Mayor Trinks called the regular meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

1. Roll Call – Present: Mayor Trinks, Deputy Mayor Curtis, Councilor Albano, Councilor Broxterman, Councilor Jepsen, Councilor Mulligan, Councilor Pacino, Councilor Simon and Councilor Walker.
2. Prayer – Councilor Pacino
3. Pledge of Allegiance – Councilor Pacino
4. Proclamations/Awards

None

5. Public Communications and Petitions

Mr. Robert Fromer, 398 Conastoga Street, addressed the Town Council regarding recycling. He is a retired Environmental Consultant. He wants to persuade Windsor to increase recycling and encourage more source reduction efforts. He cited figures that he obtained from the DEP regarding Windsor’s recycling: FY 1999-2000 recycling totaled 19.66%, FY 2000-2001 recycling totaled 22.00%. According to the Town Ordinance, recycling is mandatory. State statues mandate that recycling total 25%. Mr. Frohemmer spoke about usable items that he has recycled and his own source reduction methods. He has tried to get the owner of his complex to provide facilities for recycling. It is in his opinion that Windsor needs to come up with a master plan for recycling. Such a plan would prolong the life of the landfill. He expressed an interest in becoming involved in committees to address recycling.

6. Report of Appointed Boards and Commissions

1. Public Building Commission

Mr. Joe Novak, Public Building Commission Chair, reported to the Town Council. The Windsor High School project is 71% complete. Some of the change order estimates include increased architect and construction management charges for extended time on the project. The original completion date was September 2002, however, the completion is now estimated to be by December 2002. Punch list items are estimated to be completed by March 2003. There is currently work going on in the English and Math corridors.

The Public Building Commission is expecting another presentation from the architect for the Library expansion renovation project with cost estimates to include the three phases. Asbestos was found in the library, which required revising the preliminary cost estimates.

The Town Hall Roof project is complete and aesthetics will be completed this summer. The Poquonock School Window Replacement project will begin in the late summer into early fall. The work will be performed after school or on weekends during the fall. The Rainbow Road Firehouse has a dedication date of June 9, 2002.

Councilor Broxterman inquired about the rubber gym use. Mr. Novak said that the pre-fab partitions would be disassembled and moved allowing the gym to return to its intended use.

7. Town Manager’s Report

Swim Lesson Registration

Registration for summer swim lessons will begin on Wednesday, May 29th. The options for registering for swim lessons are to go on the town's web page at www.townofwindsorct.com and click on the Family & Leisure Services button, or you can use our new touch-tone telephone registration system, and that number is 285-1947. Walk-in registration will begin at 7:00 AM on that day, and the Recreation office will be open until 7:00 PM. Residents are reminded that a user ID number for each family member is needed to utilize our automated registration system and you can obtain user ID numbers, as well as register for any other summer programming now. For more information, call 285-1990.

 

Windsor Center Clean-Up Day

Over 30 volunteers including Sage Park students and members of First Town Downtown gathered for a successful Windsor center clean-up day on Saturday, May 4^th. Our thanks to all those who lent a hand with both the cleaning and plantings efforts.

Photographic Art Show for all to Enjoy

We are pleased to have Hand Colored Photographs by Wayne Dombkowski, now on display on the main floor of Town Hall through September 30, 2002.

This exhibit represents the fine photographic art of Windsor resident and professional photographer Wayne Dombkowski. The black and white images are custom printed in his own darkroom, then color is added discriminately to each print like paint. The one-of-a-kind result is a subtle, often moody look. The photos in the exhibit were taken in Windsor and also in Wayne’s travels in England and Scotland.

Discovery Center Receives Duel Accreditation

The Windsor Discovery Center and Montessori school recently received American Montessori Society accreditation. They also received re-accreditation by the National Academy of Early Childhood programs.

Early childhood programs accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs undergo a comprehensive process of internal self study, external professional review to verify compliance with the Academy’s Criteria for High Quality Early Childhood Programs, and found to be in substantial compliance with the criteria.

Police Explorers Receive Awards

For the third consecutive year, the Windsor Police Explorers were awarded "Best Overall Post" at the Law Enforcement Stations Day held at the CT State Police Academy on May 11^th.

In addition, several of the post members won individual awards for their efforts in a variety of competitions including crime scene investigation, high stress scenarios, an obstacle course and more.

Congratulations to all the Police Explorers.

Heritage Valley Recreation & Event Center Update

The DEP contacted me on May 9th and expressed that they had no authority to transfer property, nor do they recommend the property around Barber Pond be transferred. The Connecticut General Assembly has the ability to transfer property, but that was done on May 7^th and questions remain whether the legislature would transfer property over a department’s recommendation. Mr. Nowiszewski and I will attempt to meet with DEP officials face to face to clarify their position. I will continue to update you as this issue materializes.

8. Communication from Council Members

Councilor Albano – None.

Councilor Broxterman – commended First Town Downtown and its volunteers who performed the landscaping around the railroad crossing at Palisado Avenue. It clearly is nice to look at now. There is no question that we need to do more recycling individually and as a town. The Shad Derby was postponed due to weather and he agreed that it was a good call to postpone the event. He thanked the school staff and board members for their hard work in interviewing the Superintendent candidates.

Councilor Jepsen – received a letter from a resident of Laurel Avenue who was concerned about the trees. He drove down the street and saw trees with leaves and hopes that we can save as many trees as we can.

Councilor Mulligan – None.

Councilor Pacino – had a discussion with a high school student who got actively involved in homework after having a discussion with Town Manager Churchill regarding the landfill. He requested that the Recreation Department gym lights be fixed, most notably where the karate class is held. Chris Watts is looking for high school teenage volunteers (ages 13 and up) to help catalog records and volunteer at the Vintage Radio Museum. Interested students can call 860-243-1447. Councilor Pacino suggested that perhaps the item concerning recycling be referred to the Health and Safety Committee for further discussion.

Councilor Simon – expressed his gratitude to the voters of Windsor for passing the budget. He had hoped that more people would come out and vote.

Councilor Walker – None.

Deputy Mayor Curtis – recognized the Windsor Adult Education students who received awards. He knew Windsor was diverse, but he didn’t realize just how much until he saw that Adult Education students represent 28 countries.

Mayor Trinks – asked the town staff to give the Town Council a report on recycling requirements in Windsor. Mayor Trinks also commended the people who did the landscaping around the railroad crossing at Palisado Avenue. He commented on the bins located around the Town Green that offer publications and he would like the staff to address the locations of the bins. Mayor Trinks commented on the postponed Shad Derby. It was the consensus of everyone involved to cancel the parade. It was unfortunate. There is a possibility of including some of the events in the Memorial Day Parade without diminishing the meaning of Memorial Day. He encouraged residents to look in the Windsor Activities Book to find events in Windsor to enjoy.

9. Reports of Standing Committees

1. Finance Committee – None.
2. Town Improvements Committee – None.