Government/Town

SPD Study Improvements in Progress

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As reported previously, the 59-page Suffield Police Department (SPD) Management Operational Study was released on October 30, 2019. It contains ten fundamental finding areas around criminal investigations, organizational structure, employee morale, training, and staffing. Progress is being made on addressing the 42 corresponding recommendations for those areas. Overall, Chief of Police Richard Brown targets 18-24 months to implement improvements and achieve accreditation. The study took place over eight months, during which time some impacting initiatives were either in development or being implemented.

Suffield Observations

Why are you asking me?

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I usually don’t miss opportunities to vote. I view the act of voting a secular sacrament. As with other faiths that issue calls to prayer, when the sign on the green summons Suffieldians to vote, I am compelled to respond.

Government/Town

Homeowners Benefit Progam Filing

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The Assessor’s Office would like to remind elderly and totally disabled homeowners that the filing period for the state and local Homeowners Benefit program is open and will end on Friday, May 15, 2020. This program will allow a credit on the June real estate tax bill to qualified taxpayers. The income limits are $37,000 for an unmarried homeowner and $45,100 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, 2020; 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, 2020 in order to continue to receive the benefit. Proof of income for 2019 is needed to apply.

Now and Then

Wise Old Owl Symbolism

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Following a few days of feeling unwell and unproductive, I asked the Observer to extend my October 15 deadline for the November issue. Ever gracious, the Editor invited me to take a few days off.

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

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The dust is settled now on your failed proposal to move the Town Highway Garage and “develop” Ffyler Place. You are quoted in the JI (Jan.29) as saying that “… it appears that Suffield residents believe the highway garage should stay where it is – and aren’t interested in economic development.”

Government/Town

Garage Relocation Voted Down

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The “NO” signs soon followed. This one was across from the West Suffield Post Office. About a quarter of Suffield’s eligible voters made their choices at the Town referendum on January 28, and they turned down the proposed Town Highway Garage relocation with two resounding NO’s. The vote was 3 to 1 on the first question: to relocate the garage and permit development of its parcel on Ffyler Place, using Tax Increment Financing. The second question was declined even more strongly: a 4 to 1 NO vote rejected buying an existing building at 1160 South Street, renovated for the intended use, for no more than $2.4 M plus the existing highway garage property.