Absentee Ballot Box
The Secretary of the State has announced that Enfield will receive additional ballot drop box locations for the November election. We have installed a ballot drop box in the outer drive-thru lane of the Enfield Express, located at 800 Enfield Street. You may drive up to this ballot drop box and submit your ballot without having to leave your vehicle. Please use the outer lane of the drive-thru when going to deposit your ballot. In addition, we continue to have two ballot boxes at the back entrance to the Town Hall, which are accessible at all times. Absentee ballots will be mailed out during the first week of October.
Information Technology
The Council Chambers in Town Hall has gone through renovations, including a new Video Production solution. The new video capabilities allow the Town to provide a much-improved viewing experience in the chambers as well as at home. The older video projection system has been replaced by a state-of-the-art video sharing solution utilizing 3 large screen and high definition TVs paired with a new sound system. This solution allows for greater presentation possibilities as any device will be able to work in the Chambers. Ultimately, anyone with a computer, tablet, or smartphone will be able to provide a presentation wirelessly. Our vision is to make the sharing of ideas and information easier as we continue to improve services for the Town of Enfield. Please stay tuned as we continue to improve ETV services for our residents.
Senior Center
We are excited to announce that we are planning on reopening the Senior Center on October 5. Last month we received guidance from the State on how to safely reopen and Senior Center staff is meeting internally to form a reopening plan that adheres to State guidelines. To comply with the reopening rules, as well as to ensure the health and safety of our users, there will be several changes to our typical operations. Anyone entering the Senior Center will have to wear a mask. Additional hand sanitizer stations are being installed. We will be sharing more details on available programming in coming weeks.
There will be a pop up COVID testing site at the Senior Center on Friday, October 2. Testing will run from 9 AM to 1 PM. Please call 475-241-0740 for more information or to register.
The Senior Center continues to offer a variety of programs during the pandemic. The Medical Equipment Loan program remains active. Those in need of medical equipment can make an appointment to pick up or drop off equipment. The Virtual Dementia Caregivers group affiliated with Hartford Health is available 4 times per week. Every Tuesday at 11 AM, seniors can play Scattergories via Zoom. In addition, Thursdays at 9:30 AM join the Senior Center for “Virtual Coffee Hour”. This is an opportunity to connect with others while at home. Take It and Make Crafts continue to be available weekly. On September 30, at 11 AM, you can also join for a Virtual Tour of Alaska, co-sponsored with Friendship Tours.
Enfield’s Regional Farmer’s Market
This Sunday, September 20, the Enfield Regional Farmer’s Market continues on the Town Green between 10 AM and 1 PM. Last Sunday, over 60 vendors attended! Please join us to buy some fresh produce, delicious sweets, and handmade craft items. The Farmer’s Market will run on Sundays through September 27. Hope to see you there!
Library
After focusing on outdoor programming over the summer, Children’s Story Times and Rhyme Times will begin to be held virtually in October.
Rhyme Time for birth-24 months will be on Mondays at 10:30
Storytime for ages 2-4 will be Tuesdays at 9:30
Storytime for ages 4-5 will be Thursdays at 9:30
The Instrument Lending Program continues to be successful. An electric ukulele, an autoharp, a classical guitar, a dulcimer and a mandolin were added to our circulating collection. Since the program started in July 2019, we have checked out a total of 331 instruments. The popular genealogy database, Ancestry, will be available remotely through the end of the year. Usually this resource is only available in-house.
On Saturday, September 19 at 10:30 AM, bring your own blanket and play bingo on the front lawn of the library (weather permitting) and win prizes. Masks are required when not on your blanket and we ask that blankets be placed at least 6 ft from others. This drop-in program is for kids ages 5 and up and must be accompanied by an adult.
On Wednesday, September 30 at 6:30 PM, join the Library for a virtual presentation: "The Missing Link In Retirement Planning Why and when To Consider Long-Term Care Insurance." Learn about how the State’s Partnership for Long-Term Care can help you plan ahead for your future long-term care needs. Presented by guest speaker Aldo Pantano, from the CT Partnership for Long-Term Care, with the Office of Policy and Management. Email lsprague@enfield.org for a Zoom invitation.
Social Services
The FRC will begin our Fall session of in-person Learning through Playgroups for children and families ages birth-five the week of September 21 outdoors at the Stowe playground. We will offer 6 weekly groups with cohorts of no more than 7 families per group. In the event of inclement weather, we will hold the playgroup virtually and will continue to offer a weekly virtual group for families who prefer that option. We are looking forward to getting our children and families back together to play and learn!
CHOICES counseling has begun for senior citizens. Open Enrollment begins October 1st. Please contact Social Services for more information 860-253-6403
Recreation
Staff is currently planning additional fall and winter programs in line with COVID-19 guidelines. Information will be released on a continual basis. Recreation will be hosting Adult Yoga on Tuesdays in October, from 6:15 to 7:30 PM at the Enfield Annex. Students will be able to work at their own level, modifying poses as needed.
Has your child shown an interest in martial arts? Recreation will be hosting a free two-day Martial Arts Clinic! In conjunction with Integrity Martial Arts of Enfield, children of different ages will explore the world of martial arts. This preschool/Kindergarten class will be held October 5 & 7, 4 – 4:30 PM and the Youth class will be held right after at 4:30 – 5 PM. Class will be held at Green Manor Park. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required.
Join Jonathan Metcalf at Integrity Martial Arts for a Women’s Self Defense Class to learn simple strategies to minimize risk, tactics to get you to safety quickly, the psychology behind most violence and how to avert it and the fundamentals of striking and escaping. Please note that mature topics will be covered in this class. The course will be held on October 19 & 26, 7– 9 PM at Integrity Martial Arts Studio. This is a free program, but spaces are limited, and pre-registration is required.
Sign up for Updates!
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.