Windsor High School Roof Referendum Set For March 10^th

The referendum for the replacement of the Windsor High School Auditorium roof will be held this Saturday, March 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Windsor Town Hall.  The referendum asks voters to decide whether to approve or disapprove the appropriation necessary to replace the roof and make interior repairs. The town expects that approximately $2.3 million of the $2.5 million of the project's construction costs will be covered by insurance payments. For more information call 860-285-1902.

March 29 Budget Workshop for Residents

The final budget workshop concerning the preparation of the 2012 - 2013 budget will be held on Thursday, March 29 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Windsor Town Hall.  The meeting is planned to be an informal and interactive gathering that will provide residents with an opportunity to hear a preview of the budget I will be proposing to the Windsor Town Council on April 2nd.  For more information call 860-285-1835.

Town Center Redevelopment

With regret, Upton + Partners has decided to terminate the land disposition agreement for the sale of 55-69 Mechanic Street.  They worked diligently over the last few months to raise the needed private equity. Unfortunately they were not able to come to an agreement with potential equity investors within the agreed upon timeframe.  Jim Burke and I will be working with the Redevelopment Agency to identify potential developers with the goal of moving this important town center project forward as soon as possible.     

Two Windsor Police Officers to Receive Recognition

Officer Kari Tkacz and Officer Denise Bracero have both been selected for recognition by the Connecticut Association of Women Police (CAWP) at their annual award ceremony on March 22^nd. 

Officer Bracero is receiving recognition in the category of community service.  Specifically, she is being honored for her dedication to serving the youth and families of Windsor in the area of the town's Juvenile Review Board.  Officer Bracero re-energized the Juvenile Review Board with the inclusion of representatives from the State of Connecticut Juvenile Probation office, Vice Principals from the middle and high schools, Windsor Youth Services Bureau, school counselors and other police officers. Officer Bracero incorporated a completely new intake system that actively involves the youth's parents which had not previously occurred.

Officer Kari Tkacz is receiving recognition in the category of Excellence in Performance.  Officer Tkacz has initiated several new programs in her second year as Windsor's School Resource Officer.  She recognized Facebook as the primary social media venue in Windsor High School and implemented the Windsor High School Resource Officer Facebook page to encourage student interaction with the SRO and to promote safety topics among students and to positive police-youth interactions.  In addition, she has spent countless hours with Windsor's youth presenting classes on many teen related topics mentoring the youth of Windsor towards a healthy positive safe drug free lifestyle, free from violence and risky behaviors.

Congratulations to both Officers Bracero and Tkacz.

Windsor Students and Town Leaders Explore Diversity

Last month 22 Windsor High School students, together with staff members and a town police officer, attended a two-day anti-bullying and prejudice reduction leadership program entitled BRIDGES at the Community Center at 330 Windsor Avenue.

The program was conducted by the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ).   During the program, NCCJ staff led participants through basic diversity awareness and self-esteem building. Students and staff alike spent the 16 hours together exploring the diversity, feelings, and attitudes that prevail among people of different races, religions, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds.

Students were visited by town and school leaders including Chief of Police Kevin Searles, Windsor High School Principal Russell Sills, and representation of the Town of Windsor Human Relations Commission.