Community Update from Town Manager Christopher Bromson 6/5/2020
Reopening Town Hall
Enfield government continues to remain open for business. The Town Hall is open by appointment only. If you need to conduct your business in person, please call the department you wish to schedule your visit in advance. We encourage you to please continue to do business by email or use of our drop box at the Town Hall whenever possible.
Dog license renewals can be purchased anytime in the month of June through mail or drop box, which is located by the front door of Town Hall Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
The construction of the two new community gardens is almost complete! Thanks to the support and funding of the Town Council and quick action by the Planning and Zoning commission, we have now added almost 60 plots at 2 new locations: Central Library and 2 Chapel Street. To reserve a plot, please email developmentservices@enfield.org or call 860-253-6385.
At the May 20 Council meeting, the Enfield Town Council authorized the Town Manager to negotiate and enter into a lease agreement with 800 Enfield Street, the former Santander bank. This new drive-thru service offering be known as the Enfield Express. Beginning mid-June, you will be able to come through the drive-thru to pay your taxes and more. Please continue to check our Facebook for an update coming soon!
Department of Social Services
The Family Resource Center will be receiving a donation of $50,000 from the LEGO Group to create and distribute Play Kits consisting of a variety of art and sensory materials to benefit all domains of development. Kits will be distributed to 1300 Enfield children ages 12 and under attending the FRC, Enfield Child Development Center, Enfield Youth and Family Services, as well as children whose families are Enfield Food Shelf participants and children attending licensed family childcare programs. Online learning sessions will be conducted to give parents and caregivers information on how to use the kits with children in their care.
Enfield Transit has been keeping Enfield residents connected with essential needs. Magic Carpet hours have begun to increase. Residents should check the Transit webpage daily for changes in schedules.
The Enfield Child Development Center has completed their Phase 1 reopening successfully and safely. ECDC staff is adhering to enhanced safety protocols such as staff wearing masks, temperature taking upon entrance, class sizes of no more than 10, and social distancing.
Please see COVID-19 resource guide that is available on the Social Services website: http://www.enfield-ct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15766/Enfield-Social-Services-Resource-Guide-COVID-19-4-8-20.
Recreation
Tons-O-Fun Camp Summer Care will run in seven, one-week sessions beginning on Monday, June 22, 2020. 40 spaces will be available each week. New registrations will be taken beginning on Monday, June 8th on a first come, first serve, basis. Full details will be available at www.enfield-ct.gov/recreation.
Summer 2020 programming is being reviewed based on Executive Order 7TT. Once Phase Two Re-Open CT guidance is released later this month, Aquatics and Sports program information will be finalized and shared.
Library
Summer Reading is almost here! We will be having a modified kickoff this year on Wednesday, June 24, with a live virtual performance with Jester Jim. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the link. From 1-2 PM that day, families will be able to drive through the parking lot, say hello to the Children’s staff, and get a classic Summer Reading t-shirt without getting out of the car.
Both the Pearl Street and Central libraries are offering curbside pickup of materials to residents. Geissler’s Supermarket has donated 2,000 brown paper bags for us to use for curbside pickup. We are now taking new requests for materials through our catalog, email sent to libraryquestion@enfield.org, and by phone. Staff is continuing to quarantine returned items for seven days before checking them in and returning them to circulation and will be distributing flyers from the North Central District Health Department regarding COVID resources. The Words on Wheels home delivery service has started up again for individuals who are homebound. Director of Libraries, Jason Neely, is on the advisory committee for the State’s reopening guidelines for libraries. The library is looking to open the doors to the public with modified services on Monday, June 22nd.
Senior Center
The Enfield Senior Center has begun working in collaboration with other senior centers around the state to share virtual programs. We will be holding a virtual Bingo with Home Helpers in July. A “virtual coffee hour” is in the works, and we are planning a socially distanced “drive by” so that participants can say hello to the staff. A very large number of seniors have not been able to take advantage of AARP’s tax help this year due to the closing of the Senior Center. We are working with AARP on the logistics of offering one-on-one appointments soon.
Sign up for Updates!
There have been many questions and interest in our town pool, recreation, and sports fields. We are planning to open all services, but we must do it in a safe and legal manner that complies with the Governor’s Executive Orders. We will be adjusting all our services in coordination with the North Central District Health Department to ensure the safety of residents and our staff.
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.