Enfield Patch Questions the Candidates: Town Council At-large

Earlier this month, Enfield Patch sent a series of questions to all 25 candidates on the ballot for the Enfield Town Council and Board of Education. Beginning last Friday and continuing through this Friday, the responses from the candidates will be published.

Today will feature comments from at-large candidates for Town Council.

Key: D - Democrat; R - Republican; I - Incumbent

Question 1: What ideas do you have to stimulate business growth in Enfield, particularly in the re-use of the town’s numerous empty commercial properties?

Carol Hall (R-I): We will continue to encourage business into the town of Enfield. As you know, we added new staff to economic development department. This team offered numerous forums to bring businesses into town and spotlight our strengths while showing off the opportunities available for expansion or for a new business. We have continued to work with the state and feds to complete the rail stop in Enfield, which will help with economic growth and be a strong addition to our transportation structure. We continue to offer tax benefits for business expansions and new businesses coming into town. I’m confident all of these measures have made Enfield a place for companies to join the Enfield fabric of our economy.

Tom Arnone (D-I): We need to continue to have an aggressive Community Development Department. Continue to seek out businesses near and far and sell Enfield to those businesses. We need to make sure our land use boards are up to date on current zoning trends and make sure our regulations encourage investment in Enfield.

Scott Kaupin (R-I): The Town of Enfield has taken a very aggressive approach to economic development initiatives that are intended to stimulate business growth in Enfield. The position of Assistant Town Manager for Development Services was created to be the key contact in Enfield that coordinates our efforts to bring interested parties together. We need to continue these efforts that identify the commercial entities that need available properties/space in Enfield. Our Economic Development Commission needs to continue their efforts that identify emerging trends for business growth while linking these trends to developers and interested property owners. Finally, the Town Council has the ability to use tax abatement offers to encourage new development that is tied to new job growth. This is a powerful tool in our tool box that allows Enfield to be competitive when recruiting new businesses or the expansion of existing businesses here in Enfield.

Gina Cekala (D-I): Enfield is a mix of large and small businesses. We need to continue to attract businesses of all kinds and retain those that are here. We need to make our town more business friendly. I’d like to work closer with economic development and P&Z to try to make this happen.

Greg Stokes (R-I): Government does not create business, but clears the way for people to establish business and create jobs. We do this by making the process of developing business easy. We must have a business friendly climate at town hall and as elected officials work in partnership with local business to promote their services and products. When we have empty commercial properties our staff needs to publicize these opportunities locally and nationally.

Virginia Higley (D): Enfield needs to concentrate more on retaining the businesses that are already here. With any needed assistance and the town in their corner, business owners can grow their businesses. Eventually, their businesses will expand. For the large empty business and retail properties, there should be a way to emphasis our town’s proximity to both Hartford and Springfield, to encourage the completion of the two track rail project, to encourage Asnuntuck Community College to expand their manufacturing/vocational base and to emphasis the many skilled and knowledge workstaff Enfield has waiting to assist the new and existing businesses.

Donna Szewczak (R-I): I believe that is important to promote business growth in our community, our Development Services has over 220 Business Contacts. It is also important to keep taxes in control, so businesses can afford to locate and grow in Enfield.

Kathleen Sarno (D): I would advocate for economic development to improve our tax base.

Question 2: There has been considerable talk about bringing a casino to town. Do you feel a casino would be good or bad for the town, and why?

Sarno: It’s hard to say. I would really have to know what it would do for our town economically. But of course it would depend on what the constituents want in our town. I would have to take everything into consideration and then make a decision.

Szewczak: To date I have not seen how a Casino will directly benefit the citizens of Enfield. I understand how the State of CT and MM4CT will benefit, but it is not clear how the Town of Enfield will benefit. If the town’s only benefit will be from real estate and personal property tax, this may not be enough to cover the cost of increased services. We have not assessed the effects on surrounding business and residents. More question need to be asked and answered, and the time frame may not allow for this to happen.

Higley: There is not much information available as of yet. I have watched and listened to the two meetings held on the casino. I don’t see a benefit to existing businesses since the Casino group is planning a fly over from I-91 to the current Square location. How will that help any town business? And, while it seems to be the casino proponents promise of no spike in criminal activity; I notice a police presence (substation) is being discussed and shown in the drawings. Lastly, it would be nice if we actually knew what types of jobs are being proposed for this project. Would this be a benefit to our Enfield residents?

Stokes: Whether a Casino should come to Enfield is something the community as a whole must embrace. Because this is game changer for Enfield and could forever change the face of our town it is important that we listen to all parties that have a stake in the game. With that being said, the residence and taxpayers voice should be our first measuring tool. At this point, after listening to the voice of the people, I am not in favor of the current Casino proposal.

Cekala: I’d really like to have more information from the casino reps prior to making a decision. It worries me to have a casino in our town. But, it also worries me not to look further into the possibility. If there will really be a casino north of Hartford right off 91, Enfield will get negative effects from it regardless, from increased traffic to increased crime. If we have a casino in our town, we will experience those negatives, perhaps in larger scale, but we will also benefit from it and perhaps be able to control parts of the process. It is definitely something to gather more information on.

Kaupin: At this point in time, based on the information provided and not provided by the State of Connecticut and the corporation formed by the two current casinos in Connecticut, I cannot support a casino in Enfield. Due to a variety of issues the process set up by the State of Connecticut is just not workable for Enfield. First, the time line is too tight to submit a realistic RFP response to the corporation. Second, the State cannot make any financial or infrastructure improvement commitments that are needed for Enfield to consider. Third, the corporation formed by the two tribes cannot make any financial or infrastructure commitments that are needed for Enfield to consider. I have been involved in numerous meetings with both representatives of the two Connecticut casinos and the owners of the Enfield Square. Granted the Enfield Square owners need to do something with the mall, but a casino in my opinion is not it. Finally, and most importantly, is that the community does not support a casino in Enfield. Based on feedback I have received through various channels (e-mails, calls, personal conversations, meeting with Chamber of Commerce members, feedback from my barber, etc.), the community as a whole does not want a casino in Enfield.

Arnone: Both good and bad. I’m personally against gambling, but I’ve said I’ll listen to both sides.

Hall: I have listened to the feedback from the public and it appears that a majority of the feedback has been negative. The timeline that the town was given to make a decision was so short that it is unrealistic to expect the town council to make a well-informed decision. This is a huge project that could have a variety of impacts on the town and without doing our due diligent investigating the pros and cons of such a project, we could be facing another “urban development” issue that could be very short sighted. We don’t have enough information or clear specifics from the state or from the tribes themselves or from the owner of the proposed property to move forward one-way or the other. So at this point it is best to pass based on the limited information shared with the town and not feel pressured by Hartford to grab at “low hanging fruit” of Governor Malloy – without strong consideration on how this will impact Enfield for years to come.

Question 3: What do you see is the biggest challenge facing Enfield residents, and if elected, what is your plan to deal with it?

Stokes: The biggest challenge is keeping taxes in check and making sure we don’t tax people out of their homes. This is always balanced with providing crucial services and quality education for our children. Over the past few years, under the leadership of Republican majority, we have been able to keep taxes level and at the same time serve the residents with excellence.

Cekala: Residents feeling that their voice and opinion don’t matter and that town government is not transparent enough. I would continue to hold public hearings and community conversations regarding any big issue in town. I perhaps may make the budget process and deliberation process more public. And I would work to try to squash the fears of some that more decisions are made behind closed doors than in open meetings.

Szewczak: All residents have different challenges, I believe that government’s challenge is to be fair and not overburden the residential or business tax payers. Government needs to maintain an environment where citizens are safe (Police), town infrastructure is maintained (buildings and roads), schools are funded, and services are provided to citizen and business (Library, Recreation, Senior Center, Social Services and Development Services) and keep taxes in control.

Arnone: Keeping the character of a good community to live in, work in and raise children and to enjoy the fruits of your labor in retirement.

Hall: With the state in hard economic times, I believe the Enfield budget will truly be our biggest challenge over the next couple of years. My intention is to make sure we search for opportunities to streamline and restructure town programs and departments in order to save tax payers dollars, while insuring town programs and services remain at the highest possible standards. Over the last six years, we have had great success in this area but there are still opportunities to be assessed and upgraded.

Sarno: Taxes, property values. Advocate for economic growth.

Kaupin: The biggest challenge facing Enfield and the new Town Council over the next two years is the continuation of a very difficult economy. This calls for strong fiscal management as we deal with the fiscal challenges that families, businesses and the town face every day. Anticipated reductions in state aid, decreased property values, modest growth in the overall grand list and rising costs of all goods and services requires that we must continue to look for ways to streamline government and spend our tax dollars as efficiently as possible.

Besides the most pressing issue mentioned above, a top priority of the new Town Council will be the recruitment and hiring of our new Town Manager. Although the recruitment process has already begun, the selection of finalists and ultimately the new Town Manager will be left for the new Town Council. This may be the most important decision that the new Town Council makes over the next two years, and it will be very early in the term. Our next Town Manager should help to guide our town over the coming decade.

Another top priority of the new Town Council will be the continuation of our economic development efforts that result in small and large business growth bringing new jobs to Enfield, and revitalization efforts in our villages and neighborhoods. Included in these initiatives are our efforts to bring commuter rail service to Enfield and the transit oriented development that will help to revitalize Thompsonville.

Higley: Enfield is facing the closure of Hallmark Cards, one of the town’s bigger tax payers. The property is being actively promoted for sale. Enfield needs to use caution in what will go there because of property taxes, personal property taxes, and employment opportunities for Enfield workers. Hallmark’s closing will have a ripple effect in our community. Many workers live in Enfield, shop in Enfield and pay taxes on both of these activities. We need to address their concerns and see what can be done either through retraining or new hires for existing businesses.

Question 4: Tell us as briefly as possible why Enfield residents should vote for you (NOT why they shouldn’t vote for your opponent(s).

Higley: I have called Enfield home since I was a small child. My husband and I raised our son here. He has chosen to live in Enfield. As a soon to be retired Enfield town employee, I’ve had much experience in the town hall seeing how things are done; what works and what could perhaps be done a little differently. As a taxpayer of many years, I’d like to help hold the tax base as much as possible; while still providing the services our taxpayers have come to expect.

Kaupin: Enfield is a great town with strong neighborhoods, safe streets, access to recreation, opportunities for civic involvement, and the convenience of a vibrant business district. I serve on the Town Council so that I can make a difference and help Enfield continue to be a great town to live in, raise a family here, earn a living, and enjoy all that is offered. I have served on the Town Council for eleven terms and have held the position of Mayor for the last four terms. I feel this experience has allowed me to lead Enfield in a positive direction. My strengths include communicating, listening and building consensus. For these reasons I believe Enfield residents should vote for me and return a Republican majority to the Enfield Town Council. Please support Carol Hall, Scott Kaupin, Greg Stokes, Donna Szewczak, Joe Bosco (D1), Bill Lee (D3) and Donna Dubanoski (D4).

Sarno: For the past dozen years or so, I lent my business expertise and personal experiences as a lifelong town resident to serve my community – first as a member of the Enfield Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency and, most recently, as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner and Officer. In addition to our twice a month meetings to decide applications, I’ve listened to constituents and thoughtfully considered their comments and opinions before making my decisions, applying the law to the facts as fairly as I could to all concerned.

Hall: I have served the town in this capacity for eleven years. I believe I have served my community well. I have strived extremely hard to hold the line on taxes and keep our services at the highest level possible. We have worked to keep our schools well funded and continue to support our counter parts on the BOE. We have put together successful referendums for our roads and have done amazing work on our infrastructure over the last ten years. We have listened to our constituents to bring them three new referendums to bring our facilities up to date and do well overdo repairs to these facilities. This referendum will help with budgeting, energy costs, repairs and ongoing capital improvements. When passed, we will need to closely monitor the process under which these funds are implemented and utilized. With my experience on the council, I’m confident we will continue to move Enfield forward. I look forward to another two years to complete the many projects that this council has worked so hard to bring so much back to the residents of Enfield.

Arnone: My grandfather came to Enfield in 1917 at the age of fourteen; he made the trip from Naro, Italy alone. Raised his family here, taught us all what it meant to be an American and how important community is. I’ve raised my family in Enfield with the same morals. My wife grew up here as her parents did. My four children all went to Enfield Public Schools. Two of my children old enough to live on their own chose to live in Enfield. My oldest has three children in Enfield Public Schools. My only agenda is to do the best I can for all the people of Enfield.

Szewczak: I believe that running the town is like running your household or a business. I believe that having a maintenance plan is vital to being able to control taxes. We achieve this thru our Roads Referendums, Truck Replacement Plan, town staff maintaining our building and grounds, and thru Referendum for large project that exceed the dollar amount that can be spent on a capital project.

Cekala: I worked hard in my first term, I learned a lot and have a lot more to learn. I stuck to my convictions and was not afraid of tough questions. I understand what my position means: I am elected by the residents to represent the residents. I do not represent myself and my own opinions alone. I am available to the residents when they need me and do not hesitate to help them when they ask. I will continue to learn and do my best in the next term should I be elected.

Stokes: The reason to vote for me is threefold. Experience, Knowledge, and Passion. I have years of experience in local government and that experience is needed at this time. I have the knowledge of our budget, infrastructure, and services. Now that we are in the process of choosing a new Town Manager, it is important that we have elected officials who know the details of our town needs. I am passionate about our town. I want the best for all who work and raise their families here. My energy is high and once re-elected will hit the ground running.

Click here to see the official 2015 Enfield election ballot.

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Enfield Patch Questions the Candidates: Board of Education