Windsor Town Council Meeting and Public Hearing - April 6, 2026
Windsor Town Council Meeting and Public Hearing - April 6, 2026
The Town Council of Windsor held a public hearing at 7:15 PM on the FY 2026-27 budget as proposed by the town manager, followed by the regular council meeting at 7:30 PM. The meeting featured a public hearing on the budget, several proclamations, extensive public comment on the Broad Street Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Project (the "road diet"), and council deliberation leading to votes to appropriate $2,910,000 for the project and set a special town meeting on April 28, 2026.
Consent Calendar
- A motion to remove agenda item number 6 (to shorten the meeting) passed 8-0-1 (Councilor Durant abstained).
- Minutes of the March 16, 2026 public hearing (pedestrian bridges improvements) and regular town council meeting were approved unanimously (9-0) with corrections to spellings of speakers' names (Jeanette Coffin, Teresa Beatrice).
Public Comments & Testimony
Public Hearing on FY 2026-27 Budget (7:15 PM):
- One in-person speaker requested that no taxpayer funds be used for pedestrian safety initiatives on Broad Street.
- One virtual speaker opposed the pedestrian safety pact, arguing law enforcement could enforce speed limits instead of construction.
- Yves Barrent (25 Bradford) expressed surprise at a 4.82% total budget increase resulting in a 6.7% mill rate increase and questioned if property tax increases could be avoided.
Public Communications and Petitions (Regular Meeting): Public comments focused overwhelmingly on the Broad Street Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Project:
- Opposition speakers (Carly Jones, Linda Alexander, Sam Savelli, Maxine Davis, Jeremy Halleck, Ken Roach, Carrie Turrick, LaTor Musinski, and others) argued: the project was previously rejected by referendum; a single-lane design would create traffic jams; the design is flawed regarding bike lanes, emergency vehicle access, and event logistics (e.g., Shad Derby, Lions Club); the special town meeting format disenfranchises voters; the project is rushed to use state/federal funds; and safety concerns could be addressed with cheaper alternatives like speed tables or repainted lines.
- Support speakers (Diane Chisnack, Linda Rickard, Yves Parent, Paul Vaca, Mary Mullen Barnett, Ken Fredette, Ken Ehrman, Joyce Armstrong, Deborah Delusha, Jeff Lanza, Mingo Gomes, Carol Engelman, Mark Harrington, Vincent Zulow, Cecilia Caride) argued: current conditions are unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists; road diets are proven to reduce speeds and improve safety; the new plan removes costly roundabouts and is fully funded by outside grants; a safer, more walkable downtown supports vibrancy and local businesses; crossing times (30 seconds) are inadequate for families and seniors; and enforcement alone cannot replace road design.
- Additional topics: Yves Parent requested clarification on sign regulations (zoning 3.7.7a) regarding public interest signs. Marla Stevenson and others (25 Rudav, 19 Route Aff) sought resolution of ownership and maintenance responsibilities for an unimproved driveway/path used for access and emergency vehicles.
- One speaker (Claire Cashwell) noted a volunteer appreciation event at Windsor High School on April 28, potentially affecting parking for the special town meeting.
Discussion Items
Broad Street Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Project: Councilors debated the motion to appropriate $2,910,000 and recommend a special town meeting. Key points:
- Town Manager Sousa explained that the town charter requires a special town meeting (not a referendum) because the appropriation amount is below the threshold (percentage of tax levy). The town attorney had previously opined that an advisory referendum is not permitted under state law.
- Councilor Pelkey (opposed) cited the previous referendum (42% yes, 58% no; six of seven districts voted no) and argued that the project does not address root causes (speeding) and may create unintended consequences (bike lane obstruction for events, loss of parking, center turn lane dangers). He questioned the validity of a second vote.
- Councilor King (support) argued that the new plan is different (no roundabouts, fully grant-funded) and the democratic process allows bringing an alternative to the voters. She noted the current danger for cyclists.
- Councilor Elliot (opposed) argued that the previous vote should be respected, and suggested cheaper interim measures (repainting lines, intersection tables). He raised concerns about parking loss and event logistics.
- Councilor Armstrong (support) emphasized that the project has been discussed for decades and that safety improvements should be pursued with available grant funds, noting that the previous no vote may have been due to the local funding requirement.
- Councilor Blackwell (opposed) stated the community voted no and that another vote is disrespectful; she noted the special town meeting on a Monday evening may limit turnout.
- Mayor Burke (support) highlighted that the project is different from the previous referendum (no bonding required from residents) and that none of the councilors can definitively interpret the meaning of the no vote. She supported moving forward with safety measures.
Dueling procedural motion: Councilor Pelkey objected to consideration of the main motion; the objection failed (2-5-2).
Other Reports:
- Board of Education report: highlighted the second annual transition fair, appointment of Dr. Noha Abdel Haiti as superintendent (9-0 vote), and sports championships.
- Public Building Commission report: restroom renovations, veterans pool renovations, HVAC assessments, train station boiler study, town hall roof replacement, Windsor High School HVAC/roof replacements, and design concept meetings.
- Conservation Commission report: Lights Out forum, e-cycle events (now semi-annual), subsidized compost bin/rain barrel distribution, Earth Day hike, pollinator gardens.
- Town Manager's report: Veterans and Military Appreciation Day (April 11), Earth Day cleanup (April 18), senior tax relief deadline (May 15), Chamber of Commerce annual meeting (April 30), Eversource tree trimming (Pearson Lane), street repaving (access road near post office, April 22 and 24), and informational meeting on veterans pool design concepts (April 16).
Train Station HVAC Replacement:
- Town Manager and Facilities Manager presented: the HVAC system is 40+ years old; an engineering study recommended a new condensing boiler and three AC systems (or heat pumps as alternate). Design services by GM2 of Glastonbury (five weeks), construction funding request expected summer 2026. Cost: $35,000 from capital project fund assigned fund balance.
Fair Housing Resolution:
- Patrick McBann explained the annual resolution needed to receive federal/state CDBG grants, affirming the town's commitment to fair housing.
Key Outcomes
- Appropriation for Broad Street Project: Motion to approve $2,910,000 from state Urban Act grant and federal USDOT Infrastructure Program grant, and to recommend approval at a special town meeting, passed 5-4-0.
- Special Town Meeting Date: Motion to set a special town meeting for 7:00 PM on April 28, 2026 at Windsor High School (50 Sage Park Road) to vote on the appropriation passed 5-4-0.
- Train Station HVAC Design Services: Appropriation of $35,000 from Capital Projects Fund assigned fund balance approved 9-0.
- Fair Housing Resolution: Approved 9-0.
- Adjournment: Motion passed unanimously; meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. The time is now seven fifteen PM. Welcome to the public hearing of April sixth, two thousand twenty-six. And before I open the meeting, I would like to read the public notice. Notice is hereby given that the town council of the town of Windsor will hold a virtual and in-person public hearing in the council chamber at the Windsor Town Hall, two seventy-five Broad Street on Monday, April sixth, twenty twenty-six at seven fifteen PM prevailing time to hear public comment on the following items. Windsor Town Council by Peter Sousa, town manager. With the notice being read, the public hearing is now open. 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 on speakerphone. At this time, Madam Mayor, we have no virtual attendees with their hand raised for the public hearing. Thank you, Mr. Cobe. So we'll move to the council chamber. Again, we are hearing public comment on the fiscal year 26-27 budget as proposed by the town manager. If you would like to comment, we do ask that you step forward to the table, uh state your name and address, and we will hear your comments. Good evening. Good evening. Go UConn. I just want to make a comment. Um for the town of Windsor that are going to the project that we viewed here today. So if maybe when you do get back in session, you can discuss it, but it's my understanding that there is no funds that the taxpayers of Windsor will be paying for any pedestrian safety initiatives on Broad Street. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Kobe. We do have one virtual attendee with their hand raised. I'm speaking uh tonight uh opposed to the uh pedestrian uh uh safety pact. I I think that the expenditure of taxpayer money, whether it's the town of uh Windsor State or Federal, uh, I think it's unnecessary. Uh the same the the same effect could be uh entertained by law enforcement uh imposing uh uh the speed limit uh on uh uh broad street. Uh I I believe that it's uh unnecessary uh uh construction and uh I speak uh opposed to uh that proposal. Thank you. Thank you. And again, we'll come back to the town hall chamber. Again, we are hearing comment on fiscal year 26-27, the town budget as proposed by our town manager. And please note that um all other comments will be entertained during our regular town council meeting that will begin promptly at 7.30. Good evening. Uh my name is Yves Barrent. I live on 25 Bradford in Windsor. Um, I just want to make a comment. I just quickly look at the uh at this document here. And um I'm a little bit surprised. Uh the total increase for this year in the budgets is 4.82 percent, and you're giving us a mill rate increase of 6.7 percent. Um I'm uh first uh I'm new to Staff Windsor, and I was a little bit surprised of how high the property taxes are here. And second, uh, you know, I wonder if it would be possible to balance the budget in a way that we don't have an increase in property taxes. Um so that's my comment. Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, I don't see anyone else moving towards the uh desk, so we will close the public hearing, and please note that we will reconvene at 7 30 p.m. sharp for our regular town council meeting.
openpublica.com