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Are Fire District Taxes Fair in Enfield? No.

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Thompsonville fire house Everyone in Enfield gets a tax bill based on their property assessment, but here’s the puzzling reality: the amount you pay for fire protection depends entirely on your neighborhood. Residents are taxed at different rates for fire protection, and the differences can be substantial. If I were a homeowner in Thompsonville, I’d be livid — and justifiably so, since they pay the most for the same service. The reason is simple: Enfield has five separate fire districts. Each sets its own budget and mill rate — an outdated system that creates real inequities in our tax bills. I have nothing but praise for Enfield’s emergency services — fire, police, and EMS. They’ve helped my family, and I’m grateful. The problem is how we pay for this help. We don’t charge people for police protection based on where they live — but we do for fire services. Four of the Five Fire Districts May Consolidate That may soon change. Multiple sources, both Democrats and Republicans, confirm t...
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PZC Considers Enfield’s First Dedicated EV Stop with Retro-Modern Cafe

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Site plan Enfield drivers may soon have a new place to charge their cars — and fill their stomachs — if a new proposal is approved. A developer has filed plans to build Enfield’s first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging plaza combined with a cafe at 1561 King Street. The vacant lot is near I-91 and just south of New Day Church, formerly the Namco building. The proposal, submitted by Global Development LLC for SunEV in Suffield, would create 21 EV charging spaces, including two accessible spaces. Most of the chargers would be covered by solar carports that generate on-site electricity for vehicle charging. While the town already has some EV charging — including Tesla chargers at the Big Y shopping plaza — this would be Enfield’s first stand-alone EV charging plaza designed specifically as a rest stop, complete with its own cafe. Retro cafe design Bob Patrick, the owner of SunEV, told the Planning and Zoning Commission that their approach to EV charging is a little different. ...
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Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA
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Enfield Is Losing Its Way—And Young Families Know It

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Enfield is drifting. It is without clear vision, without bold leadership, and increasingly, without young families. They’re voting with their feet, and the most urgent signal is the steady departure of children. That trend reflects a deeper loss of confidence—particularly in our public schools—and a growing sense among families that Enfield no longer offers the future they imagined. Since 2010, Enfield has lost over 3,500 residents—nearly 8% of its population. But even more telling is the drop in children. U.S. Census data shows that the number of residents under 18 has fallen by more than 13%. That’s not just a demographic shift—it’s a clear signal that families are losing faith in Enfield’s future. This change carries consequences. Politically, it shifts priorities toward an aging population. Economically, it undermines our long-term vitality. And socially, it points to something more unsettling: young families no longer see Enfield as a place where they can grow roots. And yet, we s...
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Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA
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Hope on Enfield Street: Standing Up and Standing Together

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  No Kings protest at Town Hall, Enfield CT.  The turnout in Enfield for the "No Kings" protest was fantastic—it was filled with positive energy. I had the greatest time. It felt cathartic and buoyant, all at once. All the negative energy generated by the government was replaced with something really uplifting. So many smiling people.  Like me, I’m sure many of the people there are angry about what’s happening in our country today. But what shone through at the protest wasn’t anger—it was joy. The joy of being with others who feel the same, who came together to support one another and stand in opposition to a government we believe is hurting our country. Every other car seemed to honk in support. People waved, gave us thumbs up, and smiled. Molly, my dog, got more pets than she knew what to do with—and she was thrilled. I met kind, thoughtful people, and there was just a sense of shared purpose and good cheer. I don’t know how many people showed up, but a throng lined Elm...
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Enfield Square Redevelopment: What Enfield Could Have Asked For—And Didn’t

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The town approved millions in public support—without tying the deal to walkability, entertainment, or shared spaces residents said they wanted. Proposed project presented to Town Council last year. The Target store is to the right rear. Redeveloping Enfield Square is critical. Once our downtown—a hub of activity and identity—the mall is now a shell of its former self. In public comments and a survey of over 1,000 people, residents voiced a clear desire for the redevelopment: not just retail, but gathering places—entertainment venues, a movie theater, live music, family-friendly spaces, and walkability. Yet on June 2, when Enfield had the most leverage, the Town Council approved a generous package of financial incentives without securing any binding commitments to many of those community goals. Progress, But Not Vision   For sure, the town is taking steps to address the problems at Enfield Square.  The developer, Woodsonia Acquisitions, will redevelop the site into a mix of hou...
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Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA
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Enfield Can’t Outsource Its Conscience

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  Community Conversation forum May 7 2025 Sometimes you have to explain yourself. At the Community Conversations last night, I was slightly angry when speaking about the waste outsourcing issue—especially when I demanded the release of the  consulting report. That was rude of me, and I felt bad afterward. Still, my anger over outsourcing comes from years of experience. I don’t fault the Council Republicans or Mayor Ken Nelson, who received my quiet anger, for investigating outsourcing. It’s the government's job to explore options. Many towns outsource; many reject it. But if this town thinks residents will approve it in a referendum, they’re not reading the room. Anyone who’s worked for a sizable company likely knows someone affected by outsourcing. Few speak well of it. As a former tech reporter at Computerworld, I covered IT management, which often meant reporting on outsourcing. Companies rarely wanted to talk. My job was to find the IT workers losing their jobs and report...
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Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA
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Enfield Property Taxes Could Rise About 3% Under New Budget

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Town Council budget workshop May 6 Residential property taxes for Enfield residents are projected to rise by approximately 3% under the current town budget proposal. This figure emerged during a wide-ranging, and sometimes contentious budget workshop Tuesday with school board officials. Council members discussed topics ranging from school discipline issues to the possibility of running school buses in-house. This was the final budget workshop.  Following lengthy meeting, council members settled on a budget that raises the mill rate from 30.56 to 31.50—an increase of 0.94 mills. This could still change before final budget adoption.  The Board of Education budget will increase by 4%, less than the 5.57% or $4.3 million increase initially sought. The board had requested that increase to reduce class sizes, restore positions cut last year, and meet other pressing needs.  Council Democrats supported fully funding the school board’s request. Mayor Ken Nelson argued that the ap...
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Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA
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