The Windsor Town Council held a special meeting on April 22, 2025, to review four enterprise fund budgets: Adult Daycare (Caring Connection), Information Services (Town Clerk and Public Relations), Library Services, and Child Development (Montessori School). The meeting began with a motion to reorder the agenda, moving the Adult Daycare item to second, which passed unanimously. No public comments were taken during this special meeting; the public budget hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2025.
Good evening, and welcome to the special meeting of the Windsor Town Council. Um, this evening we are going to discuss adult daycare enterprises, information services, library services, and the child development enterprise fund. We do have a quorum, so we'll move um straight into our business for the evening. So at this time, is there a motion? Yes, I move to move number five on the agenda, adult take care enterprise fund to ahead of number two, information services. Thank you so much, uh, Council Walker. I don't believe there's any discussion on that. All in favor. If the opposition or abstentions. So that motion passes. And so we will move uh number five to number two. And so adult daycare enterprise fund. Mr. Susan. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, like to invite up Cheryl Rosenbaum, who's the interconnection coordinator. And thank you very much for um adjusting the schedule this evening. And so Cheryl will present the um overview of the twenty-six twenty-five and twenty-six budget. Whenever you're ready, Cheryl. Growth in this industry can be murky. With increases to census projections comes increases to not only revenue, but staffing, as dictated by our required staffing ratio of one to seven hands-on caregivers. Also, increases to supplies, food costs, and salaries, salaries that will attract the most qualified staff, all affecting the budget daily. Recent census growth can be attributed to a combination of successful marketing initiatives, increases to our outreach efforts on Google, the excellent reputation of the caring connection has amongst professionals in the community, and the overall decreased numbers of other day centers in the general area. By maintaining a robust presence on Google, we ensure that when families are seeking care options for their loved ones, the caring connection is prominently featured in search results, making a meaningful impact and providing the most support and information required when needed. You may recall my saying research shows that adult day center participants thrive when the activity program includes special activity therapies in their offerings. We have been experienced this as prospective clients are choosing to sign up for the programs on days we offer some of this niche programming that we are using our state of Connecticut COVID relief funds for to enhance our therapeutic activity offerings at the Caring Connection. We continue to work closely with senior transportation, researching additional creative ways to accommodate the transportation needs of our clients, accomplishing this in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. As part of the board for the Association of Adult Day Centers, I recently testified in support of House Bill 6549, which, if passed, may bring a percentage increase to the daily rate intended to assist with costs associated with transportation to our state supported clients next fiscal year. Inside the caring connection, we are enjoying a new look since we last spoke. Carpet and paint have really brightened our facility, and new chairs easily disinfected with excellent lumbar support for our clients complete the new look. I hope you will each get a chance to stop down and visit. In just about a month, we will be extending the look to our outdoor space with the installation of a beautiful pavilion paid for by the State of Connecticut COVID relief funds, affording us increased opportunities to be outside in shade during warmer weather. For over 37 years, countless seniors from Windsor and the immediate surrounding area have been able to stay in their homes and community, aging in place, staying out of long-term care facilities because of the dedication and talent of current and past employees of the caring connection, who are and currently are passionate and dedicated to our motto, we change how our clients live, not where they live. Tonight, after eight opportunities to share my passion for the caring connection with you during budget presentations, I announce that this will be my last as I plan to retire at the end of the fiscal year. I have had to address such topics as staffing changes, revenue challenges, and COVID closing and reopenings, just to name a few. We've recently been celebrating increased revenues and the receiving of State of Connecticut relief funds for the Caring Connection. It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to be associated with this amazing program Windsor has for its residents. And I have you, former mayors, and past councils to thank for that. At this time, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you so much, Sharon, for the presentation. And do want to say that you'll be missed. Thank you for your dedication, your service. Indeed, yes, we've had lots of great conversations. I've had the opportunity along with many counselors and past councils to visit and support. So thank you. Thank you for all that you've done and your incredible team. So thank you for that. Um counselors. Yes. Deputy Mayor.