SHS Grad Now Hartford Cop

Suffield’s Kate Butler taught in Manchester briefly after her studies at Eastern Connecticut State University (Class of 2017) focused on education and history, but she decided to follow in the family footsteps and is now a “fourth generation crime fighter.” That’s the inscription in the nice shadow box her father, Matt Butler, presented to her shortly after her graduation from the Hartford Police Academy as a new hire of the Hartford Police Department. The centerpiece of her father’s shadow box was his own badge as a Special Agent of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, from which he had retired as Agent in Charge of the NCIS Training Academy in Georgia after a long career in responsible NCIS positions all over the world.

Town Hall RFP Issued

The project to renovate the present Town Hall is moving forward, and the Request for Qualifications and Proposal was published on February 22. Actually there were two closely related RFP’s issued, one for the architectural and engineering design work (A/E) and one for a “Construction Manager at Risk” (CMR).

Annie, Jr. Charms Suffield

Old timers in town will remember Little Orphan Annie from her radio program and her long-running comic strip, and many will remember at least one of her several movies and the popular musical play, Annie, as well as Annie, Jr., the adaptation for a young cast offered to Suffield in 2012 as the first musical play produced by Suffield Middle School. Annie, Jr. came to town again for three performances this year at the end of February and the start of March, and the town was delighted again.

‘Wax Museum’ Figures Speak

The Suffield Middle School’s yearly Wax Museum is a two–morning program that’s been one of this reporter’s favorite assignments. All the sixth graders are asked to choose and learn about a prominent non–fiction figure from a biography and other sources.

Aces High Opens Season Well

Aces High, Team 176, our local collaborative FIRST Robotics team, got a great start in their initial meet this year at Wilby High in Waterbury on March 7-9. They had worked hard in the last few weeks, and their robot seemed ready.

Mamma Mia Mimics Broadway

Excellent voices, great dancing, an impressive set, enjoyable music by an immensely popular group, and a hilarious story of modern life in an attractive Mediterranean location — what more could an audience want, especially those in the audience whose kids were on stage.

Library Opening Approaches

The grand opening has not yet been scheduled, but progress in the Kent Memorial Library building was reported to be “moving right along,” and the goal has been set for the building work to be complete by the end of April or early May so the librarians can complete the job of moving back from Ffyler Place.

Eagle Brothers Honored

This was not the first time that Boy Scout Troop 260 has had several Eagle Scouts in the same family, but the Court of Honor on February 26 was the first time the brothers were awarded in the same ceremony. Michael Sattan and Stephen Sattan both received their coveted awards that evening, with a packed Fellowship Hall at Second Baptist to applaud.

Highway Garage Plan Chosen

At their meeting on February 13, the Suffield Board of Selectmen took a significant step in their effort to move the Highway Garage operation away from Ffyler Place. They voted to enter negotiations with one of the three proposals for a new highway garage that have been studied in recent months.

Suffield Town Hall Renovation Plans Continue

It’s been a long, hard-working endeavor to find a workable plan for the needed Town Hall improvements, but First Selectman Melissa Mack is leading the effort to proceed with the only plan she now feels is appropriate to pursue. A Request for Proposals (RFP) based on this plan was being carefully edited at press time and was expected to be published by the end of February.