Enfield Voters To Decide On Proposed Public Safety Complex Expansion

ENFIELD, CT ? Not only will Enfield voters be choosing candidates for national and state representation in Tuesday's election, but they will also be asked whether or not to finance a little over 15 percent of a proposed $15.1 million expansion of the public safety complex, which would consolidate police and emergency medical services under one roof.

Under the proposal, state grants and other state funding will cover $12.8 million, or 84.8 percent of the cost. Enfield taxpayers will pick up no more than $2.3 million to finance the expansion.

Referendum question two asks:

Shall the Town of Enfield appropriate $15,100,000 for the construction of an addition to the town?s Public Safety Complex to provide space for the town?s Emergency Medical Services and Police Department and authorize the issuance of bonds, notes or temporary notes in an amount not to exceed $2,300,000 to finance the appropriation, with the remaining $12,800,000 to be funded by State grants and other available funds?

Among the renovations planned are a large training room for both departments, an indoor pistol range, temperature-controlled inside bays for eight EMS vehicles and ambulances, female locker room space, storage and parking.

For nearly two decades, EMS has been headquartered in a former fire station at 1296 Enfield Street, adjacent to the Old Town Hall and Museum. A new campus for police headquarters, formerly located in the basement of town hall, was constructed at 293 Elm Street in 1991.

A flyer distributed by police and EMS supporters, paid for by private funding, states, "If the referendum fails, there is no opportunity for the project to go forward with only the town share of $2.3 million."

Both the police and EMS departments will host open houses and guided tours of their respective facilities for residents who have questions about the referendum. The open houses are scheduled Nov. 2 (today) from 4 to 8 p.m.

E-TV has produced some informational videos about the proposal, featuring Police Chief Alaric Fox and EMS Director Erin Riggott, which may be viewed below.