The 7% Budget Referendum: A Political Weapon, Not Reform

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This was the budget data the Charter Revision Commission examined. It shows the percentage of budget increase by year. The budget increase does not translate to a tax increase. In 2023, the Democrats for instance, lowered spending but taxes still increased. The party and COLA columns were added by author.  The Charter Revision Commission’s 7% budget referendum proposal isn’t reform — it’s a political weapon. It's disguised as fiscal responsibility, but it’s engineered to shift blame, confuse voters, and lock Enfield into bad policy. There are some good ideas in the commission’s package. But this one? It shouldn’t go to the ballot. Here’s what the proposal says: If town expenditures increase by more than 7% over the current fiscal year, it would trigger a referendum. That sounds reasonable — until you understand the facts. The 7% Fiction First, Enfield hasn’t approved a 7% budget hike in at least 15 years — likely far longer. No council, Republican or Democrat, proposes a 7% hike u...
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Is Enfield considering privatizing trash removal? Let's discuss.

 

Recent discussions in the Enfield CT Open Forum have sparked concerns about a potential plan to privatize the town's trash removal services. This originated from a union post suggesting this idea might be under consideration. While details remain incomplete, the implications could be significant for our community, and we need clarity before any decisions are made.

Current service excellence

Enfield’s municipal trash pickup has long been a model of reliability and quality. Our town’s workers know the community, understand our unique needs, and deliver consistent, dependable service week after week. These relationships and local knowledge are assets that cannot be easily replaced.

Questions that need answers

Financial impact and analysis

  • Has the town conducted a thorough cost-benefit analysis of privatization?

  • Are there multi-year projections to show the expected return on investment?

  • How would privatization affect long-term cost stability for residents?

  • What will happen to the town’s current investment in trash removal equipment?

  • Have officials consulted other towns’ experiences—both successes and challenges—with privatizing similar services?

Workforce considerations

  • What is the plan for our current union employees?

  • How does this proposal align with Enfield’s broader workforce goals?

Oversight and control

  • How will the town ensure quality control if trash removal is privatized?

  • What mechanisms will be in place to hold private contractors accountable for performance issues?

  • Will the town retain enough oversight to protect residents’ interests?

The bigger picture

Budget concerns are always valid, but is privatization the right solution? Enfield’s primary financial hurdle is economic development, not service delivery costs. Privatizing trash removal might save some money in the short term, but it could cost us in other ways—like losing local control and the expertise of experienced municipal workers. Contracted services often lack the flexibility and accountability we currently enjoy.

Transparency is critical

This decision affects every resident of Enfield and demands full transparency. Our community is filled with professionals who have firsthand experience with outsourcing—both its benefits and its pitfalls. The town should publish any analysis or proposals under consideration to allow for a well-informed public discussion. If necessary, residents may need to use FOIA requests to bring this information to light.

Let’s make informed choices

Before we consider privatization, we must demand a clear, data-driven case that addresses all potential impacts—financial, operational, and community-based. Privatizing services is a significant change, and we owe it to ourselves and future generations to make this decision carefully, based on complete information.


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