Did you ever wonder who is taking care of our buildings? That would be Chris Matejek, Facilities Manager, Public Works who reports to Melissa Mack, First Selectman.
Chris moved to Suffield in 1989 and attended McAlister Middle School. From there, he graduated from Suffield High School and went on to graduate from UMass.
After college, he worked at Yankee Candle for 19 years, most recently as the Property and Guest Services Manager in South Deerfield. He heard about an opening in Suffield, applied, and the rest is history. He has been our Facilities Manager since June 2018.
So, what’s he been doing? He has been overseeing the library project, in conjunction with others, which is now mostly complete except for daily maintenance. In addition, there is the Town Hall renovation for which an architect and construction manager have been hired. That project is expected to begin late this winter or early next spring. There is a feasibility study currently underway regarding the street lights project. The study is to provide detailed information for another company to determine a return on investment for the purchase of the street lights by the Town from Eversource.
There are also some smaller projects. The installation of a new roof on McAlister will soon be competed. A new septic system was installed at Sunrise Park, and the playground there is also being upgraded. Our four firehouses will all be looking spiffy with their new epoxy floors, which are close to completion. And, let’s not forget the day to day activities such as repairing HVAC systems and contracting pest control. Residents also stop by to let him know about buildings or roads that may be in need of repair.
What’s his biggest challenge? This position is dynamically different than his last position. There’s the transition from private sector to public sector and a whole new set of tools with which to become familiar.
Chris asked that I remind everyone about the Suffield Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day that includes the towns of Simsbury, Farmington, Avon, Canton, and Granby. Joining with other towns provides us with an opportunity for two collections each year, along with reduced expenses. The next collection is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 9 in Simsbury, at the Department of Public Works located at 66 Town Forest Road, West Simsbury. You can find more information about what can or cannot be collected on the town’s website.
Outside of work, Chris likes to concentrate on his family and polish his musical skills. He plays acoustic bass and tells me he will be famous someday. Here’s hoping his perseverance pays off, and he remembers us all.