Windsor Town Council Regular Meeting – November 3, 2025
Windsor Town Council Regular Meeting – November 3, 2025
The Windsor Town Council met on November 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments about police department morale, a presentation on the upcoming America250 commemoration, introduction of a $665,000 bond ordinance for Town Hall roof replacement, approval of a $79,500 HVAC study for Windsor High School, and movement of the Town Manager evaluation to executive session. Election day (November 4) was noted, and Councilor Lenworth Walker was thanked for his service as he is not seeking re-election.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christina Santos (65 Winthrop Road) expressed strong support for Windsor Police officers, referencing a vote of no confidence and alleging a “bully” police chief. She criticized past councils for inaction and urged the current council to address the situation promptly, stating that officers are leaving.
- Debbie Sampson (604 Stone Road) also supported the police officers, noting this is the third vote of no confidence. She questioned the mayor’s earlier statement that the council has no direct authority over the police chief, and asked the Town Manager to meet with the union. She later returned at the second public comment period to thank the council for responding to concerns.
Communications from Council Members
- Councilors thanked Councilor Lenworth Walker for his service (2005–2009 and 2020–2025).
- Councilor Pelkey noted Councilor Eleveld was absent due to a family trip and wished everyone well in the election.
- Councilor King and others promoted the “Nightmare on Broad Street” event and new local businesses.
- Councilor Naeem encouraged safe driving for Halloween and later noted fundraising for Hurricane Melissa relief.
- Deputy Mayor Klase highlighted the Amazon wish list for the Windsor Food & Fuel Bank and thanked registrars for early voting.
- Mayor Black-Burke affirmed that the police department’s concerns have been heard and are being discussed by the council.
Reports of Appointed Boards and Commissions
- Board of Education (presented by Secretary Lockhart): Announced receipt of the CABE Bonnie B. Carney Award for Excellence, a “Board of Distinction Level Two” (top tier) for five consecutive years, and recognition of 70+ employees at the upcoming service award celebration. Noted EKG screenings in memory of a student, and reminded that Election Day (Nov 4) is a no-school day for students.
Town Manager’s Report
- Food Assistance: Social Services is working with the Windsor Food & Fuel Bank; an Amazon wish list and town website provide donation and resource information.
- Mental Health First Aid: Free two-part certification course on Nov 8 and Nov 15 at 330 Windsor Avenue; call 285-1946 to register.
- Law Enforcement Training Exercise: Multi-agency search and rescue drill at Northwest Park on Nov 10 from 1–9 PM; park remains open.
- Veterans Day Ceremony: Nov 11 at 7 PM at Town Hall, featuring keynote speaker Carl Thomas (Vietnam veteran, retired Windsor police officer).
- Library Event: Homegrown String Band performance on Nov 6 at 7 PM at the main library.
- Police Department Concerns: Town Manager Souza confirmed he and HR have met with union representatives several times; additional conversations are scheduled. He stated he takes the concerns seriously and has confidence in the department overall.
Discussion Items
- Windsor CT250th Committee Presentation (presented by Carrie Thompson, Executive Director of Windsor Historical Society): Outlined the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The local committee includes 18 organizations, has a grant from the Hartford Foundation, and a website (WindsorCT250.org). Planned enhancements include a 250th-themed Shad Derby parade and an expanded July 2 concert. Committee aims for inclusive, year-long programming. Councilor Naeem asked about coordination with neighboring towns; Thompson noted Enfield’s event on July 12 and a four-lecture series by South Windsor, Manchester, Glastonbury, and Bolton.
- Town Hall Roof Replacement Bond Ordinance: Facilities Manager Marco Aglieco presented that the flat roof (15,000 sq. ft., installed 2001) has exceeded its 20-year warranty and shows alligatoring; the skylight leaks; and the project includes demolition/replacement, skylight replacement, chimney repairs, and cupola painting. Total cost $665,000 (including $60,000 contingency, $10,000 bonding fee). The council waived the reading, introduced the bond ordinance (8-0-0), and set a public hearing for November 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM (8-0-0).
- Windsor High School HVAC Replacement Study: Aglieco explained that the HVAC system (from 2000 renovation) has increasing maintenance costs, inconsistent temperatures, and a lost chiller. The study by van Zelm Heywood & Shadford will cost $79,500 and take ~16 weeks. Funding will come from closing project #9539 (balance $58,391.17) and the Capital Projects Fund assigned fund balance. The council approved the appropriation and referral to the Public Building Commission (8-0-0).
- Town Manager Annual Performance Evaluation: Moved to executive session after item 12E (unanimous 8-0-0).
Key Outcomes
- Introduced Bond Ordinance for Town Hall roof replacement ($665,000) – passed 8-0-0.
- Set Public Hearing for Nov 17, 2025 at 7:20 PM on the roof bond – passed 8-0-0.
- Approved $79,500 appropriation for Windsor High School HVAC study, closed project #9539, and referred to Public Building Commission – passed 8-0-0.
- Moved Town Manager evaluation to executive session – passed 8-0-0.
- Approved minutes of October 20, 2025 Regular Town Council Meeting – passed 8-0-0.
- No resignations or appointments were acted upon.
Meeting Transcript
I gave my hands so you girl. I tried so many times, and that's no lie. It seems to make you back in each time I write your mind. But this time I really leave any. I hope you don't win. Get this thing to your head, they'll be no more. Good evening and welcome to the November 3rd Town Council meeting. This evening all counselors are here. Councilor Ellavd is traveling, so he will not be with us. And this evening we have the prayer and or reflection in the Pledge of Allegiance that will be led by Deputy Mayor Cleese. As we begin begin tonight's meeting, I'd like to take a moment to think about our Windsor community. With the federal shutdown not in place, many of us are hearing from residents who are feeling the strain and uncertainty it brings. Moments like this remind us of how connected we are and how much our local actions matter. As we move through tonight's work, may we do so with compassion, with thoughtfulness, and with a shared commitment to supporting the people who call Windsor home. Let's do the Pledge of Allegiance. 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 indivisible with liberty. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Clace. We do not have proclamations or awards this evening, so we'll move to public petitions and communications. We are now on to the public communications. If anyone from the public would like to address the council, you will be given three minutes to speak. Please state your name and address, and I will turn this over to the moderator, Frank Angelo, our information technology director. Thank you. If there's anyone from the public who 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 click and 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're called on, you'll be prompted with you are now unmuted for those dialing by phone. Once prompted, you will press star six to unmute for clear communication. We ask that you do not place the call on speaker phone. We current currently do not have anyone online with their hand up. Thank you, Mr. Angelo. At this time we'll move to the town hall chamber. If anyone here would like to address the council, we do ask that you step forward, state your name and address. You will be given three minutes to speak, and at the sound of the time, we do ask that you conclude your comments. Christina Santos, 65 Winthrop Road. Good evening. I sit here tonight as a Windsor resident for over 50 years. Windsor is an amazing community and has a tremendous amount to offer its citizens. Windsor is a relatively safe and peaceful community, thanks in part to the Windsor Police Department. I want to thank all members, past and present, of the Windsor Police Department for their service, and I support your efforts in bringing to light your offensive and unacceptable working conditions. When a union takes a vote of no confidence, it is not something done lightly. An investigation was ordered by the town manager. The Markham advisory group, specifically Frank Rudowitz, deliver the report to the town council in executive session on September 17, 2019. Not a single person sitting up there tonight was on the town council or in that room. So to be clear, the town council can in fact discuss the appointment, employment performance, evaluation, health, or dismissal of a public officer or employee chief of police. The excuse for no action by the president past town council has been to say you have no say in this matter. That only the town manager has the authority to handle the employment decision of a police is a political smokescreen, a cop out. If the town manager can't get rid of the bully, then perhaps the town manager is the problem, and you need to get rid of him. And here we are, seven years later, as our dedicated police officers, 97% of them still have no confidence in their boss, are still under the reign of abusive vindictive bully, all because the previous town councils didn't have the guts to do the right thing.
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