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 details, it can be found by going to suffieldct.gov, Agendas, Minutes, Recordings.
Board of Education October 20
District’s Health Insurance
• Individuals from MDG Benefit Solutions presented an overview of Suffield’s self-funded health insurance plan including budgets and actual costs from FY19 through FY26, a summary of the FY25 renewal with Cigna, plan offerings, the use of pharmacy and care management programs, claims history and other information.
• Board members discussed, among other things, the differences between fully funded and self-funded plans, the cost of prescription medications, and the outlook for next year’s budget.
Special Education Program Update
• Director of Special Services Diana Kelley, Ed.D., presented an overview of the district’s special education program including accomplishments, the department’s goals, budget drivers, and a plan to contract with Effective School Solutions (ESS) to provide behavioral supports to either reduce or prevent outplacements.
• Board members discussed, among other things, the cost and desired scope of the ESS program in Suffield; the status of a proposal to build a formal, in-district special education school to serve students closer to home and reduce outplacements and the potential benefits of conducting a survey of special education families to assess their satisfaction with the district’s special education program.
Board of Finance October 14
Purchase of Development Rights for Kaplan Farms
• Mr. Childs moved for the Board of Finance to approve the expenditure of $95,268 (subject to any adjustment due to the final survey acreage) from the open space fund for the purchase of development rights to the 47.3 +/- acre Kaplan Farm located at 714 North Street and refer the request to a Town Meeting.
• Mr. Christian seconded. Motion passed 6-0.
Director of Finance Updates
• FY 24-25 Review of YTD Budget vs. Actual Reports: A surplus of $1,148,025 is estimated due to both higher revenues and lower expenses.
• Medical Insurance Fund update: Total costs for the plan year paid through August 2025 are running 94.1% of the estimated budget, which is favorable by $254,273.
Board of Selectmen October 22
Appointments
• Selectman Harrington moved to approve moving Jessica McCue from alternate to full member on the Conservation Commission to fill the remainder of Pat Reilly’s term through June 30, 2028. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Motion passed unanimously.
• Selectman Harrington moved to reappoint Victor Mathieu to the North Central District Health Department Board from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Motion passed unanimously.
Library Atrium
• First Selectman Moll discussed the additional costs associated with the Library Atrium Project. He reported that the town received confirmation that the vendor will hold the quoted price of $85,000 until spring.
• First Selectman Moll referred to an email from Board of Finance member Chris Childs, who recommended that it may be more financially prudent for the Town to cover two-thirds of the project cost, rather than having the Library Commission contribute one-third. First Selectman Moll expressed his agreement with Mr. Childs’s recommendation and advised that the Board move forward with the Town covering two-thirds of the total cost.
• Selectman Chafetz moved to approve the Town covering two-thirds of the overall cost of the Library Atrium Project, with the Library Foundation covering the remaining one-third, and to refer the matter to the Board of Finance. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Motion passed unanimously.
Conservation Commission – October 28
• Chad Kuzontkoski, Economic Development Specialist, addressed the commission to present two potential projects: enhancements to the entranceway of Sunrise Park and the development of a dog park at Stony Brook Park.
• Following review of drawings and discussion, the commission expressed support for moving forward with the Sunrise Park Entrance Enhancement project. They requested that Mr. Kuzontkoski return at a later date with additional information regarding the potential placement of the dog park at Stony Brook Park.
Police Commission October 22
• Chief Canon reported that the department is currently fully staffed and will likely begin a hiring process mid to late fall in anticipation of a potential retirement in the Spring.
• He indicated that contract negotiations are still ongoing with the Town Hall Employee Union, and that he is awaiting the final outcome of the negotiations and will make the necessary adjustments to the budget.
• The Town is currently in the process of applying for a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant.