Budget Referendum

All seven Windsor polling places will be open tomorrow, Tuesday. May 16^th from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm for the annual budget referendum.  Complete information on the proposed budget as well as polling locations is available on the town’s website.  Further information can be obtained by calling the registrar’s office at 285-1955 or 285-1957.  Results of the referendum will be broadcast live in the Windsor Government Channel, WGTV Channel 21 beginning at 8:00 pm.

Local Teens Win Award

Alica and Ashley Kraushaar of the Windsor Youth Services Bureau have both won awards for their entries in the “I Dream A World” art contest sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee.  The contest invited youth to express their thoughts on justice, non-violence, and capital punishment. The young women were presented with a First Place award in Photography and Honorable Mention in 2-Dimensional design at an awards ceremony at the State Capital on Wednesday, May 3. The ceremony was attended by other youth from the Youth Services Bureau who had participated in discussions on this topic facilitated by Alicia Kraushaar during the YSB’s after-school program as part of her project.   Congratulations to both of these young women on their accomplishment.

Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing

The Town of Windsor, acting through the Wilson Deerfield Advisory Committee, will be hosting a public hearing on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 7:00 pm in the Activity Room of the Windsor Community Center located at 330 Windsor Avenue.  The purpose of this public hearing is to seek comment from residents and local business owners on:

      1)      the town’s existing community development initiatives

2)      the needs of the community in general, and the needs of low/moderate income households in particular

3)      suggestions for projects or activities for which the town should seek Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

Public comment is also being sought on the reallocation of $55,000 in program income derived from previously funded CDBG activities for improvements to the Wilson Branch Library.  

In addition to commenting at the hearing interested parties are invited to submit written for consideration.  To submit comments, or if you would like additional information contact Jim Hallisey at the Office of Community Development at 285-1985.

Elm Street Reconstruction

Staff is working with the contractor to complete the bulk of the work in the next two to three weeks.  Curbing and sidewalk work is complete as well as repair work to disturbed yard areas.  Hand grading and reseeding of the snow shelf will be complete this week.  The final pavement is expected to be installed in the second half of the month.  Driveway aprons will also be completed at that time.  We thank all the residents and property owners for their cooperation and patience over the course of the project.  Any questions on this project can be directed to our Town Engineer, Tom Lenehan at 285-1804.

State Budget and Local Aid

The amended State budget includes the following changes to State Aid for FY 2007:

The $346,718 is less than one-half of one percent of the projected General Fund revenue for FY 2007.  The category of Property Tax Relief is planned to be a one time grant to municipalities and is not projected to be an ongoing portion of State Aid.   If desired the Council could utilize all or some of the additional state aid to adjust the mill rate lower when it sets the rate later this month.  By way of illustration the tax rate increase would be 4.94% if the $346,718 was used to lower the mill rate.  Another alternative is not to adjust the mill rate and allow the additional revenue to make up any shortfalls in the estimated revenue projections and/or be carried over into the General Fund balance at the end of FY 2007.  This alternative is the most conservative, considering these new revenues comprise just .39% of all FY 2007 revenues. 

Town Aid for Roads is a restricted grant which can be used for the following purposes: construction and maintenance of public highways, roads, and bridges.  The funds are placed in a Special Revenue account which the DPW draws down upon for the purposes outlined above.   

Grant for Elderly and Disabled Demand Responsive Transportation

The Connecticut General Assembly enacted a grant program for Dial-A-Ride programs in the 1999 legislative session, but funding was not appropriated until state fiscal year 2006.  A grant application was submitted on February 21, 2006 to CRCOG, the designated regional planning organization working with local municipalities and the Connecticut Department of Transportation in this effort.  Based on the formula in the Connecticut General Statutes, Windsor’s total apportionment comes to $37,361.  These grant funds can not supplant or take the place of general fund dollars. They need to be used for enhancing services.

We were recently notified of the grant approval in the amount of $37,361.  An agreement package will be forwarded to the town in the near future.  These grant funds will be used to extend the hours of service for the town’s Dial-A-Ride program by hiring additional part-time drivers, and provide money for vehicle maintenance, repair, and gasoline for the additional hours of service.  This will enable the town’s elderly and disabled populations to utilize Dial-A-Ride services Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.   Currently the hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Memorial Day Observances

The Town of Windsor Public Celebrations Committee has announced the following plans for ceremonies to be held on Monday, May 29, 2006.  A ceremony will be held at the Elm Grove Cemetery located in on Poquonock Avenue beginning at 8:00 am followed by a ceremony at Veteran’s Cemetery at 9:00 am.  At the completion of the ceremony at Veteran’s Cemetery, the Memorial Day Parade will proceed to Town Hall for the Parade Marshall’s address.  The parade usually arrives in the center of town between 9:45 – 10:00am.

This year’s Parade Marshall is Windsor resident Lieutenant Colonel Tomas Powers Jr.  Lieutenant Colonel Powers enlisted into military service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in June, 1977 and transferred to the 103^rd Fighter Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard in August 1979.  He participated in a combat tour to Bosnia and three combat tours to Iraq as an A-10 pilot with the 103^rd Fighter Wing.  Currently, Lieutenant Colonel Powers is the 103^rd Mission Support Group Deputy Commander based at Bradley International airport with the Connecticut Air National Guard.

Any groups, including scout troops or youth sport teams wishing to march in the parade should meet at the corner of East and Pleasant Street between 8:30 – 8:45am to assemble. 

In case of rain, there will be one single ceremony in the Town Hall Council Chambers at 10:00am.   For more information, call 285-1835.

June is Dog Licensing Month

In Connecticut, the month of June is the time to license your dog.  All dogs six months of age or older must be licensed each year.  Registration can be done in person at the Town Clerk’s Office or through the mail.  Fees for a dog license are $8.00 for a spayed or neutered dog, or $19.00 for a dog that has not been spayed or neutered.  If you are registering by mail, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment.

All those purchasing a license need to provide a valid rabies certificate and a certificate stating that your dog has been spayed or neutered. 

The “Just for Fun Dog Show” will be held on Thursday, June 22nd on the Town Green.  Registration begins at 5:30 PM and the judging begins at 6:00 PM.

For more information, call the Town Clerk’s Office at 285-1902.

Shad Derby Road Closure Information

I’d like to remind residents and motorists that a parking ban will be in effect in several areas of the center of town this Saturday, May 20th for the annual Shad Derby Festival and parade.  Activities on the town green are scheduled from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and the Shad Derby parade will leave the Windsor High School at 12:30 arriving in the center of town at approximately 1:00 PM.

Bike to Work Day

The month of May is National Bike month and May 26^th is Bike to Work Day in Windsor.  Residents and individuals employed in town are invited to stop by the town green between 7:00 am and 9:00 am for a light breakfast, cycling information and a drawing.  Windsor’s event is part of a region wide effort in cooperation with the Central Connecticut Bicycle Alliance to promote bicycling as a commuting option.  For more information, call 285-1835.