Government/Town

Officer Osowiecki Retires but Keeps Teaching

By |

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

By |

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

By |

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.

Government/Town

Parks & Rec News

By |

We have had an exciting winter season at Suffield Park and Recreation! Our efforts to bring programs that are more diverse to Suffield, and its residents, are gaining traction with full classes in a wide range of program categories including: adult fitness and wellness, youth arts and crafts, youth fitness, STEAM enrichment programs, self-defense and pre-school and adult sports. These new and unique programs are supplementing our traditional programs, such as youth basketball, bowling, and yoga. I would like to give a special thanks to the group that attended the Cupcake Decorating class that left some samples for me. The cupcakes were beautiful and delicious too…even if I had to do some extra exercising to make up for eating them!

Government/Town

Senior Center & Mini Bus News

By |

Identity thefts and scams are rampant in Suffield. The Suffield Police report that they receive calls concerning identity theft and scams at least once a day.

Suffield 350th Anniversary Committee

Suffield 350th Trivia Quiz – April Questions

By |

1. A man born in Suffield, although ordained as a minister, preached a popular vegetarian “religion.” He urged his listeners to eat dark, coarse bread and crackers and abstain from meat. Who was he? a. Virgin Graham

b. Lindsey Graham

c. Bob Red Mill 

d. Sylvester Graham

2. In 1841, President Benjamin Harrison named Francis Granger of Suffield to be the Postmaster General of the United States.

Suffield 350th Anniversary Committee

What’s Your Suffield Story?

By |

One plan for Suffield’s 350th anniversary celebration is to republish Robert Alcorn’s book, The Biography of a Town, along with a Volume 2, which would be a compilation of Suffield stories from the last 50 years that brings us from the late 1960s, when Alcorn’s book left off, through the past 50 years to 2020. Our tentative idea is to call it 50 Stories for 50 Years. We are looking for residents (or former residents) who have a story to tell. The stories might be about growing up in Suffield, about the farming community, about your church, your committees, your non-profit group, education, real estate, development in town, etc. and how these stories have evolved over the past 50 years from the 1960s to now.

Suffield 350th Anniversary Committee

Be a 350th Sponsor

By |

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!