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 5, 2025
Recognition:
• This year’s Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) Student Leadership Award recipients are Suffield Middle School students Nora Pixton and Oliver McCool and Suffield High School students Keila Silva and Tryell Khouri. Ken Smith, Suffield Middle School Principal, and Anthony Hibbert, Suffield High School Principal, spoke about the leadership attributes of these students.
• This year’s Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) Student
Recognition Award recipients are Suffield Middle School student Natalie Audet and Suffield High School student Samantha Ruggieri. Principal Smith and Principal Hibbert spoke about the outstanding character traits of these students.
• The Suffield High School Class of 2025 Salutatorian is Heidi Storey and the Valedictorian is Natalie Ho. Principal Hibbert spoke of the students’ academic excellence, exceptional character, and their many extracurricular activities.
Preliminary SAT Results:
Assistant Superintendent Zawawi said the Connecticut School Day SAT test was taken by Grade 11 students on March 12, 2025. Of the 143 eligible Grade 11 students, 136 students participated in the test. This is the third year using the mandatory adaptive digital test. Samantha Schrager, 6-12 ELA Instructional Coach, gave an analysis of the Evidence Based Reading and Writing data and said there was growth with struggling readers. Domenico Casolari, 6-12 Math Instructional Coach, gave an analysis of the math data and said slight improvements were made. He said the introduction of an Algebra I Lab will help incoming Grade 9 students.
Board of Selectman – April 9, 2025
Discussion and Approval of Right to Farm Ordinance and Referral to Town Meeting:
First Selectman Moll opened the floor for discussion among the selectmen and expressed his support for the ordinance, emphasizing its benefits for local farmers. Town Attorney Derek Donnelly also provided input on the ordinance’s function and its impact on agriculture and our farming community.
Selectman Hill moved to approve the Right to Farm Ordinance and refer to Town Meeting. Vote: 4-0 in favor. Motion passed unanimously.
Conservation Commission – April 8, 2025
Forest Management Plan – Sunrise Park:
Tree warden Sue Mayne addressed the Commission regarding a State-run program that will conduct a forest management plan free of charge. A discussion followed and it was decided that Sunrise Park would be the best site for the study. Ms. Mayne stated that the Commission would eventually have to come up with objectives of the plan. Consultant Keith Morris will send a copy of a previously done study at the Park to Ms. Mayne.
Consultant’s Report:
Consultant Morris presented a draft plan regarding resurfacing the rail trail from the Southwick line through Suffield to the East Granby line. The acting town engineer asked for input from the Commission regarding potential permits and information needed on the plan. After discussion, the Commission decided that more information should be submitted and an application filed for a permit from the Commission. Information requested includes location and type of erosion controls and the disposal location of the regrind material.
Consultant Morris also presented a plan for an addition to a building on Marketing Drive.
There is no work proposed within the upland review area. After discussion the Commission decided that the work could be approved administratively by consultant Morris through the building permit process.
Parks and Recreation Commission – April 9, 2025
Spring and Summer Events: The Director reviewed some of the upcoming events/programs: Summer Fair, July Yard Goats Game, Movie Nights, Wednesday night concerts, running club and other events.
Men’s Outdoor Summer Basketball League: There is pickup basketball on Wednesday and Thursday nights for men and on Tuesday night for women at the courts behind the Middle School.
The Director explained that a uniform is included with the fees, and that officials will be certified. The sponsor for the league is Windsor Federal. The program starts in June and teams will play 1 to 2 games a week ending with each team playing each other twice. The top four will be in the semi-final and final with program ending in August.
Bandstand/Gazebo on Town Green: The town green gazebo needs to be replaced. The Historical Commission has asked that the Parks and Recreation Commission form an ad hoc committee to review the design and add comments and concerns.