As a follow-up to an inquiry made at the last council meeting by Councilor Mulligan, I would like to provide an update on the energy charges for traffic signals. A few months ago we took advantage of a program that allowed towns to buy surplus red Light Emitting Diodes (traffic signal lamps) from the CT State Department of Transportation at a fraction of the cost for brand new ones.

Of the 16 intersections where Windsor owns the signals, currently one has all LED's (reds, yellows, greens) and one has just red LED's and regular incandescent bulbs for the yellows and greens. All of the remaining signals have all incandescent bulbs.

Under the cooperative program with CT DOT we will receive 130 red LED's at an approximate savings of $19,000. That quantity is enough to retrofit all of the town's red signal lenses. We anticipate the LED’s will be delivered in mid-summer, and we will work with CL&P to determine a reduced energy rate for the signals and then have the LED's installed. We expect the installation of the red LEDs will occur this fall.

For FY 2003 traffic signal energy costs were $15,671. That includes the costs for the 16 town-owned lights and the 30 DOT-owned traffic signals on town streets, which intersect with State roads. We pay the electricity costs for all 46 traffic signals. At the present time the cost is not broken out by location.

We will not know the actual savings from the installation of the red LED's until we are finished with discussions with CL&P on what the un-metered cost will be for the LED traffic signals. Further, there will be no cost savings in FY '05 from this action, as we will be paying a vendor to replace the incandescent fixture with the LED fixture on the 14 remaining red traffic signals in FY '05. The energy savings to the town will begin to occur in FY '06.

A neighborhood enhancement day recently held in the Oakland Hills neighborhood was a great success as a result of the efforts of the Police and Fire Explorers, members of the Police and Fire Departments, Public Works Department and Community Development and Windsor resident Mike Hotham. Shemin Nursery donated $500 worth of plants and mulch.

In addition to property clean-ups, volunteers assisted a homeowner with a new plant bed. The residents were thrilled with the outcome and efforts.

The Just For Fun Dog Show will be held this Wednesday evening on the town green. This annual event is sponsored by the Town Clerk’s Office to promote the month of June as dog licensing month and all participants must have a new dog license. Registration (and the opportunity to purchase a new dog license if you need one) begins at 5:30 PM. The parade is at 6:00 PM and the judging begins at 6:15PM. Members of 4H will be selling hot dogs. For more information, call 285-1902.

The town was recently notified that the CT Department of Transportation has approved our request for $5,100 to fund the incremental cost of one hybrid gas/electric Toyota Prius. This type of automobile has significantly higher gas mileage because of the hybrid engine. The State is also approving our request to fund up to $10,000 for the cost of a diesel particulate filter for a municipal truck that operates on ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. The use of these filters, along with the ultra-low sulfur fuel, reduces vehicle emissions such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter by up to 90%. The purchase of the hybrid car and the truck with the particulate matter filter will occur in this coming fiscal year.

The sealing and painting of the globe monument located at Windsor Avenue and Deerfield Road has become an annual maintenance item due to its continued deterioration. In late May/early June, the globe received a new coat of paint and was completely sealed.

Methods of replacing the monument were discussed this past winter because of its continuing deterioration. Staff in the coming months will continue to review options to repair and/or replace the monument. This review will include discussions with various civic and fraternal organizations regarding potential participation and funding.