Infrastructure, Buildings and Technology

By and large, roads (66 miles) and bridges are in good shape, and Public Works believes they can keep them in good shape with the money they receive in the annual operating budget. However, it’s likely that DPW will have to rebuild two bridges (Bog Road and Oak Hill Road) in the next few years. Probably the biggest future DPW challenge is rebuilding the antiquated water supply system, which was built in 1903 and will require reconstruction of 10 miles of pipe, either as one large project or a series of projects over time at an estimated cost of approximately $3,000,000.

To this end, the Town has applied for and received a grant from the NH Department of Environmental Services to work with a qualified engineering firm to prepare a detailed asset management plan for the municipal water system. This project officially commenced in early-October and is expected to be completed by early-/mid-December 2018. Similarly, DPW is currently undertaking the development of a wastewater asset management system to help it best manage the system in the most cost effective manner over time, ensure that the sewer rates being administered are both equitable and fiscally sustainable, and – given the escalating cost of having sewage collected and treated by the City of Lebanon – evaluate the feasibility of the Town constructing and operating its own wastewater treatment facility.

As mentioned earlier, many of the operating departments are located in facilities that were never intended to serve their current purposes. This is a recurring theme in almost all departmental strategic plans. Together, the departments have requested over $296,500 for remedial upgrades to their facilities over the next five years, and that won’t convert any of the spaces into truly effective space. That is why the exploration of more significant renovations or the construction of a new, integrated municipal complex is necessary.

For a relatively rural community, Enfield has a rather extensive system of hydrants that facilitates more effective fire-fighting in more densely populated areas of town. The Town wishes to adequately maintain this system to ensure that it can be reliably utilized whenever needed to help Enfield residents in times of crisis. The expansion of high-speed internet has been very well received by residents and serves as a real asset to the community by enabling professionals and families to access digital information in relatively remote areas.