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
July 14
Superintendent’s Report
• Superintendent Dunbar said the STEAM Lab renovations at Suffield High School are well underway with flooring and paint jobs completed.
• The district continues to pursue a proposed local special education site for outplaced students and has had initial conversations with an architect and Kevin Goff, Permanent Building Commission (PBC) Chair.
• The Suffield Middle School Library Media Specialist position has been filled.
• Suffield High School received the resignation of a chemistry teacher, and that position has been filled.
• Special Services positions have been filled with the exception of the Suffield High School special education teaching position.
• Spaulding School has filled the one-year contract for an art teacher.
• A number of paraeducator positions have been filled.
Business Manager’s Report
• Business Manager Eric Remington said there is no update for food services or transportation.
• The bus contract is up for renewal and is being worked on.
• FY26 expenses show both positive and negative departures from budget. Electricity costs are being watched closely.
• Special education outplacements continue to be a budget concern.
• Mr. Remington reviewed the major projects currently underway including the flooring project at Suffield High School and the modulars at Spaulding School.
• He said an RFP has gone out to hire a consultant for the Suffield Middle School building project and fire station that lists a potential referendum date of November 2026.
• The bridge behind Suffield High School leading to Spaulding School is currently open to pedestrians only.
• Mr. Remington said 15 of the 18 rooftop units for Suffield High School are being delivered and are expected to be installed prior to the start of school. The remaining three units will be here by the end of the calendar year.
Discussion and Approval
of School Lunch Prices
for 2025-2026 School Year
• Mr. Remington said the food service program is governed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He said the
district has not increased the price of lunch in four years and compared Suffield Public Schools lunch prices with other districts. The recommended increase for school lunches for the 2025-2026 school year is $0.25.
• Finnigan moved, Sattan seconded to approve the increase
of school lunch prices for the 2025-2026 school year by $0.25 across the district. Dudack, Finnigan, Rossi, Sattan, and Toskin
voted in favor of the amended motion. Sparzo abstained.
The motion passed 6-0-1.
Board of Selectmen
August 6
• Appointment to Kent Memorial Library Commission
• Selectman Hill moved to appoint Fred Sweitzer to the Kent Memorial Library Commission to fill the remainder of Joe Craven’s term through November 30, 2027.
• Vote: 4 in favor (Bielonko, Chafetz, Harrington and Hill) and 1 opposed (Moll). Motion passed.
• Selectman Harrington moved to approve the transfer of funds to replace the scoreboards at Suffield High School and refer to the Board of Finance. Vote: 5-0 in favor. Motion passed unanimously.
• First Selectman Moll reported on his initial meeting with the Affordable Housing Task Force. The group will be exploring options for expanding the Housing Authority and identifying potential funding sources to support future efforts. Another meeting is scheduled for September. State Representative
Tammy Zawistowski is also assisting the Task Force in locating possible funding opportunities.
• First Selectman Moll reported that, after years of effort, the Town has been approved for a Supplemental First Responder designation. This approval allows the Fire Department to serve as a backup for medical emergencies when needed.
Fire Commission
July 22
Chief Cunningham provided an update on the Full-Time Firefighter recruitment process.
• Following the completion of the written and oral examinations, final interviews were conducted with the top three candidates by
Chief Cunningham and Director of Human Resources, Karin Ziemba.
• Chief Cunningham recommended extending a conditional
offer of employment to the top-ranked candidate.
• Additionally, he proposed the establishment of a hiring list to retain the remaining two candidates from the current pool. The
hiring list would remain active for 24 months, expiring on July 22, 2027, and would be used to fill any future vacancies that may arise
during that period. Commissioner Mathieu moved to approve the
Chief’s recommended candidate for hire and to establish a hiring list. Commissioner Bucior seconded the motion. All in favor 4-0. Motion passed unanimously.