Too busy to look up what’s going on in town? This article covers selected information from the draft minutes of various Town Boards and Commissions. If you want more detail, it can be found by going to suffieldct.gov, Agendas, Minutes, Recordings.
Board of Education – January 27, 2025
Athletics– Amy Muska, Director of Athletics and Student Activities, reviewed the Athletics proposed budget. Current year program highlights included NCCC, Allstate and All-American honors. Coach Casolari was named CIAC Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year.
Uniforms for several teams were replaced, a new scoreboard timer for the turf field was purchased, and a full-time athletic trainer was hired. Budget requests included new athletic uniforms for two teams and continued funding of cooperative teams.
Information Technology – Superintendent Dunbar thanked Rebecca Osleger, Director of Technology, and her department, along with administration, for the work done in ensuring efficiency of digital memberships. Current year department highlights included the implementation of student analytics and the implementation of Two Factor Authentication (2FA). Superintendent Dunbar said he is reviewing policy around AI in the district.
Special Services – Diana Kelley, Ed.D, reviewed the Special Education proposed budget. The requested budget maintains current staffing levels. Dr. Kelley reviewed the reductions and/or omissions from the FY26 budget requests and discussed future needs. She said the district budget is for what they know concerning special education outplacements and it is hard to budget for the unknown. Reduction in the excess cost reimbursement and outplacement transportation costs have affected the budget significantly.
Board of Selectmen – January 22, 2025
Update on Solar Project at the Landfill – Bill Hawkins, Director of Planning & Development and Engineering Liaison, along with Kevin Sullivan, Resident Solar Consultant, addressed the board to provide an update on the Solar Project at the Landfill. Mr. Hawkins walked the group through the project timeline, which began in 2022, detailing the progress from the initial stages of the present and outlining the necessary next steps for successful implementation.
Discussion and approval on Charter Revision Recommendations – First Selectman Moll reiterated the final recommendation of the Charter Revision Commission which is to move the Treasurer position from an elected position to an appointed position. Brief discussion ensued among the selectmen and Town Attorney Donnelly.
Selectman Harrington motioned to approve the recommendation of the Charter Revision Commission and refer it to the voters of Suffield at a regular election on November 4, 2025. Motion passed.
Discussion and approval of remaining ARPA funds and refer to the Board of Finance – First Selectman Moll convened the ARPA committee prior to the end of the year in order to make a decision on the funds that remained. The group decided to allocate $18,000 for the replacement or purchase of a new ATV for the Police Department and $8,767 for a new road saw for the Department of Public Works (DPW). A motion was made and seconded to approve the allocation. The motion passed.
Permanent Building Commission – January 16, 2025
Update on KML Air Quality Testing – Chairman Goff provided an update on the KML Air Quality Testing. A brief discussion ensued among the commission members regarding the testing results. It appears the testing came in under the limits after cleaning the air ducts. The town has not officially received the final report as the building address was identified incorrectly.
Planning and Zoning – January 27, 2025
Request for site plan approval for the 32-unit Phase I of the Eastwoods age-restricted condominium development located off Juniper Lane. Mr. Guilmartin moved to table the application to the February 24th meeting. The motion was seconded by Ms. Golembiewski and passed unanimously 6-0-0.
Request from BGR Materials to release the restoration bond for the earth – excavation property located off Lake Road. Mr. Guilmartin recused himself for this application and left the room. Ms. Golembiewski moved that the Planning and Zoning Commission approve the request from BGR Materials, LC to release the $37,500.00 restoration bond for the Lake Road earth excavation property per staff’s recommendation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dunn and approved unanimously 6-0-0.
Performance bond review and possible increase pursuant to Section 1103 of the Subdivision Regulations for the Kings Meadow subdivision located off of East Street South. Ms. Bromage moved to table the bond review until the February 24, 2025 meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Dunn and approved unanimously 6-0-0.
Site plan application pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-30g to convert the building located at 140 South Main Street (St. Joseph’s Church) into 12 residential apartments.
Attorney Amy Blume on behalf of the applicant explained that in her reading of State Statutes and the Suffield Zoning Regulations, a public hearing does not need to be held for a site plan or for an 8-30g site plan application. She stated this in an email to Mr. Hawkins who then asked the Commission’s attorney, Carl Landolina for his opinion. Attorney Landolina responded to the email that it was his opinion that the Commission can hold a public hearing on the application if they so choose. Mr. Hawkins cautioned that the decision on the application would have to be made within 65 days of the application’s acceptance date unless the applicant granted an extension request.
Ms. Golembiewski moved to make the email correspondence between Attorney’s Blume and Landolina on the public hearing matter a part of the record and to accept the application and set the public hearing for the next regular meeting on February 24th. The motion was seconded by Mr. Guilmartin and approved unanimously 6-0-0.