Windsor Town Council Meeting and Public Hearings: Budget, Tax Abatement, and Day Hill Planning Study – April 7, 2025
Windsor Town Council Meeting and Public Hearings: Budget, Tax Abatement, and Day Hill Planning Study – April 7, 2025
The Windsor Town Council held two public hearings and a regular meeting on April 7, 2025, at Windsor Town Hall. The hearings addressed the FY 2025-2026 budget and a proposed ordinance for property tax abatement for surviving spouses of line-of-duty deaths. The regular meeting included a proclamation, presentations, reports, and votes on several items.
Public Hearings
- 7:00 PM – Budget Hearing: A single speaker expressed full support for the proposed FY 2025-2026 budget, noting that fiscal pressures are statewide and Windsor is a desirable community with excellent services.
- 7:15 PM – Ordinance Hearing: No members of the public spoke on the ordinance to amend Chapter 5 to adopt Connecticut General Statutes Section 12-81x for property tax abatement for surviving spouses of line-of-duty deaths.
Proclamations & Awards
- Fair Housing Awareness Month (April 2025): The mayor and council proclaimed April 2025 as Fair Housing Awareness Month in Windsor, recognizing the 57th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and ongoing efforts to promote equal housing opportunities. The proclamation was accepted by Patrick McMahon, Community Development Director.
Public Comments & Petitions (First Session)
- Charles Windsor Jackson III (26 Wilson Avenue) requested enhanced enforcement of the parking ban on Wilson Avenue, citing abandoned vehicles and unenforced restrictions. He urged police to patrol more actively. Council noted the issue would be addressed.
Communications from Council Members
- Council members announced community events including the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department’s pancake breakfast (April 26), Earth Day hike (April 26), Wilson Community Cleanup (April 26), Veterans and Military Appreciation event (April 12), and recognized the appointment of Chief Bianchi as full-time fire chief. Councilor Gluck-Hoffman and Mayor thanked the town manager for his leadership.
Reports of Appointed Boards and Commissions
- Board of Education (Secretary Lockhart): Reported on scholarships (six full-ride, ten partial to Livingstone College), National SEL Day celebrations, paraeducator recognition, and noted the SMART pre-K program will be reduced due to expiration of a 10-year grant. Open to questions; Deputy Mayor inquired about funding for pre-K. Councilor King congratulated Lockhart on being elected president-elect of the National School Boards Association. The board’s next meeting is April 8.
- Public Works (Mr. Hazleton): Provided updates on capital projects: Windsor Fire Station roof replacement (complete, minor trim remaining, completion by end of May); Wilson Fire Station interior renovations (50% complete, completion by end of May); Oliver Ellsworth School humidity mitigation (complete, final inspection pending); Clover Street School restroom ADA compliance phase two (construction begins June over summer break); LP Wilson Community Center HVAC renovations (phase one nearly done, phase two window unit removal by June).
- Conservation Commission (Commissioner Tammy Young): Presented annual report highlighting initiatives: state-level legislation on nip bottles, hydroponics seminar, involvement in Windsor Clean and Green, annual e-cycle event, and partnerships for textile recycling. Upcoming events: bulk compost bin program, Earth Day hike (April 26), light pollution seminar (April 29). Commission also remembered deceased longtime chair Ann Bowden. Councilor asked about public outreach; commission uses Facebook, town website, flyers, and partnerships with schools.
Town Manager’s Report (Peter Souza)
- Bradley Airport will reconstruct its primary runway beginning May, altering flight patterns over northern Windsor through summer/early fall.
- Public Works begins spring street sweeping April 14, starting with school lots, then rotating neighborhoods.
- Connecticut DOT will perform I-91 pavement preservation in Windsor and Hartford from late April through summer, with overnight lane closures on Sunday-Thursday.
- Social Services processes renters’ rebate applications (up to $900 for couples, $700 for individuals) and assists Windsor Housing Authority residents.
- Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) workshop for commercial property owners on April 24.
- Neighborhood Assistance Act applications for nonprofits due May 21.
- Elderly/disabled tax relief applications due May 15; income limits updated.
- “Summer of 10,000 Flowers” campaign to promote Plan of Conservation and Development; seed packets available at local businesses.
- Upcoming events: Police Cadet spaghetti supper (April 26), Summer edition of “A Lot to Do in Windsor” available April 21, and Shad Derby events.
Reports of Standing Committees
- Finance Committee (Councilor Naeem): Discussed use of opening cash to mitigate impacts of revaluation and budget increases, with goal to maintain at least 15% of total budget as cash-in-hand for credit rating. Also reviewed motor vehicle revaluation methodology change (using MSRP vs. pricing guides) which will affect tax bills—roughly 50% of vehicles may see decrease, others increase.
Committee Assignments Update
- Councilor King joined the Finance Committee (chaired by Naeem) and will chair the Personnel Committee. Deputy Mayor takes chair of Town Improvements Committee. Full list available on website.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance – Property Tax Abatement for Surviving Spouses (Line-of-Duty Death): After a public hearing, council voted unanimously (7-0) to waive the full reading and adopt the ordinance. The ordinance provides 100% property tax abatement for real property used as primary residence by a surviving spouse of a police officer, firefighter, or EMT killed in the line of duty. Abatement is prorated if the property is sold or the spouse remarries. Windsor is one of 12 communities adopting this option. Councilor Naeem praised the comprehensive language.
- FY 2025-2026 Budget Presentation (Town Manager Souza): An overview of the proposed $152,222,470 budget (6.21% increase over FY2025) was presented. Key points:
- Highlights: Maintains service levels, continues investment in capital infrastructure (paving, sidewalks, fleet, facilities), and provides planned support for ambulance fleet replacement.
- Revenues: 86.5% from property tax; no use of reserves (opening cash) included yet.
- Expenditures: Board of Education ($89.3M, 58% of total), Town operating ($44.3M), Sewer ($4.8M), Debt Service ($8.8M), Great Pond Improvement District ($2.1M, increase due to revaluation and new development), OPEB ($135K), Capital Projects & Open Space ($2.8M).
- Expenditure drivers: 16.5% increase in health insurance, 4% salary increases, $226K transfer to Windsor Center TIF (majority for repaving), $160K for EMS fleet replacement.
- Proposed mill rate: 28.92 (down from 30.2 in FY2025).
- Public input opportunities: April 28 and April 30 before council special meetings; League of Women Voters meetings May 6 and 7. Council vote scheduled for April 30; referendum recommended for May 13.
- Day Hill Corporate Area Planning Study (Patrick McMahon, Community Development Director): An informational presentation on the multi-year study covering 3,300+ acres, 15,000+ jobs, and 20% of town-wide assessed value. Findings:
- Current 31% office vacancy; 60% of office space available for sale/lease.
- Market opportunities: high potential for multifamily, senior living, warehouse/distribution, advanced manufacturing; moderate for food/beverage, recreation, lodging; limited for traditional office.
- Guiding principles: high-quality architecture, market alignment, support for small business, connectivity, fiscal net-positive development.
- Recommended actions: encourage mixed-use development, limit high-volume distribution, support Great Pond Village, reuse vacant offices, enhance green space and walkability, address truck parking, consider rebranding.
- Next steps: Finalize report, present to Planning & Zoning Commission (May), pursue zoning amendments and financial tools (abatement policy, TIF), incorporate into Plan of Conservation and Development.
- No action taken; council thanked staff.
Key Outcomes
- Vote to adopt Ordinance for Property Tax Abatement for Surviving Spouses (Line-of-Duty Death): Passed 7-0.
- Vote to approve Fair Housing Resolution and Policy Statement: Passed 7-0.
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes from March 17, 2025 public hearing and regular meeting approved 7-0.
- Committee assignments updated to include Councilor King.
- Budget process set: Public hearings April 28 and April 30, council vote April 30, referendum May 13 (tentative).
- Day Hill Study to be finalized and presented to Planning & Zoning Commission in May.
Adjournment
- The meeting adjourned with a motion and second, no executive session.
Meeting Transcript
Um, I do hope you can use some reserves to help mitigate some of the pain of this a little bit. I think that would help. But I do want you to know that I fully support this budget. Um I think it would be um short-sighted of us to imagine that these pressures that we're facing aren't happening everywhere in Connecticut. Um there's not going to be somewhere else that's gonna be better than this town that we live in. This is a fabulous town. It has tremendous services. It's a beautiful town. It's an awesome place to live. And so I'm fully behind this proposed budget. Um, and we will start the um next public hearing at uh seven fifteen. All right. Well, good evening. The time is now seven fifteen. And we'll move into our second portion of our public hearing. And this is an ordinance appropriating amending chapter five to adopt Connecticut General Statute Section Twelve Eighty One X to provide property tax abatement for line of duty death surviving spouse. Excellent. Okay, just wanted to restate that for everyone. So if there's anyone, I'll turn this over to our assistant town manager Scott Kobe for further instruction. Thank you. So we'll come now to the town hall chamber. If there's anyone who would like to speak to this item, we ask that you step forward, state your name and address. You will be given three minutes to speak. Good evening and welcome to the April seventh twenty twenty-five town council meeting. Um this evening we do have a quorum. We do have counselors who are out traveling, but we do have a quorum this evening. Uh that being said, I will turn it over to Councillor Glock Hoffman for our prayer and or reflection and our pledge of allegiance. Councilor Glauck Hoffman. Thank you, ma'am. Good evening. Heavenly Father, we come to you today asking for your guidance, wisdom, and support as we begin this meeting. Help us engage in meaningful discussion, allow us to grow closer as a group and nurture the bonds of community. Give the council members wisdom and guidance as they deliberate on the items before them. May every decision be righteous in your sight for our benefit and for your glory. We also continue to ask for your protection of our community's law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS. In your name, Amen. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God and individual with liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much, Councilor Glauck Hoffman, for that. This evening we do have a proclamation recognizing April 2025 as Fair Housing Awareness Month. Whereas the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which included what is commonly referred to as the Fair Housing Act, Title 8 of the Civil Rights Act, was signed into law on April 11th, 1968, effectively prohibiting the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicapped status. And whereas shelter is a basic human need, and when shelter is denied, the quality of life is greatly diminished, making it essential that the town of Windsor affirm its policy that housing in the town of Windsor shall be made available to all persons on the basis of a quality and fairness. And whereas the 57 years since the passage of the Fair Housing Act, judicial and administrative enforcement, as well as public and private efforts to comply voluntarily with the law have reduced barriers to obtaining the housing of one's choice. And whereas the town of Windsor recognizes, acknowledges, and values the efforts of those who seek justice through the public and private enforcement of state and federal fair housing laws. And whereas, despite this progress, more work remains in our struggle to achieve equality and racial justice and discriminatory excuse me and discriminatory practices still exist in this country. And whereas all Americans should be aware of their rights as set forth in the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the mayor and the Windsor Town Council that April 2025 is declared Fair Housing Awareness Month in Windsor. And by doing so, we recognize the efforts of those that have worked to promote equal housing opportunities into further awareness of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, signed Nishette Black Burke, Mayor of Windsor, April 7th, 2025. And uh Mr.
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