Boards & Committees

The Town Government relies heavily on its citizenry to serve on the various volunteer boards and committees that serve numerous important functions in Town Government. Alphabetically they are:

Affordable Housing Board
Architectural Review Advisory Board
Assessment Board of Review
Board of Ethics
Cable Television Board
Conservation Board
Fire Bureau
Group Home Committee
Historic Properties Board
Library Board of Trustees
Open Space Committee
Parks & Recreation Board
Planning Board
Risk Management and Safety Committee
Somers Archeological Review Board
Substance Abuse Council
Town Board
Zoning Board of Appeals

Departments

 
Finance
Finance Department is responsible for the following financial functions of the Town:
· Receiving revenues from Town departments and external sources
· Processing payrolls
· Preparing payments to vendors
· Maintaining accounting records for all funds including capital projects
· Preparing interim and annual financial reports
In addition, Finance personnel coordinate the investment of Town funds and assist in the preparation of the annual budget.

Questions concerning financial related matters should be directed to this department.

Justice Court
Location:        335 Route 202, Somers, NY 10541
Telephone:     (914) 277-8225 

Court Hours:  The Town Justice Court Office is located on the second floor of the Town House. Court Office hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

 Judges:           Hon. Denis J. Timone
 Hon. Michael J. McDermott

Staff:               Spera Salvi, Court Clerk
Barbara Lloyd, Assistant Court Clerk

Courtroom:     The Courtroom is located on the first floor of the Townhouse 

The Justice Court handles misdemeanor criminal matters, felony arraignments, civil and small claims actions (jurisdiction up to $3,000.00), motor vehicle and Town ordinance violations.

Court Meeting Schedule: 

• Criminal Part:  5:30 pm every Monday
• Civil, Small Claims and Landlord/Tenant:  Civil and Small Claims matters are heard every Monday at 5:30 pm
• Vehicle and Traffic Trials:  Every Monday and the 2^nd Tuesday of every month at 5:00 pm

Court Security
All persons entering the Court are subject to screening.  Weapons and other prohibited items, as established by the judges, may not be brought into Court.

Payment of Fines
All fines, when paid timely, may be paid by personal check, money order or exact amount cash (do not send cash through the mail).  License suspensions may only be paid by exact amount cash or money order. 

Bail
Bail must be paid by exact amount cash only.

Marriages
The Judges perform civil marriage ceremonies.

Library
The Town Library is located in Reis Park on Route 139.  The Library's web site  (www.somerslibrary.org) contains all the necessary information.  The Library's telephone number is 232-5717 and the Library Director's email address is library@somersny.com..

Planning & Engineering Department
In most other communities, the Planning and Engineering Department are two separate departments. However, the Town of Somers has decided to combine the two offices sharing the resources, files and staff to operate more efficiently.

The Planning and Engineering Department has the responsibility for reviewing all new project applications submitted to the Planning Board by developers and residents, e.g., new subdivisions and site plans. A subdivision customarily involves the creation of new residential building lots and new streets. Site plans usually involve the creation of shopping centers and/or commercial establishment where business is conducted.

The Planning Board consists of seven local residents with the authority to approve, modify or disapprove site plans, subdivisions, and certain wetland and steep slope permits. The Planning Board members are appointed by the Town Board for a seven year term.

Individual applications for modifications around your house usually involve the issuance of a Building Permit, although if work involves disturbing the outside yards, such as for a pool, an addition or installing a shed, the Engineering Department must review the application for the necessity of an environmental permit to determine whether the disturbance occurs in environmentally sensitive areas. Therefore, a building permit cannot be issued until after the environmental determination process is complete and the appropriate environmental permit issued. PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE (277-5366) BEFORE YOU START A NEW OUTDOOR PROJECT IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE TOWN LAWS.

The Planning Department is also responsible for ensuring that the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) are followed during the review process, along with the preparation and the continuous update of the Town Master Plan, in addition to other planning studies directed by the Town Board.

The responsibility for the Engineering Department continues beyond the Planning Board approval process to the point of monitoring construction to completion and ultimately to the point of dedication of the public facilities, such as Town roads and drainage facilities.

The Engineering Department is also responsible for the issuance of all environmental permits and working with all Town Departments in the implementation of construction projects. 

Police Department

The Somers Town Police Department, located on Route 139, is a part-time force consisting of two lieutenants and  14 police officers led by Chief Michael Driscoll.  Among the services provided by the Department are vacant house checks, neighborhood watch, car etching and child-safe programs for the community.  All officers are trained first responders in the use of automated defibrillators.

The Somers Town Police are dispatched by the New York State Police.  To report an emergency dial 911. All 911 calls are answered at the New York State Police Communications Center (TMC) in Hawthorn NY.   Either a Somers Town Police Officer, a New York State Trooper, or both, will respond to a call for assistance.

The Somers Town Police Department may be reached by calling 914-232-9622 (Non-emergencies only).  Requests for copies of reports that have been taken by the Town Police, or to speak with a Town Police Officer should be directed to this number.  Please note that as the Somers Town Police Department is part time and does not provide 24 hour service, it may be necessary to leave a message and your call will be returned.

 Tips on Making 911:

Start with What the emergency is and Where the emergency is.  Stay calm.
Ask for what is needed, for example if it is clear that an ambulance is needed say that.
Do not hang up first, stay on the line until the call taker says good bye.
Be a good witness, record descriptions but do not place yourself in danger.

Receiver of Taxes
The Tax Office prints all the tax bills and collects the payments for both the Town and schools. They also provide accurate information regarding these taxes to residents, banks, etc.  

School Taxes (1st half) are due by September 30th
School Taxes (2nd half) are due by January 31st
No bill is sent out for the 2nd half

State/County/Town Taxes are due by April 30th

Any tax payments post marked or brought into the office after these dates are subject to penalties. Please remember that these penalties are set by the Westchester County Laws and not the Tax Receiver, who cannot waive these penalties for any reason. 

Please mail payments to Receiver of Taxes, Town of Somers, 335 Route 202, Somers NY 10589.  Any questions, please call 914-277-3610.

Joan Ribaudo, Receiver of Taxes
Stephanie Brewer, Deputy Receiver of Taxes

Senior Nutrition Program
Through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Senior Nutrition Program provides home delivery of hot meals to seniors (60 years of age or older), 5 days a week. A $2 contribution per meal is suggested. In addition, they host lunch for seniors at the Recreation Center in Van Tassell Park Monday through Friday at 12 noon. Round-trip transportation is provided to those who need it. Reservations for both programs must be made at least 24 hours in advance. A list of speakers, activities, etc. is available by calling 232-0807.

Barbara Taberer, Program Director
Phone Number – (914) 232-0807
Fax Number – (914) 232-0807
Days & Hours of Operation – Monday-Friday 8a.m.-3p.m.
Located in the Recreation Center in Van Tassell Park, Route 139

Town Clerk
The Town Clerk, elected to a four-year term, has many varied responsibilities. The Clerk is responsible for the Town Board minutes and follow up of Town Board meetings, the safekeeping of Town records, supervising elections, Freedom of Information Officer, Records Management Officer and Registrar of Vital Statistics. The Clerk is also in charge of the issuance of Marriage Licenses, permits for 100 commuter parking spots at the Katonah Woodsbridge Parking Lot and handicapped parking permits. Also issued in the Office of the Town Clerk are dog licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, refuse licenses and dance and/or entertainment licenses.