Residents Weigh in on Bond Proposal During Town Forum

What can approximately $150 in additional taxes get you in Suffield?

Two new fire trucks, a revamped Town Hall, a 24,700 square-foot new library and improved roads, according to First Selectman Tom Frenaye.

Frenaye answered the question many people wanted to know during last night’s town forum on bonding for capital projects held at : What does this mean to me?

Rough calculations show that a $13.2 million bond, if approved during a town referendum, would cost the owner of a $300,000 home, near the average home value in Suffield, about $150 a year in taxes paid to the town.

“Making no decision is not the decision to make,” Frenaye said to the more than 75 people who attended the forum. “It’s time to take a step forward.”

Using public comment from previous two forums, Frenaye said the proposal has been tweaked from $15 million to $13.2 million to include:

• Roads and drainage improvements: $3 million
• Fire trucks: $1.4 million
• Town Hall renovations: $1.9 million
• New library: $6.5 million (with $1.5 million in private fundraising)
• Bonding costs: $400,000

Nearly two dozen people asked questions or made comments during the informational hearing, most focused on the library portion of the bond.

Many pointed out the need for a new library, as is plagued with leaks, lack of space at only 14,000 square feet, of which just 9,000 square feet is usable. There are also accessibility issues. Patrons must climb a steep hill in the ice and snow this time of year to reach the building.

“We don’t go on rainy days,” Susan Welch, a mother of two young children in Suffield, said. “When we have a new library I will probably use it every week.”

Lisa Coatti said the problems at Kent also keep her from going there and she hopes for a new library that will fit her needs.

“I supported the Senior Center,” she said. “It’s now time for the library.”

“I spend a lot of time there, studying,” Kate Powers Shanks said.

She said the children’s section is very small and voices can be heard around the building.

“We need a better space for everyone in town,” she said.

Ernie Petkovich referred to the Senior Center’s successful growing numbers as an example of a “when you build it they will come” scenario.

“When you make things available to people… they will use it,” he added.

At issue for some attendees is the location of the new library. The Kent site is not ideal and utilizing the underused Bridge Street school site requires about $125,000 in funds to tear down the current building. The area next to Bridge Street is open, but has some drainage issues.

Tim Reynolds, a member of the Board of Selectmen, said the situation of the buildings could be called “ridiculous.”

“I think the library should go where Bridge Street School stands currently,” he said. “Not next to a dilapidated building.”

“Then the ‘What to do with Bridge Street School?’ issue is gone,” Reynolds added. “And we can tear down Kent and add onto Veterans Park.”

He said the issue is an economic one and not a sentimental decision.

Several residents questioned the square footage cost of the new library—about $266 per square foot in construction costs—compared to other town’s projects.

Chris Doran, with three small children of his own, said he is the perfect demographic for the library, but still is unsure whether the money is being wisely spent and if the new library would be utilized.

Some wondered about future costs associated with the current library, whether it be about tearing down the structure or repairs for the next two years before a possible new library is completed.

“When push comes to shove, are we going to have to spend money anyhow?” asked William Smith, who referred to Kent as “an architectural gem.”

Smith asked if voters could be given a choice on the ballot to fix the old building or build anew. Frenaye answered the state law doesn’t allow that sort of vote.

Others were cautious about the current economic climate and how much of a reduction in state funding is to come.

“I don’t understand how this guy [Frenaye] can tell you it’s a good time to borrow money,” Jim Sheridan said.

Dick Thivierge, financial advisor to the town, explained that rates are very low, but will continue to increase and since the town has very little debt accrued right now, it’s a better time to complete necessary maintenance and projects.

“The town has a very aggressive debt reduction plan,” he said. “It seems like a good thing, but we need to keep putting money into the town.”

“What’s prudent… is to have a capital plan and start to do the things you need to do,” Thivierge said.

The next step in the process is to finalize the wording of the bonding proposal and for the Board of Selectmen to pass it onto the Board of Finance. Once that is completed, a town meeting would be held in order for residents to vote to send the bond issue to a town-wide referendum in the spring.

If the library project is approved, the bond will have the additional $1.5 million contribution from the Suffield Public Library Foundation as part of the amount. The library's endowment already has approximately $600,000 from previous fundraising efforts.

If the bonding package is approved, the library project would likely take two years, and the Kent building would be maintained until the new building is ready. During that two years the town would decide to lease out Kent or demolish for park space.