Somers leaders sworn in as new election calendar shrinks terms

SOMERS, N.Y. - The third day of 2026 saw the swearing in of re-elected town officials in Somers.

Taking the oath of office on Saturday, Jan. 3, before a crowd of family members, friends, and supporters at Town Hall, aka The Elephant Hotel, were Supervisor Robert Scorrano and Councilmen Anthony Cirieco and William Faulkner.

Michele McKearney, the town’s receiver of taxes, was unable to attend and was to be sworn in at a later date.

But don’t blink, because of changes in New York state law, Scorrano, Cirieco, and Faulkner will be placing their hands on that same Bible much earlier than usual.

Starting this year, most elections for town and county offices outside of New York City will shift from odd to even years. This was done in order to place local candidates on the ballot in the same year as those running for state and federal offices.

In Somers, supervisors serve two-year terms; councilmen, four years. The latter terms are staggered.

This means that Scorrano will serve just one year before going back before voters – should he choose to run again, of course. And those elected to four-year terms, will serve for three years before getting back on the ballot in 2028.

Scorrano made a brief reference to the upcoming quick turnaround in his post-swearing in speech.

He also thanked his “team,” his family, and the crowd, which included his 87-year-old proud dad and “best friend,” Michael.

“It does mean a lot to all three of us up here today. We couldn’t do this without you, your support, your love,” Scorrano said, noting that officials remain committed to keeping the town “affordable.”

“We always pride ourselves on keeping it the lowest-taxed town in Westchester County,”  he said, crediting the “great foundation” laid by former supervisors Rick Morrissey and Mary Beth Murphy.

Scorrano also had praise for his fellow council members.

“But these guys are the rock. These guys keep me on track. These guys are the ones who I’m always able to bounce ideas off of. They always have some great advice for me,” he said.

(Scorrano, Cirieco, Faulkner, and newly appointed board member Gina Arena are all Republicans. Councilman Richard Clinchy is the sole Democrat.)

Echoing Scorrano’s comment about keeping Somers affordable and desirable, Cirieco acknowledged that there are “some challenges going forward.”

Nevertheless, he remains optimistic.

“It’s going to be a great year. It’s going to be a great three years,” Cirieco predicted.

Faulkner also had a long list of folks to thank, but the most important one, he said, “our party secretary, our club vice president, our tireless volunteer, and my best friend, Meredith Faulkner.” (Meredith is his wife.)

“We are very excited for the next three years,” he said. “It was so much fun. And, Rob, let’s do it again for you, next year.”

State Assemblyman Matt Slater (R-C, Yorktown) was there to help celebrate.

“We have a great working relationship,” said Scorrano of the lawmaker. “Besides that, he’s a good friend and trusted confidant. So Matt, thank you so much, I appreciate all your support.”

(Slater is a former supervisor of neighboring Yorktown.)

Congratulating Scorrano and the Town Board, Slater called them “great friends, allies, and partners.”

“Having come from local government, I understand the challenge that they face,” he said, adding that he was “looking forward to working with all of them on behalf of the town of Somers (in order) to continue to make it the fantastic community that it is here.”