Windsor Town Council Meeting: Budget Deliberations and Adoption on June 15, 2026

The Windsor Town Council met on June 15, 2026, to conduct regular business and, most importantly, to deliberate and adopt a revised Fiscal Year 2027 budget following two failed referendums. The meeting included public comments, reports from the Public Building Commission and the Town Manager, and a series of motions to adjust service unit budgets, set a new referendum date, and finalize the town's spending plan. After extensive discussion, the council approved a budget with a 1.51% mill rate increase, a 3% expenditure increase year-over-year, and set a new referendum for June 30, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Linda Alexander (155 Fieldstone Drive) expressed opposition to the budget, stating that after two failed attempts, the council needs to present a budget voters can support, not minimal changes. She argued residents cannot afford further increases.
• Josh Cohen (54F Maple Avenue) asked about the contingency if the budget does not pass (continuing resolution) and expressed support for the council's work.
• Patrice Wood (207 Miller Way) urged the council not to cut the school budget, citing the excellent education her children received and warning that cuts would disadvantage students and drive families away.
• Becky Jacobson (50 Lighthouse Hill Road, parent and Board of Ed member) urged a strategic budget, stating she cannot afford less school for her children. She argued that cuts would impact sports and pass costs to parents, and that strong schools attract families and maintain property values.
• Susan Miller (130 Pallcedo) read a statement from Julie Henry opposing cuts to libraries and senior services, and personally advocated for keeping education intact.
• A second-grade student from Windsor Schools spoke positively about teachers and noted class sizes increased from 16-17 to 22 students, emphasizing the importance of teachers.
• Karen Hatcher (Seven Pheasant Run) argued that the town has professionals to guide the budget and that slashing it would have long-term negative effects on employees and children. She urged the council to hold the line and support the budget.
• Kimberly Monroe (45 Mary Catherine Circle) encouraged the board to inform residents and pass the budget for the sake of students and teachers.
• James Shabbat Weingart (20 Tiffany Drive) acknowledged seniors on fixed income but argued that investing in schools is worth the difficulty, and urged using general funds and lobbying for state/federal aid.
• Sarah Gary (Windsor Station apartments) warned that cutting services would make it harder to attract new residents and businesses, and that strong schools benefit property values and reduce crime. She expressed trust in Town Manager Peter Sousa's financial conservatism.
• Teresa Beatrice (14 Parkwood Drive) noted that not all who oppose the increase are against education; she suggested looking at specific electives with low enrollment and holding off on new programs. She urged a budget the public can say yes to.
• David Fury (37 Lighthouse Hill Road) urged minimal cuts and consideration of additional opening cash, noting the Board of Education's bipartisan 8-1 vote on the initial budget.
• Tracy Zodder (28 Spring Street) built on previous comments, stating that schools face greater challenges today (social media, mental health crisis) and that the budget is already skeletal after reductions from 6% to under 5% increase. She stressed the importance of paraeducators and support staff.
• John Stavola (33 Ludlow Road) presented facts: education budget increased 23.3% from 2021 to 2027 ($82.9M to $102.2M), enrollment down nearly 100 students, cost per student up to $32,000 (disputed later), certified staff up 77 while enrollment declined. He questioned the ROI on Economic Commission spending and warned of future budget growth.
• Bridget Carbonetti (24 Hellcrest Road) shared her perspective as a former teacher and parent, noting that underfunded schools elsewhere lacked resources, and argued for intergenerational community benefits of strong schools.
• Diana Ulahan (arrived 5-6 years ago) stressed that education is a priority for future generations and expressed concern about the U.S. falling behind globally.
• Eve Parr (25 Bradford Drive) suggested opportunities for savings and advocated for a zero mill rate increase, offering to share recommendations.
• Teresa Beatrice (second time) reminded the council that two referendums had over 2,000 'no' votes each, indicating majority opposition to the increase, not to education itself.
• Milo Peck (23 Orchard Road, former school board president and town councilor) noted Windsor's mill rate is lowest among surrounding towns, property values up 40%, and that the Board of Ed budget is constrained by contracts and state law. He stated the budget is properly constructed.

Reports

Public Building Commission (Milo Peck, Chair)

• LP Wilson restroom renovations completed; DPH approvals for abatement obtained.
• LP Wilson HVAC Phase II closed; Phase III abatement and demolition ongoing through mid-December, with summer work to minimize disruption.
• Veterans Pool renovations: conceptual design approved, to be presented to Town Improvements Committee.
• HVAC prop programs at library and elementary schools: engineering firm selected, field assessments underway.
• Train station boiler replacement: engineering study complete, construction proposals under review.
• Town hall roof replacement on track for completion by end of August.
• Windsor High School HVAC replacement: recommended option voted on, to be presented to Town Improvements Committee.
• Chaffee House exterior repairs completed; handicap ramp finishing.
• Clover Street School roof replacement: Phase I closed; Phase II submission pending; construction expected summer 2027.

Town Manager (Peter Sousa)

• Awarded approximately $42,000 grant for cybersecurity improvements.
• Residential street paving underway in Pequonic area (first phase); second and third phases this summer/fall.
• Pigeon Hill Road reconstruction (stormwater and pavement) starts week of July 6 through early August.
• Marshall Phelps Road reconstruction (funded 100% by state grant) starts in August through fall.
• Juneteenth event June 19 on Historic Palisado Green.
• Gosley and Welch pools open for the season June 16; swim lessons sold out; passes available online.

Discussion Items

Fiscal Year 2026 Year-End Transfers and Purchase Orders

• Motion 12A: Authorized finance director to make year-end transfers up to $5,000 per service unit and transfer $97,270 from safety services to general government to cover projected deficits. Passed 9-0.
• Motion 12B: Extended FY26 general fund year-end purchase orders until October 19, 2026 (five carryovers for equipment, traffic counts, police firearms). Passed 8-1.
• Motion 12C: Authorized the town manager to sign the America 250 Connecticut municipal stipend application ($750 grant) and expend funds for 250th celebration events (exhibit, Juneteenth, document exhibit, Let Freedom Ring). Passed 9-0.

Budget Deliberations (Item 12D)

• The council discussed the failed referendums (May 12 and June 2) and the need to revise the FY2027 budget.
• Counselor Durant emphasized wants vs. needs, supporting town services but questioning Board of Ed requests.
• Counselor King advocated for a strategic approach, noting that cutting budgets doesn't lead to good schools, and stressed respecting expert opinions while being accountable.
• Counselor Pelkey cited affordability concerns, noting his property taxes rose 24.6% from 2022-2024 while salary did not keep pace. He argued for minimal increases, using opening cash for one-time expenses, and listening to voters.
• Counselor Armstrong opposed further cuts to essential programs (education, senior services, recreation, libraries) and urged using opening cash minimally.
• Counselor Eliveld warned against using too much opening cash, as it creates a larger tax increase the following year. He noted that if no budget passes, the town reverts to last year's budget, causing severe cuts. He advocated for large reductions on both town and school sides.
• Counselor Naeem provided detailed options: to reach a 1.5-1.7% tax increase, the council would need additional reductions of $1.6M (for 2% increase) to $4.3M (for 0%). She proposed specific cuts: $500K from CIP, $100K from OPEB, $30K from budget software (use reserves), $15K from police radio contract (use private duty funds), $30K from senior lunch program (level fund), and increasing building permit fees 5-10%. She opposed cutting Dial-a-Ride, pool programs, mosquito control, library hours.
• Counselor Glack Hoffman supported many of Naeem's suggestions but opposed cutting OPEB and senior lunch; she suggested $1M reduction from Board of Ed instead. She emphasized using hierarchy of needs: infrastructure/safety first, then education/opportunity, then economic stability, then quality of life.
• Deputy Mayor supported using some opening cash but not zeroing out the budget; she opposed cuts to OPEB and senior lunch, and suggested increasing pool fees. She also advocated filling vacant positions in police and DPW.
• Mayor (educator) highlighted that the Board of Ed's increase from 6% to under 5% already required sacrifices; further cuts could lead to teacher layoffs late in the year. She questioned using opening cash but acknowledged it's raining (hard times). She noted the cost per pupil is $24,003, not $32,000, after including outplaced and magnet students.
• Superintendent Dr. Haidi clarified enrollment: 3,201 students in Windsor Public Schools plus 666 additional students (outplaced, private, magnet, technical schools) under the district's responsibility. She stated the $32,000 figure is incorrect because it divides the total budget only by Windsor Public Schools students.

Key Outcomes

• Board of Education Budget: After several amendments, a motion to reduce the May 18 adopted budget by $1 million to $92,364,280 passed 5-4. This represents a 1.93% increase from the current fiscal year.
• Safety Services: Reduced by $15,000 (police radio contract funded via private duty accounts). Passed 9-0.
• Light Pole Replacement: Eliminated $10,000 (miscellaneous materials). Passed 8-1.
• Administrative Services: Reduced by $35,000 (budget software implementation cost funded via reserves). Passed 9-0.
• General Services: Reduced by $693,160, including cuts to Windsor Center TIFF ($9,600), Great Pond Improvement District ($37,560), CIP ($500,000), OPEB ($100,000), and Open Space ($46,000). Passed 5-4.
• General Government: Reduced by $4,000 (town council budget). Passed 9-0.
• All Other Service Units: Accepted as adopted May 18. Passed 5-4.
• Total General Fund Expenditures: Reduced to $156,572,340 (reduction of $1,765,160). Passed 5-4.
• Revenues: Reduced to match expenditures ($156,572,340). Passed 5-4.
• Opening Cash: Increased by $500,000. Passed 5-4.
• Current Levy: Reduced by $2,265,160. Passed 5-4.
• Tax Relief Programs: Approved as previously adopted. Passed 9-0.
• Referendum Date: Set for June 30, 2026. Passed 9-0.
• The resulting mill rate is projected at 28.88, a 1.51% increase, with a 3% expenditure increase year-over-year.
• The council agreed to refer the "Goldilocks questions" (surveying voters on expenditure levels) to the Finance Committee for future consideration.
• Meeting extended to 11:30 PM and adjourned.