Dear Editor,
In September 2025, during the last election cycle, the Town Board published an advertisement in this newspaper stating that it had “secured over $5 million in grants for infrastructure improvements.” For many residents, this appeared to refer to the plan to connect Somers Town Hall — and potentially a few nearby properties — to the Heritage Hills water and sewer system.
However, in March 2026, the town announced that it is now applying for a new federal grant of nearly $4.9 million to complete sewer extensions, with a required local match of up to $987,784. No explanation has been provided reconciling these two statements.
At this point, it is reasonable for residents to question whether the previously advertised $5 million in grants was ever secured in the form or for the purpose implied — or whether those funds were never actually available for the Town Hall connection. Without clear accounting, the public cannot determine what was obtained, what was not, and why a new grant — with a substantial taxpayer contribution — is now required for the same category of work.
These are not political questions. They are questions of accuracy, transparency, and basic public trust. Somers residents support responsible investment in infrastructure. But responsible investment requires clear, consistent communication about what funding exists, how it has been allocated, and what remains unfunded.
I hope the Town Board will provide a full explanation so the community can understand the true status of these projects and the real costs involved.
-John Mooren, Somers
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