Posts

Showing posts from November, 2024

Enfield Is Losing Its Way—And Young Families Know It

Image
Enfield is drifting. It is without clear vision, without bold leadership, and increasingly, without young families. They’re voting with their feet, and the most urgent signal is the steady departure of children. That trend reflects a deeper loss of confidence—particularly in our public schools—and a growing sense among families that Enfield no longer offers the future they imagined. Since 2010, Enfield has lost over 3,500 residents—nearly 8% of its population. But even more telling is the drop in children. U.S. Census data shows that the number of residents under 18 has fallen by more than 13%. That’s not just a demographic shift—it’s a clear signal that families are losing faith in Enfield’s future. This change carries consequences. Politically, it shifts priorities toward an aging population. Economically, it undermines our long-term vitality. And socially, it points to something more unsettling: young families no longer see Enfield as a place where they can grow roots. And yet, we s...

Is Enfield considering privatizing trash removal? Let's discuss.

Image
  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 to...

The drought is taking a toll on St. Martha's Pond

Image
  St. Martha's Pond, Enfield Conn. on Nov. 16, 2024. Impact of drought. If it keeps up water may disappear until the rains return.  

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

Image
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 ...