Club Meeting- Sept 27, 2016

Posted by Charles Roumas on Oct 01, 2016
 
Club Meeting September 27, 2016
 
Opening and Welcome:  President-elect Richard Kisiel opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Tom Sullivan gave the invocation and led the club singing of “God Bless America”.
 
Members Present: Gil Ahrens, Dale Baker, Joe Blake, Jerry Crane, Jed Dery, Frank DiGennaro, Gail Handley, Greg Heineman, Richard Kisiel, Luis Lee, Clark Mason, Karen Mason, Cat Morrow, Jack Muska, Paul Pace, Ken Pascoe, Ray Perleoni, Jay Presser, Charles Roumas, Scott Seabury, Gordon Stagg, Thomas Sullivan, Nancy Viggiano and Tami Zawistowski. (24/35  69%).  
 
Guests: Suffield First Selectwoman Melissa Mack, SHS student Giancarlo Isotti, and two prospective members- Natalie Donais-former Windsor Rotarian, and Ed Walsh- guest of Jay Presser.
 
Announcements:
Ken Pascoe was pleased to announce that he and Ray Perleoni responded to a request via our Emergency Services to construct an ADA certified entrance ramp at a Suffield resident’s home. They completed the job quickly and accurately. This was another example of our members living the motto “Service Before Self”.
 
Greg Heineman had two announcements. He was distributing raffle tickets to be sold by members for the Zero Turn Mower; drawing to occur April 18, 2017. Secondly, he was assisting Ray Perleoni with the Oct 18 Steak and Lobster event and was distributing a sign-up sheet for shift duty volunteers.
 
Program:  There were two speakers this evening:
  1. Giancarlo Isotti- SHS student: Giancarlo was seeking funds to purchase three large TV Screens/Message Monitors @ $1000 each for Suffield HS. The original purpose is to have screens to display key messages and info on Suffield Unites- a student group dedicated to diversity & inclusion, and education to prevent and treat alcohol and substance abuse. In addition to these “safe messages”, the screens usage could even be expanded to broadcast March Madness Basketball games and other areas of interest throughout the population. The Rotary will consider his request and get back to him. Melissa Mack also suggested he talk to the Town’s Technology Committee to ensure securing the best possible prices upon purchase.
 
  1. Melissa Mack- Suffield First Selectwoman: Melissa welcomed the opportunity to talk about the status of major projects in the Town. She began by confirming that her two key priorities were cost efficiencies and economic development. The Town just saved over $400k on insurance by purchasing direct with CRMA, and signed a deal with LodeStar to optimize usage of energy credits. Suffield also has $2.5 MM in grants (1.4 approved and 1.1 pending) for the creation of a multi-use path along Mountain Rd, and has partnered with Windsor Locks on feasibility study grants for projects on the Suffield/Windsor Locks Canal.
 
          From an economic development perspective, Melissa outlined the status of a list of key projects including:
 
-Route 75 sewer extensions
-16 miles of roadway pavement improvements
-Revitalizing the Town website and intranet, extending fiber optics, and allowing online ability of many Town functions (e.g. applying for a Commercial Building Permit).
-Farmland Abatement Package with the Feds and State, allowing the opening of the largest hydroponic tomato farm in the state.
-Relocation to Suffield of the Broad Brook Brewery and Retail outlet.
- The ongoing improvement of Town Hall. Originally an ADA and HVAC improvement project, it is now being reassessed to become a Land Use Suite Customer Service Center; so construction work and bonding are on hold to accommodate potential 20-30 year needs of the community.
 
The only questions for Melissa revolved around important funding issues better directed to the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education. As a follow up, Dick Kisiel told the Club he would invite Karen Berasi to a future meeting.
 
Birthdays and Anniversaries: None
 
Blue Ticket Winners:  Jack Muska had the winning blue ticket, with sides won by Joe Blake and Melissa Mack.
 
Queen of Hearts:  Ken Pascoe had the winning ticket, but did not select the queen. Next week’s drawing $666+.
 
Adjournment: Richard Kisiel adjourned the meeting and Tom Sullivan led “America the Beautiful” as the closing song.
 
Minutes recorded by Charles Roumas, Secretary on September 27, 2016.