First Selectman’s Update

First Selectman’s Update

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It has been said that “good things come to those who wait.” The patient people of Suffield have certainly waited long enough for the Town Hall renovation. Here I offer the fruits of over 13 years of the Town’s labor, expended in the form of discussions, studies, plans and proposals, and that the “good things” are finally near at hand. The Permanent Building Commission (PBC) and I support housing the majority of town employees under one roof. Reasons include:

• Improved customer service

• Ease of use for residents and those doing business with town

• Greater collaboration among employees

• Savings of over $100,000 annually in leased space

• Freeing commercial space to contribute to real and personal property tax rolls

To that end, PBC considered three options on May 10. Two plans renovate the existing building and incorporate an addition.

First Selectman’s Update

First Selectman’s Update

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I had the pleasure of a tour of Kent Memorial Library recently and I left feeling so excited about the changes taking place that I wanted to share some of the highlights. Clearly every resident is anxious for the long-awaited reopening given the ongoing environmental saga the town’s endured. But after seeing it first-hand, I truly cannot wait for all of us to once again utilize this inspiring building. Facilities Director Julie Oakes and Highway Foreman Mark Cervione were my tour guides as we entered the new all-abilities accessible entrance, lovingly named in honor of Suffield’s Mary Anne Zak whose family provided an enormously generous donation towards the project. The entrance is an inviting and impressive space welcoming patrons.

First Selectman’s Update

First Selectman’s Update

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It seems impossible that a year has passed since the 2017-18 budget was approved, especially since the State of Connecticut continues to slash the aid expected in our current budget. Yet here we are, presenting the 2018-19 budget. Budgets always face a unique set of challenges and this year includes the following:

• $276,618 (+15%) increase estimated in employee health insurance

• $105,174 increase over the Town’s regular contribution to employee pension plan per the Board of Finance’s decision to decrease annual return assumptions from 7.25% to 6.75%

• $273,903 (+1.7%) increase in Fire and Police “catch-up” pay due to settled union contracts from multiple prior years

These items alone account for an increase of $655,695 or 4.16% over last year. Also affecting costs is the 4-2 schedule that Police and Dispatch follow per their union contracts. This provides for 4 work days, 2 off and salary commensurate with a 7-day period.

First Selectman’s Update

First Selectman’s Update

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Earlier in September, I participated with mayors, first selectmen and leadership from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) in a press conference at the Capitol criticizing the drastic proposed municipal cuts and the failure to adopt a budget.