Windsor Town Council Meeting: Public Hearings, Smith Proclamation, King Appointment - March 3, 2025

On Monday, March 3, 2025, the Windsor Town Council held a public hearing and regular meeting at 275 Broad Street and via Zoom. The public hearing on two bond ordinances drew no comment, after which the council honored outgoing Councilor Leroy Smith, heard public comments, approved capital borrowing, introduced multiple bond ordinances, appointed Anthony King to fill the council vacancy, and entered executive session.

Public Hearing

• The public hearing was opened and closed for two proposed ordinances: (1) an ordinance appropriating $1,880,000 for Clover Street School Restroom ADA Upgrades Phase 2, authorizing $1,145,000 in bonds and notes and $735,000 from existing project funds; and (2) an ordinance appropriating $285,000 for pavement resurfacing at town facilities and schools, authorizing $285,000 in bonds and notes.
• No members of the public commented during the public hearing. The regular meeting reconvened at 7:30 p.m.

Proclamation Honoring Councilor Leroy Smith

• The mayor read a proclamation recognizing Leroy Smith for his service: a Windsor resident since 1994, certified public accountant, Fairfield University graduate, Human Relations Commission member from 2011-2014, Town Council member from 2023-2025, chair of finance and town improvements committees, and Democratic Town Committee member. The proclamation was dated March 3, 2025.
• Councilors offered tributes praising Smith as a straight shooter, dedicated to economic development, and committed to the community. Adam Gutchen, Democratic Town Committee chair, accepted the framed proclamation on Smith's behalf; Constable Larry Jaggin also attended. Councilor Smith, appearing virtually, thanked the town and said he looked forward to serving in some capacity in the future.

Public Comments and Testimony - First Session

• Jeremy Halleck (1890 Avenue), a Windsor resident, said no vacancy technically existed until Councilor Smith's resignation took effect March 4, 2025, and asked Councilor Smith to recuse himself from voting on his replacement. He wished Smith well.
• Adam Gutchen, Democratic Town Committee chair, praised Smith's dedication and said the town committee's role is to surface talent and support elected officials.
• Susan Miller (130 Palisado) thanked Smith and voiced full support for Anthony King's appointment, calling him creative, resourceful, and passionate.
• Joel Herman, a 60-year Windsor resident and U.S. Army veteran, raised concerns about Windsor Sanitation: mandatory February 1 payments, green tags, annual price increases, monopoly status, and flat fees that he said are unfair to one- and two-person households. He asked whether the town receives free or reduced-rate service and whether a failed March 11 referendum would permanently scrap the traffic-calming project or bring it back in another form.
• Leonard Larkhart (57 Columbia Road) thanked Smith and supported King as a collaborative, sharp-minded successor.
• Anthony King (435 Palisado Avenue) thanked Councilor Smith and expressed hope Smith would recover and return.
• Two FTC robotics students, Audrey and Bethany, thanked the council for providing a build site. They announced the team won the state championship and will compete in Houston, and publicized a fundraiser at BART's on March 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. with 15% of proceeds supporting the team.
• David Fury (37 Lighthouse Hill Road) congratulated Windsor Robotics, praised Smith's state economic development expertise, and supported King as a quick study.

Council Communications and Reports

• Councilors recognized the Windsor in Progress and Windsor 2035/POCD community events, congratulated the Blazing Spirits robotics team, wished residents a happy Ramadan and Women's History Month, encouraged checking on elderly neighbors, promoted Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop on March 12 at Buffalo Wild Wings, the Shad Derby Gala and kickoff, volunteer fire department recruiting, and the March 11 referendum on traffic calming.
• Board of Ethics Chair Ansari reported the commission met January 9, April 9, July 9, and October 8, 2024, and received no requests for advisory opinions in 2024.
• Board of Education Secretary Lockhart reported the BOE approved a 2025-26 budget with a 5.88% increase over the current year and sent it to the Town Council; school registration opened March 1, 2025; full-day Smart Start Pre-K will end after August 2025 except for students identified through the PPT process; Camp Tree House registration is open; the girls indoor track team won a ninth straight state championship and boys were state runner-ups; Coach Ken Smith earned his 700th win; Governor Lamont visited Clover Street School; and the next BOE meeting and coffee talk are March 18, 2025.
• In response to Councilor Glock Hoffman, Lockhart said student suspensions are handled at the building level and the BOE is not notified; only expulsion hearings are reported to the board president. Glock Hoffman added that Connecticut law treats suspensions as a management function, not governance.

Town Manager's Report

• Town Manager Peter Sousa said the traffic calming referendum is March 11, 2025, with absentee ballots available at the town clerk's office.
• Eversource will conduct tree trimming and vegetation removal in northern Windsor beginning late June or July.
• The Human Relations Commission's annual Women of Windsor ceremony is March 8, 2-4 p.m., at Oliver Ellsworth; the Windsor Arts Center opens a juried photography exhibit March 15-April 26.
• The POCD update will be promoted through Summer of 10,000 Flowers, with sunflower seed packets distributed through community groups and town facilities.
• Sousa offered condolences on the passing of Ann Bowden, longtime Conservation Commission chair.

Unfinished Business and Bond Ordinances

• Approved (9-0) the Clover Street School Restroom ADA Upgrades Phase 2 bond ordinance: $1,880,000 appropriation, $1,145,000 in new bonds and notes, and $735,000 in existing project funds. Sousa said the project covers 18 restrooms and will be substantially complete by the end of August 2025.
• Approved (9-0) the $285,000 pavement resurfacing bond ordinance for town facilities and schools. Sousa said work will focus on part of the Windsor High School parking lot and the Sage Park Middle School front driveways and parking area, completed over summer break.
• Introduced (9-0) a $915,000 Pigeon Hill Road Rehabilitation bond ordinance and set a public hearing for March 17, 2025, at 7:20 p.m. Town Engineer Suzanne Chope said the project includes milling and paving, curb replacement, full-depth rehabilitation between Addison Road and Emilia Farms, drainage improvements, a neighborhood meeting March 12, and construction in summer and fall.
• Introduced (9-0) a $745,000 Welch Park Tennis and Pickleball Court Improvements bond ordinance and set a public hearing for March 17, 2025. Chope said the project will reconstruct three deteriorated tennis courts originally built in 1983 into five pickleball courts and one tennis court, with post-tension concrete, fencing, sound barrier, sidewalks, and shade structure. The original CIP allocation was $830,000; the request is $745,000 based on bids.
• Introduced (9-0) the LP Wilson Community Center Phase 2B HVAC Upgrades bond ordinance appropriating $1,805,000, with $1,330,000 in bonds and notes and $475,000 from existing project funds, and set a public hearing for March 17, 2025. Facilities Manager Marco Aglico said the building dates to 1958 with a 1972 addition; work includes replacing the Board of Education rooftop unit and two gymnasium rooftop units and completing flooring and ceilings, with construction from June through the end of 2025. The borrowing would likely be 12-15 years at approximately 5% interest, averaging about $125,000 annually.

Appointments, Resignations, and Minutes

• The council voted 9-0 to temporarily suspend Section 18 of its rules to consider the appointment.
• The council appointed Anthony King to the Town Council effective March 4, 2025, to fill the unexpired term created by Councilor Smith's resignation. Sousa explained the Democratic caucus nominated King, noting he is a Windsor resident since 2016, a Central Connecticut State University political science graduate, a marketing professional at the Lego Group, and a Board of Education member since 2023. Councilor Pelkey voted no, citing his strict reading of the charter that the vacancy did not yet exist on March 3. The town attorney stated the council is empowered to fill the vacancy before the resignation's effective date. The announced vote count was unclear in the transcript; the mayor said 7-1 after a correction, with Pelkey as the stated no vote.
• Approved (9-0) the updated Caring Connection Manager job description, presented by HR staff due to a pending June-July retirement; changes add marketing and outreach duties and a competencies section, with no financial impact and no pay grade change.
• Approved (9-0) accepting the resignation of Julie Henry from the Conservation Commission, accepting the resignation of Harry Freeman from the Windsor Housing Authority, and rescinding the appointment of Danette Brown to the Windsor Housing Authority for an unexpired term to July 31, 2027.
• Approved (9-0) the minutes of the February 18, 2025 regular Town Council meeting.

Key Outcomes

• The public hearing closed with no public comment.
• Approved two bond ordinances: Clover Street School Restroom ADA Upgrades Phase 2 and pavement resurfacing at town facilities and schools, both 9-0.
• Introduced three bond ordinances: Pigeon Hill Road Rehabilitation, Welch Park Tennis and Pickleball Court Improvements, and LP Wilson Community Center Phase 2B HVAC Upgrades, each 9-0.
• Scheduled public hearings for March 17, 2025 at 7:20 p.m. for the Pigeon Hill, Welch Park, and LP Wilson bond ordinances.
• Appointed Anthony King to fill the Town Council vacancy, effective March 4, 2025; one no vote was recorded.
• Approved the Caring Connection Manager job description, resignations and appointment rescission, and February 18 minutes, all 9-0.
• The council voted 9-0 to enter executive session on collective bargaining strategy and negotiations.

Public Comments and Testimony - Second Session

• Joe McCall (20 Cape Street) thanked Anthony King for stepping up and Councilor Smith for his detailed, vocal service.
• A virtual caller from 43 Poquonnic Avenue, speaking about a location near the beginning of Wilson Avenue, reported problems including dumped cars, mechanical work, trash, dog breeding, loud noise, and alleged intimidation of his elderly parents. He said residents have complained to police and that the property owner claimed connections to Hartford police and said the single town inspector could be paid off. He asked the town to investigate.

Executive Session

• The council voted 9-0 to enter executive session to discuss strategy and negotiations related to collective bargaining. The open portion of the meeting then ended and the public was asked to disconnect.