Enfield Candidate Profile: Carl Sferrazza, Town Council At-Large

ENFIELD, CT — Enfield's election season is heating up, and there are plenty of contested races with candidates eager to represent their town in November's municipal election. Enfield Patch asked candidates in the town council and Board of Education races to answer questions about their campaigns, and has been publishing candidate profiles each weekday as election day draws near.

Republican Carl Sferrazza is running for re-election to the Enfield Town Council, seeking an at-large seat.

Name: Carl Sferrazza

Age: unanswered

Position Sought: Town Council at-large

Party Affiliation: Republican

Family: Married with two children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government: No

Education: AS, Asnuntuck; BS and MS, Western New England College

Occupation: Retired Enfield Police Chief

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Town Council at Large

The single most pressing issue facing our town is: The most pressing problem I have heard from residents since being on the council and campaigning is the high cost of living in this state. Enfield relies heavily on cost sharing from the state to balance our budget. Given the tenuous state of the state budget, including the fact that the state pension plan is woefully underfunded, we cannot count on the state cost sharing with municipalities to continue at the same rate. Therefore we need to be very focused on our town budget, specifically focused on maintaining those services that are vital, and preparing to look at other services that perhaps need some sort of modification. This is important for our seniors, our residents on fixed incomes, and our business community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post: I research and gather as much information as I can about an issue, I listen to my fellow councilors' opinions, and I listen to the public input. I then have to make a decision that I feel is the right course of action for the greatest number of residents.

List other issues that define your campaign platform: After a 38-year career in law enforcement, I am very concerned for the physical safety and well-being of all of our citizens. I supported the expansion of school resource officers into our elementary schools. I support the expansion of this protection for our children. I also support the efforts of our public safety employees as they look out for the welfare of all residents.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job: I served the town of Enfield for 38 years as a law enforcement officer. During my career, I held the ranks of patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief, and from 2006-2018 Chief of Police. In my role as chief, I was responsible for a budget of between 10-12 million dollars. I was also tasked with hiring, planning, staffing, organizing, and directing of all department operations. I also led the department to six national accreditations with distinction from the Commission for the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies.

The best advice ever shared with me was: As Chief of Police I always told my officers, "Always do what's right, especially when no one is looking."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions: As a lifelong resident of Enfield, my love for this community and its residents has no bounds. My family and friends all live within this community, and I want to use the knowledge and skills I learned over my 38-year career with the police department for the betterment of all our residents. I took very seriously the trust the community put in me as a young man to serve as a police officer in this town, and I never let them down. I take the privilege as serving as a town councilor as a trust that I will live up to. I'm ready for the challenge.