Churches

Green Team Presents Paris to Pittsburgh

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The Green Team of the Second Baptist Church in collaboration with the Kent Memorial Library and Sierra Club Connecticut will present the movie Paris to Pittsburgh on Sunday, March 8, at 3:00 p.m. in the Common Room of the Second Baptist Church.

Churches

St. Patrick’s Celebration at Sacred Heart Church

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Sacred Heart Church will hold a St. Patrick’s Celebration featuring the Irish and Celtic duo Ringrose and Freeman, on Saturday, March 21 from 6 – 9:30 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall.

Churches

First Church Events

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The following events are happening in March at First Church of Christ, Congregational, an Open and Affirming Church of the United Church of Christ. Worship is held every Sunday at 10 a.m. All are welcome! First Church is currently under renovation. Access and location of events are subject to change. Please call 860-668-7223 and leave a voicemail with any questions, concerns, or to RSVP for an event.

Government/Town

Coronavirus Information

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As we continue to monitor the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, the Suffield Public Schools, Town of Suffield, and the North Central Connecticut Health District are working in partnership to prepare for this growing concern among our schools and community. The safety and well-being of Suffield residents is our highest priority, and our efforts together will significantly enhance our ability to minimize the risk of exposure of this international health emergency. While the risk of transmission is extremely low based on the numbers of infected individuals in the United States, eleven as of today, we are closely watching the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for ongoing updates regarding this matter. We recognize that reports of more confirmed cases within the United States are likely in the near future, and we are hopeful that the preventative measures being taken will aid in the containment of this contagious respiratory illness. In preparation for a potential outbreak, we will be reviewing and updating our pandemic plans in the event a local response is required.

Government/Town

Town Hall Costs Studied

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The Permanent Building Committee (PBC), often with the direct participation of First Selectman Melissa Mack, have been planning the renovation of Suffield’s Town Hall for several years, working with two different architects, EDM and QA&M. As reported by the Observer last month, in January the selected general contractor, Gilbane Building, advised that the cost would be close to $800,000 greater than had been thought. At the February 6 meeting of the PBC, Chairman Joe Sangiovanni summarized the situation: $5.13 million had been appropriated by Town vote in 2015, based on estimates at that time. About $400,000 has been spent already on a long bout of planning with architect EDM and on payments so far to Gilbane and QA&M, leaving about $4.73 in the appropriation. Clearly more money was needed, and current efforts have been directed at determining how much.

Suffield 350th Anniversary Committee

Kids’ “Floats” to Lead the 350th Parade

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A children’s parade, with entries like the ones pictured above and below, will highlight the start of the 350th anniversary parade this fall on October 10. 

All bicycles, training wheels, tricycles, big wheels, wagons, strollers and wheelchairs can participate. You can use a cargo bike if your children are too young to ride. (No scooters or skateboards). 

Start planning things you will decorate with: flowers, streamers, balloons, flags and bows. Local “dollar” stores can be a one stop for decorating supplies. Decorate your helmet and basket, too.

Suffield 350th Anniversary Committee

Join the Parade!

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The big parade celebrating Suffield’s 350th Birthday is less than eight months away! Entry forms for the October 10 parade are available on both the 350th Anniversary’s website and Facebook page.

Government/Town

SPD Study Improvements in Progress

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As reported previously, the 59-page Suffield Police Department (SPD) Management Operational Study was released on October 30, 2019. It contains ten fundamental finding areas around criminal investigations, organizational structure, employee morale, training, and staffing. Progress is being made on addressing the 42 corresponding recommendations for those areas. Overall, Chief of Police Richard Brown targets 18-24 months to implement improvements and achieve accreditation. The study took place over eight months, during which time some impacting initiatives were either in development or being implemented.

Suffield Observations

Why are you asking me?

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I usually don’t miss opportunities to vote. I view the act of voting a secular sacrament. As with other faiths that issue calls to prayer, when the sign on the green summons Suffieldians to vote, I am compelled to respond.

Government/Town

Homeowners Benefit Progam Filing

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The Assessor’s Office would like to remind elderly and totally disabled homeowners that the filing period for the state and local Homeowners Benefit program is open and will end on Friday, May 15, 2020. This program will allow a credit on the June real estate tax bill to qualified taxpayers. The income limits are $37,000 for an unmarried homeowner and $45,100 for married homeowners, who must also be residents of this state, be age 65 by last December 31 or totally disabled and live in the home. New applicants must file an application by May 15, 2020; any current recipient of the benefit who has received a letter from the Assessor’s Office reminding them to apply this year must also apply no later than May 15, 2020 in order to continue to receive the benefit. Proof of income for 2019 is needed to apply.

Now and Then

Wise Old Owl Symbolism

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Following a few days of feeling unwell and unproductive, I asked the Observer to extend my October 15 deadline for the November issue. Ever gracious, the Editor invited me to take a few days off.