The Connecticut Department of Transportation is proposing to install overheight detection warning devices at the intersections of Rt. 75 at Rt. 159, and Rt. 159 at Pierson Lane to warn overheight trucks before they approach the railroad bridge over Palisado Avenue. These installations are proposed for this winter/spring. This project is a result of efforts by the Police and Public Works to reduce or eliminate the number of incidents at that location. The Town is presently reviewing the plans for this work.

Due to the current shortage in the supply of Flu Vaccine nationally, the October 20^th Senior Flu Clinic and Health Fair scheduled to be held at the L.P. Wilson Senior Center and the October 25^th Flu Clinic scheduled for the Windsor Town Hall have been postponed. If and when the Windsor Health Department receives flu vaccine, the Department will reschedule the Flu Clinics and the Health Fair.

In the meantime, Windsor seniors and other Windsor residents wishing to receive flu vaccine are asked to check with their family physician or the Connecticut Chapter of the American Lung Association Flu Hotline at 1-888-668-6358. This Flu Hotline will provide information on vaccination clinics being held in the region and state that the Lung Association is aware of. Windsor Seniors are also encouraged to check Windsor’s Senior Information Line at 285-1989 for updates regarding the latest information on Windsor’s Flu Clinic plans.

The Metropolitan District will be holding a community forum regarding Controlling Sewer Overflows on Tuesday, October 26, 2004 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford CT. This forum is being called in order to learn more about this situation and what options are available to help correct it. Currently, one pipe is used for both storm water and sewage drainage for Hartford County. During heavy rains, the system cannot adequately handle the drainage of both storm water and sewage overflow. Overflow then runs into the rivers and streams causing pollution issues. This forum will give the citizens the perfect opportunity to raise any questions, give suggestions and offer opinions. For further information, please call 241-8990.

At a previous meeting Councilor Dean had requested an update on the cost reduction efforts implemented as part of the ValueNet recommendations last spring. An estimated $113,500 in savings were identified for general government operations.

In the area of telecommunications projected savings were $32,100. We are anticipating meeting that target as the Town has signed new contracts for our regular voice and data lines (est. savings of $25,000 per year), and for a portion of our cell phones (est. savings of $7,000 per year). More phones will be switched as old contracts end.

In the area of waste management and recycling projected savings was $47,000. Recycling costs are estimated to be $39,000 less with the new recycling contract that was signed last spring. The balance of the projected savings will not likely be reached as bids for other solid waste collection and disposal services were higher than expected.

A savings of $15,000 in energy costs were projected. We are not anticipating reaching that target. Staff is continuing to explore rebate programs with the utilities in an attempt to retrofit existing lighting fixtures.

In the area of office supplies both the Town and the Board have consolidated suppliers. The FY 2005 budget included a reduction of $9,500 to reflect estimated savings in this area.

The FY 2005 budget also included a reduction of $9,750 associated with photocopier leases. Lease proposals are currently being evaluated. The Town has existing copiers with a wide range of contract end dates; therefore buyout costs must be including in the analysis and will likely impact the ability to reach the target.

Ford Parker began work on October 11^th as the new Manager of Northwest Park. Ford comes to Windsor with over 25 years of experience in Environmental Education. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation and a Masters degree in Environmental Education. Ford recently worked as the Director of Program Services and Education for a YMCA Camp and Conference Center near Pittsburgh. Prior to that, he spent eleven years as the Director of Environmental Education at the Oglebay Institute in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Since the last Town Council meeting, the Town has added approximately 400 feet of horizontal collection piping within a section of the landfill where odors have been existing. This was done to collect the landfill gas and resulting odors escaping from that area. We have covered the piping with material to better insulate the piping from changes in temperature. Our consultants – SCS Engineers have performed an analysis of the surface of the bulky waste cell and the wedge to identify locations where odorous gas could be detected. This has confirmed the source of the odor were the bulky waste has been placed. This analysis did not detect odorous gases from the locations where the present landfill gas collection system is operating. SCS continues to monitor and balance the landfill gas collection system to ensure efficient operation. We have authorized SCS to develop a gas collection master plan for the landfill site in order to collect gas from other sections of the landfill. In the shorter term, SCS is designing a plan to install additional collection piping along and near the southern edge of the landfill. We anticipate this design within the week.

I am respectfully requesting the Council to add an item to tonight’s agenda to approve the waiving of bids for the construction of this expansion to the landfill gas collection system, and authorization to contract with SCS to complete the desired work.