Why Enfield is in trouble? Facts with a dose of sarcasm

Molly at School Rally

People are going after spending in Enfield and trying to dissect it to see where they can find gross mismanagement. Since the Republicans have been in control for all but two of the last 16 years, let's assume that the town's spending is pristine and error-free and beyond reproach—except for the two years when the Democrats were in charge. As we all know, the Democrats dumped money out of the windows of Town Hall.

The Town Council Republicans are going to try to set a token reduction in the Mill Rate.

To reach that point, they may have to do some problematic things, such as deferring spending on things like police cruiser replacements and equipment generally, putting off some maintenance, and not filling vacancies and laying off where they can, and who knows what else. There's a lot they can't touch, namely contractual salary obligations. But they want to be able to say that they reduced taxes. More concerning will be how much of the costs are being pushed into the future, and how the cuts will affect the quality of town services, including schools. But that is an analysis for another day.

What do Enfield residents want? 

(1) They want to be like Suffield (2) They want a walkable community. (3) They want lower taxes (4) They want open space but don't want to spend money to preserve the land (5) They don't want warehouses, Dollar Generals, more fast food, but we always seem to find out what we don't want after the fact. (6) Enfield residents don't want multi-family housing (7) Enfield residents want multi-family housing. (8) Enfield residents don't want any more kids in the school system, but they don't want to be seen as selfish, grumpy old people. (9) NIMBYs are always right, even when they are wrong. (10) Enfield residents want a sustainable community that creates safe travel for bicyclists, and scooters. (11) Enfield residents want an SUV paradise and a community as hostile as possible to bicyclists.

What is actually happening in Enfield?

Population Decline: From 2010 to 2020, Enfield's total population declined by 6% (-2,513 people), a more significant decline than that of Hartford County (1% growth) and Connecticut overall (1% growth).

Aging Demographics: The adult population declined by 4%, while the under-18 population fell even more sharply by 14%. The age pyramid shows an aging population, with a shrinking number of young people and a large cohort of those aged 55 and above (the Baby Boomer generation).

Limited Housing Diversity: Enfield's housing stock lacks diversity, with 72.2% being single-family detached homes. Only 2.7% of Enfield's homes have been built since 2000.

What do these trends mean?

It means that Enfield is unattractive for economic development other than fast food, warehouses and medical services. If you are unclear about that, look around. 

How does this affect economic development?

The commercial grand list (total assessed value of commercial properties) has increased by 2.1% from 2012 to 2022, going from $371,561,975 to $379,317,970. It barely grew. Our industrial park, with the exception of Eppendorf, is anemic. We have lost our higher-paying employers (with the exception of medical) and are replacing them with service jobs.

Without commercial development, our property tax burden will continue to shift to residential properties. Cutting the budget won't be enough.

Without population growth and different types of housing, Enfield will remain unattractive for significant commercial development. If Enfield gets into a pattern of budget cutting that weakens town services, we have to consider the consequences of how this will change our perception of this community.

We will need to increase our housing supply, including smaller owner-occupied properties, to reverse some of the trends. Communities that have stagnant population growth and are aging will be unattractive.

What works in our favor?

Our median income is around $90K, higher than Hartford County. We remain a regional shopping area. LL Bean is opening here because they know there's some spending power in this region. Our single-family homes are attractive and well-kept. People invest in their homes. We have an engaged, somewhat mercurial community, but people here volunteer like crazy and are generous. It's a good community to live in

What is worrisome?

Apart from all these economic and demographic trends, Enfield, politically, is adopting some disturbing national trends. Some of our elected leaders believe it's an asset, not a liability, to publicly criticize and demean people they don't like. All you accomplish by "fighting fire with fire," as our mayor likes to do, is to start a fire. This is not healthy and I wish it would stop. Everyone needs to dial it back.

On the plus side, the newly formed bipartisan group Enfield Community Advocates is working hard to bring some sanity and facts to this process. As long as the efforts of the ECA continue to grow, we can put this town on the path of constructive problem solving.

But then, nothing happens

Enfield was once a boom town, with malls and rapid population increases. Then we started coasting. We didn’t think too hard about the future and didn’t see how national trends would affect us until they did.

Fixing our future means thinking about our future.

But the town's Economic Development Commission hasn't met in six months. Its last meeting was in November.  Why hasn't it met?

The commission's purpose is "to promote and develop the economic resources of the Town of Enfield." In other words, it’s supposed to be thinking about the future and working to generate some ideas for this town. So, who is generating the ideas? I’m not seeing it from the Town Council.

It's easy to get disappointed about the future of this town, until you realize that there are plenty of capable people living here who can do a great job. People of Enfield, you need to step up. 

 

--  Patrick Thibodeau