Enfield government continues to remain open for business. Employees are available to conduct town business by telephone or email.
Department of Social Services
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can directly connect to the local crisis teams, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or speak with a Enfield Youth & Family Service Social Worker at (860) 936-2277 who can assist you.
Youth and Family Services are providing counseling and care coordination via telehealth/phone contact with clients, care package drop-offs at youth’s homes, and promoting resources like Talk It Out. There is an increase in challenges with isolation, stress with online learning, increased family conflict, and trauma. For National Prevention Week, ETC and the PSA Sub-committee are sharing substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion information and resources through social media.
The Enfield Child Development Center continues to maintain connectivity. Many staff delivered “goody bags” to children’s doorsteps as well as some parents picked up items onsite, safely.
The Family Resource Center (FRC) continues to offer virtual programs to engage families and offer support. A Bikes & Trikes event was held on May 1 with a virtual story time, songs and an invitation for families to ride bikes at home and share pictures with us.
The Department of Social Services has put together an inclusive resource guide that is available on their website at http://www.enfield-ct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15766/Enfield-Social-Services-Resource-Guide-COVID-19-4-8-20. CRT delivered 841 meals to Mark Twain in the month of April and Food Share was distributed to Mark Twain residents this past weekend, as well. The weekend program has received additional funding from NCAAA to assist with the COVID-related costs.
Transportation Services
Magic Carpet will be stopping at the Enfield Food Shelf every other Friday to transport riders to the FoodShare truck. Residents should check the Transit webpage (https://www.enfield-ct.gov/376/Enfield-Transit) for changes in schedules and like Magic Carpet Bus and Dial-A-Ride on Facebook for updates.
Department of Public Works
Beginning this week, the transfer station is accepting all forms of acceptable waste with payment by credit, debit card or check only. Yard waste continues to be picked up on Fridays. For questions, please call the DPW hotline at (860) 763-7527 between the hours of 8am and 3:30pm.
Recreation
Enfield’s Virtual Recreation Center continues to provide free entertainment for our residents. Drop by the Virtual Recreation Center at www.enfield-ct.gov/recreation.
With the recent announcement made by the Governor regarding re-opening efforts, the Recreation Center is focusing on summer program planning. The Recreation Department has submitted a waiver request to the Office of Early Childhood for summer camp. Pursuant to Executive Order NO. 7Q, any childcare facility caring for more than thirty children in one facility must obtain approval from the Commissioner of the OEC. We have requested the ability to have 50 children at one time. The application is pending approval.
Library Services
The Library is currently working on a plan for reopening. The first phase will include curbside pickup of materials. A modified Summer Reading Program, complete with a virtual “kickoff,’ is also being planned.
Reference staff have arranged a variety of online programs for residents and businesses, including Finding New Markets and Customers for Your Business and Uncovering the Hidden Job Market. Remote assistance is provided to library patrons who have technology questions. Genealogical research requests are increasing as the library’s subscription to Ancestry is now available to all residents from home. Book Clubs continue to be well attended. On May 7th, the Taste Testers Book Club will be sharing their quiches through Zoom!
Senior Center
The AARP tax program has been put on hold and the Senior Center has partnered with a local CPA firm that will provide free tax appointments by coordinating filing taxes via phone. The staff at the Senior Center has been meeting virtually to begin constructing a plan for when the Center can re-open. To ensure the safety of our residents, the Senior Center has ordered masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes so that upon re-opening, PPE will be available for staff and volunteers. Grab and go meals from CRT are being distributed weekly so seniors in need of food have access to healthy meals. Building and grounds have refinished the dance floor and stripped and waxed the kitchen floor in anticipation of our seniors returning to a refreshed center.
Due to the pandemic, travel restrictions have been ongoing. The staff at the Senior Center has worked closely with the travel companies and have canceled the following trips: Spotlight on South Dakota, Picture Perfect Portsmouth, Montreal Festivals and Fireworks, Queen Esther in Pennsylvania and The Gloucester Lobster Cruise. The following trips have been rescheduled: Dancing Queen (ABBA Tribute Band) at the Aqua Turf and America 400.
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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. Follow Enfield Town Manager on Facebook and on Twitter.