Enfield weighs future of Annex: fix it, move services, or build new

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Town Council members tour the Annex's infrastructure, peering inside utility closets. The former Fermi High School -- which closed in 2016 and is now known as the Enfield Annex -- has become a deep part of the community. Whether it's the swimming pool, space for wrestling, the student robotics competition team Buzz Robotics, summer camp or its many other uses, the building has a broad base of support. Last week, some of those supporters turned out to urge Town Council members to preserve the facility. The future of the former Fermi High School has lingered on the periphery of town discussions for years. No longer. The Town Council tour of the Annex was intended to help members see firsthand the remedial infrastructure work needed, from utility closets to the boiler room and roof. But residents saw it as a chance to show the council how important the building is to the town. A large crowd turned out, some with signs urging support for the Annex. Among those at the school was Jef...
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Enfield's pedestrian neglect


Cranbrook, Enfield CT
Where the sidewalk ends at Cranbrook

My car broke down, and I had it towed to the new AAA auto repair shop on Hazard Avenue. It meant walking back home, a different way to experience Enfield. 


Palomba and Cranbrook, Enfield CT
No crosswalk at Palomba and Cranbrook
To get to my home off Raffia, I walked from the AAA garage to Cranbrook Blvd. to reach the Big Y and pick something up. Only one side of Cranbrook has sidewalks in front of some businesses but not others. The sidewalk ends abruptly before Palomba Dr., covered by an overgrowth once marked by torn yellow caution tape. 

There is no crosswalk at the four-way stop at Palomba Drive. Why is that? When I felt it was my turn to cross safely, I held my hand to ensure the drivers were paying attention. 


Palomba has a sidewalk, but it ends (or starts) at Cranbrook, meaning you need to walk through the shopping center's parking lot (The one with Anthony's and Smyths Ice Cream Shop) to get to Hazard. 


Pedestrian use is an afterthought in the commercial district and that won't change unless people begin to demand more from our community. This is far from the only example of bad things in Enfield. More to come.



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