Suffield Voters Approve Three Bonding Projects

All three items on a bonding referendum presented to Suffield voters Thursday were approved, with just one decision being close.

An $8.4 million project to convert the long-closed Bridge Street School into a community center passed with 1,176 votes in favor, or 52.2 percent of the 2,252 ballots cast.

Bonding of $4.3 million to renovate Town Hall received 1,463 yes votes, or 65.6 percent, while $9.1 million for road improvements was approved by 1,876 voters, or 83.6 percent.

Plans for converting the Bridge Street School, built in 1924, include construction of an 8,200 sq. ft. addition to the gymnasium, including locker rooms and bleachers, rearrangement of the interior floor plan, replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, removal and replacement of bathrooms, removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials, replacement of windows, repairs to existing roof and gutter systems, and installation of a new electrical system and playground equipment.

The appropriation for renovation and improvements to Town Hall will address concerns with the building, constructed in 1962. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system will be replaced along with the replacement of the main electrical panels. The building code compliance issues will be eliminated. Ground floor bathrooms will be replaced to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. An addition of approximately 1,200 sq. ft. to the west side of the building will expand and upgrade the Town Clerk vault to be compliant with State requirements, will house the Town’s computer network server, and provide an area for record storage. Asbestos floor tile and pipe insulation will be removed.

Funding for street and drainage improvements will be used to repair and in some cases add drainage to approximately 18 miles of roads to ensure the safety and comfort of the traveling public. A new, updated pavement management study will be conducted to rank road condition. Those roads with the lowest condition values will be recommended for reconstruction.

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