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
May 19, 2025
Recognition – The Board of Education recognized Kevin Mattia, Suffield Middle School Technology Education Teacher, and presented him with a plaque in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Suffield Public Schools.
District Artificial Intelligence Committee Update
Rebecca Osleger, Director of Technology, Shannon Insero, Suffield High School Assistant Principal, and Lisa LaForte, Grade 3 Teacher at McAlister, provided an update on the district Artificial Intelligence (Al) Committee:
- The committee is now developing guidelines to oversee the district’s AI work, which will help students and staff to navigate the AI landscape. Once the guidelines are finalized, the committee will recommend resources for teachers to utilize and schedule professional development.
- Next year, some teachers may pilot various ways to incorporate AI into their lessons, including through the use of free versions of Gemini and Magic School.
Board members asked questions about how teachers are incorporating Al into classrooms, which lessons are appropriate for AI, how AI can be used in a way that complements rather than replaces learning, and how students are taught to determine whether the information they obtain through AI is accurate. Board members also asked whether students learn to develop and refine prompts to maximize the information they get, whether teachers are taking into consideration studies that assess what is developmentally appropriate for students, and what steps will be taken to get parents involved in understanding the technology.
Board of Selectmen
May 21, 2025
Discussion of Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program
First Selectman Moll invited Bill Hawkins, Director of Planning and Development to address the selectmen regarding the Neighbored Assistance Act Tax Credit Program.
- Mr. Hawkins explained that the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) has announced the availability of the 2025 Neighborhood Assistance Act Program. The Program provides a tax credit to business firms that make cash investments in qualifying community programs conducted by tax exempt or municipal agencies.
- Mr. Hawkins also reported that business firms that make cash investments in qualified community programs may claim the tax credit, which is equal to 60% of the amount contributed or 100% for energy efficiency projects. A business firm is limited to receiving $150,000 in tax credit annually.
- Businesses interested in claiming a tax credit complete a separate application to the DRS during the period of September 15 and October 1 of each year. There is a two year carry back provision for the credits so even if some corporations may not need the tax credits this year, they may be carried back to the two immediately preceding income years.
Discussion and approval to accept the transfer of cemetery property on Mountain Road owned by West Suffield Cemetery Association and refer to the Board of Finance
First Selectman Moll offered a brief overview of the events to date concerning the cemetery property. Town Attorney Donnelly outlined the rationale behind transferring the Mountain Road cemetery property to the town, detailed the process required to complete the transfer, and discussed the impact this transfer will have on the town moving forward.
Selectman Harrington moved to accept the transfer of cemetery property on Mountain Road owned by West Suffield Cemetery Association and refer to the Board of Finance. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Motion passed unanimously.
Economic Development Commission
May 15, 2025
Commission Update
Commission member Gayle Demko updated the Commission on the informational kiosk that will be placed outside the library and noted that it will be ordered this month and she mentioned the possibility of it being solar powered.
EDC Projects Report
Chad Kuzontkoski, Economic Development Specialist, distributed his written report which summarized the activities in the Light Industrial, Commercial and Town Center Village District zones for the month. He reported that the Board of Selectman has approved the sale of the land at 1148 South Street for a recreational facility. The next step will be a town meeting for approval. He also noted that the RFP for a landscape design for West Suffield Center only generated one bid which was much higher than expected. The Commission discussed scaling back plans and arranging for planters and benches as an alternative for the present.