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Showing posts from October, 2021

Charter Commission proposes 7% budget cap, a fix that won't solve the problem

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Charter Revision Commission. Budget limit debate on YouTube video starts at about 1:24:00 The Charter Revision Commission (CRC) approved a budget referendum, but only if officials proposed a budget that exceeded a 7% increase. If the budget fails in the referendum, it would automatically cap at 7%. By forcing a referendum on any budget exceeding 7%, the CRC proposal effectively imposes a budget cap. While this might sound like a way to control taxes, it overlooks a fundamental issue: property tax rates fluctuate due to factors outside the town’s control. The 2023 budget year proves this point: even with a 5.4% budget increase, homeowners saw their tax bills jump by 8-9%. The increase in taxes wasn't entirely due to spending—it happened because property taxes are affected by multiple conditions. A budget cap wouldn't have prevented these increases. Enfield's problem is revenue. Property taxes must make up the difference when other revenue sources decline—whether state aid, ...
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Felician Sisters housing plan for Enfield is needed

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  The Felician Sisters have proposed converting their Enfield Street convent into housing. They will create about 334 units, a mix of senior and family housing, in a combination of affordable and market-rate units. This convent has been on Enfield Street for nearly 90 years. Through the Catholic schools, the nuns have educated thousands of the town’s children and have helped our town in more ways than anyone can imagine. They have been a great blessing. But their numbers have declined from 400 to 24, and this complex is too large to support. The housing plan creates a sense of “community,” a goal of the Felician Sisters. This non-profit project will have a community kitchen and other shared spaces. It represents a continuation of their ministry and mission and will be a huge benefit to this town, but it has a chance of being denied by the Enfield Planning and Zoning Commission. It needs a zone change to support the housing density. At a recent hearing, commissioners seemed to be as...
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