Windsor Town Council Public Hearing and Regular Meeting - June 1, 2026
Windsor Town Council Public Hearing and Regular Meeting - June 1, 2026
The Windsor Town Council held a public hearing and regular meeting on June 1, 2026, beginning at 7:20 PM (later restarted at 7:25 PM after achieving a quorum). The public hearing addressed the Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit program. The regular meeting included reports from the Board of Education and Board of Assessment Appeals, the Town Manager's report, approval of resolutions and job descriptions, and concluded with an executive session for collective bargaining.
Public Hearing & Public Comments
- Public Hearing: The hearing on the Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit program was opened and closed with no public comment from virtual or in-person attendees.
- Public Comments: Two residents addressed the council during the regular meeting's public communications segment.
- George Slate (74 Ethan Drive) expressed opposition to advisory referendum questions, stating that the council should lead rather than seek advisory votes. He noted that the budget is a line item and questioned whether the council would follow advisory results.
- Yves Barra (25 Bradford) observed a full-size school bus with only five or six students and noted it was later replaced by a minibus, suggesting potential efficiency savings. He also proposed exploring solar panel installation on school roofs to address budget issues.
Discussion Items
- Board of Education Report: Secretary Zoder presented statistics on district improvements. Chronic absenteeism decreased by 3.7% district-wide compared to the previous year, with Sage Park most improved (5.5% drop) and Windsor High School down 4%. Paquanic nearly halved its rate from 10.8% to 5.6%. AP exam participation included 217 students taking 20 unique exams. iReady scores showed positive trends: second grade ELA proficiency jumped from 38% to 82%, and third grade math students performing two or more grade levels below dropped from 30% to 11%. New initiatives include a K-5 second language program (supported by brain science research) and a district-wide learning initiative inspired by high-performing systems. Secretary Zoder also noted the appointment of Leanna Jorgensen as chief of academics and Mr. Fisher as acting Sage Park principal, and Leonard Lockhart's nomination to the governor's blue ribbon commission on education funding. In response to Councilor Durant's questions, she clarified that the budget adds paraprofessionals and a nurse, not administrators, and that the language program is based on science, not a social experiment.
- Board of Assessment Appeals Report: Milo Peck described the board's role in property valuation, noting confusion among residents between valuation and taxation. He reported 70 appeals this year (lower than typical revaluation years), challenges with motor vehicle valuation changes, veterans' exemptions, solar property valuations, and commercial property assessments (especially hotels). He suggested more public education to help residents understand the process.
- Town Manager's Report: Peter Sousa announced community events: Sheila Smith fishing tournament (June 5), pollinator planter challenge (June 14–28), law enforcement torch run (June 4), Windsor house tour (June 13), Connecticut Trails Day at Northwest Park (June 6), and a United Way transportation assistance program for youth ages 16–19. He also noted disruption at LP Wilson Community Center due to HVAC work, a sinkhole on Pearson Lane requiring video inspection of a culvert, and condolences for longtime volunteer Dom Albano. Councilor Pelkie reminded about dog licensing.
- Unfinished Business: The council approved a resolution for the 2026 Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit program (vote 6-0). Community Development Specialist Flavio Reid De Castro presented four applications: Windsor Housing Authority (building upgrades), AME Zion Church (roof and heating unit replacement), and Ascend Mentoring (mentoring programs). The program provides corporate tax credits for contributions to municipal and tax-exempt organizations.
- New Business: The council approved separating the account clerk II classification into accounts receivable specialist and accounts payable specialist, both at pay grade 3 (vote 6-0). Sophia Castellanos explained the change accurately reflects existing duties, aligns with a compensation study, and supports internal controls.
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes from May 18, 2026, were approved unanimously (6-0).
- Executive Session: The council voted 6-0 to enter executive session for collective bargaining negotiations.
Key Outcomes
- All votes were passed unanimously (6-0) on the Neighborhood Assistance Act resolution, job description updates, and minutes approval.
- The public hearing concluded with no comments.
- Council members encouraged residents to vote in the upcoming referendum and noted the importance of public participation.
Meeting Transcript
Do we only have four? I don't think we need more than hearing. I know I don't know if I may, I just don't know. Good evening. The time is now seven twenty. Welcome to the public hearing of June first, twenty twenty-six. And before I open it, 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, June first, twenty twenty-six at seven twenty PM prevailing time to hear public comment on the following items. Applications submitted for the Neighborhood Assistant Assistance Act, Act Cr Text Credit Program administered by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. Dated at Windsor, Connecticut, this twenty second day of May 2026. A copy of the full text is on file at the office of the town clerk and is available for public inspection. Information on how to attend the Zoom meeting meeting via phone or computer will be included in the town council agenda. Please go to WWW Town of Windsor, Connecticut.com, click on the virtual meeting info button found on the front page and select town council meeting for June first, twenty twenty-six Windsor Town Council by Peter Susa Town Manager. With notice being read, the public hearing is now open. I will turn this over to our moderator, Scott Colby, assist Colby, Assistant Town Manager, who will provide the instructions. Thank you. If there is anyone from the public who would like to address the council for this public hearing, you may do so by raising your hand on your computer by selecting the participants icon in the zoom menu bar and then clicking raise hand or by dialing star nine on your phone. Please state your name and address when you were called on. You'd be prompted that you were 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 speaker phone. At this time, we have no virtual attendees with their hand raised for the public hearing. All right. This is for a public comment on application submitted. Oh, we do need a quorum. Okay. So I was just checking. So we have to wait until we have a quorum. One shot. We're one shy. I couldn't read who was on the I couldn't either know I thought there. I think it's the bottom one. I'm not sure it was the town one. All right, let me call in a favor. Hopefully, we can get Anthony to join. I guess I can traffic. Okay. I apologize and second traffic. Practice my reading. All right. We'll try again. Good evening. The time is now seven twenty-five. Welcome to the public hearing of June first, twenty twenty six. And before I open, 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, June first, twenty twenty six at seven twenty-five prevailing time to hear public comment on the following item. Applications submitted for the Neighborhood Assistance Act tax credit program administered by the Department Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. Dated at Windsor, Connecticut, this twenty-second day of May twenty twenty six. A copy of the full text is on file at the office of the town clerk and is available for public inspection. Information on how to attend the Zoom meeting via phone or computer will be included in the town council agenda.
openpublica.com