Windsor Town Council Meeting – May 18, 2026

On May 18, 2026, the Windsor Town Council held a Special Town Meeting at 7:00 PM followed by the Regular Council Meeting at 7:30 PM. The Special Town Meeting addressed two funding items: the acquisition of five parcels and a state grant for road rehabilitation. The Regular Council Meeting focused on proclamations, public comments, and extensive budget deliberations following the defeat of the proposed FY 2027 budget at the May 12, 2026 referendum. The Council ultimately adopted a revised budget and set a second referendum for June 2, 2026.

Special Town Meeting (7:00 PM)

• Motion 1 (Land Acquisition): A motion to approve a $335,000 appropriation for the acquisition of parcels on Wilson Avenue, Garden Street, and Great Meadow Road (funded equally by the Open Space Fund and General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance) failed. The voice vote was tied 8-8, and the moderator declared the motion not carried. The town will not purchase these parcels.
• Motion 2 (Marshall Phelps Road Grant): A motion to approve the acceptance and expenditure of $1,922,412 in state grant funds for the Marshall Phelps Road Rehabilitation Project passed. The project is 100% state-funded through the LOTCIP program, covering milling, repaving, drainage, bike lanes, and sidewalk upgrades. Construction is expected mid-summer to mid-fall 2026.

Proclamations & Awards

• National Public Works Week: Proclaimed May 17–23, 2026. John Marks from Public Works accepted, highlighting the annual open house on May 21 at 99 Day Hill Road.
• Historic Preservation Month: Proclaimed May 2026. Carrie Taylor (Windsor Historical Society) and Janet Ellsworth (Oliver Ellsworth Homestead) accepted, noting upcoming CT250 events.
• National Police Week: Proclaimed May 10–16, 2026. Presented to the Windsor Police Department (representatives not present).
• Moment of Silence: Observed for former Councilor LeRoy Smith, who recently passed away.

Public Comments & Testimony (First Session)

• Alyssa Gendro (11 Garden Street): Expressed strong support for the town purchasing the Garden Street parcel, preferring it remain as open space for wildlife and neighborhood children, opposed to paving for parking.
• Yves Barrow (25 Bradford Drive): Urged the Council to aim for a zero percent increase in the mill rate, citing rising costs; suggested the Board of Education reduce staff due to declining enrollment.
• Dr. Linda Alexander (155 Fieldstone Drive): Noted the budget and road diet were voted down on May 12; urged no new staff additions and called for efficiency; warned that repeated referendums cost $20,000 each.
• Pat Healy (20 Clap Road North): Expressed disappointment in the budget defeat; urged minimal cuts to maintain services and education.
• Multiple speakers: Supported the original budget, praised the superintendent's trade-offs (cutting administrative positions to fund direct student services), and urged the Council to use a scalpel, not a hatchet. Some speakers opposed cuts, emphasizing the town's low mill rate (proposed 29.75) compared to neighboring towns. Others called for reducing spending, especially on the Board of Education, citing rising taxes and fixed incomes.
• Milo Peck (23 Orchard Road): Noted that contractual obligations and utility costs are fixed; defended the Board of Education's budget.
• John Stavola (33 Ludlow Road): Claimed to have read the entire 387-page budget, proposed $1.5 million in cuts (e.g., baseball lights, basketball court refinishing), and said the town risks becoming unaffordable.
• Joel Herman (107 Rudav): Opposed the Broad Street project, said it failed twice; criticized the school budget as wasteful.
• Several speakers: Supported the budget as is, citing the town's quality of life, services, and need to maintain investment.

Discussion Items

• Public Works Week Proclamation: Accepted by John Marks.
• Historic Preservation Month Proclamation: Accepted by Carrie Taylor and Janet Ellsworth.
• Police Week Proclamation: To be presented to the department.
• Town Manager's Report: Peter Souza announced upcoming events (Memorial Day, Shad Derby, Public Works Open House, etc.) and noted that the state budget approved by the General Assembly provides approximately $645,000 in additional state aid for FY 2027 ($485,000 in school aid, $7,000 PILOT, $154,000 one-time non-school aid). This could lower the projected mill rate.
• Public Building Commission Report: Presented by Milo Peck; updates on LP Wilson renovations, HVAC projects, veterans pool designs, train station boiler replacement, and others.
• Budget Deliberations (Item 12C):
  • Councilor Naeem moved to reduce the Board of Education budget by $350,000 (to $93,364,280). A subsidiary motion to reduce by $1 million failed 4-5. The original motion passed 6-3.
  • Councilor Naeem moved to reduce General Services by $364,200. An amendment to increase the reduction to $655,500 (with breakdown: $485,590 capital, $100,000 OPEB, $35,000 open space, $7,110 Windsor Center TIF, $27,800 Great Pond Improvement District) passed 9-0. The amended motion passed 7-2.
  • Safety Services: A motion to reduce by $60,000 (funding a police cruiser via private duty) passed 9-0. An amendment to add $300,000 for two additional police officers failed; Council cited vacancies and preferred to fill existing positions first.
  • All other service unit budgets were accepted as adopted on April 29, 2026, passed 9-0.
  • Total General Fund expenditures reduced by $1,065,500 to $158,337,500 (passed 8-1).
  • Non-tax revenues increased by $645,000 to reflect additional state aid (passed 9-0).
  • Revenues reduced by $1,065,500 to $158,337,500 (passed 9-0).
  • Current Levy reduced by $1,710,500 to $133,194,060 (passed 9-0).
  • Tax relief programs (senior, veteran, volunteer firefighter) adopted as previously approved.
• Referendum Date: Councilor Pelkey moved to hold the annual budget vote on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM at all seven polling places. An amendment to add two non-binding advisory questions (is the town budget and Board of Education budget the right amount, too low, or too high?) failed 4-5. The main motion passed 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Special Town Meeting: Land acquisition appropriation FAILED (8-8 tie). Marshall Phelps Road grant APPROVED.
• Revised FY 2027 Budget: Total General Fund expenditures reduced by $1,065,500 to $158,337,500. The revised budget includes:
  • Board of Education: $93,364,280 (a reduction of $350,000 from the original proposed $93,714,280).
  • General Services: Reduced by $655,500 (including $485,590 from capital, $100,000 from OPEB, $35,000 from open space, and adjustments to TIF/Great Pond).
  • Safety Services: Reduced by $60,000 (cruiser to private duty).
  • Non-tax revenues increased by $645,000 (state aid).
  • Tax levy reduced by $1,710,500.
  • Proposed mill rate: approximately 29.75 (subject to final calculation).
• Second Budget Referendum: Set for Tuesday, June 2, 2026, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM at all seven polling places. Absentee ballots available.
• Advisory Questions: Failed to be added to the ballot.
• Reappointments: Approved 9-0 for multiple boards and commissions (Housing Code Board of Appeals, Youth Commission, Wilson/Deerfield Advisory Committee, Commission on Aging, Library Advisory Board).
• Minutes: Approved from April 29, 2026 Special Town Council Meeting and May 4, 2026 Regular Town Council Meeting.