Parks & Rec News

I wanted to let you know how welcoming and passionate I have found the people of Suffield to be since I started as the Director of Parks and Recreation this past June. My first few mornings were filled with “Hellos” and “Good Mornings” outside of businesses, from people I had not met yet.

Hazardous Waste Removed

Clean Harbors was again invited to town to collect household hazardous waste materials brought to the pick-up location on Ffyler Place. That company, a large, multinational corporation, is paid to dispose of the material in various government-approved ways. Between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 30, an almost constant stream of residents arrived to bring their stuff. Drivers were advised to stay in their cars “For Safety” as white-suited workers unloaded and sorted it. The collection is done on a “pay as we dump” basis, with specific prices tallied carefully as each load is put into the appropriate bin.

Upcoming Application Deadlines for Tax Exemptions

Veterans

Veterans of any declared war period and current active duty military having not previously filed for an exemption must provide an original or certified copy of their Honorable Discharge or current orders or affidavit to the Suffield Town Clerk by September 30 to be eligible for a minimum exemption of $3,000 deducted from the assessed value of real estate or a motor vehicle. Each current member of the United States armed forces (including reserves and National Guard) is also eligible for the exemption from taxes of one motor vehicle upon application. Veterans with VA disability ratings must submit proof of the rating to the Assessor for an increased exemption benefit. Proof needs to be supplied once, unless the rating is changed. Disabled veterans age 65 or older are entitled to an exemption equal to that of a 100% disabled veteran upon providing proof of age to the Assessor.

Parks & Rec Employee on Paid Leave

On August 2, a town employee reported an incident of suspected child abuse or neglect to the Director of Parks & Rec of the Town of Suffield. The incident did not take place at a town-related activity or program but was reported to the town employee on July 2. The Director of Parks & Rec immediately notified the Suffield Police Department and the Department of Children and Families. Subsequently, the question of whether the town employee should have reported the incident sooner was raised. The First Selectman’s Office immediately began an administrative investigation and requested a criminal investigation into that issue, and the employee was placed on paid administrative leave during the process.

Police Investigation Regarding Child Abuse

On May 22, The Office of the Chief of Police was notified by staff of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) that an allegation had been reported to DCF which involved members of the Suffield Public School District.

Black Bear Population Increases

There has been a lot of talk in town with the warmer weather coming in, having more frequent interactions with our resident Black Bear population. There were nearing thirty calls for service between May and June of this year that had dealt specifically with problem bears. Wildlife encounters can be a very beautiful and exhilarating experience. Just remember that when dealing with Black Bears, their behaviors can be wild and unpredictable. Please do your part in helping us keep them wild.

Suffield Prevention Efforts

For 42 years members of the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance have been taking sick and injured people from Suffield to the hospital and teaching first aid and CPR on the side, but the world we live in is changing and we are changing with it. No longer is it realistic to just be reactive. In an effort to be more proactive, we have been working on a number of important prevention and preparedness initiatives. In the area of prevention, we have partnered with the Suffield Local Prevention Council in several programs since its inception almost two years ago. • We helped sponsor a forum with Eric Staton, a local paramedic and EMS/police trainer on identification of illicit drugs and how parents can deter use by their children.