Enfield residents, upset over assessments, target town manager

Apr. 18—ENFIELD — Signs stating "Dump the Town Manager" have been appearing over the past few weeks on lawns of residents who are outraged by their tax assessments and what they say is the tax assessor's partial treatment by the town's top administrator.

Several residents say Town Manager Ellen Zoppo-Sassu should have fired Supervisor of Assessment and Revenue Collection Todd Helems months ago after residents told her their concerns or discussed them at public meetings.

They claim Helems unfairly set assessments for their cars, homes, and farmland way too high, sometimes overturning decisions they brought before the Board of Assessment Appeals.

As of Friday, there were at least 20 signs scattered around town, including on Enfield Street, and Brainard, Misty Meadow, and Post Office roads.

Dave Turner said he ordered the signs and put one up outside his house on Post Office Road in late March after becoming exasperated with his truck assessments and believing nothing will be done about Helems.

An ongoing independent review has been examining the entire revaluation process, the tax assessor's office, and the Board of Assessment Appeals procedures.

Turner said his 1948 Chevrolet farm truck, for which he paid $350 about 22 years ago, is in bad shape and he can only use it for occasional farm work, putting about 200 to 300 miles on it each year.

He said he was shocked that the assessed value for his truck was $17,780 for 2021. After the Board of Assessment Appeals knocked it down to an assessed value of $800, Helems then raised it to $18,000 for 2022.

Tax assessors throughout the state have said the COVID pandemic changed the market for used cars and their assessed value went up dramatically for 2021 and 2022.

Yet Turner said his old farm truck, with all of its problems, could not possibly go up in assessed value. It doesn't have heat, the windshield wipers are broken, and the floor is rusted out, he said.

"Over-taxation is illegal," Turner said, adding he has no faith in the independent review because the attorney who is conducting it has not heard residents' concerns.

Turner has a sign on the truck parked outside his house that asks: "Is this truck worth $26K? Enfield's town assessor thinks it is!"

He, along with others who have signs on their lawns, said they are upset with Zoppo-Sassu because she didn't fix the problems with Helems, who they claim she has the power to fire.

Turner said Zoppo-Sassu handpicked law firm Berchem Moses of Westport for the independent review and the Town Council's Democratic majority went along with her decision for the review.

Some members of the community and some elected officials have said that they believe Zoppo-Sassu selected a firm with whom she has ties.

Tax assessor

Helems was hired in 2021 to replace Della Froment, who retired from the position after more than 37 years.

At the time Helems was hired, former Town Manager Christopher Bromson said "Todd's innovative ideas, coupled with his proven experience in utilizing new technology in his field, is a great combination to move the tax and assessor's department into the future."

After Bromson resigned in 2021, the Town Council hired Zoppo-Sassu a few weeks later as interim town manager. She was hired as the town's first female town manager in March 2022.

Political points?

Zach Zannoni of Howard Street disagrees with the criticism directed at Zoppo-Sassu and said the Town Council made a judicious decision on finding the best attorney for the independent review.

"The process was methodical and careful," he said. "It would be highly inappropriate for any town employee or official to involve themselves in the process."

Zannoni said his family owns over 230 acres of farmland in town, and he is as concerned about tax assessments as the next person.

"It's best to wait for the outcome of the review," he said. "Ellen has been transparent and open on this and many issues but there is a lot of misinformation coming from Republican entities that are trying to gain back the majority on the Town Council and score political points at the expense of the town manager."

Changing of the guard

Enfield's Town Councils and town managers have a history of issues with each other when politics appear to interfere with a position that is apolitical.

Most recently, Bromson unexpectedly resigned in November 2021 during a Town Council meeting just weeks after a Democratic majority had been elected.

"Tonight, watching all of you and meeting with you in executive session, I think it's time for you to pick your own manager for you to proceed on your own course," he said.

Despite Deputy Mayor Gina Cekala's attempt to talk him out of resigning, Bromson abruptly left the Town Council chamber, saying "Good luck, have fun."

In November 2005, former town manager Scott Shanley offered his resignation after former Mayor Patrick Tallarita and former Deputy Mayor Kenneth Hilinski, both Democrats, sought it during a prior meeting with Shanley.

Tallarita said at the time that "we are at a crossroads and it's time for a change," adding that the Democratic council members wanted "a fresh set of eyes."

Former Republican Town Council member Scott Kaupin said he believed the Democratic majority wanted a town manager who was more willing to advance its agenda.

Shanley complied with the request to resign, saying he didn't have any desire to work somewhere where he was not wanted.

Shanley went on to serve as Manchester's general manager for 15 years until his retirement in 2021.

Support for Zoppo-Sassu

Several council members have defended Zoppo-Sassu, saying the criticism against her is unwarranted.

Republican Ken Nelson said the majority of the Town Council in September took the direction the town is going in with the independent tax assessment review.

"If people are unhappy with the process, how can you blame the town manager?" he asked. "You can't point at one person who has zero control over this."

Nelson said Zoppo-Sassu has always completed anything he has asked her to do.

Democrat John Santanella said it's a small group of people who have put up the signs.

"This is an embarrassment to our community," he said. "This is not how people in Enfield should be treating each other. There are plenty of ways to address grievances."

Santanella said he has full faith in Zoppo-Sassu and her ability to lead the town. "She has demonstrated over and over a commanding knowledge of what it takes to be an administrator of our town," he said. "Under her leadership, we inherited the remnants of a revaluation and through it all we have been able to make significant progress with her help."

Democrat Cindy Mangini said Zoppo-Sassu is doing "a phenomenal job" and the town is lucky to have her.

"Part of the issue is she's a strong woman," she said about the town manager. "Ellen does not crumble when people attack her but she's also compassionate and listens to the public and also to town staff rather than just referring them to their managers."

Cekala also said Zoppo-Sassu is doing a phenomenal job. "She came in under difficult circumstances and has proven time and again she is the right person for the job," she said. "People do not feel intimidated to go to her and voice their concerns."

Zoppo-Sassu last week reiterated that she does not know the attorney from Berchem Moses who is conducting the review.

"It's one thing to not trust me but the lawyer (who was chosen by the Town Council to conduct the investigation) had to file a disclosure form that he had no conflict of interest," she said.

Zoppo-Sassu said it would be best for the community to wait and see the independent review. She said it would likely result in best practices for all sides of the tax assessment process, which her office will ensure are in place.

For more coverage of Somers and Enfield, follow Susan Danseyar on Twitter: @susandanseyar, Facebook: Susan Danseyar, reporter.