of prior meeting minutes (04/17/2023).
Correspondence
Old Business:
DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources Fisheries Division is collecting fish community and water quality samples Thursday, May 18.
Aya Po Butterfly Meadow.
Project Plan Review.
New Business:
Opportunity to add agenda items
Next Meeting – June 26, 2023 (June 16 is a holiday).
Adjournment.
16May 16, 2023●●(4 events)
Budget Referendum
– May 16, 2023
Results of Town of Somers Budget Referendum – May 16, 2023
In-Person: 324
Absentee: 006
Total Votes Cast: 330
Yes: 238
No: 092
Total Voter Turnout: 5.23%
Total Eligible Voters: 6310
Sidewalk Ad Hoc Committee
– May 16, 2023
TOWN OF SOMERS SIDEWALK AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA Tuesday, May 16th, 2023, 4:00 PM Lower Conference Room Town Hall
1. Call to Order
2. Members Present
3. Open Discussion
a. Approval of Sidewalk Survey Questions.
4. Approval of March Meeting Minutes
5. Adjournment
Public Library
– May 16, 2023
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES SOMERS PUBLIC LIBRARY TUESDAY, May 16, 2023 – 6:30 p.m.
John Ruocco – Schwab – to discuss endowment investments
Approval of minutes
Correspondence
Treasurer’s Report
Financial Business
Year-to-date financial report
Automated Services update
Committees
Policy – Borrowing Policy – Ann, Shirley, Andy
Friends of the Library – Jack
Old Business
New Business
Discuss visit with Sam Galloway, Superintendent of Schools
Director’s Report
Second Audience to Citizens
Adjournment
Board of Finance Special Meeting
– May 16, 2023
TOWN OF SOMERS
BOARD OF FINANCE
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Immediately after the polls close and the Announcement of the Referendum Results
Somers Town Hall Auditorium
Agenda
Call to Order
Members Present
Review Referendum Results
Set a Mill Rate for Fiscal Year 2024
Adjournment
This meeting is also being live-streamed and video-recorded and will be available for viewing on the Town’s website in both real-time and after-the-fact.
Boards and Commissions: Appointments/Resignations:
OPPORTUNITY TO ADD URGENT AGENDA ITEMS
FINANCE
Transfers/Appropriations
Transfer Request from regular salaries to Separation Payout for $4,671.74. The transfer is cover remaining sick and vacation time to be paid out to Lisa Madden upon her resignation.
CFO Finance Report/Updates
Presentation of Scheduled Payments
UPDATES FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSION
PENDING BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of Separation payout for Lisa Madden for $4,671.74 pending Board of Finance approval. Brian Wissinger
Accept the Resignation of Daniel Parisi effective May 29,
Approval to use Weyland Smith Consulting, LLC for Evaluation and Data Technical Assistance for the Town of Somers Drug-Free Community Grant and Authorize the First Selectmen to sign the contract. Matthew Cox
Approval of revised job description for Youth Services Coordinator to be changed to Youth Services Social Worker position and Authorizing the Youth Services Social Worker position to go from part-time to full-time effective May 22, 2023. Matthew Cox
Fire Department Staffing, Recommendation to hire John Sarnik as full-time FF/EMT with an effective date of June 5, 2023.
Authorize the First Selectman to sign the sales contract between Specialty Vehicles, Inc and the Town of Somers for a New Emergency Medical Vehicle
Authorize the First Selectman to sign the amended Bundle Billing Agreements with the Town of Enfield Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Approval of the Human Resources job description and authorization to post the part- time position.
Discussion and Possible Action on an Ordinance Prohibiting the Spreading of Ashes on Public Land. The Board of Selectmen held a Public Hearing on April 20, 2023, to take public comment on the Spreading of Ashes on Public Land.
Authorize the First Selectman to sign the agreement for Legislative Lobbying Services with Sullivan & LeShane, Inc.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of May 3, 2023, Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
The Board of Selectmen waives the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting from May 3, 2023, and that minutes of said meeting be approved.
ADJOURNMENT
19May 19, 2023●(1 event)
BOE- Special Meeting
– May 19, 2023
Somers Board of Education Special Meeting Friday, May 19, 2023 3:00 PM Somers Board of Education Chambers, 1 Vision Boulevard, Somers, CT 06071
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. Discussion/Possible Action: Student Expulsion Hearing – Executive Session Anticipated
3. ADJOURNMENT
20May 20, 2023
21May 21, 2023
22May 22, 2023●(1 event)
Board of Education
– May 22, 2023
Somers Board of Education Meeting Monday, May 22, 2023 7:00 PM
Somers Board of Education Chambers,
1 Vision Boulevard, Somers, CT 06071
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approval of the May 8, 2023 BOE Draft Minutes The Board to review and approve the draft minutes from the Board meeting on May 8, 2023.
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board will go into Executive Session to discuss the Non-Union staff wage adjustments for the 23- 24 school year. The Board will invite the Superintendent into Executive Session.
13. ADJOURNMENT
23May 23, 2023●(1 event)
Board of Finance
– May 23, 2023
TOWN OF SOMERS
BOARD OF FINANCE
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
7:00 PM
Somers Town Hall Auditorium
Agenda
Call to Order
Members Present
BOE Update
Selectmen’s Update
CFO’s Update
FY2023 Annual Audit – Auditor Appointment
Auditor Engagement Letter
Suspense List
FY2023 Budget Status and Year End Projections
Transfers
Approval of Minutes
4/25/23 Regular BOF Meeting Minutes
Other Business
Adjournment
This meeting is also being live-streamed and video-recorded and will be available for viewing on the Town’s website in both real-time and after-the-fact.
Boards and Commissions: Appointments/Resignations:
Accept the Resignation of Marissa Marks from the Board of Education effective May 22, 2023.
FINANCE
Transfers/Appropriations
CFO Finance Report/Updates
Presentation of Scheduled Payments
NEW BUSINESS
Authorize the First Selectman to sign the amended Bundle Billing Agreements with the Town of Enfield Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Authorize the First Selectman to Execute all related documents for the Maple Street Bridge Project, DOT No 04555.
Fire Department Staffing – Request to Hire Robert Wheeler as Lieutenant/Paramedic with a hire date of June 5, 2023. This request is conditional on Medical Clearance from the Town Occupational Health “Corp Care”.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approval of Minutes of May 18, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
The Board of Selectmen waives the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting from May 18, 2023, and that minutes of said meeting be approved.