Enfield government continues to remain open for business. Employees are available to conduct town business by telephone or email.
The Town Council will be hosting a special meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at 5 PM. The purpose of this meeting is to act on limited agenda items and to present the Town Manager’s budget to the Town Council. We have worked diligently to develop a lean budget that provides essential services but is mindful of the economic impacts of COVID-19. This meeting will be recorded and be available live on YouTube. For those that do not have internet access the meetings will be recorded and aired on Channel 16 the following evening. We will be posting the presentation to our Town Manager’s webpage after it is presented.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7N prohibits gatherings of greater than 5. Please be mindful of this in our parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields. The Enfield Police Department has issued a Public Service Announcement through Facebook, and will be giving a friendly reminder if they see congregations of more than 5 in these public spaces. If the Governor’s edict cannot be voluntarily respected, then the Town will have to close down our parks and recreational areas. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Transportation Services (Dial-A-Ride and Magic Carpet Bus) continue providing transportation options for the convenience of our residents. Due to the shortage of drivers, schedules may change daily. Please check the Enfield Transit webpage at https://www.enfield-ct.gov/376/Enfield-Transit and like Magic Carpet Bus and Dial-A-Ride on Facebook for updates. The Enfield Magic Carpet Bus is no longer collecting fares to keep riders and drivers safe. For any additional questions, call the Transportation Office at 860-272-3545.
The Department of Public Works continues to provide essential services to the public. No yard waste will be picked up tomorrow, Friday, April 10th. The Transfer Station is now accepting metal at no cost. For additional information, please call the DPW hotline at (860) 763-7527 between the hours of 8am and 3:30pm.
If you are in need of a marriage license, a worksheet has been posted to the Town Clerk’s website. A couple is able to download the form, fill it out and send it back to the Town Clerk’s office or e-mail Townclerk@enfeld.org. They will be in touch with further instructions. The Town Clerk can be reached at 860-253-6438.
The Building Department continues to process permits online. Please go to our website https://www.enfield-ct.gov/ to submit any permits. Inspectors are available to perform inspections that don’t put them or the public at risk. For any questions, please call 860-253-6370.
The Office of Community & Economic Development continues to be available to discuss the First Time Homebuyer’s Program and other programs. Just call 860-253-6391, or email ntereso@enfield.org or KKoistinen@enfield.org for assistance.
The Planning Department is also processing land use applications, which can now also be submitted online at http://www.viewpermitct.org/. Should an applicant need to drop off their materials for Planning or Building, a drop box is available by the front entrance to Town Hall between 9 and 11 AM. Items must be clearly marked with a “From” and “To” and staff must be called once an item is dropped off. Planning is hosting its first virtual Planning and Zoning meeting this evening, 4/9/20 at 7 PM. Instructions on how to join this meeting are available at: https://www.enfield-ct.gov/707/Planning-Zoning-Commission. For those that do not have internet access the meetings will be recorded and aired on Channel 16 the following evening.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Lamont has issued Executive Orders allowing legal notices, agendas, and various application materials to be advertised on the appropriate Commission’s Webpage on the Enfield website via https://www.enfield-ct.gov/. Therefore, please note that there will not be any legal notices in the newspapers for the foreseeable future.
The Enfield Public Library has seen record breaking numbers of users for eBook and downloadable audiobook collections over the last few weeks. The remote story times and Facebook Live Rhyme Times have also been hugely successful with 57 real time participants in the two Facebook Live events, and over 17,057 views. The first remote book club will meet on Wednesday afternoon, where members will discuss Moonstone by Wilkie Collins using Zoom. In an effort to keep cultural programming active, the Libraries will be hosting a Facebook Live concert with local musician Kevin Crane. More details will be available soon. The remote Ukulele Club has also been meeting weekly using Zoom and Facetime. Library staff continue to register temporary cards for Enfield residents who do not currently have library cards. Reference librarians have also stayed active, answering over 100 reference questions via phone, email and Facebook.
At the Senior Center, staff is staying connected using a variety of technologies. Automated calls have been made to all registered users and volunteers to do check-ins and provide notification of programming changes. The Senior Center has posted a variety of links to exercise and cultural programs through Facebook and are currently working on plans for Facebook Live events. The Senior Center has seen an increase in engagement on social media by 90%. The walking trails are being used and patrons are using appropriate social distancing. CRT has continued to deliver meals for the people that have taken part in our congregate meal program.
Over the last few weeks, Recreation has had an increased presence on social media, generating 53 posts and providing 19 individual “virtual programming” opportunities. Activities have included Yoga, Chess, Bird Watching, Smart Phone Photography, Workout Challenges and Field Trips. Additionally, information from National, State and Local entities has been provided in regards to safe practices while recreating outdoors during the pandemic. Recreation has reached over 13,138 viewers and had 434 engagements with the public through their social media platforms. Lastly, Summer Program planning is well underway. Recreation staff are working closely with CT Recreation and Parks Association and the American Camp Association to better plan, in light of COVID-19. More information will be forthcoming.
The Enfield Social Services Department has put together a resource guide that is available on their website. This will provide information on contacts for specific services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see their website information: https://www.enfield-ct.gov/429/Social-Services. Enfield Youth Services continues virtual meetings with the Youth Advisory Committee to maintain relationships with youth and their families. For questions, please call 860-253-6383.
The Enfield Police Department continues to keep our community safe. In addition to their responsibilities, they have remained very active on social media. Officers are taking turns reading weekly bedtime stories, focused for children grades Kindergarten to 2nd grade.
As always, we want to extend a special thank you to the Police Department, our Firefighters, and our dedicated EMS, who are boldly performing their roles during this pandemic. We appreciate your service and commitment to our residents.
Our staff and I are available to assist you and will continue to provide services. Please continue to check our website for updates. For alerts from the Town of Enfield, please go to https://enfield-ct.gov/List.aspx to sign up for Notify Me and select Public Notices. You also can add additional notifications you wish to receive, and keep you apprised of Town of Enfield information. Feel free to follow Enfield Town Manager on Facebook and on Twitter.