Windsor in Progress: Community Update and Engagement Session - February 26, 2025

The Town of Windsor hosted a community meeting on February 26, 2025, to provide an update on town progress over the past 12 months and preview priorities for 2025 and beyond. Mayor Nouchette Black Burke and Town Manager Peter Sousa led the presentations, with several town council members and staff in attendance. The meeting included a welcome, a video showcasing Windsor, presentations on recent accomplishments and future plans, and a public comment period.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim expressed concern about roads being paved and then torn up by utilities shortly after, asking if better planning could be done. Town Manager Sousa acknowledged the frustration and explained the town coordinates with utilities on a three-year road plan but noted that emergency work by entities like MDC can disrupt schedules.
• Nathan Carnes appreciated the town's magazine/calendar as a valuable communication resource and urged the town not to abandon it as it transitions to new digital platforms.
• Unnamed speaker voiced frustration that the town center has many empty storefronts despite being beautiful, and that promised openings have not materialized for years. Sousa shared that frustration but noted the properties are safe and maintained; he is optimistic that new housing coming to the center will help revitalize the area.
• Unnamed speaker strongly opposed the proposed roundabouts in town center, calling them "death traps for pedestrians" based on experiences in Europe. They urged the town to reconsider pedestrian safety.
• Pat expressed concern about affordable housing for young people, noting that "affordable" often means something different and asked what the town is doing to ensure young adults can return to Windsor. Sousa replied that true affordable housing requires public dollars and that part of the solution may involve preserving existing housing stock and creating housing choices for smaller households.
• Unnamed speaker criticized the scheduling of the March 11 referendum on the town center project, arguing that it is held at a time when many residents are away or unaware, and questioned why it could not be on the November ballot. Council member Adam responded that the timing was driven by grant deadlines and the need to finalize the project scope after community input, and that the decision for a November ballot would have needed to be made by August. Another speaker noted that absentee ballots are available and encouraged get-out-the-vote efforts via thrivingwindsor.org.
• Betsy Kennison raised the broader challenge of civic engagement and communication, noting that despite many efforts, many residents are unaware of major projects and meetings. She suggested the town promote its email notification list more aggressively. Several council members and the town manager acknowledged the difficulty and pledged to continue seeking new ways to connect.
• Taylor, a Board of Education member, echoed the communication challenge and suggested a "Windsor 101" or similar program to help residents understand the charter, referendums, and how government works.

Discussion Items

• Town Manager Peter Sousa presented a comprehensive overview of recent achievements and future plans:
  • Strong Neighborhoods, Public Spaces & Facilities: Community events such as 'Battle of the Badges' softball game, public works open house, and block parties were highlighted. Over 45 appointments or reappointments were made to boards and commissions. A community health needs assessment was completed. The Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) update is underway with a public workshop the following evening.
  • Day Hill Corridor: There is a 35% vacancy rate in office space (about 3.4 million square feet of office in town, one-third vacant), with additional leases expiring in the next few years. The town is working on a strategic repositioning of the corridor, including potential redevelopment of large parcels like the former ING/voom site (75 acres).
  • Investments in Neighborhoods: Gosley and Welch pool bathhouses were renovated using American Rescue Plan funds. A multifamily rehabilitation program improved 60 units (30 affordable). The Montessori program at Mile Peck School got a playground upgrade. Clover Street bathroom renovations continue. A new park in Wilson (name to be chosen via community input) is coming online in summer 2025. Cricket fields at Clover Street are being upgraded.
  • Traffic Safety: There was a 13% year-over-year increase in traffic stops in 2024. The town is considering speed enforcement cameras, with public information meetings planned. A referendum on March 11 will decide on traffic calming (roundabouts) in town center.
  • Housing: The town is focused on senior and workforce housing, noting a mismatch: many homes have four bedrooms but smaller households. Solutions may involve zoning changes, financial incentives, or preserving existing stock.
  • Landfill: The sanitary landfill (closed 2014) is being capped using town forces, saving an estimated $8 million. The retained earnings of $18 million will cover future environmental liability.
  • Other Projects: Solar arrays feasibility study at Sage Park/high school; Baker Hollow Road reconstruction enabled 400,000 sq. ft. of economic development; $2.2 million state funding for Standardine remediation; $2 million CDBG funding for Shad Run senior housing improvements.
  • Future Plans: Overhaul of town website (moving to .gov); new police crime scene vehicle; discussions on Rainbow Dam (owned by Stanley Black & Decker) and potential regulatory impacts; planning for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026; Community Food and Fuel Bank partnership with Manchester Food Pantry; 'Longest Table' event for food insecurity awareness; POCD sunflower seed packet campaign.

Key Outcomes

• The town council will vote on the remainder of the Clover Street bathroom renovations on the next Monday (March 3).
• A referendum on the town center traffic calming project (including roundabouts) is scheduled for March 11, 2025.
• The town manager's proposed budget will be presented at a public information meeting on March 27, 2025.
• The POCD public workshop is scheduled for February 27, 2025 (the following evening).
• The town will continue to explore speed enforcement cameras and will hold public information meetings in the coming months.
• The community is encouraged to participate in the POCD online survey and to get involved in boards and commissions.