Dear Editor,
Somers is standing still while the future races ahead. With aging septic systems and missed infrastructure opportunities, our town risks falling behind — unless we choose to lead. The 2025 Town Board election offers a chance to demand momentum, not just maintenance.
While past and present boards have emphasized senior services, open space preservation, and public safety, these reflect the baseline of what we expect from local government. True leadership means anticipating challenges, driving innovation and building a future worth inheriting.
One area that deserves renewed attention is our town’s decades-old struggle with sewer infrastructure. A previous $62 million proposal was rejected — understandably, given its reliance on taxpayer funding, long-term borrowing and steep homeowner fees.
More recently, the town secured a grant to connect municipal buildings to sewer and water systems — but most residential neighborhoods were left out. This approach, while helpful for municipal operations, leaves residents uncertain and facing probable future costs.
This initiative envisions bringing modern sewer and drinking water service to homes in Lake Lincolndale and Shenorock. Rooted in sustainability, equity and long-term community benefit, the concept could be implemented without increasing taxes or charging connection fees — if fully funded through grants.
Unlike the previous plan, which required massive upfront investment and imposed costs on homeowners, the EcoUtility model leverages modular technology and grant funding to deliver infrastructure affordably and equitably.
At the heart of the plan is a modular wastewater treatment facility. Compact, scalable and environmentally friendly, this facility could be sited near Lake Lincolndale. Modular systems are faster to deploy, easier to maintain, and more cost-effective for smaller communities. They allow phased expansion, so infrastructure can grow in stages as the town grows.
The drinking water system would draw from the nearby Baldwin Place Principal Aquifer — a deep, high-yield aquifer classified by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Located outside the NYC watershed, it offers fewer regulatory hurdles and remains largely untapped.
Typical homeowner costs without grant funding can exceed $25,000 — including sewer line installation, water hookup, permits and septic decommissioning. Avoiding these costs represents a substantial financial benefit.
The Town should actively pursue full coverage from federal, state, and regional sources, including: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), NYS Department of Health (DOH), NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), EPA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, USDA Rural Development, NYS Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) & Intermunicipal Grants (IMG), Green Innovation Grant Program and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
Recent campaign materials from Town Board candidates highlight accomplishments — from securing over $5 million in grants to advancing public safety, recreation, and environmental initiatives. These are important efforts, but residents deserve clarity on how they directly impact our neighborhoods.
Grant Funding: How much of the cited $5 million is allocated to residential sewer and water access versus municipal buildings, sidewalks, or recreation facilities?
Police Barracks Construction: The Town proposes building a new NYS Police barracks to lease to the State Police. While described as “no cost to taxpayers,” the Town will need to prefinance construction — likely through borrowing. What are the lease terms and long-term cost recovery plans?
Public Safety and Recreation Projects: Sidewalks, crosswalks, and park expansions are valuable — but do they address foundational infrastructure challenges?
These questions are not criticisms — they are invitations to lead with clarity. Voters deserve more than polished headlines. They deserve a roadmap, a budget breakdown, and a commitment to equitable service delivery.
This is not just about pipes and pumps — it is about fairness, public health, and long-term economic resilience. Neighborhoods in Somers still rely on aging septic systems. Equity means ensuring that all residents — regardless of which street they live on — have access to safe drinking water, reliable wastewater treatment, and a future free from surprise costs.
The Somers Lakes EcoUtility Project offers a chance to correct that imbalance — without burdening taxpayers and without repeating the shortcomings of past proposals.
Our Town Board holds real authority. These are not ceremonial duties; they are real powers with real impact. And while Somers does have a Comprehensive Plan, updated in 2016 to guide us through 2026, it lacks benchmarks, timelines and meaningful public engagement. It is a vision for what could be — not yet a strategy for making it happen.
As the election approaches, let us ask candidates:
What transformative initiatives have you personally led in the past decade?
What measurable goals will you pursue to move Somers forward?
Let us stop mistaking activity for achievement. Let us encourage leadership that’s visionary, courageous — and ready to build a future we can all be proud of.
It is the Town’s responsibility to pursue funding — but it is our responsibility to make sure they do.
Let’s stop mistaking maintenance for leadership. It’s time to build.
John Mooren, Somers
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