Enfield sets public hearing on proposed public safety complex

Aug. 19—ENFIELD — Town officials are seeking residents' opinions on the proposed expansion of the Police Department into a regional public safety complex, at a cost of $15.1 million, before deciding whether to bring it to a referendum in November.

The Town Council will hold a public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29, in Town Hall on the proposed project and discuss funding options for the town's share of $2.2 million.

The majority of the cost of the expansion would be funded by the state.

The proposed expansion failed at referendum on Nov. 2, 2021, by a vote of 4,451 to 2,958, a margin of 1,493 votes.

At the time, former Town Manager Christopher Bromson said he didn't think residents had enough information about the expansion, and many may have assumed from the ballot question that they were being asked to pay the full cost of the project.

Bromson said taxpayer money would not have been used for any of the expansion's construction costs. Rather, he said, the Town Council was considering using American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover the town's share of $2.2 million.

Town Manager Ellen Zoppo-Sassu said this week the state would contribute $12.9 million toward the expansion, approximately 84% of the project cost. There is no longer $2.2 million available in ARPA funds since the Town Council approved the large majority of it for projects and initiatives within the last budget, she said.

She said the administration will release public service announcements next week so residents can learn more about issues that have arisen concerning the project, along with funding options for the town's share.

After hearing from the public on Aug. 29, Zoppo-Sassu said the council plans to decide whether to recommend a second referendum in November.

Police Chief Alaric Fox said this week a number of benefits would come with an expansion to house the Enfield Emergency Medical Services, upgrade the police department, and allow space for a regional state-of-the-art training center.

Fox said EMS has outgrown its one-room building on Enfield Street, which is not climate-controlled but stores medication inside that must be protected. He said parking in back is inadequate for ambulances, causing problems at shift changes.

The police department's detective division, which does sensitive work, was built for 10 people but 16 are now in the area, working on top of each other, Fox said. "There's no way for the detectives to have confidential conversations about cases such as domestic abuse," he said.

The police also need a large mat area for hands-on training about the use of force. "We have sketched out plans for an oversized classroom training room that would allow regional training with other departments," Fox said. "The room could be rented out for national training classes, and that could make money for the town."

Fox said the firearms range is at the recycling center and doesn't allow for lighting control, and there's no more room for female lockers.

Moreover, he said, the police building needs roof repairs to stop leaks from getting into the evidence room.

"We're doing the best we can in less than ideal conditions," he said.

The expansion is necessary for further professionalism, Fox said. "If we wait for five years to tackle it, it will be more expensive because of inflation but also in the future it could be all town money that pays for the project," he said. The money has been approved by the State Bond Commission, he said. "If Enfield doesn't take it, the money will go elsewhere."

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