SUFFIELD, CT — Suffield officials are weighing whether to build a new middle school before replacing the town's fire headquarters as they examine how to pay for both projects without overburdening taxpayers.
The Board of Selectmen is scheduled to continue discussing the recommendations Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, with remote participation available. Neither project nor a referendum was approved at the board's Oct. 21 meeting.
At that meeting, Selectman Kathy Dunai raised concerns about residents' tax burden and requested comparisons of renovation and new construction for both buildings. She also questioned a proposed school community center and the potential loss of recently refurbished tennis courts.
Selectman Klaire Bielonko acknowledged the financial concerns while emphasizing firefighter safety and the need for facilities to remove contamination from gear. Selectman Kathleen Harrington suggested considering the school first, with a firehouse replacement several years later.
The Permanent Building Commission unanimously recommended new construction for both projects Sept. 17. The school estimate then was about $128.8 million, with an approximately $65 million town share under preliminary state reimbursement assumptions.
By Oct. 21, selectmen were discussing a potential school cost to the town of about $46.7 million after anticipated reimbursements, plus roughly $18 million for the firehouse. Reimbursement eligibility and financial assumptions still needed review.
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In his Nov. 1 column in The Suffield Observer, First Selectman Colin Moll wrote that an initial financial review indicated the projects "could have a significant impact on property taxes."
He said legislative requests and participation in the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority could potentially provide another $16 million in school savings. Those savings remain a possibility.
As Patch previously reported, the preferred school layout would retain the auxiliary gym and adjoining former locker rooms for possible community or district uses while building a new school on the existing campus.
Consultants at the Oct. 15 joint meeting identified aging school systems, roof concerns, accessibility issues and classroom limitations. Officials considered the financial risks of construction alongside the costs of allowing buildings to deteriorate.
The proposed fire headquarters at the town's annex property was estimated at $17.92 million at that meeting. The town's fire station project page describes alternatives including renovation and expansion of the existing station, estimated at $15.55 million, and a smaller new station at another site, estimated at $15.72 million.
Moll said in his November column that selectmen would spend the coming months evaluating costs and community needs, with further discussions likely involving the school board and Fire Commission.
For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
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