Welcome to The Enfield Montessori School News

Sister Anastasia:

We come in peace. My name is Sr. Anastasia and I have been a teacher, administrator and am now again wearing “one hat” – that of teacher. I have been at the EMS for many years and am now delighted that I have an opportunity to become reacquainted with my former students who are enrolling their children in the program.

As first spokesperson for the school, we would like to express our appreciation to all of you for your commitment to public service and the Town of Enfield. We would like to especially thank those members of the Council who have stepped forward to better understand our problems with the Town. It is comforting to know that certain members of the Council are willing to take all circumstances into consideration and take an objective look at matters such as the ones we are facing. Our sincere and prayerful thanks to those who approach their responsibilities with that level of integrity. As I said – we come in peace, but would like you to know – with determination as well. Please know we will continue to garner attention for our cause as long as the safety and well being of our children are at issue. Thank you.

Sister Francine:

How did this happen?

While we recognize and appreciate your efforts, we still remain puzzled about the situation we find ourselves in with the Town.

How could the Planning Department hear testimony from over 20 people about the existence and use of our parking lot for decades and question its existence as a legitimate parking area? Why didn’t the Town Council take a closer look at this issue sooner than later? We think the Town Council needs to closely examine what has happened here in an effort to see that it doesn’t happen to others in the future. Much monies have been used by both parties involved.

We then look around and ask the question “why us?

Why is there a new and elaborate building and parking lot right across the street from us for a medical complex, next to the historic Martha Parsons House, yet the Historic District Commission is telling us we can’t have a smaller parking area being and to the rear of our school? A parking area that would greatly improve the traffic pattern and eliminate altogether the gravel area that exists now.

It makes no sense to us that Parkway Pavilion was allowed to add more parking to the front of their property.

We remain puzzled by many of these things. There are many more examples, but we still can’t understand why we are seemingly being held to a different standard than others on Enfield Street and the surrounding area.

Most of public schools in Enfield have been able to improve their facilities in the past few years. That is all we are trying to do.

While we are pleased at the recent decision regarding our current parking area, and the Town’s decision not to appeal the Judge’s findings, we realize that this matter had to be taken out of the Town’s hands. When it was placed in the hands of a Judge looking at the fact fairly and objectively, he quickly and easily came to the conclusion that our parking lot, with its gravel, was truly appropriate and legal. How did the Town Planning Department miss the mark so badly on this issue? How has the Town Council allowed this to continue?

This issue has actually united many Enfield residents. If there is any positive in all of this, that it has brought this Town together in support of our school. Many, many residents have asked why landowners since 1938 having continuously operated as a school since 1944 would be challenged in their right to operate their own parking area.

We have received numerous visits, telephone calls and offers of financial assistance from residents concerned about our plight. We are sincerely grateful and appreciative of the overwhelming support we have received from the residents of this Town.

Sister Carol:

A Solution

We are fully cognizant of the fact that the decision in Hartford Superior Court was based solely on the facts and the merits of our case, not on any assistance from concerned Enfield residents, school parents or the Town. The decision rendered was the result of a careful and objective review of the facts. It did not come about by the Town making an effort to rectify the apparent inequities of treatment regarding our use of property.

While we feel somewhat vindicated by the recent decision in our favor, we still have the matter of moving our parking area to the rear of the school, out of the Historic District and out of the sight of Enfield Street.

The proposal to move the parking lot to the rear of the school would greatly improve the traffic flow and certainly improve the safety of dropping off and picking up our students.

This case is yet another example of how our school has seemingly been single out and received a different level of scrutiny than other schools and businesses in our immediate area.

We propose a solution of sorts to facilitate a better working relationship with the Town officials and for us to gain a better understanding of the reasons our proposal is unacceptable to the Town when so many others have been allowed to proceed with far more extensive improvements to their property.

We would be delighted to work directly with the Town through an intermediary who would help both parties in achieving our goal of a safe environment for our children. We would be more than happy to work with a liaison of sorts who would be willing to assist and help direct us in gaining a better understanding of the Historic District Commission’s position and the relevant zoning regulations.

We would be happy to work with an individual or team of individuals who have an interest in facilitating a relationship between our school and the Town for the good of all involved. While we have serious concerns and questions regarding the treatment Enfield Montessori School has received in the past, we are looking forward to a better relationship. We would like everyone involved to take a step forward. We would like to do so in conjunction with the Town officials.