The Town Hall continues to be 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.
10/7/20 Windstorm
As a result of the windstorm on October 7, Enfield had 2,900 residents without power on Wednesday evening. By Thursday morning, Eversource crews have restored power to all residents. On Wednesday night, there were approximately ten different locations in town with downed trees. All known road closures have been checked and are now open. We would like to thank our Department of Public Works staff. They worked throughout the night to clear our Town from the aftermath of the storm. In addition, we would like to thank the Enfield Police Department, which brought in extra officers and Auxiliary personnel to maintain closed roadway scenes and keep our residents safe.
Department of Public Works
The Public Works Department is finishing construction of the South Road bike lane, which extends from Route 5 to Hazard Avenue. The DPW Highway Division staff installed all signage and is currently painting all symbols and line markings. The entire South Road bike line installation was performed in-house. This bike lane is another step in fulfilling the Complete Streets policy as adopted by Town Council in April of 2015.
Leaf bags continue to be available for purchase at the Enfield Express drive-thru window. The cost for a bundle of 5 leaf bags is $2. Cash only.
Senior Center
The Senior Center opened to the public on October 5. All programs are offered by pre-registration only. There are spots available in most Fitness and Arts & Craft classes. Registrations will be taken until classes are filled. Call 860-763-7425 to register. A complete listing of programs that are offered can be found on our website, Facebook and in weekly e-mail updates. In addition to our exercise and Arts & Crafts classes, the Senior Center is also offering the following programs:
- Billiards: Tables will be available for two-hour blocks from 8 AM – 3:45 PM. You must pre-register and only two players are allowed per table.
- Prime Fitness: Participants may register for 50-minute blocks by calling 860-272-3554. Reservations can be made on Fridays from 9:30 AM -11:30 AM for the following week.
- Movies: The High Note will be played on October 9 at 1:30 PM.
- TED Talks: The TED talk entitled Big Data, Small Farms and a tale of Two Tomatoes will be shown and discussed on October 22, 1:30 PM.
- WII Bowling: WII Bowling will be held on Thursdays from 12 PM -3:45 PM. Only 6 bowlers will be allowed at a time.
- Pedi-Care: Pedi-Care will be available on October 16, from 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM. Please call Gladys at 860-749-0617 for an appointment.
- Pumpkin Decorating Contest: October 26 is National Pumpkin Day. In recognition of this day, we are having a Pumpkin Decorating Contest. The Friends of the Enfield Senior Center have generously donated 20 pumpkins. Please call the center at 960-763-7425 to pick up a pumpkin, while supplies last. Contestants can provide their own pumpkin to decorate if they wish but it must be a smaller sized pumpkin. The pumpkin may be carved, painted, or decorated. The winners will receive a prize that is yet to be determined. Pumpkins will be displayed on October 26 as part of our Halloween drive through event.
- Halloween Drive Through: On October 26 from 1:30 – 3:30, the Center will be having a drive through Halloween celebration. Drive through the front of the Senior Center and receive a goody. Come dressed in costume and get an extra treat.
- Free Diabetes Education Classes: Do you have diabetes and want to improve your blood sugar control? Register for upcoming virtual classes offered by your Big Y Pharmacist! For more information and to sign-up, contact Donna Dwarska at 413-504-4491 or dwarska@bigy.com.
Department of Social Services
Beginning on Wednesday, November 4, the Enfield Magic Carpet will resume fare collection for all passenger trips. Bus passes will only be sold by appointment only at the Enfield Transit Office located at 110 High Street, between the hours of 9am – 3pm. Passengers also have the option to pay with exact change at time of boarding. 1 adult ride is $1.30, 1 senior/disabled ride is $1.05, and youth are free. For more information, please visit our website at www.enfield-ct.gov/143/Magic-Carpet-Bus, The Magic Carpet Bus Facebook page or call us at 860-272-3545.
Library
Online Rhyme Time programs began this week. Songs, movement, and rhymes for birth to 24 months will be broadcast via our Facebook page on Mondays at 10:30 AM. Virtual Storytimes will also be on Facebook. Storytimes for ages 2-4 will be on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM and Storytimes for ages 4-5 will be on Thursdays at 9:30 AM.
The Library is hosting a Scarecrow Contest this year. Decorate your scarecrow any way you like and drop it off at the library on October 8, 9 or 10. Patrons will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites and winners will be announced on Saturday, October 24. Entry forms are available here.
On Wednesday, October 14 at 3 and 4 PM, we are hosting a pumpkin decorating contest. Kids ages 4 and up are invited to paint pumpkins with us. The pumpkins will be displayed and voted on at the Enfield Outback Steakhouse. Masks are required and space is limited - please register. Many thanks to Outback Steakhouse for sponsoring this event.
We will be hosting Fifty Years On: A Nod to the Class of 1970 with Rick Spencer and Dawn Indermuehle on the Library Lawn, Saturday, October 17, from 2 -3 PM. Join us for a look back at some of the significant songs and events of 1970. Masks are required when not on your blanket and we ask that you place them 15 ft away from others. Rain Date: Saturday, October 24 at 2 PM.
On Saturday, October 24 from 10 to 12, the Library is hosting a Celebrate Fall program. Wear your costume and come by to trick or treat at our socially distanced stations where you can grab a treat, take and make craft and other fun items. Masks must be worn at all times and we ask all household units to remain six feet apart at all times.
Recreation
The Recreation Division has a variety of virtual Take it and Make it and in-person programs this fall. Our next bi-weekly newsletter will be online beginning October 16. Additional new programming will be featured in the next issue. Registration for in-person programming is open online. Visit www.enfield-ct.gov/recreation to view complete information or to register.
Programs include:
- 3D Foam Haunted House Class: Enfield youth in grades 3-5 are invited on Tuesday, October 13 at 10 AM to create a spooky haunted house via Zoom. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required. Class materials must be picked up at the Recreation Office. Please call to make a pickup appointment AFTER you have registered. This program is free and only open to Enfield residents.
- Pickleball Pack Rentals: The Veteran’s Memorial Athletic Complex on South Road in Enfield is home to six brand new Pickleball courts. Enfield residents can try playing the game of Pickleball at no cost! Recreation is offering rentals of our Pickleball Packs for FREE during the month of October ($10 refundable deposit required).
- Middle School Field Hockey Clinic: Participants will learn the fundamentals of field hockey and expand their skills and knowledge. Held Saturdays October 17-November 7, 9:15 – 10:45 AM. Fee is $29.00 residents / $36.25 non-residents. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required.
- Women’s Self Defense Class: Join Recreation and 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. 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.
- Lunchtime Walkers: Join us at our new Lunchtime Walkers program! We will take a walk around Freshwater Pond. Short, medium, and long-distance paths allows for options for those of all ages and abilities. Held Thursdays, October 1-29, 12:00 – 1:00 PM. This is a free program, but spaces are limited, and pre-registration is required.
The Cooped-Up Crafts Cart is out and about this October! Stop by and pick up a (FREE) activity or two for your child! Upcoming dates include:
- Saturday, October 17, 9- 10 AM at Green Manor Park
- Tuesday, October 20, 5:30 - 6:30 PM at Hazardville Park
Our Virtual Recreation Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and contains a variety of free resources for you to use from the comfort and safety of your own home. We have over 50 different offerings. Check back for additional resources being added!
Absentee Ballot Box
Enfield has received 2 additional ballot drop box locations for the November election. Residents may now use the drop boxes at the locations listed below:
- Outside drive-thru lane of the Enfield Express, located at 800 Enfield Street. Drive up without leaving your car.
- Central Public Library located at 104 Middle Road. The drop box is located right past the book drops.
- Town Hall back entrance, located at 820 Enfield Street, back parking lot.
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.