Photo by Lester Smith
Elaine Sarsynski reflects on how much she appreciated Patrick McMahon’s work succeeding her as Economic Development director when she was first selectman. Town officials, local organization officers and other friends crowded the Selectman’s Meeting Room in Town Hall this summer to give Patrick a great send-off as he left town after 15 years to become the new president and CEO of Connecticut Main Street Center. In that role he will be helping many towns restore their historic downtowns and main streets.
After having the fortune of working for this great community for 15 years, I have taken the position of CEO of a statewide nonprofit called the Connecticut Main Street Center which works to have thriving downtowns in communities across the state. I want to start off by thanking former First Selectman Elaine Sarsynski and Economic Development Commission Chairman Howard Orr for giving me the opportunity to work for Suffield. To Scott Lingenfelter, Tom Frenaye, Ed McAnaney and Melissa Mack – thank you for giving me the tools to succeed, providing challenging assignments to stretch my horizons and for the space to be creative. To my fellow colleagues past and present – thank you for the collegial spirit in which we have all worked together for the public good. To all the Boards and Commissions that I have had the honor to appear before and work with on so many projects – thank you for your service to Suffield. I offer special thanks to all of the members of the Economic Development Commission, current, former and dearly departed, that I have worked with over the years and the guidance and sage advice that you have provided to me, as well as to the Town. To all the business and property owners – thanks for investing in the community and to the Suffield Chamber of Commerce – thanks for your important role in enhancing the business environment.
There has been a lot accomplished in the last 15 years. When I first started, Elaine’s platform was Preservation and Progress and those words have really stuck with me throughout these years. Suffield has been a leader in farmland preservation and open space acquisition. We have preserved hundreds of acres of prime and important farmland soils. Bielonko, Fish, Leahy, Dunai, Miller, Zalewski, Beneski – the list goes on. We are truly “A Town of Farms.” We have also been active in historic preservation efforts with the designation of Hilltop Farm and Babbs Recreation areas as National Register Historic Districts. Preservation is truly in our DNA!
On the progress side there is so much to point to, such as: technology improvements across the organization with on-line records and on-line registration capabilities; new community facilities like the senior center, ambulance facility and the Ratley Road firehouse; miles of repaved and reconstructed roadways; totally revamped zoning regulations; establishment of Village Districts in the Town Center and West Suffield Center; new light industrial businesses like Windsor Marketing Group, Designs for Health, Trevisan and Arcor Laser; the first Airport Development Zone in the state; Babbs Beach being open to the public once again; completion of Suffield’s section of the Farmington Canal Trail; a substantially renovated Kent Memorial Library with handicapped accessible entrance; and Beneski Field and the Rotary Pavilion. These examples of progress over 15 short years just scratch the surface of the great things happening in the community. There is much to be proud about.
Here is my hope for Suffield going forward:
1) A continued focus on preserving farms and open space lands.
2) A continued focus on well maintained and utilized public facilities and parks.
3) Successful completion of the Kent Memorial Library, Town Hall and Bridge Street Community Center. Each of these buildings will have a very important role in ensuring a vibrant Town Center.
4) Construction of a new, attractive mixed-use development on Ffyler Place with office, retail, restaurants and housing components.
5) That Suffield continues to celebrate its many historical and cultural assets.
6) That Suffield’s civic organizations continue to have a positive impact on the community; and
7) That there is a continued focus on regional and statewide collaboration on important issues and projects.
Please keep preserving what makes Suffield so special, as well as progress in making Suffield an even more amazing place to call home, to run a business or to visit.
Until we meet again – Godspeed to you all!