The Somers Town Clerk’s office has been notified that some campaigns will be sending absentee ballot applications to many registered voters in Somers. Connecticut Law allows you to receive an absentee ballot if you cannot appear at your assigned polling place on Election Day because of any of these reasons:

• My active service in the Armed Forces of the United States
• My absence from my town of residence
• Sickness
• My religious tenets forbid secular activity on the day of the election
• My duties as a primary, election or referendum official at a polling place other than my own during all of the hours of voting
• Physical disability

Applications must be signed by the voter requesting the ballot. Anyone assisting a voter in filling out the application must also sign and include their name, address and telephone number in Section VII. If you do not need an Absentee Ballot and receive an application in the mail, simply discard.

Applications may be submitted immediately and dropped in the Election Drop Boxes located at 600 Main Street, Somers or they may be mailed to the Town Clerk’s office at the same address.   In order for you to receive your ballot on time, applications should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid receiving a late ballot.

Ballots will be mailed starting October 7, 2022. Completed ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Questions regarding Absentee Ballots may be sent to David Marti at [email protected].

Our CERT Team is looking for new members and will be holding a class on Saturday, October 15th, and Sunday, October 16^th from 8:00 – 6:30. I am reaching out to all of you to see if anyone would be interested in joining this hardworking volunteer group? The class will be held at the fire station at 400 Main St. and there is no cost.

They meet/train once an month and volunteer at several events in the town such as concerts on the green, Paul Bowers Lacrosse Tournament, and the holiday festival in December. They also assist in times of emergencies by helping out in the EOC during major weather events and they run the towns emergency shelter at the high school. As town employees you may be called on to help out during emergencies so those duties/responsibilities will take precedent over CERT.

The following is a description of the class and a link to sign up if you are interested:

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks.

CERT allows you to meet new people and become a valuable asset to your community. In addition, you will learn new skills that prove beneficial in emergencies and everyday life.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080445ada622a4f49-somers1

Thank you for your consideration and please reach out if you have any questions

Glen Reynolds, Captain/Deputy Fire Marshal

Emergency Management Director, Somers Fire Dept.

400 Main St., Somers, Ct. 06071

860-749-7626 – Station

The Friends of the Somers Library Fall Used Book Sale is scheduled for October 14^th to October 16^th and will take place at the Somers Public Library located at 2 Vision Boulevard off RT 190. Cash, check, and Visa/MC payments will be accepted.

The Preview Sale is scheduled for Friday, October 14^th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for a cost of $10. Friends’ members are free. The Open Sale is Saturday, October 15^th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sunday, October 16^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Donations of clean, musty/smoke free books will be accepted until Wednesday, October 12th.

Saturday will have an Educators Special; Get 1 FREE book for every 10 purchased (equal or lesser value). Must show a current K-12 Teacher ID at time of purchase. Sunday is both half-price day and Stuff the Bag* ($10 new/$5 with one already owned, with current design). (*special guidelines apply)

For more information, please contact the Somers Public Library at 860-763-3501.

There are lots of scary 😱 things to think about this Halloween. But there’s not much scarier to us than empty blood bank shelves! Help the Red Cross prevent a blood shortage this fall by signing up to give blood or platelets now: rcblood.org/donate

Saturday October 1, will be the date our next Town Wide Tag Sale.  Two time a year the $5 Tag Sale permit fee is waived (First Saturday in May and October).  Click the link below for the application.  Return to the Town Clerk office or email to [email protected].  A complete list of all participant will then be available on the towns website on Friday, September 30th.

It’s time to clean out the garage, basement and attic and make some extra cash

It’s time that time of year again. Time for the annual Great Escape Road Race and Four Town Fair Parade.
This Saturday, 09/17/2022, Field Road will be closed from 8:00 AM until 12:00 noon for the running of the Great Escape Road Race and Four Town Fair parade.
The following roads will be closed from 9:30 AM until 12:00 noon for the Four Town Fair Parade; Main Street (Rt. 190) from Ninth District Road to Turnpike Road, South Road (Rt. 83 south) from Field Road To Main Street, Springfield Road Rt. 83 north) from Main Street to Four Bridges Road.
Please seek alternate routes.

On Thursday, September 29, 2022, the Somers Department of Veterans Affairs will honor over 50 Vietnam War Veterans in its second Vietnam War Veterans Commemoration Ceremony. This is an opportunity for every American to recognize and thank our Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice during one of America’s longest wars.

The Town of Somers joins thousands of organizations across the country as a commemorative partner supporting the Department of Defense in its Vietnam War Commemoration ceremonies.

Please note the details regarding our 2^nd ceremony in year 2022 as follows:

When: Thursday, September 29, 2022

Where: Town of Somers – Auditorium, 600 Main St., Somers, CT 06071

Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM (approximately)

Keynote Speaker: Thomas J. Saadi, Commissioner, CT Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Host: Town of Somers – First Selectman Timothy R. E. Keeney

*Light Refreshments will be available.

As a lasting memento of the nation’s gratitude, Veterans will receive a Presidential proclamation, a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin, an Honor Certificate from CT Dept of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Saadi, and a Certificate of Distinction from the Town of Somers. Photos will also be taken and provided to each honoree.

Surviving spouses of those who served are also eligible for recognition. This includes Veterans classified as “Vietnam Era Veterans” — the period covered is November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975.

To be included in this special event, veterans must provide their Name, address, city, zip, branch of service, DD-214 (honorable discharge), rank, service dates, phone number, and email address. Please email the information to [email protected] or mail it to the “Town of Somers, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, 600 Main St., Somers, CT 06071.”

The Town Hall is accessible for those with disabilities. Please i­ndicate if you need any additional accommodations.

The 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War became official following the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in 2008. By presidential proclamation in 2012, the commemoration extends through Veterans Day 2025. The tribute makes no distinction among veterans who served in-country, in-theater or were stationed elsewhere during those two decades. All answered the country’s call to service.

Somers Department of Veterans Affairs (SDVA) encourages each American to remember and honor the 9 million American men and women – nearly 6 million of whom are living today – who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during one of the longest conflicts in our Nation’s history, from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.

“It is our heartfelt honor and privilege to recognize our Vietnam era veterans, especially as our nation marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.” D.P. McCaffrey, Director, SDVA. “Our first ceremony in March was so memorable that we are looking forward to honoring at least another 50 veterans.”

“We must never forget their service and sacrifices, which oftentimes includes permanent soul wounds.” S.A. Marquis, Deputy Director, SDVA

• Have you thought about helping your community but don’t know where to start?
• Are you looking to become more prepared for emergencies
• Are you interested in learning more about hazards that are most likely to affect your home, workplace, or neighborhood?

Consider Joining Somers CERT!

What is a CERT, and what do they do?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks. CERT allows you to meet new people and become a valuable asset to your community. In addition, you will learn new skills that prove beneficial in emergencies and everyday life.

Ok, how do I get involved?
To become a CERT member, you must pass the CERT Basic Training.

Ok, I want to get involved; how do I sign up?
Click this Link to Get Started: Somers Basic CERT Class Sign Up

It has now become a reality. Our 1982 class is hosting a special ALL SOMERS GRADUATING CLASSES EVENT on September 17, 2022 from 12:00pm-6:00pm at the K of C Pavilion in Somers. We would be honored to have as many of the past and present Somers High School Graduates, their families and the faculty in attendance.

We specifically scheduled our celebration to be the weekend of the Four-Town Fair so it would drive more attendees at all the events happening in town.

We encourage everyone to go to our web site www.somersclassof1982.com for more up-to-date details and to register for the event.

The proceeds from the September 17^th date will directly benefit three local charities.