Melissa Mack
I would have liked to write this month’s update with glad tidings of spring flowers and sunny days, but the State’s budget woes bring forecasts of cloudy days ahead. I’m not one, however, to stand idly by, or accept limitations. I’d much rather direct the Town’s combined energies to areas where we can show growth, despite the current fiscal constraints. Suffield, through hard work and ingenuity, will always strive to be on the positive side of the ledger. I’d like to bring a sharper focus to what I believe are several strengths we can cultivate. I’ll categorize these as “Suffield’s underutilized assets.”
Underutilized Asset #1: Young Families. I recently had the pleasure of meeting a Suffield family, new arrivals to town with preschoolers in tow. They appreciated the beauty of Suffield but lamented its lack of activities for younger children. It is a complaint I hear often. Such families often patronize other towns for services they are unable to find in their own hometown. What Suffield loses in the process is the opportunity to build a sense of community and connections, roots so to speak. With this in mind, I tasked the Directors of Parks & Recreation, Kent Memorial Library and the Senior Center with investigating our current offerings to preschoolers. Their combined list revealed existing substantive programming without even including other nonprofits located in Town such as the Friends of the Farm at Hilltop. What became readily apparent was that our departments were diligent in providing quality programming but in a somewhat fractured manner that proved limiting in making residents aware.
Underutilized Asset #2: Collaboration. While each department utilized multiple measures to advertise their programming, combined they could reach a greater number of residents and in a more user-friendly way. The goal, as we move forward is to improve coordination and speak with “one voice.” First “To Do,” create a Community Calendar with the objective to add it to the Town website so events happening in Town on any given day can be easily found.
Underutilized Asset #3: Senior Center. Delays with the KML renovation clearly have been painful for our whole town. One small ray of light at hand is the ability for the Senior Center to share its space. The Senior Center was in part funded by a State grant that restricted use of the facility to seniors only. Given our library conundrum, we solicited the State for a variance to permit broader use until Town Hall and KML are fully operating in their permanent locations. This provides a unique opportunity. The Senior Center has ample square footage including a kitchen, dining hall, class rooms, as well as a larger space for groups, meetings and exercise classes. Utilizing the Senior Center holds the promise of intergenerational programming with additional benefits to our community.
By identifying and harnessing these three “underutilized assets,” our programming trio introduced four new spring activities that will be offered at the Senior Center. We hope this is a first step in preconditioning young families to look to the Town and its programs as great resources as their children age.
These creative and innovative programs are sure to engage moms, dads and caregivers right here in Suffield. The complete list can be found on page 12 in this issue.
Underutilized Asset #4: Babb’s Beach. The Town worked tirelessly last year to reopen one of Suffield’s true gems, Babb’s Beach, which provides residents with access to beautiful Congamond Lake. We look forward to kicking off a full summer of fun. Please help ensure active public use of this Town treasure by participating in the 2nd Annual Babb’s Beach Clean Up day on Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will be held rain or shine. Contact Kris Lambert at 860-668-3838 or fsadmin@suffieldct.gov with questions.
Underutilized Asset #5: Volunteers. In truth, Suffield’s volunteers – active on so many fronts – are hardly underutilized. But the need for volunteers is always great, and Suffield is always giving. Please consider donating to the Annual Letter Carrier’s “Stamp Out Hunger” Drive scheduled for Saturday, May 13. Non-perishable food items may be left near your mailbox. Donated food will be delivered to the Emergency Aid Association to stock the EAA’s Food Pantry, open 40 hours a week by appointment and serving 140 different Suffield households last year alone. Your generosity is always appreciated.
It’s easy at times to think of everything we don’t have or can’t do. I’m committed as your First Selectman to acknowledging the riches we enjoy in Suffield and continuing to work every day to improve our community.