Somers approves $7,000 CIP recommendation to support teen center relocation

The Somers Board of Selectmen voted Oct. 16 to recommend a $7,000 capital improvement request from the Human Services Department to support relocation and programming for the town's teen center.

Human Services Director Matthew Cox and Youth Services Coordinator Jen Griger described strong attendance since the program restarted in late September and detailed plans to move activities to the Blake Room at the library. The teen center runs daily programming including "teen cuisine," survival skills and volunteer-led activities; staff said the program quickly grew to 20–25 kids per day.

The presenters said they applied to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for $10,000 to bolster the teen cuisine program and build an outdoor seating area. The foundation awarded $7,000; Cox said the program would be scaled to fit the award and that additional in-kind contributions and local business partnerships are part of the plan. The board moved to recommend the $7,000 CIP request to the CIP committee; after a second, the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

The presenters described planned uses for the foundation funds including kitchen appliances (a commercial dishwasher, small refrigerator, and upgraded fixtures) and program supplies, and noted that purchases must meet building code and commercial standards. They also said the teen center will coordinate with the library and community partners for programming and may publish a simple recipe book as a youth project.

The board thanked staff and volunteers and recommended the CIP committee review and finalize funding details. The recommendation will next be considered by the town's CIP and board of finance as required under municipal procedures.