The Special Town Meeting of October 26^th was called to order at 7:02 pm by First Selectmen Keeney with approximately 35 residents in attendance.  Town Clerk David Marti was requested to read the legal notice.

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF SOMERS

NOTICE OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

All electors and persons eligible to vote in town meetings of the Town of Somers, Connecticut (the “Town”) are hereby warned that a Special Town Meeting of the Town is to be held at the Somers Town Hall Auditorium, 600 Main Street, Somers, Connecticut on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., for the following purposes:

1. To elect a moderator.
2. To consider and discuss (but not vote on) the following resolutions:
3. 1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $13,200,000 FOR THE SENIOR/COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $13,200,000
   2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $10,500,000 FOR THE HVAC AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,500,000

The full text of the foregoing authorizing resolutions are on file and open to inspection at the office of the Town Clerk, Town Hall, Somers, Connecticut for the use or inspection of any interested person.

All electors and persons eligible to vote in town meetings of the Town are hereby further notified that pursuant to Section 7-7 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, the Board of Selectmen by resolution adopted at its meeting on July 20, 2023, removed the foregoing resolutions from the agenda of this Special Town Meeting for submission to the voters for vote by voting machine to be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the times and at the polling places to be noticed.

3.To adjourn the meeting.

Dated at Somers, Connecticut this 18 day of October 2023.

TOWN OF SOMERS BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tim Keeney, First Selectman

William Meier, Selectman

Robert Schmidt, Selectman

MEETING BEGAN

1. Elect a Moderator- A motion was made by Ralph Williams, seconded by William Meier to nominate Joseph Tolisano as moderator. No other nominations- motion unanimously voted to approve Joseph Tolisano.
2. Joseph Tolisano, member of the Board of Finance, shared that a combined effort from the BOF and BOS was required to get us to this meeting tonight. He shared that the two resolutions below are to be considered and discussed (but not voted on) at tonight’s meeting.
   1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $13,200,000 FOR THE SENIOR/COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $13,200,000
   2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $10,500,000 FOR THE HVAC AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,500,000
3. The following stakeholders gave presentations on their areas:
   1. Mike Marinaccio recapped the appropriation process on both projects.
   2. Superintendent, Sam Galloway, gave an overview of the HVAC project for the Elementary School. He shared that he felt over 60% of the expense would be met by grant funding so the $10,500,000 project should come in under $5,000,000.  Beginning in 2025 schools in CT will need to meet air quality HVAC standards and these upgrades are necessary to meet these future standards.
   3. Todd Roland, Director of Land Use and Public Works discussed the Senior/Community Center project. The building would be four times the size of the current facility and will offer many more amenities.
   4. CFO Brian Wissinger explained that the amount requested is the cost of the project and not the amount being bonded. For example, with the anticipated grant and other sources of funding the cost for the School HVAC Project expected to go from $10,500,000 to $3,437,500 and the Senior/Community Center Project from $13,200,000 to $9,200,000.  Short term funding would be used until final cost determined and if feasible to proceed, then Bonding would occur for the remaining net amount.
   5. Mike Marinaccio recapped everything that was discussed. He focused on the fact that the amount in the two questions represented the total cost of each project and not the total financial amount that would be bonded.  The bonded amount would be discounted by the grants and other offset moneys.
   6. Joe Tolisano closed the conversation by recapping that no vote would be taken at tonight’s meeting. That voting would take place on election day.  He read each question and stated that a yes vote on either question would be an approval and a no vote on either question would mean no approval given.  He opened the floor for discussion asking each participant to state their name and address before speaking.
4. Resident participation followed:
   1. Tim Potrikus thanked the BOF and BOS for all their hard work to get us to this point and endorsed both projects. He then asked the Board of Selectmen to work to encourage future business growth to help shift some of the tax burden from residents.
   2. Lisa Horan questioned Dr. Galloway about the urgency of the need for HVAC updates. Galloway responded that the current system does not have the ability to move and circulate fresh air in the building and that requirement will be a future requirement.
   3. Steve Krasinski questioned the reality of reduced debt being used to offset new borrowing. If reductions in debt are funding current operating cost than reallocating the dollars to cover new debt will not result in any savings.  The question was answered by Brian Wissinger, explaining that reduction in debt was not used to pay for operating expenses since they are different accounts.  Steve then asked, what would the mil rate increase be to cover the debt service, and Brian Wissinger responded that the increase would be .25% over the eight-year span.
   4. Lisa Horan, shared with Dr. Galloway, Stephanie, and the group that Ellington received a large amount of grant money once their project was approved and that the pool of school grant money is large. She shared that the prospect is very positive to receive substantial grant offsets for the school project.
   5. Johann Dreyer stated he understands that the costs being discussed are the capital expenditure of building the new Senior/Community center, but what would happen to the operating cost. Todd Roland explained that the hard cost utilities are projected to increase $45,000 to $55,000 annually, but if hours and programs grow, expenses will also grow.  There is the opportunity to offset additional cost through program fees.  The question was the asked on when the BOF would have to decide if a project was a go or no go depending on grant amounts received.  Brian said that the Town has 2 years to act on the appropriation and it would be determined if enough of the cost had been offset by grants to move forward, before Bonding.
   6. Bill Meier shared the Superintendent’s concern about the quality of the air in the school. Bill asked about the life cycle of the HVAC systems and was told it was 30 years.  He commented that it would not be prudent to bond something for 30 years if useful life was 20 or 25 years.  You don’t want to be paying at the end for something that might need replacing before the bond is paid off.
   7. Lisa Horan spoke again explaining that there is a correlation between air quality in a school and students’ performance in school. A high performing school would benefit everyone’s home values, so this upgrade is important to everyone, not just parents with students in school.
   8. Ralph Williams, the final presenter, discussed that elementary students (his example of grand children) are the biggest disease spreaders and air filtration, purification is important for the well-being of not only the kids, but their immediate and extended families. He endorsed the ventilation and filtration upgrades for the Elementary School.
5. Brian Wissinger announced that printed reference documents were available at the exit. Copies of the Full Project Scope for both projects were available on one table and Sample Ballots and Explanatory Texts of the ballot questions on the other table.Joseph Tolisano adjourned the meeting at 7:45 pm.

   Respectfully submitted

David Marti, Town Clerk- Somers

The electors of the Town of Somers and other persons qualified to vote are hereby warned and notified that a General Election and Referendum in the Town of Somers, Connecticut will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, for the following purposes:

1. To cast their votes for:

First Selectman (1)
Selectmen (2)

Board of Finance (2)

Board of Finance- to Fill Vacancy for Four Years (1)

Board of Finance- to Fill Vacancy for Two Years (1)

Board of Education (3),

Board of Education- to Fill Vacancy for Two Years (1)

Library Director (3)

Library Director- to Fill Vacancy for Two Years (1)

2. To vote to approve or disapprove of the following two questions at referendum which will be placed on the voting machines:

(a)       “Shall the resolution entitled, ‘RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $13,200,000 FOR THE SENIOR/COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $13,200,000’, be approved?

Yes ______  No ______”

The ballot label for said question shall read as follows:

“Shall the Town of Somers appropriate $13,200,000 for the Senior/Community Center project and authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation?

Yes _____  No _____”

(b)       “Shall the resolution entitled, ‘RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $10,500,000 FOR THE HVAC AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,500,000’, be approved?

Yes ______  No ______”

The ballot label for said question shall read as follows:

“Shall the Town of Somers appropriate $10,500,000 for the HVAC and electrical system improvements project and authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation?

Yes _____  No _____”

The vote on said questions will be taken under the authority of Section 7-7 and Chapter 152 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.  A vote of “Yes” will be a vote for approval of the questions, and a vote of “No” will be a vote for disapproval of the questions.  The full text of the resolutions are on file and open to public inspection in the office of the Town Clerk during business hours.

Notice is hereby given that the location of the polling place is as follows:

Somers Town Hall (lower level), 600 Main Street, Somers, CT 06071

Optical scan voting machines will be used.  The polls will be opened at six o’clock in the morning (6:00 a.m.) and will remain open until eight o’clock in the evening (8:00 p.m.).

Absentee ballots will be available in accordance with applicable law.  Absentee ballots will be counted at the following central location:  Registrar’s Office, Somers Town Hall, 600 Main Street, Somers, Connecticut.

Dated at Somers, Connecticut this 27 day of October, 2023.

David Marti

Town Clerk

Town of Somers

PUBLIC NOTICE
Town of Somers
Notice of Seventh Day Before Election Day Registration Session

In accordance with Connecticut State Statutes Section §9-16, the Somers Registrar of Voters will be holding a registration session to examine the qualifications of electors and admit those found qualified and will be available to restore voters previously removed from the elector list.

The session will be held Tuesday, October 31, 2023, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. at the Registrar of Voters office, Somers Town Hall, 600 Main Street, Somers, CT 06071.

This shall be the last regular session for the admission of electors prior to the General/Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. For those whose qualifications as to age; citizenship or residence is attained after this date, a limited registration session will be held on the day before the election (Monday, November 6, 2023) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Those seeking additional information may call the Registrar’s office at (860) 763-8211 or the Town Clerk’s office at (860) 763-8207.

David P. McCaffrey, Registrar
Gloriajean E. Sheiber, Registrar

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF SOMERS

NOTICE OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

All electors and persons eligible to vote in town meetings of the Town of Somers, Connecticut (the “Town”) are hereby warned that a Special Town Meeting of the Town is to be held at the Somers Town Hall Auditorium, 600 Main Street, Somers, Connecticut on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., for the following purposes:

1. To elect a moderator.

2. To consider and discuss (but not vote on) the following resolutions:

1. 1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $13,200,000 FOR THE SENIOR/COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $13,200,000
   2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $10,500,000 FOR THE HVAC AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,500,000

The full text of the foregoing authorizing resolutions are on file and open to inspection at the office of the Town Clerk, Town Hall, Somers, Connecticut for the use or inspection of any interested person.

All electors and persons eligible to vote in town meetings of the Town are hereby further notified that pursuant to Section 7-7 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, the Board of Selectmen by resolution adopted at its meeting on July 20, 2023, removed the foregoing resolutions from the agenda of this Special Town Meeting for submission to the voters for vote by voting machine to be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the times and at the polling places to be noticed.

3. To adjourn the meeting.

Dated at Somers, Connecticut this 18 day of October, 2023.

TOWN OF SOMERS BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Tim Keeney, First Selectman

William Meier, Selectman

Robert Schmidt, Selectman

The Somers Economic Development Commission will be promoting “Small Business Saturday” a national event, on November 25^th. The EDC will create advertising and offer shuttle buses to patrons to encourage participation. We’re working to make Somers businesses more visible. If your business wants to be a part of the promotion, you must be willing to offer a discount on that day. If you would like to be included in the publicity,  contact the EDC either by mail at EDCsomers@gmail.com or by mail at 600 Main Street, Somers, no later than Friday, October 20th, so you can be listed in the flyers and included on the bus route. Please include the discount your business will offer so it can be in the publicity.

The purpose of this explanatory text is to provide you with information about the Appropriation and Bond Referendum questions that will appear on the ballot to be voted on at the November 7, 2023 Referendum.

• Senior/Community Center Project

The Town engaged GWWO Architects to study and design a new Senior/Community Center. The goal was to determine if the current Senior Center could be expanded and improved to suit the needs of more residents in Town. The architects recommended that a new facility be constructed rather than renovate the existing facility. A survey was undertaken to seek and gather input from Town residents regarding the proposed facility. Based on such input, design plans for the facility were created. The proposed new building will provide more space for programming, a multipurpose room, fitness studio, a lounge, gymnasium, indoor walking track, and administrative offices.

Referendum Question:

Shall the resolution entitled, ‘RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $13,200,000 FOR THE SENIOR/COMMUNITY CENTER PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $13,200,000’, be approved?

The ballot label for such question reads as follows:

Shall the Town of Somers appropriate $13,200,000.00 for the Senior/Community Center project and authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation?

• School HVAC and Electrical System Improvements Project

The Board of Education engaged CES Engineering to study and design HVAC and electrical system improvements for all Somers schools. Upon completion of the study, it was determined to undertake the design and construction of improvements and renovations at the Somers Elementary School (“SES”) and to compete design plans for the remainder of the Somers schools. The proposed design for the SES project consists of the making of heating, air conditioning and ventilation system improvements and electrical system improvements. This SES project is expected to take two years to complete.

Referendum Question:

Shall the resolution entitled, ‘RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPROPRIATION OF $10,500,000 FOR THE HVAC AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND THE FINANCING OF SAID APPROPRIATION BY THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF SUCH BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,500,000’, be approved?

The ballot label for such question reads as follows:

Shall the Town of Somers appropriate $10,500,000.00 for the HVAC and electrical system improvements project and authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation?

The above information and the full text of the appropriation and bond resolutions are attached below.

Printed copies are available in the Town Clerks office.  Or click on link below to view full size and print out if you want to.  Complete explanation of the two ballot questions available on separate news posting on the website.

At the link below is the listing by Street of the locations, times and description of offerings.  With the forecast of rain on Saturday the town has given permission to everyone participating to include Sunday, if they want to.  So many households participating will also be open for business on Sunday.  Have a great time, both buyers and sellers, this weekend.

Absentee Voting Information

Connecticut Water Company is beginning installation of a new water main the week of Sept. 25 in Ellington and Somers on Egypt Road between Elderberry Lane in Ellington and the Somers Highway Garage in Somers. About three-quarters of a mile, or 4,000 feet, of water main will be installed at a cost of approximately $1.3 million. Two fire hydrants will also be replaced as part of the project. The main and fire hydrant will provide additional fire protection for public safety and improved water quantity and quality to area residents.
“Investing in drinking water infrastructure improves water system reliability and enhances water quality,” stated Vice President of Service Delivery, Rose Gavrilovic, P.E. She added, “When customers turn on the tap they expect high-quality water, without interruption. This investment in new water main will serve customers for decades to come.”
Work hours for the project will be 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The project is expected to be complete by the end of the year. The project is funded through the Water Infrastructure and Conservation Adjustment (WICA) on customer bills. Connecticut Water’s goal is to replace about one percent of its more than 1,850 miles of water main every year through the WICA program. The company plans to invest over $52 million in water treatment, water storage and pipelines in 2023.
Construction is expected to begin in the area of Egypt Road and Elderberry Lane.
Customers in the construction area have been notified of the project and will receive advance notice of any scheduled water service interruption because of the water main installation project.