Government/Town

Towns Agree on Congamond Dock Fees

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The Town of Suffield has announced a payment in lieu of dock fees agreement with Southwick. The payment covers costs for maintenance, policing and public safety associated with the use of Congamond Lake by Suffield residents. Congamond Lake is situated within the boundaries of both towns. The five-year memorandum of understanding includes a $2,000 annual fee (to increase by $200/year) paid by Suffield to Southwick that encompasses yearly licensing charges for Suffield residential property owners whose dock(s), swim float(s), mooring(s) or buoy(s) are located in Congamond Lake. While the agreed upon payment relieves Suffield owners from their dock fees, town leadership emphasizes it does not relieve them from their obligation to register.

Government/Town

Babb’s Beach Summer

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Mark your calendars! Babb’s Beach will open on Saturday, June 22, beginning a summer of family fun at the historic landmark. Suffield Parks and Recreation has a full summer of fun activities planned throughout Town, and Babb’s Beach is an important part of those programs. Babb’s, as it is referred to by so many residents, is a great place to sit on the beach and just relax. However, if you are looking for a little more than sitting on the beach, there is swimming in the lake, the upper field area has a small pavilion for picnic lunches, and plenty of space to play games. We will continue to offer kayak and canoe storage convenience for residents at Babb’s Beach.

Suffield 350th Anniversary Committee

Be a 350th Sponsor

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The 350th Committee has lots of exciting events, programs and projects in the works for Suffield’s anniversary celebration, and we need your financial support now to make them a reality. Please consider becoming a 350th Sponsor. There are multiple levels of sponsorship available with recognition at events and in promotional materials. To learn more about sponsorship levels please check www.tinyurl.com/Sponsor350, send an eMail to Suffield350@gmail.com or leave us a message at 860-758-0115. Thank You!

Government/Town

Early Update on Road Projects for 2019

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During 2017 and 2018 the remaining amount of the $9 million of bond funding from 2015 plus all pavement management and drainage funds were exhausted to complete 2.4 miles of road improvements (1.2 miles milled and paved, 1.2 miles reclaimed and paved). In addition, in 2018 pavement work was completed on the Thrall Avenue Road Reconstruction Project (1.2 miles) as the final part of construction on the $1.1 million LOTCIP funded project. Proposed 2019 Road Projects (Tentative)

While there is no funding available for road projects at the present time, $700,000 of the $900,000 pavement management funds requested in the budget process for road work would be available after July 1. This funding, if approved, would be used for a combination of mill and pave projects and crack sealing. A little over two miles of mill and pave projects proposed would include the roads listed in the table below.

Government/Town

Officer Osowiecki Retires but Keeps Teaching

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Officer Peter Osowiecki has retired from the Suffield police force, but he has not retired from duty—not at all. On the contrary, his career has morphed into a new phase. Now he has the time and energy to pursue his greatest passion, which is the training of police dogs for the K-Nine Corps, something he has been doing here in Suffield, and also on a larger scale, since 2005. At the moment he has three highly trained dogs that serve the Suffield police but live at Osowiecki’s home. Officer Osowiecki is certified by the North American Police Work Dog Association as a master trainer, one qualified to teach others this important skill.

Government/Town

Town Hall RFP Issued

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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). The two were, for the most part, identical, but they differed in certain key areas, and the two sets of responses, required by March 21, were to be evaluated separately. (The Observer’s printing schedule did not permit reporting on those responses.)

At the March 7 meeting of the Permanent Building Commission, Facilities Director Chris Matejek reported that seven architects and three construction managers had shown interest and had participated in the mandatory walk-through at the building on February 28. The A/E proposal request calls for complete design services, including schematic design, design development, and the necessary construction drawings, along with construction advice and “close-out,” all in close cooperation with the selected CMR. The CMR is expected to work closely with the selected A/E contractor throughout the preconstruction phase and then be responsible for the actual renovation work as defined in the specifications, all at a guaranteed maximum price.

Government/Town

Suffield Youth Services

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Suffield Youth Services hosts a special screening of Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety on April 3, at Suffield Middle School. The documentary intends to open up a dialogue between local families, community leaders and experts in a discussion following the 56-minute film. Dr. Laura Saunders, Psy.D. ABPP, psychologist from Hartford Hospital, will lead the talk. “I’m so grateful to Suffield’s Youth Services for providing an opportunity to tackle such an important topic,” stated Suffield First Selectman Melissa M. Mack. “Unfortunately, too many of our young people struggle with anxiety in their everyday lives.”

Producers Scilla Andreen and Karin Gornick hope to spark a global conversation and raise awareness around anxiety.