New Fire Truck, Animal Control Officer Sharing, More Approved at Selectmen's Meeting

Besides discussing a reduction in the overall number of police officers in Suffield, the town’s selectmen acted on a diverse range of agenda items during their meeting at the Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association building Wednesday.

Fire Trucks and Equipment

The selectmen approved a request from Fire Chief Tom Bellmore to acquire a new fire truck and associated equipment at a total cost not to exceed $598,540.

Suffield residents approved bonding measures for new fire trucks for a total of $1.4 million on April 28. The first new truck, a Pierce Arrow XT custom rescue pumper, was decided on following design and bidding processes that involved the town’s fire department and board of fire commissioners.

Bellmore said the cost of the truck was about $100,000 less than was originally expected.

Inter-Local Agreement for Sharing Animal Control Officer

The selectmen approved a proposal to share Angelo DiMauro, the town’s animal control officer, with neighboring East Granby. East Granby will pay a total of $16,000 yearly to share DiMauro’s services with Suffeld.

“It’s a good partnership,” said Suffield Police Captain Craig Huntley.

First Selectman Ed McAnaney called the agreement “a win for both communities” and noted that it won’t cost the town any money.

Bridge Street School Redevelopment

Although still early on in the process, the town received three expressions of interest for redeveloping the Bridge Street School property, which has sat mostly vacant for about a decade.

The selectmen didn’t get too involved in the specifics of the expressions of interest, as they are very preliminary, but McAnaney was pleased that the property is drawing attention.

“These are sort of interesting,” he said. “This is something tangible.”

Historic Document Preservation Grant

The board approved the receipt of a $3,500 grant for the preservation of historic town documents.