Too busy to look up what’s going on in town? This article covers selected information from the 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
February 20
Open Choice Program Review and Seat Declaration – Superintendent Dunbar shared that school districts need to declare the number of seats they plan to make available in the Open Choice Program lottery by next week. Suffield is planning to offer 32 seats in various grade levels. Last year, the district offered 34 seats and received a total of 10 students. Currently, Suffield has 32 students in the Open Choice program throughout the district.
2025-2026 Budget – Superintendent Dunbar noted that the district is seeing some reductions in special education costs due to students moving out of the district. In addition, the state legislature is considering a $40 million relief package for excess cost reimbursement for districts in the current fiscal year that may allow for increasing expected reimbursement in next year’s budget.
The Board of Finance liaison asked about any potential impact to the district’s budget based on potential changes being made in Washington as a result of the new administration. Superintendent Dunbar noted that the district is actively monitoring developments as they unfold.
Board of Finance
February 10
Audit Report from Mahoney Sabol & Company, LLP – The scope of work included an audit of the Town’s financial statements, Federal and State single audits, agreed-upon procedures on end of year school reports (EFS), and some non-audit services. The firm issued an unmodified opinion on the Town’s financial statements, noted noncompliance of laws and regulations, and noted no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses over financial reporting.
Board of Selectmen
February 19
Discussion and appointment to fill the vacant position on the Social Services Commission through November 30, 2028
Selectman Chafetz moved to appoint Kristin Kling to the Social Services Commission through November 30, 2028. Vote: 2 in favor (Chafetz and Hill) and 3 opposed (Bielonko, Harrington and Moll). Motion failed.
Selectman Harrington moved to appoint Timothy Reynolds to the Social Services Commission through November 30, 2028. Vote: 3 in favor (Bielonko, Harrington and Moll) and 2 opposed (Chafetz and Hill). Motion passed.
Discussion and appointment to fill the vacant position on the Kent Memorial Library Commission through November 30, 2027
Selectman Chafetz moved to appoint Fred Sweitzer to the Kent Memorial Library Commission through November 30, 2027. Vote: 2 in favor (Chafetz and Hill) and 3 opposed (Bielonko, Harrington and Moll). Motion failed.
Selectman Bielonko moved to appoint Julie Bodnar to the Kent Memorial Library Commission through November 30, 2027. Vote: 3 in favor (Bielonko, Harrington and Moll) and 2 opposed (Chafetz and Hill). Motion passed.
Discussion and approval of the FY 25/26 Selectman’s Budget and refer to the Board of Finance
First Selectman Moll discussed the fiscal year 2025/26 budget, which had a 3.9% increase. The majority of the increase was due to insurance and public utilities costs. He also mentioned the potential for a 10% increase in insurance costs the following year. He explained that the budget had been revised to account for potential salary increases due to union contracts and also mentioned that the Town has merged some positions in order to save costs.
Selectman Harrington moved to approve the FY 25/26 Selectman’s Budget and refer to the Board of Finance. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Motion passed unanimously.
Planning and Zoning
Commission February 24
Site plan application for a ground mounted solar array on the western side of the Suffield Academy property near Hill Street which was approved by the Conservation Commission on January 28, 2025. This solar array will provide electricity directly to the grid.
Bill Hawkins, Director of Planning & Development, read his report into the record, noting that the project meets or exceeds all regulations for height and setbacks. In an email report, Consulting Town Engineer Dana Steele recommended that the conditions of approval be revised.
Ms. Bromage moved for approval with conditions. The motion was seconded by Ms. Golembiewski and passed unanimously.