Windsor Town Council Meeting – December 16, 2024: Broad Street Traffic Calming Bond Ordinance Introduced, Option 3 Approved
Windsor Town Council Regular Meeting – December 16, 2024
The Windsor Town Council held its regular meeting on December 16, 2024, at 7:20 PM (public hearing) and 7:30 PM (regular meeting) in the Council Chamber at Town Hall and via Zoom. The main action was the introduction of a $6.1 million bond ordinance for Broad Street traffic calming and pedestrian safety, including a subsequent vote to advance Option 3 with roundabouts. The council also approved a sidewalk segment on Violet Street, expanded funding for the senior lunch program, adopted fiscal year 2026 budget parameters and calendar, and set a referendum date of February 11, 2025 for the bond ordinance.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of December 2, 2024: Approved unanimously (7‑0‑0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Broad Street Traffic Calming Project: Approximately 15 residents spoke during two public comment periods. The overwhelming majority expressed strong support for Option 3, which includes two roundabouts, bike lanes on both sides, parking on the west side, and no impact on the Town Green. Key speakers:
- Gregory Vaca (developer of Founders Square) urged approval of Option 3, stating the project is integral to downtown safety and investment.
- Sarah LaMonica (21 Remington Road) supported the project, citing safety concerns for pedestrians and families.
- Jeff Lanza (1203 Windsor Avenue) argued that design changes are the only effective way to slow traffic and endorsed Option 3.
- Mingo Gomes (35 Ridgewood Road) and Mary Forrester (26 Island Road) both expressed full support for Option 3 and roundabouts.
- Keller Glass (72 Hayden Avenue) described frequent accidents and urged the council to prioritize safety.
- One speaker, John Calkins (15 Warham Street), opposed the project as a waste of money, doubting economic benefits. Another, Coralie Jones (1171 Mantanic Avenue), expressed concerns about cost and impact on the green but asked for careful consideration.
- Violet Street Sidewalk: No public comments were made during the public hearing.
Discussion Items
- Broad Street Bond Ordinance Introduction: Councilor Pelkey objected to consideration of the bond ordinance, arguing more public input on roundabouts was needed. The objection failed (2 in favor, 7 opposed) on a procedural vote, and the motion to introduce the ordinance passed 5‑3‑1. A subsequent motion to approve Option 3 with roundabouts (no green impact, parking on west side, bike lanes both sides) passed 7‑1‑1.
- Referendum Date: An amendment to move the referendum from February 11, 2025 to March 18, 2025 (due to potential winter weather) was defeated 4‑5‑1. The original February 11 date was then approved 8‑1‑0.
- Budget Calendar: The council amended Option 2 of the FY2026 budget calendar by moving the April 16 meeting to April 22 to avoid school vacation; the amended calendar passed unanimously.
- Town Manager Evaluation: A motion to move to executive session for the town manager’s annual performance evaluation was approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Authorization of Sidewalk on Violet Street (11a): Approved unanimously (9‑0) to construct a sidewalk paid for by the private developer of 29 Windsor Avenue.
- Land Transfer for Violet Street Realignment (12a): Approved unanimously (9‑0) to accept 231 square feet from the state for the realignment, subject to DOT approvals.
- Senior Lunch Program Funding (12b): Approved unanimously (9‑0) to appropriate $31,466 in American Rescue Plan funds to sustain the program (serving ≈30 seniors daily) through calendar year 2025.
- Broad Street Bond Ordinance Introduction (12c): The ordinance appropriating $6,100,000 (funded by $2,100,000 bonds, $1,000,000 state Urban Act grant, $3,000,000 federal Highway Infrastructure grant) was introduced by a 5‑3‑1 vote. A public hearing was set for January 6, 2025 at 7 PM (12d – passed 9‑0). The referendum will be held February 11, 2025 (12e – passed 8‑1‑0).
- Approval of Option 3 for Broad Street Traffic Calming (added agenda item): Passed 7‑1‑1, directing staff to proceed with the “Option 3” design (parking west side, bike lanes both sides, no impact on the Town Green) including two roundabouts.
- FY2026 Budget Assumptions and Parameters (12f): Approved 9‑0.
- FY2026 Budget Calendar (12g): Approved as amended (Option 2 with April 22 added) 9‑0.
- FY2026 Budget Format (12h): Approved 9‑0 to remain the same as FY2025.
- 2025 Council Meeting Dates (12i): Approved 9‑0.
- 2025 Board and Commission Annual Reports Schedule (12j): Approved 9‑0.
- Town Manager Evaluation (12k): Moved to executive session 9‑0.
- Health and Safety Committee Report: Councilor Armstrong reported that a community health needs survey will be launched in January; flu clinics continue (call 860‑285‑1823); wrong‑way signs are installed; traffic red‑light cameras remain under discussion; and the Windsor Police have commissioned a new crime scene van and K9 unit (Tiger).
Meeting Transcript
Build them like if you see a glass on the table. Good evening. The time is now seven twenty PM, and welcome to the public hearing of December sixteenth, twenty twenty four. And before I open it, I would like to read the public notice. Notice hereby given that the town council of the town of Windsor will hold a virtual and in person public hearing in the council chamber at the Windsor Town Hall, two seventy five Broad Street on May, excuse me on May. I'm trying to get out of the cold weather as you can see. Information on how to attend the Zoom meeting via phone or computer will be included in the town council agenda. Please go to our town website, WW.town of Windsor CT.com. Click on the virtual meeting info on the front page and select town council meeting for December sixteenth, twenty twenty four. Windsor Town Council by Peter Seuss, a town manager. With the notice being read, the public hearing is now open. I will now turn this over to our moderator, Assistant Town Manager Scott Kobe, who will provide further instructions. Thank you so much, Scott. So we'll now move to the Town Hall Chamber. If there's anyone here who would like to speak to the sidewalk segment on Violet Street, you can come forward and state your name, and you will have a few minutes to speak to that. Seeing none, uh, we will bring our public hearing to a close and we'll reconvene for our regular town council meeting at seven thirty PM Sharp. Thank you. Good evening. And welcome to the town council meeting of December 16th, 2024. Item number one on our agenda is a roll call, and all counselors are here. And so we'll move to items two and three on our agenda, the prayer and or reflection in the pledge of allegiance, and this evening that will be led by our deputy mayor, Claese. Good evening. I'll read a reflection. As we gather this evening in the midst of this holiday season for many, it's important to reflect on the values that guide us, not only at this time of year but throughout our work as a council and as a community. The holidays are often a time of reflection, connection, and gratitude, but they also serve as a reminder of the role we all play in building and sustaining the well-being of our town. As members of this council, our work is to serve with integrity, to listen intentively, and to act conscientiously in the best interests of all who call this town home. During this season of celebration and giving, we are reminded of the importance of this service, that the work we do is not just for today, but for the future we are shaping together. Let Windsor continue to be a town of light, a place where kindness and compassion shine brightly, where we strive to create a welcoming space for all, and where the spirit of community thrives. And if you'd stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The proposed traffic calming measures on Broad Street are long overdue. By reducing speeding as vehicles enter the area from Palaceo, we can create a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Calming the traffic on Broad Street will also make it easier for drivers to safely navigate their way into Palcedado, improving the flow of traffic and reducing potential accidents. I urge the council to support option three of this project for the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and plays in this area. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you. At this time, Madam Mayor, we have no other attendees with their hand raised. Thank you, Mr. Colby. So we'll move to the town hall chamber. If there's anyone here who would like to address the council, we do ask that you come to the desk, state your name and address, and you will be given three minutes to speak. At the sound of the chime, we will ask you to conclude your comments. Thank you. Coralie Jones, 1171 Mantianic Avenue. Um the road diet. I was one of the original first town downtown members who was involved in the road diet idea. Consultants offered us three plans. One seemed possible. We did not feel it was appropriate to just make the changes without laying out temporary road changes to test out the plan. These current plans mean dramatic changes to the center. No plans offered had less dramatic changes to meet our objectives.
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