Government/Town

Amiel P. Zak Community Room Opens at SPD

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On May 12, 2017, the Suffield Police Department was proud to be a recipient of an Amiel P. Zak Public Service Fund grant. The grant award of $20,000 was allocated to create and enhance the community and training room. We recognized that, at the time to present, viable community spaces to bring town residents and town services were extremely limited. In support of the efforts of the Town of Suffield and the Suffield Police Department to conduct increased outreach to residents, community members, and members of civic organizations, this generous funding was applied to upgrade the technology and facilities. The Police Department strives to interact and bring in the community in keeping with the founder of modern day policing, Sir Robert Peel’s principle that “Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police…” These enhancements also provided for a professional training environment for Suffield’s police officers and staff.

Government/Town

Household Hazardous Waste Day Canceled

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The Household Hazardous Waste Day originally scheduled for April 14, 2018 has been cancelled. The Town is planning to hold hazardous waste collection days every other year going forward. This will net a savings of $18,000 from the annual landfill operating budget. Town residents have some alternative disposal options for items that are frequently dropped off at hazardous waste day. All types of fluorescent lightbulbs can be brought to the Town landfill at 2715 Mountain Road any Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The landfill also collects used batteries.

Government/Town

Assessor Reminder

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The Assessor would like to remind elderly and disabled homeowners that the filing period for the state and local benefit program will end on Tuesday, May 15. Any current recipient of the benefits who has received a letter from the Assessor’s office must reapply no later than May 15 in order to continue to receive the benefit. New applicants must also file an application by that date. This year’s maximum income allowed is $35,300 if single and $43,000 if married. Proof of income for 2017 is needed.

Government/Town

What is the Undesignated Fund Balance?

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The undesignated fund balance is sometimes referred to as the Town’s “Rainy Day Fund.” It represents the amount of the Town’s general revenues in excess of expenses since the town’s inception almost 350 years ago. The undesignated fund balance goes up or down every year based on the difference between the annual revenues and expenses. Revenues include property taxes as well as other sources of revenue such as state aid and user fees. Expenses are not only the annual operating expenses of the schools, police, fire and other departments, but also our debt service and capital spending. For the past fiscal year, the Town ran a deficit of $624K, which reduced the undesignated fund balance.

First Selectman’s Update

First Selectman’s Update

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It seems impossible that a year has passed since the 2017-18 budget was approved, especially since the State of Connecticut continues to slash the aid expected in our current budget. Yet here we are, presenting the 2018-19 budget. Budgets always face a unique set of challenges and this year includes the following:

• $276,618 (+15%) increase estimated in employee health insurance

• $105,174 increase over the Town’s regular contribution to employee pension plan per the Board of Finance’s decision to decrease annual return assumptions from 7.25% to 6.75%

• $273,903 (+1.7%) increase in Fire and Police “catch-up” pay due to settled union contracts from multiple prior years

These items alone account for an increase of $655,695 or 4.16% over last year. Also affecting costs is the 4-2 schedule that Police and Dispatch follow per their union contracts. This provides for 4 work days, 2 off and salary commensurate with a 7-day period.

Food for Thought

Food For Thought

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“A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.”
– Douglas Adams