Windsor Town Council Meeting & Special Town Meeting – March 2, 2026
Windsor Town Council Meeting & Special Town Meeting – March 2, 2026
The meeting convened at 7:00 PM with a special town meeting, followed by a public hearing at 7:20 PM and the regular town council meeting. Key actions included bond approvals for community center improvements, land acquisition, and pedestrian bridge repairs, as well as a contentious debate on license plate readers and police department grievances.
Special Town Meeting (7:00 PM)
- Adopted rules of the town meeting.
- Approved an ordinance appropriating $2,820,000 for LP Wilson Community Center HVAC improvements (Phase 3) and authorizing the issuance of $2,820,000 in bonds. The motion passed by voice vote.
Public Hearing (7:20 PM)
- Held a public hearing on an ordinance appropriating $885,000 for main hallway restroom renovations at LP Wilson Community Center (Board of Education Offices) and authorizing $885,000 in bonds. The public hearing was opened and later closed with no public speakers.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Paul Panos (48 Brookview Road) criticized the council’s decision to shut off automatic license plate readers (Flock cameras), arguing it harms public safety and that privacy concerns are hypocritical given smartphones and internet tracking. He urged the council to reverse the vote.
- Raina Dyton-White (80 Capin Street) spoke against proposed rotaries (roundabouts) at Windsor Center’s northern and southern borders, warning that they are too narrow for tractor trailers and would cause problems. She suggested speed cameras as an alternative.
- Brian Wilder (110 Edison Road), former police union president, detailed ongoing issues with police department leadership, including retaliation and abuse of power. He announced the union is filing a prohibited practice complaint with 19 counts of retaliation and coercion. He noted that in the past nine months, nine grievances had been filed, all settled or conceded by the town.
- Debbie Sampson (604 Stone Road) urged the council to take immediate action on police department issues, including placing individuals on administrative leave.
- Grant Keeney (603 Brick Claire) praised the town’s handling of the Flock camera debate but encouraged continued discussion on a town-wide surveillance policy, suggesting a closed, town-controlled system rather than a for-profit vendor.
Discussion Items
- Board of Education Report (Secretary Zoder): Highlighted a winter band collaborative concert, a new senior elective connecting students with community research, and the Board’s approved budget with a 4.97% increase. The Windsor Girls Indoor Track team won the Class L state championship; the boys finished as runners-up. Also noted $14,735 in grants from the Windsor Education Foundation.
- Town Manager’s Report (Peter Sousa): Announced free AARP tax prep at LP Wilson through April 9, a March 6 trivia fundraiser for Project Graduation, and the Human Relations Commission’s Phenomenal Women of Windsor Award ceremony on March 8. The fire department will receive a 4WD off-road UTV through regional mutual aid. The Plan of Conservation and Development was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Regarding license plate readers, the town is exploring alternative vendors; cameras were shut off the day after the council decision with no fee.
- Finance Committee (Councillor Naeem): Discussed the Homestead Act but brought no formal recommendation; will bring it to the full council at a future meeting.
- Town Improvements Committee (Deputy Mayor): Announced a March 9 meeting at 6:30 PM to discuss traffic calming proposals (without roundabouts) and public input.
- Unfinished Business: Waived the reading of the $885,000 bond ordinance for restroom renovations (passed unanimously) and then approved the bond ordinance itself (passed 8-0).
- New Business:
- Received a Board of Education maintenance expense memo (no action).
- School Administrators Contract: The council voted on a negative motion (per state law) for a three-year contract (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029) with 3% general wage increases each year and step increases in years one and two. The total financial impact is approximately $435,000. The motion passed 0-7-1 (one abstention), meaning the contract is approved.
- 33 Meadow Road Acquisition: Approved $209,000 from the general fund unassigned fund balance to acquire the 7.42-acre parcel, contingent on a special town meeting. The property is strategically located near I-91 and a planned riverfront park. The purchase price exceeds appraised value ($190,000) but is justified by strategic location. The Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct an 8-24 review on March 10.
- Set a special town meeting for March 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM to consider the 33 Meadow Road acquisition (passed 8-0).
- Waived the reading of the $820,000 bond ordinance for pedestrian bridge improvements (passed 8-0).
- Introduced and approved a bond ordinance appropriating $820,000 for pedestrian bridge repairs and replacements at multiple parks, financed by $660,000 in bonds and $160,000 from the general unassigned fund balance. The work includes repairs at Sharsham Park and River Trail, and replacements at Custer Park, Strowe Park, and Wilson Gateway Park. Bridges are approximately 30 years old. Passed 8-0.
- Set a public hearing for March 16, 2026 at 7:20 PM on the pedestrian bridge bond ordinance (passed 8-0).
- Moved consideration of a settlement in Grand Prix Windsor LLC vs. Town of Windsor to executive session (passed 8-0).
- Approved a slate of appointments and reappointments to various town commissions (passed 8-0).
- Approved the minutes of the February 17, 2026 regular council meeting (passed 8-0).
Key Outcomes
- Approved $2,820,000 bond for LP Wilson Community Center HVAC improvements.
- Approved $885,000 bond for restroom renovation at LP Wilson/BOE offices.
- Approved the school administrators contract via a negative motion (0-7-1).
- Approved $209,000 from general fund to acquire 33 Meadow Road, with a special town meeting set for March 16.
- Approved $820,000 in funding ($660,000 bonds + $160,000 general fund) for pedestrian bridge improvements.
- Approved numerous commission appointments.
- Moved litigation settlement discussions to executive session.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, Windsor. At this time, I'd like to call the special town meeting to order at 7 o'clock PM. In order to participate in tonight's special meeting, all eligible voters must have signed in with our register of voters located near tonight's entrance of the meeting. The floor is now open for the nomination of a town meeting moderator. For that purpose, I recognize Ronald Eliveld. Thank you. Seconded? Okay. Uh are there any other nominations for town meeting moderator? Any other nominations? Hearing no other nominations, I declare nominations closed. All those in favor of Everett B. Doe the third as moderator, please say aye. All those opposed say no. The ayes have it. The motion carries. A special town meeting of the electors and citizens qualified to vote in town meetings of the town of Windsor, Connecticut, will be held in the council chambers at the Windsor Town Hall, 275 Broad Street in the town of Windsor, Connecticut, on Monday, March 2nd, 2026 at 7 o'clock PM prevailing time for the following purposes. Adopted by the town council at a meeting held on February 17th, 2026, and recommended by the town council for adoption by town meeting. Scott A. Nolan, Town Clerk, Windsor, Connecticut. In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes, this call to a special town meeting was received by the town clerk and posted on the town sign board on February 18th, 2026, and a copy thereof was published in the February 20th, 2022 2026 issue of the journal inquirer, a newspaper having general and substantial circulation in town. One any designated member of town staff will be allowed to address the assembly for a period of no longer than five minutes each. Only eligible voters may speak. Others who are not eligible voters may be invited to respond to questions. If there is any doubt about a vote, there will be a standing vote. No motion to adjourn shall be recognized before 15 minutes of debate has expired or until debate has been completed as decided by unanimous consent. I move that we adopt the rules of town meeting as read by the moderator. Is there a second? Second. Thank you. Aye. All those opposed say no. The motion carries. Do I hear a motion for or against the appropriation is published? For that purpose, I recognize Darlene Class. I move to approve an ordinance entitled. Yes, ma'am. I move to approve an ordinance entitled ordinance appropriating two million eight hundred and twenty thousand dollars for costs in connection with LP Wilson Community Center, HVAC improvements, phase three, and authorizing the issue of two million eight hundred and twenty thousand dollar bonds and notes to finance the appropriation. Is there a second? Second. Mr. Illiville. The floor is open for discussion. Is there anyone who would like to speak for or against the motion? Anyone? Seeing and hearing no one, I declare that the debate is closed. We will now proceed to a voice vote on the pending motion on the floor. Those in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no.
openpublica.com