Happy 2022! I wish everybody a safe, healthy, and prosperous new year. Hopefully everybody had a great, relaxing holiday with family and friends.
I am pleased to say our distribution of test kits and masks from the state is complete and was successful. We received 2,154 test kits total. All of which were able to be quickly and efficiently distributed to those who signed up and came out for one. Thank you to our Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association, the Fire Department, and the Police Department for organizing and helping. A big thank you to the Rotary and every volunteer who came out with us in the below freezing temperatures to help hand these out!
Speaking of volunteers and great work, the town of Suffield was able to send an entire trailer load of donated goods down to those in Kentucky whose lives were turned upside down due to the tornadoes and storms. The donations and volunteer efforts of everybody in town and businesses who donated were amazing. The list of businesses and individuals who donated and helped is too big for this column, but a thank you and acknowledgment to all is needed! So thank you!
The Suffield Police Department officially has a new chief, Chief James Cannon, our former captain. Welcome to Captain Robert Palmer who has joined our department. Good luck in your new positions. I am happy to say the three of us have already started working together and our first order of business has been more traffic and pedestrian safety. If you haven’t noticed already, the police department has been out a lot more making traffic stops. One of our main goals is to slow the speed of vehicles in our town intended for the safety of our residents. Save yourself a traffic stop and slow down on our roads!
Be on the lookout for some of our job vacancies the town is looking to fill now or in the near future:
-Finance Director
-Library Director
-2 positions at our Highway Department
If you know somebody qualified, have them send us a resume!
Discussions of ARPA funds, the American Rescue Plan Act, have officially begun. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance will be creating a committee consisting of members of each to decide how exactly these funds are best used for our community. The Town of Suffield has already received $2,340,081.27 and is expected to receive a total of $4,680,162.56 by the end of the summer. The government has established guidelines that have to be followed in order to use these funds. Follow along on our progress and decision making on our town website. Check out the agenda and minutes section or come join us at our meetings!
On February 1, I invite any member of town to join us for a public meeting. We are looking for your input on our affordable housing plan that is required by the state. You can find information on our website.
I also invite everybody to join me once a month Fridays for my “Friday’s With Your First Selectman.” The goal is to give residents even more opportunities to get in touch and have more accessibility to their community leader while feeling more involved and a part of Suffield. Come out and share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Or, just come out to listen. Each month I will highlight a different area or building in town, so continue to check out the town website to find the next location and exact details. I look forward to seeing everybody there!
I would love to see more residents come out and get more involved. The opportunities are there, online or in person. It’s a new year and a chance to help your community that is always looking for volunteers and input! Your community, your neighbors, your voice. Come out and get more involved this year!