Windsor Town Council Public Hearing and Regular Meeting, August 5, 2024
Windsor Town Council Public Hearing and Regular Meeting, August 5, 2024
[The meeting convened at 7:20 PM with a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Plan of Conservation and Development, followed by a regular meeting that included reports from boards and commissions, the town manager, and votes on several resolutions and the capital improvement plan. The meeting closed with an executive session for pending litigation and collective bargaining.]
Public Hearing
- Proposal to amend the POCD: The town council held a public hearing to consider a proposal to add the Windsor Center Design District map to the Plan of Conservation and Development and to amend that map to include 114 Upper Broad Street. No public comment was offered during the hearing.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Eric Weiner (130 Palisado Avenue): Cited statistics from the Cleveland Clinic and the Connecticut Department of Public Health to express concern about ambulance response times. He noted that Windsor Locks has a response time of 5.2 minutes while Windsor’s is 8.4 minutes, and that survival from sudden cardiac arrest drops by about 10% per minute. He urged the council to prioritize emergency medical response over other amenities such as pickleball courts.
- Coralie Jones (Manny Annock Avenue): Questioned the absence of American flags on town poles for July 4th, proposed a family parade on the green for future Independence Day celebrations, and stated her opposition to any road diet design that would take land from the town green. She also expressed disappointment that more American Rescue Plan Act funds were not used for ventilation and air conditioning in town buildings, supporting the maintenance of buildings but wishing ARPA funds had been applied differently.
Discussion Items
- Council Communications: Councilors shared updates on community events, recognized town staff for their work in the heat, encouraged participation in National Night Out, early voting, and the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, and noted the West Indian Independence Celebration Week. Councilor Walker reiterated his position that the Loomis Chafee School should pay more in lieu of taxes for its private homes on town land.
- Board of Education Report: Secretary Lockhart announced the first day of school (August 26), the Back to School Block Party (August 22, 4-7 PM at Sage Park), and awards for district communications. He reported that work to address humidity at Oliver Ellsworth School is on track, with custodians and contractors working diligently.
- Public Building Commission Report: Commissioner Peck detailed progress on multiple projects, including Oliver Ellsworth (duct work 80-85% complete, 2 of 5 DOAS units installed, classroom areas expected by August 19), Sage Park Middle School slab moisture mitigation (investigation ongoing, construction planned for summer 2025), and Welch Park Pool House renovation (major work complete, punch list to be addressed after pool season). He stated that most projects are on schedule for completion by the end of August or September 2024.
- Inland Wetlands Commission Report: Commissioner Fraser reported that in FY2024 the commission reviewed 45 applications (13 commercial/industrial, 32 residential), reconciled 7 violations, and initiated a town-wide analysis to identify vernal pools to better inform development decisions.
- Town Manager Report: Town Manager Sousa announced an MDC waterline replacement project in the Wilson neighborhood (Fannal, Corey, Bussey, Broadview roads), the second round of the Community and Neighborhood Enhancement Grant (up to $10,000, 50% match, applications due September 26), tax payment deadlines (September 3), National Night Out (August 6, 5-8 PM on the Green), a food drive at LP Wilson, and the Senior Summer Picnic (August 9, 11 AM-2:30 PM at the Senior Center).
- Town Improvements Committee (CIP): Councillor Naeem reported that the committee met on July 24 and voted to recommend the proposed FY2025–FY2030 Capital Improvements Program. Councilor Pelkey suggested swapping the Welch Park tennis/pickleball court renovation with the LP Wilson restroom renovation due to the courts’ poor condition, but after discussion the CIP was approved as presented.
- Plan of Conservation and Development Amendment: The council voted to recommend to the Planning and Zoning Commission the amendment to add the Windsor Center Design District map and include 114 Upper Broad Street. The motion passed 8–1.
- Brownfield Grant: The council passed a resolution (9–0) to accept and expend a $2 million State of Connecticut brownfield grant for environmental remediation at 90 Deerfield Road (the former Stanadyne property), with the town acting as a pass-through. A special town meeting was set for September 3, 2024 at 7 PM to ratify acceptance.
- Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan: The council voted unanimously (9–0) to adopt the 2024–2029 Capital Region Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan update, which enables Windsor to apply for FEMA hazard mitigation assistance.
- Stony Hill School Lease: The council voted unanimously (9–0) to set a public hearing for September 3, 2024 at 7:20 PM regarding a proposed lease of the historic Stony Hill School to Lucinda’s House, a nonprofit providing prenatal and postnatal education. Rent will be deposited into a special fund for maintenance.
- Resignations and Appointments: The council accepted the resignations of Tariq Jamal from the Housing Authority and Dominic DeCarlo from the Inland Wetlands Commission (9–0). A list of candidates for appointment to various boards and commissions was read for consideration at the next meeting.
- Minutes: The minutes of the July 1, 2024 regular meeting were approved (9–0).
Key Outcomes
- Vote on POCD Amendment: 8–1 to recommend amendment to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
- Capital Improvements Program Approved: 9–0 for the FY2025–FY2030 CIP.
- Brownfield Grant Resolutions: Two votes (acceptance and special town meeting date) each passed 9–0.
- Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Adopted: 9–0.
- Public Hearing for Stony Hill School Lease Set: 9–0.
- Resignations Accepted: 9–0.
- July 1 Minutes Approved: 9–0.
- Executive Session: The council moved into executive session for strategy and negotiations regarding pending litigation (184 Windsor Avenue LLC vs. Town of Windsor) and collective bargaining with the Windsor Police Employee Association.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. The time is now seven twenty P.M. Welcome to the public hearing of August fifth, twenty twenty-four. And before I open, I would like to read the public notice. Notices hereby given that the town council of the town of Windsor will hold a virtual and in-person public hearing in the council chambers at the Windsor Town Hall, two seventy-five Broad Street on Monday, August fifth, twenty twenty four at seven twenty PM prevailing time to hear public comment on the following item. The proposal to add the Windsor Center Design District map to the plan of conservation and development and to amend the map to include one fourteen Upper Broad Street in the district boundary, dated at Windsor, Connecticut, this twenty-sixth day of July twenty twenty-four. Information on how to attend the Zoom meeting via phone or computer will be included on the town council agenda. You can go to our town website, click on the virtual meeting info button found on the page, and then select town council meeting for August fifth. Windsor Town Council by Peter Sousa, town manager. With the notice being read, the public hearing is now open. I will now turn this over to our moderator who will provide the instructions. When you're called on, you'll be prompted that you are now unmuted. For those dialing by phone, once prompted, press star six to unmute. And if there's anyone here from the public, you may come forward. Good evening and welcome to the August 5th Windsor Town Council meeting. At this time, all counselors are accounted for. We do have Councillor Mary Armstrong and Counselor, well, Councilor Leroy Smith. He was just there. Yeah, he was he was just there. Um and I'm sure he will be joining momentarily, but he was just there. But all counselors are accounted for. Um, and we will move into our prayer and or reflection in our pledge of allegiance by Counselor O'Jell and I. Counselor Naeem. Thank you. Uh today I want to reflect on our shared purpose and commitment to our community. May we approach our discussions with open minds and a spirit of collaboration. Let us strive to listen with empathy, speak with integrity, and make decisions that promote the well-being and prosperity for all. May our efforts here today bring us closer to a more just, inclusive, and thriving community. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Thank you, uh Deputy Mayor. So um Councilor Smith is on, but he is currently listed as a attendee. But he needs to become a panelist, so if we could just move him over, that'd be great. And then yes, all counselors will be accounted for. Thank you. So item number four is proclamations and awards. We do not have any have any this evening. So we will move into public communications and petitions, and I will begin with our counselors who are joining us virtually. Counselor Armstrong, Madam Mayor. I'm just wishing everyone a good summer and um it does go fast and that everyone will stay healthy. Uh and lots to do in the town of Windsor, as we can see, and watch out for the pedestrian and the children. Take care of ourselves. Thank you. That's all I have for now. Thank you, Councillor Armstrong. And it's always good to have a team because clearly I'm like really trying to move the meeting along. I skipped over an entire an entire section, right? So, Counselor Armstrong, I will not make you repeat your comments in a little bit. But item number five on our agenda is public communications and petitions, and we do have an audience with us tonight, so I apologize for that. Um so at this time. Please state your name and address, and I will turn this over to our moderator for further instructions.
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