Windsor Town Council Meeting – March 17, 2025

The Windsor Town Council held a public hearing and regular meeting on March 17, 2025, beginning at 7:20 PM in the council chambers. The council considered three bond ordinances, heard public comment, and approved several items including a property tax abatement for surviving spouses of line-of-duty first responders and solar energy agreements.

Public Hearing (3 items)

• Pigeon Hill Road Rehabilitation: Ordinance appropriating $915,000 and authorizing bonds for road rehabilitation from Lamberton Road to Marshall Phelps Road. A neighborhood meeting on March 12 raised no objections.
• Welch Park Tennis & Pickleball Court Improvements: Ordinance appropriating $745,000 and authorizing bonds. The project will construct five pickleball courts and one tennis court using post-tension concrete, fencing, sound barriers, drainage, and a shade structure. The courts are currently unplayable.
• LP Wilson Community Center Phase 2B HVAC Upgrades: Ordinance appropriating $1,805,000, of which $1,330,000 would be from bonds and $475,000 from existing project funds. The project replaces original HVAC systems (building built 1958 with 1972 addition), includes floor and ceiling work, and hazardous materials abatement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident of 374 River Street expressed opposition to the tennis court improvements, stating the courts are rarely used, the cost is excessive, and suggested a cheaper alternative of repaving and repainting. They also questioned the $1.8 million HVAC cost at LP Wilson for what they understood to be two units.
• Matt Cookson of 28 Somerset Drive echoed opposition to the tennis court project, stating he contacted a paving company that estimated the work at well under $100,000 (versus the $745,000 bond). He noted other usable tennis courts exist (high school, LP Wilson). He also questioned the HVAC budget, suggesting quotes for similar work were around $40,000, and opposed both projects. He expressed general concern about high property taxes and questioned procurement practices (e.g., whether three quotes were obtained). He did not comment on the Pigeon Hill Road project.

Discussion Items

• Town Manager's Report: Provided updates on the FY26 budget public information meeting (March 27), Wilson Avenue zoning/parking violations (court hearing April), Palisado Avenue culvert repair (state project starting week of March 24), Day Hill corporate area study public meeting (March 24, 7 PM), Bradley Airport runway reconstruction (May to October), MDC sewer line work, and various community events.
• Commission on Aging and Persons with Disabilities Report: Chair Kathy Roby presented activities including a resource manual revision, programs on prescription drugs, voting accessibility, and staying at home. The commission thanked town staff for support.
• Finance Committee Report: Councilor Naeem reported on committee discussions, including process for community grant funding.
• Ordinance – Pigeon Hill Road: Council clarified reasons for higher costs (prevailing wage, thicker pavement for road vs. driveway). Passed 9-0.
• Ordinance – Welch Park Courts: Council discussed project details (post-tension concrete, lifespan 25-30 years vs. 10 for asphalt), safety concerns, lack of public supporters at meeting (Councilor Glock Hoffman voted no, expressing disappointment). Councilor Pelkey queried tear-out costs. Passed 8-1-0.
• Ordinance – LP Wilson HVAC: Council discussed hazmat abatement estimates, bidding process, and timeline (summer 2025). Passed 9-0.
• River Street Culvert Design: Appropriated $150,000 from Capital Projects Fund for design of a 72-inch culvert repair under River Street. Passed 9-0.
• Board of Education Maintenance Report: Acknowledged receipt; no action required.
• Ordinance – Tax Abatement for Surviving Spouses: Adopted local option per CGS 12-81x, providing 100% property tax abatement for surviving spouse of police, fire, or EMT killed in line of duty, prorated if remarry or fractional ownership. Passed 9-0. Public hearing set for April 7, 2025 at 7:15 PM.
• Motor Vehicle Depreciation Schedule: Adopted local option to use 90% depreciation schedule (down 5% annually to 20% floor or $500) for the October 2024 grand list, to mitigate a projected $29 million drop in motor vehicle grand list. Passed 9-0.
• Solar Energy Agreements: Authorized town manager to execute agreements with Green Skies for solar canopies at Windsor High School and Sage Park Middle School, and with Viroj for rooftop solar at Poquonock Elementary School. The vendors will fund installation via renewable energy credits and power purchase agreements; no capital cost to town. Annual savings estimated at $119,000 (high school), $35,000 (Sage Park), $12,000 (Poquonock) over 20 years – total ~$4.5 million. Construction expected summer 2026 (high school/middle school) and summer 2027 (Poquonock, after roof replacement). Council discussed liability, tree screening, and lessons from non-functional solar at other schools. Passed 9-0.
• Minutes Approval: Approved minutes of March 3, 2025 public hearing and regular meeting. Passed 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Bond ordinances approved: Pigeon Hill Road (9-0), Welch Park Courts (8-1-0, Councilor Glock Hoffman opposed), LP Wilson HVAC (9-0).
• River Street Culvert Design: $150,000 appropriation approved (9-0).
• Tax Abatement Ordinance: Adopted on first reading (9-0); public hearing set for April 7, 2025 at 7:15 PM.
• Motor Vehicle Depreciation: Local option for 90% schedule adopted (9-0).
• Solar Agreements: Authorized negotiation and execution for three school sites (9-0).
• Minutes approved (9-0).
• Meeting adjourned.