Enfield Things

Thompsonville fire house Everyone in Enfield gets a tax bill based on their property assessment, but here’s the puzzling reality: the amount you pay for fire protection depends entirely on your neighborhood. Residents are taxed at different rates for fire protection, and the differences can be substantial. If I were a homeowner in Thompsonville, I’d be livid — and justifiably so, since they pay the most for the same service. The reason is simple: Enfield has five separate fire districts. Each sets its own budget and mill rate — an outdated system that creates real inequities in our tax bills. I have nothing but praise for Enfield’s emergency services — fire, police, and EMS. They’ve helped my family, and I’m grateful. The problem is how we pay for this help. We don’t charge people for police protection based on where they live — but we do for fire services. Four of the Five Fire Districts May Consolidate That may soon change. Multiple sources, both Democrats and Republicans, confirm t...

Site plan Enfield drivers may soon have a new place to charge their cars — and fill their stomachs — if a new proposal is approved. A developer has filed plans to build Enfield’s first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) charging plaza combined with a cafe at 1561 King Street. The vacant lot is near I-91 and just south of New Day Church, formerly the Namco building. The proposal, submitted by Global Development LLC for SunEV in Suffield, would create 21 EV charging spaces, including two accessible spaces. Most of the chargers would be covered by solar carports that generate on-site electricity for vehicle charging. While the town already has some EV charging — including Tesla chargers at the Big Y shopping plaza — this would be Enfield’s first stand-alone EV charging plaza designed specifically as a rest stop, complete with its own cafe. Retro cafe design Bob Patrick, the owner of SunEV, told the Planning and Zoning Commission that their approach to EV charging is a little different. ...

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...

The town approved millions in public support—without tying the deal to walkability, entertainment, or shared spaces residents said they wanted. Proposed project presented to Town Council last year. The Target store is to the right rear. Redeveloping Enfield Square is critical. Once our downtown—a hub of activity and identity—the mall is now a shell of its former self. In public comments and a survey of over 1,000 people, residents voiced a clear desire for the redevelopment: not just retail, but gathering places—entertainment venues, a movie theater, live music, family-friendly spaces, and walkability. Yet on June 2, when Enfield had the most leverage, the Town Council approved a generous package of financial incentives without securing any binding commitments to many of those community goals. Progress, But Not Vision   For sure, the town is taking steps to address the problems at Enfield Square.  The developer, Woodsonia Acquisitions, will redevelop the site into a mix of hou...