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Showing posts from December, 2024

Enfield’s Trash Outsourcing Report: Keep It In-House

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This table is from a consultant’s report prepared for the town of Enfield by Mercer Group Associates and BridgeGroup. RRM refers to the town’s Refuse and Resource Management division. The table also notes that 2025 is an election year, hinting at possible political considerations. Enfield has released the final consulting report on the possibility of outsourcing trash hauling — and it recommends keeping the service in-house. The report by Mercer Group Associates and BridgeGroup LLC says the town would see only “limited” cost savings by outsourcing its Refuse and Resource Management (RRM) services. But the town also provides a level of service that many other municipalities don’t necessarily offer. It describes RRM as having an “experienced, committed staff” with a “strong work ethic,” and warns that outsourcing could mean losing that expertise. At the same time, the consultants say the town could improve efficiency and productivity through better management, equipment replacement, and ...

Fix it or face foreclosure: Enfield’s blight ordinance targets minor issues

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  Chipped paint on Town Hall is blight under the town's proposed blight ordinance Imagine being fined $100 a day because your lawn grew too tall while you were in the hospital. Under Enfield's proposed blight ordinance, this nightmare could become a reality for many residents. The Town Council will consider this revised ordinance at its Monday night meeting—but as written, it could harm hundreds of residents over minor cosmetic issues, from overgrown grass to temporary home repairs. While it's reasonable to address properties that pose genuine health and safety risks, this ordinance goes too far by treating cosmetic issues as equally severe. For example, if grass or weeds grow taller than 12 inches, the town can issue a citation requiring correction within 10 days. If it's not addressed in time, the property maintenance inspector can impose fines of $100 a day—with no cap—until the problem is resolved. In extreme cases, these escalating fines could even lead to foreclos...