Enfield Polling Precincts Study Committee
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Fermi High School
Present: Carol Censki, David Wawer, Mark Sheehan, Amy Witbro, Robert Tkacz, William Scheele, Charles Ladd, Pam Leitao, Beverly Pajor, Denise McGill, and Bobbie Audet.
Absent: Frank Kosa, Tom Stalgaitis, Lorraine Dentamauro, Bill Peluso
1. The meeting began at 3:30 PM at Fermi High School with a brief tour of the school gymnasium.
2. The committee then moved to the 3rd floor conference room for the continuation of the meeting.
3. Self introductions were made. New committee members include Pam Leitao, Beverly Pajor, and Denise McGill.
4. Carol Censki and David Wawer provided the new committee members with information about the previous meeting’s discussion. The primary objective of the study committee is to review the number of polling places, the cost of polling places, identify more voter-friendly polling places, and assist the two registrars in developing recommendations to the Town Council regarding future polling places, including the number of polling places. The committee was informed that, under state law, there must be at least one polling place per political district. In Enfield, that would mean either two polling places (two State House Districts) or four (four Council Districts). The current setup has nine polling places. Polling places are established by Ordinance (anytime), Town Council districts are established by voter referendum (following the ten year Federal government census), and House Districts are established by the Connecticut General Assembly (following the ten year Federal government census). The Registrars, under state law, have the authority to designate polling place locations, and can combine locations with adjacent political districts.
5. C. Censki and D. Wawer provided the committee with a description of the costs of individual polling sites. Each site has a direct cost of approximately $2000, whether there are 900 registered voters or 6000 registered voters for that site. Indirect costs for each polling site include HAVA telephone installation and testing ($300), highway department equipment delivery and pickup ($600), janitorial service ($100), equipment and supplies ($200). There is also pre-election preparation staff cost ($200) per site. Another new cost for polling sites for the November 2009 municipal election is the programming of memory cards ($700), a cost reimbursed by the Secretary of the State for Federal elections. Finally, paper ballots, a cost reimbursed by the SOTS for the past three elections, must be paid for by each town for the November 2009 elections. The cost to Enfield for 2008 was $6000.
6. D. Wawer provided the committee with information about the number of polling sites in other communities in Connecticut. There are 51 towns with one polling place. For example, Cromwell, a community of 13,990 population and 9000 registered voters, conducts elections at Cromwell High School. Other communities, listing population and number of polling places: Trumbull, 34574, 7; Southington, 40227, 12; Wallingford, 43100, 9; Middletown, 45612, 14, East Hartford, 49734, 7; and Bristol, 60026, 9. Background information sheets on the above will be emailed to committee members.
7. Committee members raised questions about the pros and cons of having nine polling places, four polling places, or even two polling places. A questionnaire will be emailed to committee members for their opinions and input, and the results discussed at the next study committee meeting. Committee members raised questions about having adequate parking facilities for polling places. It was mentioned that HB Stowe parking facilities are inadequate according to public comments given to volunteer poll workers during previous elections. Appropriate parking should be a consideration for looking at future polling sites, according to the committee. It was mentioned that JFK Middle School, which has 6000 registered voters, has never experienced inadequate parking complaints in the history of its use as a polling place.
8. Committee members raised questions about potential future polling places, including Enfield High School, Fermi High School, Asnuntuck Community College, and the Enfield Senior Center. In the consideration of Enfield High School, the school cafeteria has been identified by school officials as the most attractive location within the building for conducting voting (separate entrances and exits to the room, handicap drop-off under cover, ability to have 50-75 privacy booths in the room (which would accommodate between 12, 500 to 18,750 registered voters), and handicap accessibility. Committee members asked whether or not Asnuntuck CC could be used legally as a polling place, and whether or not it would be available for use on Election Day. Committee members asked if the Senior Center could be considered, since every senior citizen in town is very familiar with its location. It was mentioned that the Senior Center is physically located in Council District 3, and Asnuntuck CC is physically located in Council District 4.
9. The committee set its next meeting date for Thursday, January 29, 2009, beginning at 3:30 PM. The meeting will be held at either Asnuntuck Community College or the Enfield Senior Center. The location will be posted on the meeting agenda notice and emailed to committee members.
Respectfully Submitted
Carol Censki
David Wawer
Co-Chairs |