Enfield Council Republicans Give Cold Shoulder To Warming Center, Drawing Rebuke: “Shame on You”

Enfield Town Council via YouTube Sept. 15 2025

The Town Council Republican majority blocked an effort to restore funding to the Enfield Safe Harbor Warming Center, which provides overnight stays for the homeless during the cold months.

At the Sept. 15 meeting, Councilwoman Cindy Mangini (D) asked the council to reinstate a $13,000 town grant to Enfield People for People Inc. (EPFP), which operates the warming center at St. Patrick's Church.

Funding for the center is usually included among the town's grants to other service organizations, such as Enfield Food Shelf. But the funding was removed in the 2026 budget that took effect July 1. 

The group says the loss of a $13,000 town grant will strain its ability to serve the homeless this winter.

What the Loss Means for the Warming Center

"EPFP will continue to operate as planned," said Deacon Paul Robert, the group's treasurer, in an email. "Some on the Council who wish it were otherwise will be disappointed." 

Robert said the money could have funded nearly one additional month of overnight shelter. The organization also bears costs when the Governor’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol is activated, often staying open around the clock, and it performs vital tasks like client intake, referrals, and maintaining data for the state’s 211 (statewide information and referral hotline) and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) — work that otherwise would fall to the town.

Despite the setback, Robert said the center will reopen on Dec. 1, supported by private donations, grants, and fundraising, though it projects a $34,000 deficit by 2026. Last winter, the center hosted 3,455 overnight stays over 121 consecutive nights, serving 70 individuals — more than half from Enfield. He warned that without local support, the town may face higher costs for police, EMS, and hospital services, since research shows communities spend far more when homeless residents are left without shelter.

Mangini's Push for Support 

Mangini attempted to get the council to reconsider the funding, but she needed support from the Republican majority, which would not provide the procedural backing to move the motion forward.

"Let's be humane, and let's give this group just a little bit of money," Mangini said, appealing to the council's better angels. 

Nelson Cites Legal Concerns

Mayor Ken Nelson (R) had argued earlier — and he raised the point again last night — that he was concerned about a lawsuit because the town funding was supporting a use on church property. He cited a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups, including students and parents, objecting to holding the graduations of Enfield and Fermi high schools at the First Cathedral in Bloomfield. The School Board settled in 2012 by agreeing not to hold graduations at the church.

Nelson indicated that he would be more amenable to funding "if they want to move to a different location where nobody can sue the town."

Mangini cited the legal opinion by the town attorney saying the town's funding would not violate the law.

Councilman Mike Ludwick (R) said the resolution first needs to be discussed in leadership before becoming a resolution.

"I tried that. It didn't work," Mangini said.

"In closing, I will simply say shame on all of you," Mangini said after her motion failed to get majority support for consideration.

Town Attorney Says No Violation

There were no legal obstacles to the town's continued support, according to an opinion by Town Attorney Thomas Tyler. A town grant to EPFP would not violate the Establishment Clause — the part of the Constitution guaranteeing separation of church and state.

Tyler wrote, in part: EPFP "is an independent public charity that has contracted with the Church to receive rent-free space. There are no religious symbols in the warming center," he wrote, and the organization "does not provide any sort of religious instruction to its clients. It accepts all clients regardless of religion or beliefs. The Church has no hand in the operations or management of the warming center." If the Town Council approves the grant, all of the money will go to EPFP alone, he noted.

Without Shelter, People Sleep on Streets

Robert said the major causes of homelessness are financial insecurity — such as sudden job loss, chronic underemployment, or medical debt — as well as the high cost of housing and the lack of affordable options, especially for seniors. 

“Enfield is no different than many other nationwide communities where close to one-half of families are one missed paycheck away from food and housing insecurity or homelessness,” Robert said. 

Without the center, Robert asked, “Would I prefer these people to be sleeping on the streets of Thompsonville?” 

An aging population in Enfield has led to more seniors and those with physical limitations seeking help at the warming center, he said.