Repaving of Windsor Avenue

The MDC has notified us that they will be repaving portions of Windsor Avenue starting this week.  This work is part of the final phase to complete the waterline replacement project in Wilson.  The work limits are from just south of I-291 to south of Barber Street on the west side of Windsor Avenue and from south of Barber Street to Faneuil Street on the east side.

Assistant Town Manager

I am pleased to introduce Emily Moon this evening, the new Assistant Town Manager.  She brings a range of experience with her including work in developing a benchmarking and performance measurement system in Westminster, CO.   She has experience with the City of Loveland, CO as well as the Michigan Municipal League.  In addition to taking a lead on a number of ongoing and special projects, Emily will also assist me by providing supervision and oversight of a number of departments. 

Grant Funding Secured

I am pleased to announce the receipt of a $50,000 grant from the State Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.  This grant to our Police Department will fund the acquisition of a complete digital video enhancement and stabilization system.  This system will aid the police in surveillance of criminal suspects, and enhancement of commercial surveillance images to aid in identification and arrest of criminals.

I would like to thank Lt. Shannon Haynes of the Police Department for her efforts in securing this grant as well as several other grants that total over $220,000 in the past year.

Bus Shelters

The town has awarded a contract for the construction of concrete pads and associated connecting walkways for new or replacement bus shelters at four locations:  Windsor Avenue at Laurel Avenue, Windsor Avenue at Scarborough Road, Lamberton Road at Day Hill Road, and Kennedy Road at the shopping center.  This work is to be 80% reimbursed by the Greater Hartford Transit District.  Installation of the new shelters will follow the construction of the pads. We anticipate the work will be complete by late September and into October. 


 

Tax Collector Resignation

After working for the Town of Windsor for over 6 years, Corinne Aldinger, Tax Collector, has submitted her resignation effective July 11^th.  This position has been advertised in CT and MA, along with a number of professional websites.  We anticipate that a replacement will be hired in early September.   



 

Day Hill Road Interchange Study

By way of update, the CRCOG Policy Board endorsed the Day Hill Road Interchange Study at its June 28^th meeting.  This action will allow CRCOG’s long-range regional transportation plan to be amended later this year or earlier in 2007 which will include this future project. 



 

Pierson Lane Trees

Trees along the northern end of Pierson Lane have been posted by the Tree Warden for removal.  The trees are an “English Oak” variety and are unfortunately in poor condition and/or completely dead.  The Public Works Department plans to begin the removal of these trees in the fall/early winter.  We will be developing a plan for replacement trees during this same time.



 

ADVO Update

As you may have seen in recent media reports, ADVO has been sold to Valassis Communications, Inc. from Livonia, Michigan.  We have had initial conversations with the ADVO administration, but there is no specific information available at this time with regards to their future employment levels in Windsor.  I will continue to keep you updated as this merger develops over the next 3-4 months.  We are optimistic in our hope that ADVO and Valassis will continue their fine presence in Windsor.

CL&P

We are working with CL&P to participate in a program to lesson peak load electrical demand by using our back-up power generators.  The power company will pay the town a fixed dollar amount based on usage in “push times.”  I will provide more information as we complete our fiscal analysis.
 

Park Avenue Road Work

The State of CT Department of Transportation plans to mill and overlay Park Avenue from Sunnyfield Drive west to the Bloomfield town line.  This work is expected to begin July 24^th and end the first week of August.