Government/Town

Town to Hold Free Small Business Seminars

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The Economic Development Commission (EDC) of Suffield and East Granby’s EDC will hold a series of four, free small business seminars over the next four months. These hour-long “best practice style” seminars are for the small business owner, to offer advice and guidance on challenges they face with limited resources. Topics will include: Financing, Marketing, Hiring Practices and Technology. The first session: “Financing for the Small Business” will show how to access capital to begin or grow a business. It features a panel of business financial experts from the CT Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC), Community Investment Corporation (CIC), local commercial institutions, and a local entrepreneur who successfully utilized funding to take his business to the next level.

Government/Town

Elderly and Totally Disabled Homeowners’ Tax Credit Filing Offered

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The Assessor’s office reminds elderly and totally disabled homeowners that the filing period for the state and local homeowners benefit program opens on Friday, February 1, and will end on Wednesday, May 15. This program will allow a credit on the June real estate tax bill to qualified taxpayers. The income limits are $36,000 for an unmarried homeowner and $43,900 for married homeowners, who must also be residents of this state, be age 65 by last December 31, or totally disabled and live in the home. New applicants must file an application by May 15. Any current recipient of the benefit who has received a letter from the assessor’s office reminding them to apply this year must also apply no later than May 15, to continue to receive the benefit.

Government/Town

SPD Operations Study Initiated

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The Town of Suffield and the Chief of Police, in consultation with the Suffield Police Commission, recently announced the implementation of an operational study of the Suffield Police Department to begin immediately. Conducted by the Daigle Law Group, LLC, (“DLG”) the effort includes a review of law enforcement best practices relative to the department’s day-to-day procedures. The process, estimated to last between three and six months, will culminate in data-supported recommendations designed to enhance the workings of the department. The decision to proceed with the assessment coincides with a concern raised by a resident and possible litigation discussed in executive session at a special meeting of the Police Commission on January 3. Although executive sessions are confidential in nature, First Selectman Melissa M. Mack stated, “This is a next step in proactive measures taken to support the Police Chief’s goal of making the Suffield Police Department a model of 21st century policing.” Chief of Police Richard Brown also commented that, “The department is committed to embracing modern police practices and a community policing philosophy to improve our level of service.”

Attorney Eric P. Daigle, in his presentation for police consulting services on behalf of DLG, noted his firm’s “focus is on police best practices, specifically in the areas of policy development, training, investigation, and operations.” A former Connecticut State Police Detective, Mr. Daigle provides combined expertise in both law enforcement and civil rights.

Government/Town

An Industrial Revolution Locally

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The Economic Development Commissions of Suffield and East Granby co-hosted a workshop on Manufacturing, Workforce Development and Education in November at the New England Air Museum. 125 attended from the area, including manufacturers, educators, and professionals from banking, real estate, and government. Sponsors were: MB Aerospace, Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Bradley Development League, Connecticut Dept. of Economic and Community Development, and Hartford Business Journal. Opening remarks were made by Bart Kollen, Deputy Commissioner, DECD.

Government/Town

Another Highway Garage Proposal

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At the December 12 selectmen’s meeting, Developer Mark O’Neill, of Hamlet Homes, presented another alternative for a possible relocation of the Town Highway Garage. As reported in the Observer’s December-January issue, three locations have already been considered for the garage, all involving a new or newer building, but most importantly, freeing Ffyler Place from what is considered an impediment to attracting advantageous commercial development there. The new alternative is Parcel 4 of the tract on East Street South that Hamlet has been marketing for several years. The ten-acre parcel is the northernmost part of the original 30-acre tract that Hamlet had acquired in 2014. Parcels 1 and 2 of that tract are now owned by the developers of Brook Hill Village, a new apartment complex with 36 apartments now occupied and 48 more soon to be offered.

People/Business

Suffield Welcomes Another New Business

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NE Tactical Training Academy opened doors in Suffield at 801 Thompsonville Road on October 1. Founder John Viscomi brings over six years of experience training law enforcement on tactics and techniques to his new business. Professionally trained instructors lead class sizes of 5–7 in Suffield, ensuring that both basic and advanced participants receive the individual attention needed to leave their training with the confidence to defend themselves. Among the training delivered is a Conn./Mass. Dept.

Government/Town

Town Staff Returns, Town Hall Planning Continues

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In early December, Finance Director Debbie Cerrato and her staff moved back to the Town Hall from their temporary quarters at 230 Mountain Road, the commercial office building that has been the home of several Town departments in anticipation that the old Town Hall would soon have to be emptied for renovation or demolition. The Finance staff were not the only returnees; the First Selectman and her staff, along with the Human Resources staff, had returned previously. They join the Town Clerk, Tax, and Assessor departments, which had never left. First Selectman Melissa Mack had realized that the big plans for a renovated or new town hall were not likely to proceed immediately, and the rental expense of the temporary quarters was being wasted. The return migration was facilitated by the efforts of the low security State prisoners who regularly work with the Highway Department.

Organizations

Seeking Winter Coats

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MyKoats4Kids, a nonprofit organization and proponent of providing winter costs to children in foster care in the Pioneer Valley Area is seeking donations of gently used or new winter coats for children of all ages. Cassidy, Ben and Cam Begley, siblings and students at Suffield High School, started the organization in 2017. The family has collected over 100 coats with the goal of doubling the collection each year. The Begley family hopes to provide children in need with a warm coat for the winter. 

Please contact the Begley family at koats4kids@gmail.com to arrange pick up or drop off for any donations. For more information, visit MyKoatsForKids.org.

People/Business

Praxair Tour

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Praxair, formerly known as Union Carbide, is a global company headquartered in Danbury. Their Suffield facility, opened in 1966, operates 24-7, producing three cryogenic liquids: nitrogen, oxygen & argon. The facility has many clients across the northeast, serving many markets including aerospace, with such clients as Pratt & Whitney and other divisions of UTC. A Suffield delegation recently visited Praxair as part of an ongoing initiative by the Town to visit businesses, learn about them and examine how the Town can best serve the business community. Businesses interested in being visited are invited to contact Kevin Bielmeier at kbielmeier@cerc.com