Editorial: A legal victory with complications

The Connecticut Superior Court ruling Tuesday validated State Rep. John Santanella's complaint. This is a clear win, and allows him to avoid an August 11 Democratic primary against his challenger, former town attorney Tom Tyler. Tyler can appeal, but absent that, Santanella can shift his focus to November. But a winning legal outcome is not the same as a winning narrative outcome. This was an honest mistake by the Tyler campaign, a consequence of some flawed official guidance and a decision to rely on that guidance. The court found that the Democratic registrar provided petition sheets four days before state law allowed, and that the state-supplied forms lacked a legally required statement from circulators on the number of signatures gathered — a defect that invalidated all of Tyler's petitions. The ruling also notes that there was no evidence the Tyler campaign exercised due diligence to confirm the official guidance. Connecticut election law doesn't allow for honest mista...
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Enfield Property Taxes Could Rise About 3% Under New Budget


Town Council budget workshop May 6

Residential property taxes for Enfield residents are projected to rise by approximately 3% under the current town budget proposal.

This figure emerged during a wide-ranging, and sometimes contentious budget workshop Tuesday with school board officials. Council members discussed topics ranging from school discipline issues to the possibility of running school buses in-house. This was the final budget workshop. 

Following lengthy meeting, council members settled on a budget that raises the mill rate from 30.56 to 31.50—an increase of 0.94 mills. This could still change before final budget adoption. 

The Board of Education budget will increase by 4%, less than the 5.57% or $4.3 million increase initially sought. The board had requested that increase to reduce class sizes, restore positions cut last year, and meet other pressing needs. 

Council Democrats supported fully funding the school board’s request. Mayor Ken Nelson argued that the approved 4% increase was one of the largest the school board had ever received.

For a home with a market value of $235,000 (assessed at $164,500, or 70%), the property tax bill would increase from $5,027 to $5,181—an increase of $154.63, or 3.08%.

The $235,000 figure is the town manager's estimate of the average market value of homes in Enfield. 

School Superintendent Steven Moccio noted that the funding would still allow for about 16 new positions, instead of the 30-plus originally requested.

The Town Manager originally proposed a 2.67-mill increase and a $162 million budget (a 5.12% increase). The final proposal now under discussion is closer to $158 million, or about a 2.5% increase, for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025.
Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA

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