Board of Education Supports Resolution Regarding Memorandum

The voted 8-0 in favor of a resolution supporting the Board of Finance's proposed memorandum of understanding at their meeting on Tuesday, March 1 at .

“We trust this gives the Board of Finance the assurance it is looking for so that it can strongly endorse these important capital improvements for Suffield,” said board member Bob Eccles after the meeting.

Eccles presented the resolution in support of the bonding proposal as well as reaffirming its commitment to managing the school district’s affairs in a fiscally responsible manner. 

"The board has always worked well with the town," said board member Michael Smith. "This says: 'We meet you in spirit.'”

The memorandum's goal is to present mutual support from the Boards of Education, Finance and Selectmen for proposed bonding projects and to keep taxpayer costs low if the projects are approved by voters this spring.

The memorandum provides an endorsement from the three boards for the four for road and drainage improvements, new fire trucks, Town Hall improvements and a new library. The cost the town will be $13.2 million if all four are approved.

Board of Education members discussed the issue briefly at the meeting. Although non-binding, members questioned how committed the school district would be to the suggested confines to budget increases over three years.

“It would be improper for the Board of Education to commit for three years to be a subordinated component of the town budget,” Eccles said.

Board member Mary Ellen Tunsky was not in attendance.

At the beginning of the meeting, Suffield resident Beth Chafetz encouraged the board to support the measure.

“The idea of working together with the Board of Finance and Board of Selectman is a positive way for community to look at how this budget process goes on so this can go forward,” Chafetz said.

First Selectman Tom Frenaye also attended the meeting and helped clarify the intention of the memorandum. 

“The spirit that the Board of Finance wants to convey is that all three boards will work together for the next years,” Frenaye said. “They would like to have the support of the Board of Education to move forward… Of course, in the end it’s the voter’s choice.”

The Board of Selectman will meet tonight at 7 p.m. in Town Hall to review the documents and appears to be supportive in general terms, according to Frenaye.