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— September 15, 2025
Student Achievement Results
- Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Grades 3-8: Testing results showed substantial improvement in Math scores compared to previous years with some grades achieving double-digit increases. Results also showed improvement in English Language Arts scores. Scores in both subjects remain well above the state average.
- Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Grades 5, 8, and 11: Testing results showed significant increases over previous years with some grade levels and cohorts achieving double-digit increases compared to prior exams. Scores in this subject area remain well above the state average.
- SAT School Day Grade 11: Results showed slight improvement over the previous year and remained well above the state average.
- Advanced Placement (AP): The results showed an increase in the percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher on the exams, which is the standard for college credit consideration. As part of that, 100% of students in US Government & Politics and US History scored a 3 or higher on those exams.
Board of Selectmen— September 17, 2025
Kaplan Farm Development Rights
- The property in question consists of approximately 47.3 acres and is owned by Michael and Elizabeth Kaplan, located at 714 North Street. First Selectman Moll clarified that the town is purchasing the development rights, not the actual farm.
- Selectman Harrington and Selectman Bielonko recused themselves to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest.
- Selectman Moll moved to approve the purchase of development rights to Kaplan Farm from the open space fund and refer to the Board of Finance. Vote: 3-0 in favor (Moll, Hill and Chafetz.) Motion passed unanimously. Discussion of the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) Grant
- Chad Kuzontkoski, Economic Development Specialist, addressed the Board of Selectmen regarding the upcoming application for the STEAP.
- This year, the focus is on upgrading the business centers throughout town to enhance Suffield’s competitiveness as a destination for businesses.
- The first step is to engage with key retailers to assess their interest and identify how improvements could directly benefit them.
- The Town intends to apply for a $1,000,000 grant, though additional costs not covered by the grant-such as design and planning expenses-may be incurred separately.
- Proposed improvements could include facade renovations, roofing, updated signage, and parking enhancements. The overarching goal is to create a Business Improvement Grant Program, wherein participating businesses would contribute 10% of the project cost, with the remaining 90% covered by the grant.
- The grant application window opens in January and closes in February.
Parks & Recreation Commission—September 10, 2025
- Parks & Recreation acquired a used Ford Explorer from the Police Department. It will be used for transporting equipment and employees.
- Suffield Alight! tree lighting will be held Saturday, December 13, 2025. There is a new component this year: a Holiday Market with sixteen spots for vendors, along with food vendors.
Social Services Commission—September 19, 2025
Seniors and the Senior Center
- A seminar on Social Security Benefits will be held on November 13, 2025 from 6 pm to 7 pm.
- Medicare open enrollment will be held from October 15, 2025 through December 7, 2025.
- There will be a fundraiser on November 2, 2025 at Sunrise Park to help with the kitchen fund, especially rising food costs,
Youth Services
- Joann Moriarty is working with the middle school on getting transportation for students from school to the Youth Center. New programs are being offered which include 3D Printing and robot building on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- A Lego group will be started in the future.
Suffield Community Aid
- Mary Curtin reported on the prior Fiscal Year 2024-2025:
- The SCA helped residents of Suffield access $265,000 in rental and heat assistance.
- SCA directly spent $170,000 on its programs. It spent 66% more on crisis and emergency funding than the previous year.
- Housing and emergency rental assistance totaled over 136% from the year before.
- Things that were down from the year before include fuel assistance and housing programs.
- There has been a 25% increase in food pantry usage over the same time period last year. The shelves are getting bare and could use a local food drive to help with replenishing.
- Backpacks were distributed in August to fifty-two individuals.