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Somers selectmen mark budget win; approve payments, disband senior‑center ad hoc and fund temporary sanitarian with CDC grant
Summary
After announcing a successful budget referendum (1,807–608), the Somers Board of Selectmen authorized $463,839.86 in payments, accepted a senior‑center ad hoc committee recommendation to delay expansion and disband the committee, and approved using a $20,782 CDC grant to hire a part‑time temporary sanitarian for fair and event inspections.
The Somers Board of Selectmen on July 16 reported that the town’s budget referendum passed 1,807 to 608 and moved quickly through several administrative actions: the board authorized roughly $463,840 in scheduled payments, accepted the recommendation to disband a senior‑center ad hoc building committee and approved using a federal public‑health grant to hire a temporary sanitarian.
Chair (speaker 6) told the board the referendum succeeded on the town’s fifth attempt and said finance and selectmen will explore restoring high‑priority items and hold a public meeting if restorations are proposed. “Stand by for more information there,” the chair said.
Committee member (speaker 4) moved to authorize scheduled payments totaling $463,839.86; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The motion was framed as routine payments necessary to continue town operations.
John Roland (speaker 8), public works and emergency management director, reported that the senior‑center ad hoc building committee recommended expanding the facility after monthly study and work with designers, but that cost estimates — roughly $3.0 million to $4.5 million — made it inadvisable to seek taxpayer support now. The ad hoc committee recommended keeping the work for future consideration; the selectmen voted to accept the recommendation and disband the committee.
Director Cadlock (speaker 9) described a CDC public‑health infrastructure grant awarded to Somers on 2023‑11‑01 in the amount of $20,782. Cadlock said the funds were intended to bolster local public‑health capacity and proposed hiring a part‑time temporary sanitarian to assist with restaurant inspections, temporary food events and fairground coverage. Selectmen moved to accept the proposal, approved a job description and authorized posting for the temporary position; the chair noted the funds must be spent by the end of the fiscal year or returned.
The board also approved the minutes of the July 2, 2026 meeting (one abstention noted) and adjourned the regular meeting.
Ending: The board recorded no further substantive votes; several items were framed as timing decisions tied to overall town bonding and fiscal strategy.
