Somers eyes spring projects

SOMERS, N.Y. - Spring has sprung in Somers, and a whole bunch of projects are starting to pop up.

According to the town’s website and its latest newsletter, these include:

Growing Concern

The New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (NYC-DEP) is starting to work on improvements to forest conditions along the New Croton Reservoir.

The project will focus on about 121 acres of city-owned land located both sides of the Route 100 corridor between the Somers town line at the south end to Alfred B. DelBello Muscoot Farm at the north end.

According to the NYS-DEC, the health of wooded areas in the corridor are endangered by age-related mortality, invasive vegetation, and tree-killing climbing vines.

To address these problems, workers will cut down ailing trees so that growth “resources” are concentrated on their healthiest brethren.

They will also remove vines and invasives to protect the remaining trees and to provide room for new ones to grow.

Native trees will be planted where gaps in the forest canopy exist and the newbies will be protected with deer fencing or tree tubes, depending on the location.

The tubes discourage animal browsing and fend off harsh, dry winds that could damage seedlings or small saplings.

Motorists and recreational users are being asked to use caution while in the area of the project.

Fishing spots will be closed during periods of active work.

Not Horsing Around

An old horse barn, one of several outbuildings at the Wright-Reis Homestead, is being repaired.

The restoration work was made possible because of a $50,000 SAM (State and Municipal Facilities) grant secured by state Assemblyman Matt Slater.

The Town Board put the project out to bid last October. The contract was awarded to Kowidge Architecture and Design of Middletown.

The Wright Homestead is located on Route 139 (Primrose Street) just north of Reis Park.

The Greek Revival style house was built c. 1845 by William Marshall, a prominent local merchant in Somers.

It was purchased by Samuel Purdy Wright in 1869. He and his wife, Madeline (Dennett), had one child, Caroline, who was born in the house in 1880.

Caroline inherited the homestead. While her husband, Walter Reis, was away on business, she managed the farm.

Reis had a deep love of history and philanthropy and was very active in community affairs.

Having no children, she left her home and 82 acres of land – part of which is now Reis Park – to the town in 1967.

The property is now used for educational and recreational purposes.

And Speaking of Reis Park

The town was also excited to announce that progress is being made on the Reis Park expansion project.

Last year, it gained an additional 11 acres through a “land swap” with Westchester County.

In 2023, the state signed off on a conservation modification agreement between the town, county, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The original easement allowed for the development of athletic fields at Angle Fly Preserve on Route 139, a move that would otherwise be prohibited on protected open land.

The new agreement changed the designation of 14 acres of land at Angle Fly from “athletic field area” to “open space recreation area” and the 11-acre parcel, adjacent to the park, from “open space recreation area” to “athletic field area.”

Project highlights include: a new 1,050-foot access road from Plum Brook Road, which the town was hoping would be completed in time for its big July 4th blowout; 36 additional parking spaces; the conversion of one of the tennis courts to four pickleball courts; and upgraded lighting and stormwater management.

It was to be done in two phases, with the first commencing this month (April). It’s expected to be completed in September of 2026.

The road will connect the existing parking lot with the new parking area.

The town declared itself the lead agency for SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) purposes last January.

It’s contemplating other future improvements to Reis Park

To see project updates and site plans, visit www.somersny.gov/resources/environmental-reviews.

Water Ya Gonna Do?

The Ross Drive water tank, a critical component of the town’s Consolidated Water District No. 1, is due for interior rehabilitation.

While the exterior was last addressed in 2013, the inside of the 1.45 million-gallon welded steel storage tank now requires maintenance to ensure continued water quality and pressure stability, the town said.

Among the interior problems found were exposed steel, corrosion and pitting; biofilm, staining, and brown sediment on the tank floor; overhead soiling and thinning of protective coating, and “poor aesthetic water quality, due to increased particulate and/or color throughout the water column,” according to a letter from the town’s engineering consultants.

It stores potable water in the Amawalk-Shenorock Water District.

In January, the town awarded the project to Minoan Industrial LLC. Work was scheduled to begin this spring.

Raising the Roof

The Town Board will hold a public hearing on a proposed housing development at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 10.

North Edge Realty Corp. is seeking a zoning map amendment that would allow for the construction of 77 multi-family units, of which 15 percent would be designated as “affordable.”

Developer Gus Boniello's project would be similar his Somers Crossing, a 66-unit luxury condo development nestled between Routes 100 1nd 202, just behind the Towne Centre at Somers.

The three parcels that make up the Baldwin Place site are located just north of Route 6 and west of Mahopac Avenue.

They are currently zoned R-40 and R-80 (Residential). North Edge wants that changed to MFR-BP (Multifamily Residence Baldwin Place).