YOUR BRAVERY AND SERVICE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
In memory of many, in honor of all! Join us — Sat., May 27, 2023, 0830 – 1100 at the Somers Veterans Coffeehouse, 600 Main St., Somers CT to share stories and remember those loved and lost who have proudly served our nation.
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA — “Serve and Succeed”
Each year, millions of Americans come together to REMEMBER the fallen, HONOR those that serve and their families, and TEACH the next generation about the value of freedom. This gathering of volunteers and patriots takes place in local, state, and national cemeteries in all 50 states – most recently at three cemeteries in the Town of Somers – as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. “Serve and Succeed.”
The inspiration for the 2023 theme “Serve and Succeed” came while discussing the significance of 2022’s theme, which was “Find a Way to Serve,” and the need to continue to stress the importance of service and the positive ways it can impact lives.
Wreaths Across America plans to focus on the storylines of veterans and military families who have found success through their own service, while also highlighting local volunteers across the country and the success that comes from serving their communities. “There are many ways to serve your community and country, and just as many definitions of success,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “We hope through focusing on those stories of success we will help change the dialogue around what it means to serve your country.”
“Everyone who has served our country has a story about their special contributions during their period of service and what their service meant to them, their family and friends and coworkers, said David McCaffrey, Director, Somers Department of Veterans Affairs. We strive to honor and validate each service member, encouraging them to share their stories and to continue volunteering for the benefit and success of their communities.”
Please help to honor our military, keep them alive through storytelling, and have those no longer with us recognized each year by purchasing wreaths or donating your time to the Wreaths Across America mission.
In 2022, more than 400 wreaths were placed by volunteers on headstones/footstones in Somers’ cemeteries in honor of the service and sacrifices made for our freedoms, with each name said out loud. You, too, can be a Wreaths Across America volunteer, helping year-round to ensure military laid to rest are remembered, their families and living veterans are honored, and the next generation is taught about the value of freedom.
Are you up for the challenge of purchasing at least 1,500 wreaths this year???? The goal again this year is to place a wreath on every service member’s grave in all three cemeteries in Somers – North, Center, and West. At best estimate, there are at least 2000 veterans buried in Somers Cemeteries — unfortunately not all graves are marked. In 2022, 350 wreaths were placed by volunteers in all three cemeteries, including 90 free wreaths picked up in West Haven from a group that received too many.
This year, National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, December 16, 2023. It is a free event and open to all people. Somers Dept. of Veterans Affairs will be hosting the ceremony at 12:00 PM at the Center Cemetery, 81 Battle St., Somers, CT 06071. For more information on how to volunteer locally or sponsor a wreath for an American hero, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/CT0131P – Group Name: Town of Somers Cemeteries. To follow stories throughout the year from across the country focused on this theme, please use the hashtag #ServeAndSucceed.
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
Town of Somers
Annual Town Meeting Minutes
May 02, 2023
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Selectman Bill Meier with 13 individuals in attendance with 11 being registered voters. The Town Clerk was requested to read the legal notice. Legal Notice below was read.
PUBLIC NOTICE 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. 1. To elect a moderator 2. 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. 3.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 Board of Selectmen Tim Keeney, First Selectman Bill Meier, Selectman Journal Inquirer Bob Schmidt, Selectman April 26, 2023
A motion was made by Town Clerk, David Marti to appoint Bill Meier as Moderator and seconded by Mike Marinaccio. Selectmen Meier asked for any other nominations. With no further nominations a motion was requested to close the nomination process. Motion made by Ralph Williams and Seconded by Mike Marinaccio. Motion was requested to elect Bill Meier as moderator. Motion made by Ralph Williams and Seconded by Tom Chilicki.
A motion was made by Lisa Horan and seconded by Tom Chilicki, (no discussion) and unanimously voted to accept the proposed budget for 2023-2024 as proposed.
Motion was made by Stephen Getman and seconded by Ralph Williams and unanimously voted to conduct a referendum vote on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Town Hall Auditorium from 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
Motion was made by Mike Marinaccio to Close the meeting and seconded by Lisa Horan.
Respectfully submitted
David Marti
Town Clerk – Town of Somers
Town of Somers- Legal Notice
Adjourned Town Meeting
May 16, 2023
for Budget Referendum Vote
In accordance with the Town of Somers Ordinance on Annual Budget vote, the Town Meeting of May 02, 2023 has been adjourned to Tuesday, May 16, 2023 on which date the vote by optical scan voting machine will be held at the Somers Town Hall Auditorium, 600 Main Street, Somers, CT between 6:00 am and 8:00 pm for the electors and United States citizens qualified to vote in town meetings of the Town of Somers, CT on the following:
Question #1
Shall the recommendation of the Board of Finance to appropriate $38,048,558 in Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year of July 01, 2023 through June 30, 2024 be approved?
Those desiring to vote in favor of said resolution shall mark their ballot ‘Yes’.
Those desiring to vote against said resolution shall mark their ballot ‘No’.
Dated at Somers, CT this May 03, 2023
Board of Selectmen
Town of Somers
Absentee Ballot Guidelines for Budget Referendum
Date, Time and Location
The Budget Referendum will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. All voting will be conducted at the Town Hall Auditorium during the hours of 6:00 am and 8:00 pm. Please be prepared to present proper identification such as a Driver’s License.
Absentee Ballots
Absentee Ballots are available in the Town Clerk’s Office beginning May 3, 2023 for the 2023-2024 Budget Referendum. Absentee ballots for a referendum can only be issued to individuals applying in person to the Town Clerk’s Office. Absentee Ballots will not be mailed.
Eligibility to Vote
Any person who is an elector of the Town of Somers may vote and any United States citizen eighteen years or more who, jointly or severally, is liable to the Town of Somers for taxes assessed against him/her on an assessment of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) on the last completed Grand List of such Town.
Questions concerning the issuance of Absentee Ballots may be directed to the following individuals:
Town Clerk 860.763.8207 dmarti@somersct.gov
Registrar of Voters 860.763.8211 dmccaffrey@somersct.gov
The Cemetery Committee has worked diligently to create a form for feedback between the users of the Cemeteries and the Committee. This Cemetery Concern Form allows for just that. Do you have questions about one or all cemeteries in Town; submit a form. Do you have a concern about one or all cemeteries in Town; submit a form? Negative and positive concerns can be submitted. The Cemetery Committee looks forward to hearing all of your thoughts.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has announced that Hall Hill Road (Route 186) will be milled and paved this spring. The current schedule is to begin milling operations on or about May 10, 2023, and paving operations on or about May 19, 2023. Both operations will begin at Main Street (Route 190) and continue north to the Massachusetts state line. Expect travel delays and detours. As with all such projects, the schedule is subject to change.
The Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget Book is here!! This book is full of charts and data to better assist you in understanding this year’s budget. Click here to view the book. Bound hard copies will be available in the Town Clerk’s Office beginning Monday, April 17, 2023.
The Somers Cemetery Committee will begin spring cleanup on April 24, 2023.
All plot owners must remove all ornamentation before that date.
After April 24, any non-conforming items will be removed and placed in the rear disposal area at Center Cemetery to be removed at a later date.
This cleanup is anticipated to last no longer than May 5, weather permitting.
