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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
REFERENDUM PUBLIC
INFORMATION SESSION
SEPTEMBER 23, 2002
A Public Information Session was held in the Auditorium of Enrico Fermi High School on North Maple Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, September 23, 2002. Chairman Vayda called the Session to order at 7:35 p.m.
ROLL-CALL - Present were Councilmen Egan, Fiore, Jones, Mangini, Strom, Tait, Tallarita and Vayda. Councilmen Edgar, Hall, and Kaupin were absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Recreation Supervisor, Mary Keller; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons; Board of Education Members, Joyce Hall and Roger Jones.
Town Manager, Scott Shanley, provided an overview of the upcoming referendum. He noted six items are included in the referendum as follows:
Enfield High School Athletic Fields
Enrico Fermi High School Athletic Fields
Brainerd Park
Green Manor Park Pool
Shaker Soccer Complex
Little League Ball Field Lights
Mr. Shanley provided illustrations and highlighted each project as follows:
Enfield High School Athletic Field Project
- A lot of drainage work and soil replacement
- Improvements would result in four ball fields (two baseball and two softball); fields for field hockey and soccer; a synthetic track surrounding a multi-purpose field with lighting which would accommodate football and regulation soccer; bleachers, a football practice field; basketball; expanded parking
Enrico Fermi High School Athletic Field Project
- Additional parking
- Elimination of one small ball field and re-doing of two fields
- A synthetic track surrounding a multi-purpose field with lighting
- Bleachers
- Irrigation
Brainerd Park
- Expand existing field to 300' and add another 300' field
- Eliminate one of the entrances and have only one entrance
- Parking improvements
- Basketball
- Play area for handicapped individuals
- Tot lot
- Bank Ball
- Spray pool
- Pavilion (accommodates office and restrooms)
Green Manor Pool & Bathhouse
- New pool (from zero depth to 8.5 feet)
- Bath house facility (contains changing rooms and showers)
- A concession stand
- New playground equipment
- Parking improvements
Shaker Soccer Complex
- Some reconfiguration of existing fields so that two fields can fit and the creation of a new soccer field, which will results in a net gain of two soccer fields at this facility.
- Gravel parking added and expansion of current parking spaces
- A walking trail around the perimeter
Little League Ball Field Lighting
- The lighting of two fields - Powder Hollow and Asnuntuck Community College
He displayed a cost summary as follows:
- Enfield High School - $3,135,000
- Fermi High School - $1,745,000
- Brainerd Park - $2,710,000
- Green Manor Park - $1,675,000
- Shaker Complex - $ 550,000
- Little League Lights - $ 136,000
Chairman Vayda invited speakers to come forward.
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Raised the following questions:
- Why doesn't Enfield have two schools and one campus with current economic conditions?
- Why doesn't Enfield's governing body feel no one in Enfield should pay for their entertainment?
- Why not induce some private enterprises to come into Enfield and build sport complexes and have people pay?
- Why does the Town Council feel that everything has to be free?
- How much is the accumulative of taxes and interest going to be over the years?
- What amount will this be along with the other referendums that have recently been passed?
- When will this increase in taxes kick into the yearly tax bill?
Mr. Shanley stated this referendum will cost approximately one half mill per year for 15 years. He noted the current budget approved by the Town Council accommodates all of the bonding costs of all of the other referendums. He noted the only increase from this point out is the recreation referendum if approved.
Ms. Jedziniak questioned what the figure would be for 15 years, and Mr. Shanley stated he would get that number for her.
Councilman Fiore referred to Ms. Jedziniak's first question and noted the Council did debate that issue for a long time. He noted it was their opinion that the only central location in Enfield that could accommodate one central recreational complex was at Asnuntuck College. He explained Asnuntuck has a lease until 2007, and the Council felt it was inappropriate to propose these types of recreational enhancements to a central location if they don't know what will happen in 2007. He added if the Town wanted to invest that money at Asnuntuck, they would have had to ask the Town Manager and the State of Connecticut to reopen that lease. He stated at this point in time, the Council felt it was in the best interest of the Town to propose the enhancements at both high schools.
Ms. Jedziniak questioned why the Town couldn't reopen that lease if it would help the Town. Councilman Fiore stated even though the Town could request the reopening of that lease, it could be two or three years before the State could negotiate with the Town. Mr. Shanley added the current lease with the State includes a buy-out clause by 2007, which means the State could actually buy Asnuntuck in 2007.
Chairman Vayda stated a lot of planning and forethought went into this. He pointed out this is an investment in the Town's assets. He pointed out the Town has invested in its schools and roads, and now it's time to address the recreational facilities. He stated as a result of studies and surveys, people have expressed their desire to see improvements to the Town's recreational facilities.
Councilman Fiore pointed out there are schools across the state that do not want to play in Enfield due to the condition of Enfield's athletic facilities. He went on to note Enfield has a lot of soccer players, but not enough fields. He noted something has to be done at Brainerd Park to accommodate women and girls' softball.
Councilman Mangini spoke about the importance of providing handicap recreation at Brainerd Park.
Councilman Strom stated when the Plan of Conservation and Development was done a few years ago, the biggest priority for people was recreational needs. She noted this was followed up with the CCM Study. She pointed out the school athletic fields, Brainerd Park, Green Manor Park, the Shaker Soccer Complex and Little League fields are used by people all over town. She pointed out each year that these projects are put off, the cost goes up a little more.
Ms. Jedziniak questioned how much reimbursement the Town will receive and why are all the other towns going to have "pay for play". She went on to note only a certain group of people want this recreation. Mr. Shanley stated there are different components of each project where they will be looking for some reimbursement; however, they're working on the assumption that there won't be any reimbursement.
Chairman Vayda referred to Ms. Jedziniak's comment that these projects are for only a certain group of people and stated this referendum sets the groundwork for other enhancements and other amenities that may appeal to senior citizens, i.e., walking trails and addressing the Mancuso Park. He pointed out the Town needs to address existing parks and they need to get the high schools up to speed as well as replacing the Green Manor Pool.
As concerns "pay for play", Chairman Vayda stated although he's not really opposed to that concept, it really matters what the majority of the community is willing to do.
Councilman Fiore stated this referendum is to address existing facilities. He noted the Town is setting the stage for a future Frank Mancuso Park, i.e., land acquisition around the Scantic River that may someday tie into this park.
Frank Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated his belief most overburdened taxpayers in Enfield can't afford this referendum. He added his belief this referendum should be put off for another couple years. He stated he does not support this referendum. He pointed out Enfield currently has a lot of construction work going on.
Mr. Jedziniak voiced concern about the stalled intersection work on Hazard Avenue. Mr. Shanley pointed out the delayed intersection work on Hazard Avenue relates to signalization equipment, and they anticipate that work to be done this season. Mr. Jedziniak disagreed stating his belief the construction companies aren't getting paid.
Jack Sheridan, Buchanan Road
Stated his understanding the Town Council put a lot of work into this plan. He went on to state his belief these are all good projects, however, he feels this is not a good time for a referendum due to the difficult economic times. He noted he is at his limit for taxes.
Chairman Vayda agreed the economic times are working against the Town, but it's really a matter of whether or not the public wants these projects done.
Frank Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated his belief this meeting should not have been held tonight. He noted the ad in the paper was hard to find.
Mr. Jedziniak stated soccer is a good game, but he feels the Town has enough soccer fields at this time. He questioned the need for all the soccer games being played on the same day or weekend.
Councilman Fiore pointed out there are 100 individual teams and it's difficult to coordinate all these teams over all the fields. He noted nights are for practice and most games are on the weekends. He pointed out the CDM Study called for more soccer fields, and the referendum is calling for two soccer fields.
Mrs. Collins, 25 Gordan Lane
Stated her belief the revaluation really "messed things up". She stated her belief the taxes are too much in Enfield.
Sal Fiore, 11 Grove Road
Stated his belief it's not a good idea to put this off. He noted he has been a coach for 32 years, and he feels children should have a place to go and play. He added he doesn't want to pay more taxes, however, he realizes to do something right, more money has to be spent.
Margaret Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Referred to many supervisors in the recreation area and noted everything is more costly.
Chairman Vayda stated his belief there are an overwhelming amount of volunteers in the recreational area.
Dan O'Connell, Dorothy Street
Stated there's a good spirit of volunteerism in Enfield
Councilman Tallarita stated when he was campaigning, he heard a lot of comments about recreation. He noted there have been major improvements to the Town's infrastructure, i.e., roads, schools, Police Department, Senior Center, and the next step is to look at the recreational facilities. He added his belief Enfield is very generous in the area of volunteerism.
Councilman Tallarita stated when people visit Enfield, it's often for recreational events. He voiced concern that maybe Enfield isn't leaving a good impression due to deteriorating recreational facilities. He stated his belief it's important to keep up the high school recreational facilities.
Jack Sheridan, Buchanan Road
Stated he's glad this is going to referendum, because he believes this is the only voice people have.
Frank Jedziniak, 232 Abbe Road
Stated the Town can give the children anything they want, but let them pay for it. He stated all the towns are going with "pay as you play".
As no others wished to speak, Chairman Vayda closed the Information Session at 8:45 p.m.
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