Enfield Things

AI generated art  Enfield is on the hook for more than $1 million in legal fees after a federal court ruled that the town and its Board of Education violated federal disability laws by failing to accommodate Sarah Hernandez, an autistic and deaf elected official. In 2017, Ms. Hernandez was a newly elected school board member. Instead of providing reasonable accommodations for her to participate in board meetings fully, the town chose to fight a multi-year federal legal battle. After about five years, a U.S. District Court jury ruled in January 2024 that Enfield discriminated against Ms. Hernandez in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She won little in damages from the court, but the court later issued a permanent injunction requiring the town not to discriminate against people with disabilities. The town had to pay her legal cost, and that bill has arrived. On March 7, the U.S. District Court in Bridgeport ordered Enfield to pay $964,366 in attorneys' fees and ...

Charter Revision Commission meeting CORRECTION FROM ORIGINAL POST:  In my initial analysis, I incorrectly connected two distinct fiscal years when discussing budget increases and tax impacts. This fixes it. Here's what happened: The 4.5% tax increase in 2022 was based on the FY2023 budget ( July 2022 - June 2023 ). Town spending decreased by 1.19% in FY2023 , but taxes still went up because the 2021 revaluation shifted the tax burden to homeowners . When residents opened their tax bills in July 2022, they saw the 4.5% tax increase. Using a sample 1,200 SF single family house Southwood Acres, property taxes went from  $4,265 → $4,457 or a $192 increase. [For context, Social Security recipients received an 8.7% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for their 2023 benefits, reflecting the high inflation of 2022.] 📌 Cause: This tax hike was driven by the 2021 revaluation , which shifted more of the tax burden from commercial to residential properties, not by increased spending ....

  Town Council, YouTube capture I’ve worked as a news reporter for 45 years, as a local news reporter but a longer period as a tech policy reporter based in Washington. I believe very strongly in government transparency. I’m trying to fill a few gaps in our local news coverage and analysis of issues, and it’s more of a hobby, a way of contributing to the town. This is now home. In the spirit of contributing to the town, here’s something that is making me angry. Enfield has generally done a good job of making some meetings accessible on YouTube. I applaud the town for these broadcasts and for making available meeting agendas that include the supporting documentation. However, these same standards are not being applied to the Charter Revision Commission (CRC). The commission is not broadcasting the meetings, and they are not making supporting documentation readily available. The public deserves video The CRC's work is important. The commission may recommend Charter changes impacting...

  [Correction appended on bottom] The Town Council will consider repealing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee at its meeting on Tuesday. While the committee has no authority over hiring or administrative decisions, it plays a vital role in fostering a more inclusive community as Enfield evolves to reflect its changing demographics. Some of us who supported the creation of the DEI Committee in 2022 are graduates of Enfield High School from the early 1970s. We've seen this town's history unfold, and we believe the committee is essential to help Enfield become the best version of itself and protect it from costly litigation. Removing the DEI committee now would be a mistake. While Enfield's demographics continue to change, the town has a history of blind spots regarding inclusion, including raising this issue one day after Martin Luther King Day. The role of the DEI Committee in preventing legal issues One of the DEI Committee's main functions is to flag ...

Charter Revision Commission meeting last week Enfield’s Charter Revision Commission met Thursday for its first in-depth workshop, generating a long list of proposals that could significantly alter how the town governs itself. Ideas ranged from switching to a two-year budget cycle, allowing a budget referendum, and compensating elected officials, or even shifting to a mayoral form of government. Other proposals included banning profanity on signs, locking non-governmental flag restrictions into the Charter, and changes such ending council districts. The meeting was structured as a pitch session, with each commission member suggesting topics for future discussion. In-depth discussions are to take place at subsequent meetings. While many proposals are unlikely to move forward—either because of insufficient support or legal concerns raised by the Town Attorney—the meeting highlighted potential flashpoints for what promises to be a spirited Charter revision process. Mayor Nelson’s Proposals...