Vote “No” on Enfield’s Charter Revision

This November, Enfield voters will be asked to approve a series of changes to the Town Charter. Buried within those changes is a proposal that would require a townwide referendum any time the town budget increases by more than five percent.

At first glance, this might sound like a good way to give residents more control over spending. In reality, it would make it far harder for Enfield to fund essential services such as schools, emergency response, and public safety. It would also create unnecessary gridlock and uncertainty that would ultimately harm residents.

A five percent threshold may seem high, but in practice, ordinary inflation, rising energy costs, and state mandates routinely push expenses beyond that. Even basic cost-of-living adjustments could trigger a referendum. That means every year, the town could be forced into costly and time-consuming public votes just to maintain the same level of service.

If the budget were rejected, the Town Council would have only seven days to revise and resubmit it. This process could repeat multiple times, leaving vital programs and school staffing in limbo for weeks or even months. It is an inefficient and politicized approach to budgeting that benefits no one.

We elect a Town Council to study these complex budgets, weigh competing priorities, and make informed decisions. Turning every year’s budget into a campaign-style referendum politicizes town management and opens the door for misinformation to shape decisions about Enfield’s financial future.

This proposal does not empower voters - it undermines stable local governance. Enfield deserves leadership that can plan responsibly, fund essential services, and make tough decisions without being trapped in endless referendums. For those reasons, I urge my fellow residents to vote NO on the charter revision question this November.

-Matt Despard, Enfield