ENFIELD — As Enfield looks ahead to 2026, town leaders are setting priorities centered on education, infrastructure and long-term community growth.
Mayor Gina L. Cekala said the coming year will focus on thoughtful planning that reflects both resident input and the practical needs of a growing town.
“One of our top priorities is to invest and support our schools and education system,” Cekala said. “Another one of our top goals is to come up with a short-term and long-term plan for all of our infrastructure, meaning roads, buildings, etc.” Those dual goals — education and infrastructure — are expected to guide many of the town’s major decisions in the year ahead.
A key initiative already underway is school improvement. “We are currently working on a school modernization plan, which would include renovating our Pre-K to 5 schools,” Cekala said. The effort is aimed at ensuring Enfield’s youngest students learn in safe, modern, and well-equipped facilities while positioning the town for future educational needs.
Economic development is also expected to gain momentum in 2026. Cekala said the long-anticipated redevelopment of Enfield Square Mall is moving forward. “The project at the mall is still going forward and will hopefully be breaking ground in the next 3-6 months,” she said.
Additional large-scale projects are also progressing. “There are also a few other large development projects that are in various stages and hopefully we will see some ground breaking on those within the next six months or so as well — one being the riverfront development.”
Enfield continues to work closely with state officials on transportation improvements as well. “And obviously, we are still working with the state on the train station in Thompsonville,” she said.
Quality-of-life improvements remain an important part of the town’s plans. Cekala said town leaders have been discussing “a plan of maintenance for our fields and our playgrounds,” ensuring that parks and recreational spaces remain safe and welcoming for families and residents of all ages.
Support for seniors and families is another area of focus. “One of our first orders of business was to reinstate the senior volunteer tax credit which we have already reinstated,” Cekala said. She added that the town is “also looking at other various ways to support our families, of all ages.”
Looking ahead to long-term planning, Cekala encouraged residents to stay informed. “Revaluation is coming up and that is absolutely something that residents should be paying attention to,” she said, noting that budget awareness will be increasingly important as projects move forward.
Despite the challenges of balancing investment with fiscal responsibility, Cekala said she is optimistic about Enfield’s direction. “I am happy that we have an opportunity to do some real good work for our schools, our families and our seniors,” she said. “With all of that in mind, we have to be cognizant of our budget all the while keeping up with maintenance and projects around the town.”
