Windsor Town Council Meeting – September 15, 2025

The Windsor Town Council held a hybrid regular meeting on September 15, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, Windsor Town Hall, with all councilors participating in person or online. Mayor Nuchette Black-Burke presided. The Council approved a series of actions related to the Clover Street Elementary School partial roof replacement project, accepted sidewalk easements for a mixed-use development, heard public comments, and received reports from the Public Building Commission and Town Manager.

Proclamations & Awards

• Senior Center Month: Mayor Black-Burke read a proclamation designating September 2025 as Senior Center Month in Windsor, with the theme "Powering Possibilities: Flip the Script." Stephanie Famiano accepted the proclamation and read a previously published article about the Windsor Senior Center's value to older residents.
• Hunger Action Month: Deputy Mayor Klase read a proclamation designating September as Hunger Action Month, citing U.S. and Connecticut food insecurity statistics and encouraging attendance at the "Second Longest Table" event on Friday, September 19, 2025, on Windsor Town Green. Jasmine Hall accepted the proclamation and stated that more than 600 families currently participate in Windsor Food Bank and related food programs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack Willen (433 Lantern Way) urged the Council to improve the senior tax assistance program. He stated that for 2025, 432 seniors were participating out of approximately 5,500 Windsor residents over age 65, or about 7.85%, and that rising property taxes and cost of living make relief more urgent. He said Councilor King and Minority Leader Walker had discussed ideas with him and that the Finance Committee would consider changes before 2026.
• A subsequent public commenter praised the Health and Safety Committee, town staff, and the Council for treating privacy and civil liberties concerns about Flock license plate reader cameras seriously and deliberatively. He expressed hope for a comprehensive policy solution and co-signed Councilor Eleveld's earlier remarks against political violence.

Reports

• Public Building Commission: Commissioner Rusty reported on multiple projects. Completed or near-completed items included Wilson Fire Station interior renovations (99% complete), Sage Park Middle School roof phase two, Poquonock school humidity mitigation design, LP Wilson HVAC phase one, and phase two nearing completion. LP Wilson HVAC and interior renovations phase three was approximately 85% complete, with the BOE meeting room reopened. Clover Street School restroom and code compliance punch list work was nearly finished. The town hall roof replacement project was on schedule for bidding in the fourth quarter of 2025, with construction beginning late this year or early next year. Commissioner Rusty also recognized outgoing Public Building Commission Chairman Rick Hazleton and thanked Councilor Walker for their service.
• Town Manager's Report: Town Manager Peter Souza provided updates including an early closure of the Town Clerk's office on Thursday, September 18 for training; a Plan of Conservation and Development workshop on October 2; Eversource tree trimming east of I-91; final street repaving in the Poquonock area and MDC-related repaving in Wilson-Deerfield; Freedom Trail Run (September 20) and Freedom Trail Walk (September 27); a mental health speaker series event on September 18 at L.P. Wilson; an Arts Center concert on September 18; and a pending Eversource grant application for solar car canopies at the high school and Sage Park.

Discussion Items & New Business

• Clover Street School Partial Roof Replacement Project: Building & Facilities Manager Marco Aglieco and Town Manager Souza presented the project. The school has approximately 64,500 square feet of roof area; about 19,000 square feet was replaced in 2019, while the remaining 45,500 square feet serving classrooms, hallways, library, and cafetorium was installed between 1995 and 1997 and has reached the end of its useful life. The preliminary cost estimate is $2,425,000, including contingency, with an estimated state grant reimbursement of up to 47% of eligible costs, or $1,139,750, and the remainder to be funded through general obligation bonds. The project design is complete; bidding is planned for late winter/early spring with construction in summer 2026, contingent on state grant approval. Councilor Eleveld asked about the reimbursement rate, and Town Manager Souza noted that recent rates have ranged from about 47% to 53%, with 47% being a conservative planning estimate. The Council then approved several related motions.
• Sidewalk Easements – 109 and 125 Poquonock Avenue: Town Engineer Suzanne Choate explained that Bowfield Green, a mixed-use development with 77 apartments and ground-floor commercial space, includes new sidewalks along Mack Street and Poquonock Avenue that extend outside the public right-of-way because of added on-street parking. Two easements in favor of the town are needed. The town will maintain the sidewalks, while the property owner remains responsible for snow and ice removal under Windsor Code Section 15-3. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the development in January 2023. In response to Councilor Eleveld, Ms. Choate confirmed there will be 11 on-street parking spaces – five on Mack Street and six on Poquonock Avenue. The Council accepted the easements.

Key Outcomes

All votes passed 9-0-0 unless otherwise noted.

• Authorized the Superintendent of Schools to apply for a state school construction grant for the Clover Street Elementary School Partial Roof Replacement Project.
• Appointed the Public Building Commission as the building committee to oversee the project.
• Authorized the preparation of schematic drawings and specifications for the project.
• Waived the reading of the bond ordinance text.
• Introduced a bond ordinance appropriating $2,425,000 and authorizing the issue of $2,425,000 in bonds and notes to finance the Clover Street School Partial Roof Replacement Project.
• Set a public hearing for October 6, 2025, at 7:20 p.m. at Windsor Town Hall on the bond ordinance, and directed the Town Clerk to post and publish notice.
• Accepted the sidewalk easements for 125 Poquonock Avenue as depicted on the F.A. Hesketh & Associates, Inc. survey dated 3/1/2024, revised 9/8/2025.
• Approved the minutes of the September 2, 2025 Public Hearing (Ladder Truck) and the September 2, 2025 Regular Town Council Meeting.
• There were no resignations or appointments, no executive session, and the meeting was adjourned after completing the agenda.