ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
QUARTERLY PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING
MONDAY, MAY 24, 2010
A Public Informational Meeting was held at the Thomas Alcorn Elementary School, 1010 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, May 24, 2010. Mayor Kaupin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present from the Enfield Town Council were Councilmen Edgar, Kaupin and Nelson. Councilmen Bosco, Crowley, Dumont, Hall, Keller, Kiner, Lee and Mangini were absent.
Also present were Town Manager, Matthew Coppler; Director of Public Works, Piya Hawkes; Director of Economic Development, Ray Warren; Director of Libraries, Henry Dutcher; EMS Director, Kevin Sullivan; Director of Finance, Lynn Nenni
Mayor Kaupin explained the format for this meeting.
Don Christmas, Lincoln Street
Questioned what he would need to do to form a citizens’ oversight board regarding the Enfield Police Department. He explained people who have problems with the Police Department could bring their complaints before such a board. He stated his impression there are a lot of problems going on in Thompsonville, and there’s no working relationship between the police and average citizen. He noted it appears citizens are presumed guilty when situations arise. He added his belief things will get worse. He pointed out in the old days, the police established a relationship with the citizens, however, there appears to be a disconnect with people in Thompsonville. He stated his belief the police are going overboard, and there needs to be a whole new game plan. He noted the Community Police Officers used to do a great job.
Mayor Kaupin suggested Mr. Christmas speak with Christopher Bromson, the Public Safety Director, and Matthew Coppler, the Town Manager, about this topic.
A speaker stated he has no problems with the Police Department. He stated he has heard rumors that a lot of problems relate to bad landlords.
A speaker stated he has no problems with the Police Department, but he disagrees with the image of the Chief of Police walking downtown with a gun. He stated his belief this was bad publicity. He agreed that negligent absentee landlords make things worse by renting to negligent tenants.
A speaker stated her neighbor is a renter and was told if she didn’t like the problems in her neighborhood, she should move. She stated her impression there’s a certain prejudice the police have about renters vs. homeowners.
Pat Colca, Fairview Avenue
Spoke at length about speeding problems on his street and throughout Enfield. He noted he has a visually impaired son that he worries about whenever he comes to visit and walks the neighborhood. He noted there is a sign warning drivers there’s a visually handicapped citizen on his street, however, that sign is ignored. He pointed out other towns address speeding problems with traffic calming measures. He stated there are speed bumps that do not impede snowplows.
Mayor Kaupin requested Piya Hawkes, the Public Works Director, check into whether Fairview Avenue qualifies for traffic calming measures. He advised Mr. Colca that it needs to be learned whether other neighbors want traffic calming.
Mr. Colca stated his belief there needs to be better signage. He pointed out currently the crosswalk comes first followed by the stop sign.
Mr. Colca questioned what could be done about high fire district tax. He pointed out Thompsonville has the highest district tax in Enfield.
Mayor Kaupin explained voters in a fire district can vote to dissolve a district. He noted the other districts would have to vote to expand their coverage to include the dissolved district. He pointed out the Town could support fire service in the interim.
Councilman Nelson stated the Thompsonville Fire District voters voted down a zero percent increase in their budget.
A speaker stated he always had a good rapport with the Police Department. He went on to state Whitacres Park has been having firework problems. He noted whenever he calls the police, the offenders are scattered by the time the police arrive. He went on to note this park has broken equipment, debris and graffiti. He stated youth are using the park up until 10:30 at night. He noted a police officer told him patrolling the Enfield Square comes first and residential areas come second.
Mayor Kaupin requested the Town Manager speak with the Police Department about this complaint.
A speaker stated she took her child to the Alcorn Park to play and she saw a used condom on the playground. She went on to note the trash cans are also overflowing in the park. She noted older youth are using the park after dusk. She stated she would like to see more cruisers patrolling this area.
Mayor Kaupin questioned how often maintenance is done in the playgrounds. Mr. Hawkes responded once or twice per week.
Councilman Nelson questioned whether the schools can check the playgrounds in the mornings before students go out for recess. He suggested perhaps a teacher could check things out to be sure things are safe for the children. A speaker suggested perhaps a custodian should be doing this.
A speaker questioned if a “no outlet” sign could be placed on the lower end of Fairview Avenue and Pearl Street.
Joseph Saroce, Briarwood Drive
Stated there’s an open space area on Eastgate Lane, and he believes this would be a nice area to place some benches. Mayor Kaupin indicated the Town could check into this.
A speaker stated Alcorn might close, and she questioned if anyone thought about the detrimental effect that will have on families. She pointed out this is a walking school. Mayor Kaupin stated his impression the Board of Education doesn’t support the idea of closing Alcorn. He went on to note the Board is looking at several alternatives for school reorganization. He noted people recognize the need to reorganize and that it’s necessary to do it the right way.
Councilman Nelson stated Alcorn is a walking school with lots of parent involvement. He noted that would be lost if this school closes. He added he supports keeping Alcorn open. He explained the main reason Alcorn was looked at was because of the racial imbalance.
Mayor Kaupin stated after tomorrow night’s Board of Education meeting, they should know more information about school reorganization. He pointed out the State of Connecticut requires that a plan has to be in place by August as to how Alcorn will resolve its racial imbalance.
Mr. Colca questioned the status on the South Maple Street Bridge project, and Mr. Hawkes stated there will be a bid opening for this project on June 1st.
Mr. Colca questioned whether pedestrians can cross this bridge, and Mayor Kaupin stated there will be a walkway for pedestrians on the bridge.
A speaker questioned when the Route 190 bridge bike path will open, and Mr. Hawkes responded very soon.
A speaker questioned whether there could be more attractive window displays in the Diana’s Bakery building.
A speaker questioned whether recycling barrels will be distributed to residences, and he was told the Town was unsuccessful in obtaining a grant it was seeking to pay for these barrels and the Town is seeking new grants for this purpose.
Mr. Christmas questioned why the Fourth of July fireworks aren’t set off in the middle of Freshwater Pond as was done in the past, and Mayor Kaupin explained the shooting zone has to be clear within 300 feet of unoccupied buildings.
Mr. Christmas stated there’s a traffic wall set up on Lincoln Street during the Fourth of July celebration, and this wall causes accidents. Mayor Kaupin pointed out that is one of the discussion items at the Fourth of July Committee meetings.
A speaker questioned what’s going on with Thompsonville Revitalization. Mr. Warren stated there’s a lot of interest in development along the riverfront. He noted this is being triggered with interest in the transit center and the train station. He stated when people who own land or people who invest in such things hear of the opportunity of a train station, it peaks their interest. He pointed out Northland Investment, which owns Bigelow Commons, is very interested in seeing that project go through. He noted there are owners of land along the river who have visions of opportunity as well. He went on to note there’s a long way to go because they’re just going into the design of the transit center. He stated there are still a lot of owners of land on the river, i.e., CL&P, Yankee Gas, and Dow Mechanical. He pointed out there are all kinds of issues that have to be dealt with from how the Town feels about development along the river, what’s the right mix between private investment, open space and access to the river. What’s a reasonable concentration of development along the river, and where would cars be parked. He stated some people don’t like the idea of riverfront development occurring because it changes what they’ve been use to, and others have a legitimate concern because they’ll be directly effected. He noted there’s also the possibility that much of Enfield’s riverfront will be preserved forever because of wetlands, floodplains or access. He stated his belief it’s reasonable for a small portion to be developed, and he believes that small portion is from Main Street up north where CL&P and where the old power plant is located. He noted there are environmental concerns that have to be factored in. He noted in the past there were 15,000 gallons of jet fuel storage and two power plants in this area. He stated his belief the investment toward some reasonable development would be the way to clean up this area.
Kelly Hemeler from Voices for Thompsonville and a commissioner on the Thompsonville Fire District Commission invited speakers to give her their e-mails so they can receive notices of Voices for Thompsonville meetings. She stated her belief a way to bring down taxes is to bring in development.
Mr. Colca questioned whether there will be an electrified rail, and Mr. Warren stated that won’t happen for quite awhile.
A speaker questioned what can be done about dilapidated housing, i.e., the house on Garden Street. Mr. Warren stated the Town offered to purchase that home, but the owners haven’t talked to the Town as yet.
Mr. Saroce thanked the Town for taking this time to listen to the people.
Mayor Kaupin stated the next meeting is scheduled for August. |