SUFFIELD, Conn. — A rural Connecticut town decided to table a proposed controversial policy after receiving pushback from residents and First Amendment advocates. Still, residents from the town of Suffield said the fact that it was proposed in the first place speaks to a bigger issue.
The Board of Selectmen hit the pause button Thursday on a controversial proposal that some say would have put limits on free speech on the town green.
Suffield was settled in 1670. The town green in this rural farm community has served as a gathering place for the free exchange of ideas for centuries.
“These types of places represent the best of American Democracy,” said Aaron Terr of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
So last month, when the Board of Selectman issued a draft policy restricting its use, it raised eyebrows and ruffled feathers.
“The Suffield Board of Selectman is trying to stifle expression from groups or individuals who would promote diversity and inclusivity. And anyone who’s been paying attention to what's been going on in town can see that,” stated Suffield resident Annie Hornish.
The policy stated that for any “use” of the town green, a person would first need to check with the first selectman and obtain $1 million in liability insurance coverage. Then the person would have to apply for a permit, which could be denied for a number of reasons. And depending on what event was planned, it may even be required to pay for a private police detail.
“That’s absurd. It’s overly broad and it invites an abuse of power,” said Hornish.
The controversy caught the attention of FIRE - the nonpartisan nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. It sent a letter to the first selectman expressing concern that the draft policy trampled on people’s constitutional rights.
“They are the type of spaces that Americans have historically used to protest, debate, discuss issues and engage in artistic expression and so the government really has very little authority to limit expressive activity within these places,” explained Terr.
First Selectman Colin Moll agreed to sit down with FOX61.
“I would argue that it’s only controversial because some people made it controversial,” said Moll.
When asked if he is a supporter of free speech Moll replied, “Absolutely. 100%.”
Moll told FOX61 the policy was simply a draft for which they welcomed public input and were open to amending the language.
“The goal was just simply to ensure we had a liability policy and I think we lacked one,” he said.
Moll said the concept was taken from the neighboring town of Enfield.
“We have off-duty contracts with the police all the time when police are working on the sides of the road so why should we pay for the police when they need to control traffic for a large event,” he added.
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And though the town has decided not to move forward with the idea for now, Moll disagrees with those who say it would have trampled on the First Amendment.
“It limits none of that and I would ask them what examples specifically it limits,” said Moll.
This isn’t the first time Suffield has been the subject of a censorship controversy. Last year the library director resigned saying that she was under pressure from town leaders to remove and put warning labels on certain books discussing the LGBTQ+ community.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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