Somers board hears $63.9 million capital plan; voters to decide bond and 2025–26 budget May 20

Somers Central School District officials presented a proposed $63.9 million capital plan to the Board of Education on May 6 and reminded the public that votes on the 2025–26 budget and the bond referendum are scheduled for May 20.

The proposal, presented by Mike Lanter of H2M architects and Chris McCartney, the district's facilities director, would fund infrastructure and classroom upgrades across district schools. "The intent of this bond is to present projects that are tax neutral," Lanter said during the presentation. Lanter told the board the committee originally tallied about $106 million in needs and later prioritized that list to the $63.9 million package now proposed.

Why it matters: The package addresses aging building systems — HVAC, roofing, electrical panels, flooring and site work — across buildings that date from the 1930s through the 1950s and several later additions. Officials said the plan is intended to avoid sharp swings in the district's local tax share and keep debt service within the existing tax cap structure.

Scope and funding: Lanter said the district's prioritized scope includes retaining‑wall and drainage repairs, pavement and sidewalks, doors and windows, HVAC rooftop unit replacements, ceilings and flooring, bathroom and electrical upgrades, fire alarm upgrades and targeted roofing work. Building‑specific items include a proposed artificial turf play area behind the middle school, auditorium and gym upgrades at the middle and high schools, transportation‑yard pavement and bus‑wash improvements, and water service and playground work at Primrose Elementary.

On funding, Lanter said the $63.9 million total was budgeted with $62 million proposed from the bond and about $1.8 million from capital reserve funds. Facilities director Chris McCartney said the district expects to receive building aid on parts of the project and that "the costs that are gonna be incurred are already built into our current budget and our existing debt structure." Board members and the presenter emphasized the district intends the package to be tax neutral for homeowners by aligning new debt with existing debt schedules.

Turf, surfaces and maintenance: Board members asked about playground surfacing and turf alternatives. Lanter said options include artificial turf, rubberized safety surfacing and mulch; he described typical lifespans and maintenance: rubberized surface life was estimated at about 8–10 years, artificial turf about 15–20 years, and mulch requires ongoing replenishment (commonly a 9‑inch depth to meet fall‑protection ratings). Lanter said turf is often recommended for lower maintenance and easier ADA transitions but acknowledged design‑phase geotechnical testing and drainage decisions could change scope and cost.

Schedule and contingencies: If voters approve the bond, designers would begin geotechnical surveys and detailed design work in mid‑2025, submit documents to the State Education Department (SED) for review and then bid the work. Lanter presented a high‑level schedule that shows construction work beginning in summer 2026 and substantial completion targeted for September 2028. Lanter and district staff cautioned that SED review times vary and that bids could reveal higher costs; they said contingency and bid alternates would be used to keep the overall package near the published budget. "We can come back to the public and… publicly tell them what we're removing from the project," Lanter said as one contingency strategy.

Board process and vote: The board held the budget public hearing required by state rules and closed it at the meeting; no public speakers addressed the budget during the hearing segment. Officials said all presentations and supporting documents are posted on the district website and encouraged voters to review the details before the May 20 vote.

Ending: Board members reiterated the May 20 voting date for the 2025–26 budget and the bond referendum and encouraged residents to review posted documents and attend scheduled building walkthroughs before voting.