Enfield considers charter changes that could reshape its political landscape

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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...
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Fewer kids, fewer costumes: What declining school enrollment means for trick-or-treating



Enfield has experienced a significant and ongoing decline in public school enrollment over an 18 year period. When compared to four nearby towns of similar population size, Enfield and Middletown show the steepest declines.

Many factors may be contributing to this trend. These include smaller family sizes, lower fertility rates, job market, cost of living including housing costs, an aging population across the state, and an increase in families choosing alternative education options, such as homeschooling.

The data is available at EdSight. The enrollment data only covers the last 18 years.

Update: After reading some of the insightful Facebook comments, more data is needed to show how population changes are contributing to the school population decline. The comments about an increase in homeschooling were thought-provoking. I wish there was a way to quantify that shift; I suspect the school district may have some estimates.

Enfield has experienced an approximate 8.76% decline in population from 1970 to 2020.

1970: 46,189

1980: 42,695*

1990: 45,532

2000: 44,212

2010: 44,654

2020: 42,141


Enfield's Plan of Conservation and Development (2022–2032) reports a substantial decline in Enfield's young population, specifically those under 18 years old. Between 2010 and 2020, Enfield saw a 14% decrease in this age group, dropping from 8,787 to 7,559. This contraction in younger residents reflects a broader trend of population aging within the town.


*The sharp decline in population from 1970 to 1980 was likely driven by the exodus of Baby Boomers leaving town to start their own lives. During this time, family sizes were also shrinking, which compounded the impact on the local population
Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA

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