Windsor Town Council Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Windsor Town Council met on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers. Key actions included amendments to the property tax relief ordinance for elderly and disabled homeowners, introduction of a veterans exemption ordinance, approval of a community Wi‑Fi grant, adoption of the priority redevelopment properties list, and authorization to apply for a recreational trails program grant. The council also heard public comments regarding police department staffing and school resource officers.

Consent Calendar

• The council waived the reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 5, Article 17 (property tax relief for elderly/disabled homeowners) and of the ordinance amending Chapter 5, Article 14 (veterans exemption). Both full texts were recorded with the minutes.
• Minutes of the November 17, 2025 public hearing (town hall roof) and regular town council meeting were approved unanimously (9‑0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Debbie Sampson (604 Stone Road) congratulated re‑elected and new council members. She expressed full support for the Windsor Police Department and urged the council to act to prevent further officer departures, stating that the town cannot afford to lose more officers and that Windsor’s reputation is deterring recruits.
• Christina Santos (65 Winthrop Road) noted that 30 days earlier she had raised concerns about a second vote of no confidence in Police Chief Melanson. She stated that little progress has been made and that conversations with the town manager have not gone well. She implored the council to address the matter seriously, emphasizing that bullying is unacceptable and that the town must attract officers.
• Christina Santos (second appearance) later stressed the importance of school resource officers (SROs) in Windsor Public Schools. She expressed concern that SROs may have been pulled from buildings and reassigned, and urged the council to ensure SROs remain in schools to serve as role models and maintain safety.

Discussion Items

• Town Manager’s Report (Mr. Sousa) – Upcoming events: Carol Sing and Torchlight Parade (Dec. 6), Wreaths Across America (Dec. 13), flu clinic at Geisler Supermarket (Dec. 8). The Pleasant Street boat launch ramp will be repaired in December. The Town Hall roof replacement project was postponed to early spring due to temperature requirements. Social Services is referring residents to the state for new SNAP work rules. Windsor Food & Fuel Bank distributed 350 turkeys plus $30 gift cards. Police Department: three recruits in the academy, one starting in January, one in field training expected to complete in January; vacancies were reported as six or eight (exact number to be confirmed). Officers have been reassigned from special assignments to cover patrol shifts. The town is working with the union on an alternative physical fitness test used in other states (e.g., Texas).
• Board of Education Report (Secretary Tracy Zodder) – The Board was recognized by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education as a Board of Distinction. Next regular meeting: Dec. 16, with a public forum on the budget process at 6:30 p.m. Six students received CAPS Student Leadership Awards. Dr. Abdelhade’s next “Coffee Talk” is Dec. 16 at the Senior Center. Schools will be closed for holiday break Dec. 24–Jan. 2, reopening Jan. 5.
• Property Tax Relief Ordinance (Chapter 5, Article 17) – Assistant Town Manager Scott Colby reviewed the proposal. The current program costs about $617,000. The finance committee recommended adding a new income bracket ($62,200–$72,000) with a $300 married/$200 unmarried benefit, and a $200 additional flat benefit for those under $45,200 (married) / $37,900 (single). Estimated additional cost: $71,000, bringing total to $687,000. After debate: a friendly amendment increased the flat benefit from $200 to $300 for single filers under $37,900 and married filers under $45,200 (passed 9‑0). A second amendment removed the proposed $62,200–$72,000 bracket entirely (passed 8‑1). The amended ordinance was then introduced with the $300 flat benefit for low‑income brackets and no new high bracket. A public hearing was set for Dec. 15 at 7:20 p.m. (passed 9‑0).
• Veterans Exemption Ordinance (Chapter 5, Article 14) – Scott Colby and Assessor Josh Gaston presented three local options recommended by the finance committee: (1) extending the 100% disabled veteran exemption to those rated Totally Disabled due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) – estimated tax loss of $23,000; (2) providing a 100% exemption for Gold Star spouses regardless of income – number of participants unknown; (3) including surviving spouses of veterans who would have qualified for the 100% P&T exemption but died before Oct. 1, 2024, with a look‑back to Jan. 1, 2000 – estimated tax loss of $15,300. The ordinance was introduced unanimously (9‑0). A public hearing was set for Dec. 15 at 7:20 p.m. (passed 9‑0).
• Community Wi‑Fi Grant – IT Director Frank Angelillo reported that the town received a $97,737.90 reimbursement grant from the Connecticut Education Broadband Infrastructure Program to replace Wi‑Fi systems at Wilson Library and the main library. The grant requires upfront funding from the general fund unassigned fund balance, with 100% reimbursement expected by early 2026. The council authorized acceptance and appropriation (9‑0).
• Priority Redevelopment Properties List – Economic Development Director Patrick McMahon presented the annual review by the Economic Development Commission. The list was updated to remove the Tobacco Valley property (201 apartments moving forward) and retain ten other sites (e.g., plaza building, Udolf property, Flamingo Inn, etc.). The council adopted the list as presented (9‑0).
• Recreational Trails Program Grant – Patrick McMahon requested authorization to apply for a DEEP grant ($235,400 total project cost, 20% local match) to complete design and permitting for Phase 2 of the multi‑use riverfront trail from the East Barber Street Boat Launch north to the Windsor Center River Trail, routing through Loomis Chaffee property along the railroad corridor. The town has a letter of support from Loomis Chaffee. Construction is in the CIP for FY2028. The council authorized the application (7‑0).
• Joint Committee Appointments – The mayor announced that Councillors Naeem, King, and Elaveld, and Board of Education members Lockhart, Zodder, and Madison will serve on the joint Town Council/Board of Education committee. No action needed.
• Executive Session – The council voted to move new business items 12i and 12j into executive session (unanimous).

Key Outcomes

• Friendly amendment to property tax relief – Increased flat benefit from $200 to $300 for single filers under $37,900 and married filers under $45,200 (passed 9‑0).
• Amendment to property tax relief – Eliminated the proposed $62,200–$72,000 income bracket for a $300/$200 benefit (passed 8‑1).
• Introduction of property tax relief ordinance – As amended, to provide a $300 flat benefit for the lowest income bracket (passed 9‑0). Public hearing set for Dec. 15 at 7:20 p.m.
• Introduction of veterans exemption ordinance – Adopting three local options (TDIU, Gold Star spouses, surviving spouses look‑back) (passed 9‑0). Public hearing set for Dec. 15 at 7:20 p.m.
• Community Wi‑Fi grant – Authorized acceptance and appropriation of $97,737.90 (passed 9‑0).
• Priority redevelopment properties list – Adopted as presented with removal of Tobacco Valley property (passed 9‑0).
• Recreational trails grant application – Authorized submission for Phase 2 design (passed 7‑0).
• Minutes approval – Approved minutes of Nov. 17 public hearing and regular meeting (passed 9‑0).