Suffield panels approve site studies, hire geotechnical and survey teams as middle school planning continues

Chairman Kevin Goff and members of the Permanent Building Commission and the Board of Education voted May 21 to authorize consultant work to evaluate a potential new middle school site at 112 Hill Street, approving an appraisal, geotechnical borings and a survey/wetland delineation contract to advance due diligence.

The motion to accept a $3,500 appraisal proposal from Elm Realty Advisors was made by Chairman Kevin Goff and seconded by Vice Chairman Glenn Neilson; the motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Henry Miga moved to accept a $9,500 proposal from Welti Geotechnical for soil borings and a geotechnical engineering report; Commissioner Billy Gozzo seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The commission also approved a $37,800 proposal from Tectonic Engineering Consultants, Geologists & Land Surveyors for survey work, wetland delineation and monument setting; that motion was made by Commissioner Miga and seconded by Vice Chairman Neilson and passed unanimously.

Scott Pellman of Colliers told the joint meeting that the parcel under consideration requires professional evaluations to determine whether it can support future school construction. He explained that the first appraisal will establish a baseline value and that state rules would require a second appraisal if the town moves forward with acquisition. Chairman Goff repeatedly stressed that these approvals do not authorize construction: the town is gathering information to evaluate site feasibility, not approving a build at this meeting.

Tecton Architects' consultant Jeff Wyszynski summarized the planning work to date and the district's Educational Specifications (Ed Spec), developed with administrators, teachers and community members to define facility needs. Wyszynski outlined three conceptual paths: targeted capital maintenance of the existing middle school, a comprehensive Renovate-as-New approach, and construction of a new facility on a different site. He estimated that the capital-maintenance-only option would carry cumulative costs in the neighborhood of $75 million and noted that modern program needs often exceed older state space formulas, reducing reimbursement percentages.

Commissioners framed the approvals as preliminary steps to preserve options and obtain technical data. No final site acquisition or design decision was made; next steps include completing the Phase I environmental assessment already under way, performing the commissioned geotechnical work and using survey data to refine feasibility and cost estimates. The commission also announced that project materials and updates will be posted on a public project website to support ongoing community engagement.

The joint meeting will reconvene as scheduled; a special meeting of the Permanent Building Commission and Board of Fire Commissioners is set for May 28, 2026, and the next regular PBC meeting is June 18, 2026.