New Fire Equipment Part of Possible Bonding Referendum

Nearly 70 residents attended an open forum at Suffield High School Tuesday night to hear First Selectman Tom Frenaye discuss five potential capital improvement projects to be funded by bonds valued at $14.1 million. 

The five areas highlighted for possible work are: $3.74 million in new fire equipment; road improvements for between $2 and $3 million; $1.8 million for renovations at town hall; $2.3 million for repairs to Bridge Street School; and $2 to $5 million for renovations to the library.

No votes were taken at the Nov. 30 meeting, but the forum gave residents the chance to hear the possible uses for the 2011-12 fiscal year bond money and discuss how to best use those funds.

Fire Chief Tom Bellmore presented a case for replacing several pieces of fire equipment.

"We have allocated money for capital expenditures over the next five years for fire equipment," he said. "Keeping equipment current effects the town's ISO standard, which affects homeowner's insurance."

Chief Bellmore is looking to replace five trucks over the next six years, with a total cost of $3.74 million.

"It is recommended that we replace trucks every 25 years," he said. "Right now, we have a 1984 pumper truck which is due to be put out of service."

The replacement cost for the pumper was listed at $580,000. He also outlined replacement of a 1987 engine by 2013, at a cost of $640,000; a 1989 tanker truck in 2014 at a cost of $666,000;  and a 1989 engine in 2015 at a cost of $638,000.

The town's only ladder truck, purchased in 1991, was recommended to be replaced in 2016 at a cost of $1.373 million.

There was little debate on having the fire truck replacement as part of the bond.

The open forum offered the community a chance to be heard on these issues, and discussion between the board of selectmen at their meeting on Dec. 1 was steered toward finding more avenues for residents to participate in the process.

The next step will be for the board of selectmen to make recommendations to the board of finance. If the board of finance approves, a town meeting will be held, tentatively in late January, to vote on holding a town-wide referendum to approve the bond. The town's goal is to hold that vote in February.