Windsor Town Council Regular Meeting – November 18, 2024

The Windsor Town Council met on Monday, November 18, 2024, for its regular meeting. The meeting opened with a roll call, a moment of silence for Windsor Police Officer Lewis Clayton, a Thanksgiving-themed prayer/reflection led by Councillor Ellaveld, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Councillor Naeem was initially excused but later joined. The council honored outgoing Windsor Fire Marshal Lori Volkert, received reports from appointed boards, the town manager, and standing committees, and voted unanimously on all three new business items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public came forward during either public comment period; no virtual attendees raised hands. Assistant Town Manager Scott Kobe moderated the virtual portion.

Proclamations & Awards

• The council issued a proclamation honoring Windsor Fire Marshal Lori Volkert, who joined the town in 2009, was promoted to Fire Marshal in 2023, and has been selected as the State of Connecticut Fire Marshal. The proclamation cited her fire-safety education work, national presentations through the NFPA, and her 2021 NFPA Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year award. Volkert thanked the Windsor community and reminded residents to check their smoke alarms.

Council Communications

• Multiple council members wished residents a safe Thanksgiving, urged safe driving, and encouraged checking smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Councillor Pelke encouraged residents to join the Windsor Fire Department as volunteers, noting about 20 new members were already in the pipeline. Mayor Black Burke also thanked Councillors Glowacki-Hoffman and Walker for their recent campaigns, recounted the Veterans Day program, noted Windsor Food and Fuel Bank honorees, promoted Small Business Saturday on November 30, and mentioned the inaugural Velo Airlines flight from Bradley Airport to Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Reports

• Public Building Commission: Commissioner Rusty Peck reported that construction has started on the Wilson Fire Station rooftop replacement; LP Wilson Community Center HVAC phase one is expected to finish before year-end and phase two is 95% complete, with window/wall AC unit removal expected around the end of February; and GFK Elementary School HVAC work is being inspected and should be completed by the end of Thanksgiving vacation. Peck also shared a personal note that former PBC chairman Bob Gustison is recovering in rehab.
• Town Manager's Report: Town Manager Sousa thanked Volkert for 15 years of service. He reminded the public that the town clerk's office will close at 3:30 p.m. through mid-next week; winter parking rules are in effect through April 15, 2025, with no on-street parking from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.; town offices will be closed November 28–29; leaf collection continues through November 20; the Day Hill corporate area listening session will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.; Project Santa sponsors can sign up at Project Santa Windsor.org, with the program serving 354 children last year; and the Deck the House holiday lighting contest registration closes December 2. He also expressed condolences for retired Police Chief Kevin Searles and gratitude for community support for Windsor Police after Officer Clayton's death.
• Standing Committees: Councillor Smith summarized the Town Improvements Committee's November 14 meeting and FY2025 projects, including the Day Hill Road Adaptive Signal Project, Wilson Park redevelopment, pavement management, sidewalk and curb work, fire engine #8 replacement, and multiple roof/HVAC design projects. Councillor Naeem reminded everyone that the Finance Committee will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to discuss tax credits, with budget recommendations not expected until late December or early January. Councillor Armstrong noted mobile clinics remain available.

New Business

• Priority Redevelopment Property List (Item 12A): The council unanimously adopted the amended priority redevelopment property list, as recommended under the town's tax increment financing (TIF) policy. The amendment removed the redevelopment parcel, the former Scranton Chevrolet site, and Windsor Center Plaza, and added the Mechanic Street transit-oriented development site and the one in ten targeting center. Economic Development Director Patrick McMahon explained that inclusion on the list does not grant automatic TIF eligibility, only the ability to be considered. Councillor Ellaveld noted the current TIF district only applies to four properties and asked about limits; McMahon said non-Windsor Center properties would require a district master plan approved by the town council, and TIF is capped at no more than 10 percent of taxable real estate value. Councillor Armstrong noted one of the added properties is under foreclosure and up for auction; McMahon confirmed the listing does not prevent foreclosure and mentioned an approved 201-unit apartment complex nearby. Vote: 9–0.
• Senior Lunch Program Funding (Item 12B): The council unanimously appropriated $40,000 from the general fund unassigned fund balance to continue the senior lunch program at the Windsor Senior Center through June 30, 2025. Paul Norris, Director of Recreational Leisure Services, explained that Connecticut Renewal Team's ARPA-funded lunch service is being reduced from five days per week to two days per week, with a cap of about 54 meals weekly, and the part-time program coordinator cost will shift to the town. The $40,000 covers about $28,000 for meals and $11,600 for the coordinator. The program serves about 28–30 meals daily, with no income guidelines; 75 percent of participants attend all five days, about 90 percent use Dial-A-Ride, and lunch is also a key social opportunity. Council members expressed support, with several calling senior food insecurity and social isolation important issues. Vote: 9–0.
• Pedestrian Bridge Assessments (Item 12C): The council unanimously appropriated $75,000 from the Capital Projects Fund assigned fund balance for assessment and design services for the town's 18 pedestrian bridges. Town Engineer Suzanne Chuck said many are about 25 years old and the project will produce field inspections, condition reports, recommended work, and cost estimates so the town can prioritize asset management. Vote: 9–0.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted the amended priority redevelopment property list by a 9–0 vote.
• Appropriated $40,000 from the general fund unassigned fund balance for the senior lunch program through June 30, 2025, by a 9–0 vote.
• Appropriated $75,000 from the Capital Projects Fund for pedestrian bridge inspections and design reports by a 9–0 vote.
• Approved the minutes of the November 4, 2024 regular town council meeting by a 9–0 vote.
• There were no resignations or appointments and no executive session; the meeting adjourned after council communications.