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Enfield Train Station
At the 1/19/21 Town Council meeting, Town administration unveiled plans for the Enfield Train Station, which will be located in Downtown Thompsonville. We were joined at the meeting by our State Representatives and Congressman Courtney in support of this project. This plan is also endorsed by the State Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and Governor Ned Lamont. The CTDOT will be joining us for a Town Council meeting in March to discuss the train platform in more detail. Date and time to be announced at a future date.
The platform will be located on Commerce Street, at the location of the old train station behind the Bigelow Commons. The design will consist of a 200-foot-long platform that will be able to accommodate 6 train cars, be fully accessible, and have a canopy running the entire length. In addition, the surrounding area will be enhanced by adding over 100 parking spaces, walkways, and a utility building that will include amenities including ticket purchasing and a sheltered waiting area. A bus-drop off will accommodate commercial passenger buses and our local Magic Carpet Bus. To better serve riders and all other multimodal vehicles, the intersection of Commerce Street and Main Street will be realigned to make it safer to enter and exit. Lastly, the proposed design includes raising the bridge over Main Street to a posted height of 13’-6”. In doing so, to allow any commercial vehicle, including buses and tractor trailers, to pass under to the west side of the tracks.
When the Enfield Train Station is completed in the next two years, it will truly be a multi-modal train station with numerous opportunities for expansion and development in Thompsonville and Enfield. For more information, please view the presentation from the Town Council meeting at the following link: https://www.enfield-ct.gov/443/Town-Manager.
Building Consolidation
At the 1/19/21 Town Council meeting, the Council voted to implement the building consolidation plan presented at the previous January 4th Town Council meeting. Under this plan, the Town will relocate several Town divisions into existing Town-owned facilities to increase efficiencies and streamline services to our residents.
The components of this plan include:
- Moving the Social Services Department to the former Alcorn School;
- Moving the Transportation Office to the Senior Center;
- Moving Youth Services to the former Alcorn School;
- Moving the Recreation Division to the Enfield Annex;
- Moving Building and Grounds to the Enfield Annex;
- Moving the Tax and Assessors Office to the Enfield Express; and
- Creating a multimedia conference space at the Town Hall for local groups including boards and commissions.
This consolidation will allow us to sell two Town-owned buildings: 110 High Street and 52 Prospect Street. In addition, under this plan, the Lamagna Center and the Strand Theatre will be demolished and sold to allow for mixed-use residential and commercial development. This plan will result in an annual cost avoidance of $212,000 and a 5-year capital savings of $2,275,000. Lastly, this plan invests in the St. Adalbert's gymnasium, located adjacent to the Town Hall. This space will be renovated to restore the 9,000 square foot gymnasium and theatre for community use.
The building consolidation plan is being implemented immediately and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2021. For further details on the plan, please watch the presentation which can be found on the Town Manager's website: https://www.enfield-ct.gov/443/Town-Manager.
Library
Join the Library on January 26 at 6:30 PM for Maximizing Space in the Garden: Creating More of a Good Thing with Tovah Martin, who uses her garden Furthermore as an example, as she describes how to create layers in varied habitats including the perennial, berry, and vegetable gardens. You can expect to hear many innovative ideas beyond the usual solutions. Email lsprague@enfield.org for an invitation to the Zoom presentation.
On February 1 at 7 PM, join the library for The Roots of Black Music in America with Karlus Trapp. Karlus Trapp’s delightful, educational, and entertaining presentation “The Roots of Black Music in America” is a 100-year journey back through time to hear, experience anew, and learn about the music of America’s black musical giants. It is a joyful show that encourages and comes alive through audience participation and interaction with singing, dancing, call and response and percussion playing. This program is sponsored by the Enfield Culture and Arts Commission. Email lsprague@enfield.org for an invitation to the Zoom presentation.
Book Discussions
- 1/25 Virtual Book Discussion Convenience Store Woman
- 1/28 Virtual Book Discussion Providence
- 2/10 Virtual Book Discussion A Pedigree to Die For
- 2/22 Virtual Book Discussion Good Riddance
These titles are available in eBook format. When possible, we will also have physical copies that can be picked up at the Central Library circulation desk.
Children’s Programs
Join the Library for the Online Rhyme Time program for children ages birth to 24 months via Facebook on Mondays at 10:30 AM. Virtual Storytime for ages 2-4 will be on Facebook on Tuesdays at 9:30 AM and Storytime for ages 4-5 will be on Facebook on Thursdays at 9:30 AM.
Senior Center
The Senior Center is in the process of wrapping up virtual programming for the month of January. In the interest of safety, we will continue to offer programs virtually throughout the month of February.
AARP Tax Aide Update for 2021 - The Senior Center has had may inquiries asking when the AARP tax program will be resuming for 2021. AARP and the Senior Center are trying to find ways to be able to do taxes safely. IF we can provide the service this year, it will be low-contact or virtual and will be EXTREMELY limited. It is highly recommended you seek an alternative for your tax preparation now. Please check our weekly e-mails, Facebook, monthly digital newsletter, website, and the Senior Center’s column in the Journal Inquirer for updates.
Airborne Jazz Trio – Join the Senior Center on January 29 at 6 PM for a virtual concert of cool jazz, island music, swing, bebop, Latin jazz, smooth jazz and vocals. Call the Enfield Senior Center at 860-763-7425 or email us at seniorcenter@enfield.org to register. A link to the Zoom presentation will also be posted on our Facebook page.
Paul Bisaccia – Sunday February 14, 2 PM. A virtual concert of romantic music and popular favorites for your Valentine’s celebration. Romance and great memories in a concert you will enjoy. Call or email the center for the Zoom link.
We All Fit Together - Every one of you is a part of the puzzle that is the Enfield Senior Center! Decorate your puzzle piece and contribute your individual voice to form our story and complete our Enfield Senior Center puzzle. Each piece starts out blank, and in the end, all the pieces are different and fit together. You can color, paint, collage, embroider, anything to express yourself. You can be anonymous or sign your piece. Call 860-763-7425 to get your puzzle piece.
Exercise Classes
- Yoga Chair and Standing - Mondays, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, February 1-22, No Class Feb 15.
- Yoga All Levels, Mondays - 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM, February 1-22, No Class Feb 15
- Yoga All Levels - Tuesdays, 9 AM – 10 AM, February 2-23
- Stability Ball Training - Tuesdays, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM, February 2-23
- Body 360- Wednesdays, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM, February 3-24
- POW! - People on Weights - Wednesdays, 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM, February 3-24
- Stability Ball Training - Thursdays, 12 PM – 1 PM, February 4-25
- Body 360 - Fridays, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, February 5-26
- POW! – People on Weights - Fridays, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, February 5-26
Recreation
The Recreation Division has a variety of virtual, Take it, Make it and in-person programs this New Year. Registration for in-person programming is open online. Visit www.enfield-ct.gov/recreation to register. Upcoming programs include:
- Take it, Make it Winter Wreaths: Contact the Recreation Division to reserve a Snowy Day Sparkle Star Wreath craft kit. Open to Enfield youth ages 7 and up, free craft kits are available while supplies last.
- The Cooped-Up Crafts Cartis out and about this January! Stop by, say hi and pick up a FREE activity or two for your child!
- Saturday, January 23rd, 9 – 10 AM at the Lamagna Center
- Wednesday, January 27th, 11 AM – 12 PM at the Rotary Playground
- New Year, New You Virtual Reboot:Tackle your new year’s goals with one or more of these FREE virtual workshops with our community partners:
- Tips and Tricks of a Successful Job Search – January 27th at 12 PM hosted by the Goodwill Career Center.
- DEEP C.A.R.E Winter Fishing Classes: The CT DEEP Fisheries Division C.A.R.E program is offering virtual Learn to Ice Fish classes via Zoom. See website for complete details and how to register for one of these FREE one-day workshops. Classes will be offered at 6 PM on 1/20, 1/26, 2/1, 2/10, and 2/16.
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.
Community Gardens
In November, the Town Council voted to expand the Community Gardens in Town by adding 3 new locations! The 200 garden plots spread throughout the community gardens are located at:
- North Main Street
- Chapel Street
- Enfield Public Library
- Lafayette Park
- Green Manor Park
- Enfield Memorial Park – former Thomas G. Alcorn School
Please contact 860-253-6385 to reserve your garden plot today!
Help Us Plan Enfield’s Future
The Town of Enfield and the Planning and Zoning Commission have started the comprehensive planning process to update the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).The POCD is a strategic plan that will guide land use, development, and decision making for the next 10 years. As part of the planning process, we are seeking input from the community to inform our effort and the Plan. This Community Survey offers you an opportunity to provide your thoughts and perspectives on Enfield today and the Enfield you want to be part of in the future.
The survey only takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete—time well spent to participate in the planning of Enfield’s future. We thank you for your interest in our community and taking the time to inform the Town’s planning process.
Enfield CT - Community Survey
If you do not have internet access, paper copies of the survey are available at the Enfield Express (800 Enfield Street) and the Central Library.
Sign up for Updates!
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.
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.