Government/Town

Elderly and Totally Disabled Homeowners’ Tax Credit Filing Offered

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The Assessor’s office reminds elderly and totally disabled homeowners that the filing period for the state and local homeowners benefit program opens on Friday, February 1, and will end on Wednesday, May 15. This program will allow a credit on the June real estate tax bill to qualified taxpayers. The income limits are $36,000 for an unmarried homeowner and $43,900 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. 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, to continue to receive the benefit.

Government/Town

SPD Operations Study Initiated

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The Town of Suffield and the Chief of Police, in consultation with the Suffield Police Commission, recently announced the implementation of an operational study of the Suffield Police Department to begin immediately. Conducted by the Daigle Law Group, LLC, (“DLG”) the effort includes a review of law enforcement best practices relative to the department’s day-to-day procedures. The process, estimated to last between three and six months, will culminate in data-supported recommendations designed to enhance the workings of the department. The decision to proceed with the assessment coincides with a concern raised by a resident and possible litigation discussed in executive session at a special meeting of the Police Commission on January 3. Although executive sessions are confidential in nature, First Selectman Melissa M. Mack stated, “This is a next step in proactive measures taken to support the Police Chief’s goal of making the Suffield Police Department a model of 21st century policing.” Chief of Police Richard Brown also commented that, “The department is committed to embracing modern police practices and a community policing philosophy to improve our level of service.”

Attorney Eric P. Daigle, in his presentation for police consulting services on behalf of DLG, noted his firm’s “focus is on police best practices, specifically in the areas of policy development, training, investigation, and operations.” A former Connecticut State Police Detective, Mr. Daigle provides combined expertise in both law enforcement and civil rights.

Government/Town

An Industrial Revolution Locally

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The Economic Development Commissions of Suffield and East Granby co-hosted a workshop on Manufacturing, Workforce Development and Education in November at the New England Air Museum. 125 attended from the area, including manufacturers, educators, and professionals from banking, real estate, and government. Sponsors were: MB Aerospace, Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Bradley Development League, Connecticut Dept. of Economic and Community Development, and Hartford Business Journal. Opening remarks were made by Bart Kollen, Deputy Commissioner, DECD.

Government/Town

Another Highway Garage Proposal

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At the December 12 selectmen’s meeting, Developer Mark O’Neill, of Hamlet Homes, presented another alternative for a possible relocation of the Town Highway Garage. As reported in the Observer’s December-January issue, three locations have already been considered for the garage, all involving a new or newer building, but most importantly, freeing Ffyler Place from what is considered an impediment to attracting advantageous commercial development there. The new alternative is Parcel 4 of the tract on East Street South that Hamlet has been marketing for several years. The ten-acre parcel is the northernmost part of the original 30-acre tract that Hamlet had acquired in 2014. Parcels 1 and 2 of that tract are now owned by the developers of Brook Hill Village, a new apartment complex with 36 apartments now occupied and 48 more soon to be offered.

People/Business

Suffield Welcomes Another New Business

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NE Tactical Training Academy opened doors in Suffield at 801 Thompsonville Road on October 1. Founder John Viscomi brings over six years of experience training law enforcement on tactics and techniques to his new business. Professionally trained instructors lead class sizes of 5–7 in Suffield, ensuring that both basic and advanced participants receive the individual attention needed to leave their training with the confidence to defend themselves. Among the training delivered is a Conn./Mass. Dept.

Government/Town

Town Staff Returns, Town Hall Planning Continues

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In early December, Finance Director Debbie Cerrato and her staff moved back to the Town Hall from their temporary quarters at 230 Mountain Road, the commercial office building that has been the home of several Town departments in anticipation that the old Town Hall would soon have to be emptied for renovation or demolition. The Finance staff were not the only returnees; the First Selectman and her staff, along with the Human Resources staff, had returned previously. They join the Town Clerk, Tax, and Assessor departments, which had never left. First Selectman Melissa Mack had realized that the big plans for a renovated or new town hall were not likely to proceed immediately, and the rental expense of the temporary quarters was being wasted. The return migration was facilitated by the efforts of the low security State prisoners who regularly work with the Highway Department.

Organizations

Seeking Winter Coats

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MyKoats4Kids, a nonprofit organization and proponent of providing winter costs to children in foster care in the Pioneer Valley Area is seeking donations of gently used or new winter coats for children of all ages. Cassidy, Ben and Cam Begley, siblings and students at Suffield High School, started the organization in 2017. The family has collected over 100 coats with the goal of doubling the collection each year. The Begley family hopes to provide children in need with a warm coat for the winter. 

Please contact the Begley family at koats4kids@gmail.com to arrange pick up or drop off for any donations. For more information, visit MyKoatsForKids.org.

People/Business

Praxair Tour

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Praxair, formerly known as Union Carbide, is a global company headquartered in Danbury. Their Suffield facility, opened in 1966, operates 24-7, producing three cryogenic liquids: nitrogen, oxygen & argon. The facility has many clients across the northeast, serving many markets including aerospace, with such clients as Pratt & Whitney and other divisions of UTC. A Suffield delegation recently visited Praxair as part of an ongoing initiative by the Town to visit businesses, learn about them and examine how the Town can best serve the business community. Businesses interested in being visited are invited to contact Kevin Bielmeier at kbielmeier@cerc.com

Op-Ed

When the Library Returns to “the Big House”

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Happy New Year! For Suffield, one of the highlights of 2019 will be the re-opening of the Kent Memorial Library on North Main Street. What a joyous occasion that will be! The Friends of KML are especially looking forward to the pleasure of viewing the three large photos that were hung on the wall of the lower lobby in 1992, and were removed and stored for the recent renovations. Some Suffield residents may not be aware of how and why these photos came to our library.

First Selectman’s Update

First Selectman’s Update

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One of my favorite leisure activities – working on puzzles – has proven an invaluable asset in this job. The many Town initiatives I am eager to see to fruition are like a puzzle; the big picture requires all the smaller pieces to fit together.

Letter to the Editor

Dog Rescue

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Dear Editor,

I am the owner of Falcon, the rescue Aussie that escaped from me on November 18, 2018 and was captured on November 23, 2018. I wish to thank the Town of Suffield, the two ACOs, the police, and the Suffield Forum. I especially want to thank the group of women on Hill Street that are the real reason why I have my dog back. If it was not for their patience and treats, I believe the dog would probably be cruising around the Oxen Hill Farm area. Special thanks to the Vet Tech who I observed taking her time to have the escape artist eat food out of her hand and slowly put her finger through his collar.

Editorial

Is Kindness Dead?

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It is easy to think that there is not much kindness in our very divided world. I looked up a simple definition of “kind” in Merriam Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary, which is meant for use by new English language learners. Their definition is “… showing a gentle nature and desire to help others….wanting to do good things and to bring happiness to others.”

About two months ago, I was surprised when a gentleman ahead of me in the checkout line of a dollar store, swept my few items into his pile and said “I got this”. Not expecting his kindness, I first reacted with “Oh, those are mine.” Then I realized he meant to pay for my items. I felt really touched and also had the desire to “pay it forward,” so I paid for the few items the woman behind me was buying. She too was surprised and repeatedly thanked me, telling me the items were to decorate her classroom for special needs students.

Editorial

The Invisible People

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Most of us are traveling on a highway once in a while, especially on a holiday, and stopping at a rest stop. Have you ever really looked at someone pushing a mop around on the floor or cleaning a restroom? Well, there they are in a thankless job for a probably minimum wage with no future promotion. And no tip jar. Many others get tips like a waitress or hairdresser and in other service jobs.

People/Business

A Story of Sweetheart Farmers

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Carol and Harrison Griffin were high school sweethearts who will soon be celebrating their 50th anniversary! Carol grew up on a farm here in Suffield, Harrison grew up on a farm in East Granby, and they met in high school when they both were in 4-H. Harrison’s Polish family farm dated from 1647 (the farm has been recognized as having been in the same family since the birth of the Constitution), and Carol’s family came from Ireland in the late 1800s. They dated and then graduated from Suffield High School (since East Granby didn’t have a high school at that time) when the high school was what is now McAlister Intermediate School. Both Harrison and Carol went on to college at the Hartford Branch of UConn.

Organizations

New Publisher

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While traditionally our paper was contained in one section, starting this month we will now have two sections. Breaking into multiple sections will provide possible opportunities for further improvements. We are using a new printer, the Rare Reminder Printing Company operating out of Rocky Hill, Conn., to print and arrange for delivery of our paper to the post office in a timely fashion. The Rare Reminder comes highly recommended and has been very helpful in our transition. We are hopeful that this change will help avoid some of the late transmission problems. Because we have to submit a day earlier this requires strict enforcement of our submission deadline of the 15th of the month for publication in the next issue.

People/Business

Pentimento Brings Beauty to Inaugural Ball

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Being a floral designer is not all a bed of roses. Just ask sisters Tamara Pezzente and Paula Gallo, owners of Pentimento, a Suffield floral design company, who are regularly up before the crack of dawn to get to the 5 a.m. opening of the Boston flower exchange. The Suffield residents, who started the business about 30 years ago, have been catering to the rich, famous, and politically connected as well as every-day folks who appreciate their artistic touch and aesthetic. Their artistry and easygoing way, combined with their knowledge of all things that grow and an ability to translate a bride’s vision into memorable arrangements led them to be chosen a Best of the Knot (wedding publication) in 2016. Gallo, who loves her job, credits her sister with being “the artistic one” who started out doing the flowers for her church, but Gallo is likewise creative.

Schools/Sports

“What Fools These Mortals Be!”

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That’s what Puck proclaimed when William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream reached one of its delightfully confusing peaks in Suffield High School’s fall production on November 1, 2, and 3. The audience loved it all, and many spots had this reporter in stitches. Old Will, who wrote great comedy, would have thoroughly enjoyed this treatment of his work. The story tells how some elite citizens of ancient Athens, led by Duke Theseus, behave in the forest with the magical, mythical world of fairies led by King Oberon (Jack Burke). It’s all about love, with comic bits from a group of common folk who are planning to stage a play for the royal wedding.

Government/Town

Holiday Tree Gala Musical Performances

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The Holiday Tree Gala on display at the Suffield Senior Center from December 1 to December 15 features not only beautiful trees decorated by people in the community but also musical groups. The hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. every day. The trees will be available for sale, with pickup on December 15. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Suffield Garden Club Scholarship fund. Come enjoy the singing voices of the Suffield Middle School Elite Voices group as they herald in the Holiday Tree Gala on opening day, Saturday, December 1 at 2 p.m. They are a very active and dedicated group of members from grades 6-8 Chorus, under the direction of Laura Noonan.

Organizations

Young Gardeners Tend New Plots

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In a three-year program started in September, the Suffield Garden Club is creating attractive gardens in two little no-ceiling spaces, or atriums, within Spaulding School and a third out by the playground. The work is being supported by a memorial donation from the family of Garden Club member Priscilla Wabrek, who died in 2015. So far, plantings have been set for a “Sea Scape” garden in the spot across the corridor from the cafeteria kitchen. A much larger spot in process is down the hall next to the farther lunch room. It will have succulents, grasses, and cacti.