Windsor Town Council Meeting - October 20, 2025
Windsor Town Council Regular Meeting - October 20, 2025
The Windsor Town Council met on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 12:30 PM (UTC) in the Town Hall chamber. The meeting opened with a prayer and reflection, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members discussed a range of topics, including an open space grant application, approvals of job descriptions and purchase orders, appointments to boards, and community updates. All votes were unanimous (9-0) unless noted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Amanda Thompson (President, Trap Rock Ridge Land Conservancy, 97 Copper Hill Road, East Granby) spoke in support of the open space grant application for 79 acres at 965 and 999 Stone Road. She highlighted the wildlife corridor, vernal pools, and sound barrier benefits against nearby warehouse noise.
- Frank Davis (3 Birchwood Road, Windsor) expressed support for the grant, noting the 65% state matching fund opportunity and the property's identification in the Plan of Conservation and Development. He urged action before remaining open space parcels are lost.
- James Candick (Board of Directors, Trap Rock Ridge Land Conservancy) endorsed the application, citing the property's long-standing wish-list status and the accuracy of staff's letter.
- Meg Harvey (37 Hobson Avenue, Windsor; former Chair of Windsor Conservation Commission) strongly supported the grant, emphasizing the parcels' habitat and recreation value and their inclusion in the Plan of Conservation and Development.
- Deborah Bologna (933 Stone Road, Windsor) supported the application, stressing the importance of protecting the wildlife corridor and vernal pool, and noting the negative impacts of warehouse development on local habitat.
- Corey Fairn (327 Merriman Road, Windsor) spoke on behalf of Windsor Little League, requesting council awareness for field upgrades and modernization, and encouraging youth participation from Windsor and Bloomfield.
Discussion Items
- Public Building Commission Report – Commissioner Peck reported on multiple projects: Wilson Fire Station interior renovations near closure; LP Wilson HVAC Phase 2 about 90% complete (expected November end); Clover Street School restrooms Phase 2 closing; Town Hall roof replacement to begin Q4 2025 or Q1 2026; Welch Park Pool House renovation closing; Chafee House exterior repairs ongoing; and Windsor High School and LP Wilson roof designs on schedule for January 2026. All projects within budget.
- Wilson/Deerfield Advisory Committee Report – Chair Charles Jackson, Secretary Karen Zach, and member Debbie Baker presented an overview of the committee's activities, including meetings with town departments, community engagement, and support for new businesses in the Wilson neighborhood (e.g., Giovanni's, Errol's Nature Natural Juice Bar). They also highlighted the success of the Wilson Gateway Park opening.
- Town Manager's Report – Peter Sousa announced the November 4 municipal election, early voting dates, and absentee ballot options. He reviewed leaf collection (starting Oct. 27) and upcoming events: 1001 Pumpkins (Oct. 23), Nightmare on Broad Street (Oct. 31), League of Women Voters candidate nights (Oct. 22-23), and a library aging-in-place seminar (Oct. 23). He also noted the town's flu vaccine clinic schedule.
- New Business – Item A (Solid Waste Facility Operator) – Mark Goosens (Public Works) and Sophia Castellanos (HR) introduced a revised job description replacing the former Landfill Operator title with Solid Waste Facility Operator, reflecting post-landfill closure duties including transfer station management and maintenance. The position remains in Teamsters Pay Grade 10 ($66,665–$74,720). No new funding required. Motion approved 9-0.
- New Business – Item B (FY25 Purchase Order Reapproval) – The council reapproved PO #25176 for $22,266.29 for police vehicle light/equipment installation, extending the deadline to January 6, 2026, due to vendor backlog. Motion approved 9-0.
- New Business – Item C (Open Space Grant Application) – Patrick McMahon (Community Development) requested authorization to submit an application to DEEP's Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program for the purchase of 79 acres at 965 and 999 Stone Road. The industrially and ag-zoned parcels are identified as desired open space. Up to 65% state funding, with separate future council and town meeting approval needed for purchase. The Open Space Fund has ~$1.6 million available. Motion approved 9-0.
- Appointments and Resignations – Council approved appointments: George Boldock to Public Building Commission (D, term to 2028); Jennifer Healy to Conservation Commission (D, term to 2028); Michael Burke to Housing Authority (unaffiliated, term to 2027); Jennifer Filler to Conservation Commission (unaffiliated, term to 2029); and reappointment of Elise Reynolds to Fair Rent Commission (D, term to 2028). Motion approved 9-0.
- Minutes Approval – Minutes from the October 6, 2025 public hearing and regular meeting were approved 9-0.
Key Outcomes
- All motions passed unanimously (9-0): approval of Solid Waste Facility Operator job description; reapproval of purchase order for police vehicle equipment; authorization to submit open space grant application for Stone Road property; appointments to boards and commissions; and minutes approval.
- Executive Session: The council voted 9-0 to enter executive session for discussion of police department personnel and town manager evaluation. No action was taken in open session thereafter.
- Next Steps: Staff will proceed with the open space grant application (expected decision in 9–12 months); the purchase order extension runs through January 6, 2026; and the new solid waste facility operator position will be filled using existing funds.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. This evening uh we are expecting one additional counselor. She is in a route, and we will move to items two and three on our agenda, which is the prayer and or reflection and the pledge of allegiance. Councillor King. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um just it's I felt timely with uh some of the things that have been going on recently from this quote for um uh Thomas Pain and Common Sense, which is widely regarded as building public uh support for the revolution. For as an absolute governments, the king is law. So in free countries, the law ought to be king and there ought to be no other. Let's do the budget. Thank you. Thank you so much, Councillor King. Uh this evening we do not have um any proclamations and or awards. So we'll move right to item number five, which is public communications and petitions. If anyone from the public would like to address the council, we you'll be given three minutes to speak. Please state your name and address. And I will turn this over to the moderator, Scott Cobe, our assistant town manager. Thank you, Madam Mayor. If there's anyone who is virtual this evening and would like to address the council, you may do so by raising your hand on your computer by selecting the participants icon on the zoom menu bar and then clicking raise hand or by dialing star nine on your phone. You'll be given three minutes to speak. Please state your name and address when you are called on. You'll be prompted that you are now unmuted. For those dialing in by phone, once prompted, you will then press star six to unmute. For clear communication, we ask that you do not place the call and speaker phone. At this time, Madam Mayor, we do have one virtual attendee with their hand raised. So our first caller, you are now unmuted. To our first caller, you are now unmuted. Hi, can you hear me? Yes. Okay. You can hear me okay? Yes, yes. Okay. Um, good evening. My name is Amanda Thompson. I'm the president of the Trap Rock Ridge Land Conservancy. Um I live at 97 Copper Hill Road in East Gramby. Uh, but the Trap Rock Ridge Land Conservancy is a regional nonprofit that protects open spaces and promotes the public appreciation of the natural environment in East Gramby, Bloomfield, Windsor, and West Hartford. I wanted to speak uh up today in support of Peter Seuss's open space application for the 79 acres of forested land located at 965 and 999 Stone Road. Um these are key pieces of land that need to be conserved for many reasons. Um it's a wildlife corridor which includes not just woodlands, but it also has vernal pools. It also provides an important sound barrier for the people who live in the area uh from the refrigeration trucks and other noise from the Dollar Tree warehouse that was brought into that neighborhood. Um so I just wanted the council to know that I'm um happy that they're considering this and I'm happy to help in whatever way I can to preserve this important piece of land. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. All right, so we'll move into the town hall chamber. There is an a weird echo on November. Okay. Is someone's device on speaker-wise or not? No, mine is muted.
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