Budget Referendum - May 15

 

All seven Windsor polling places will be open Tuesday, May 15^th from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM for the annual budget referendum.  Absentee Ballots are available in the Windsor Town Clerk's Office.  The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. 

 

Detailed information on the budget including a tax calculator, the Budget in Brief document and polling locations are available on the town's website at townofwindsorct.com.  Further information can be obtained by calling the registrar's office at 860-285-1955 or 860-285-1957.

 

Results of the referendum will be broadcast live on the Windsor Government Channel, WGTV Channel 96 beginning at 8:30 PM on May 15th.

 

 

Free Day at the Landfill

 

This Saturday, May 12^th is a Free Day at the Landfill.  Windsor and Bloomfield residents can enjoy free dumping privileges from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  Bring those waste items usually accepted including household garbage, brush and demolition/construction materials. Residents can dispose of scrap metal, used motor oil, batteries, leaves and empty propane tanks for free year-round, but these items can be brought on this free day as well. Please do not bring household hazardous waste to the landfill.  The MDC will be conducting the annual spring collection day on June 2, 2012. Charges for tires and mattresses still apply. Please be on site before 3:30 PM to allow time to unload before the 4:00 PM closure time. You may experience a little delay, so please be patient. For more information call 860-285-1833.

 

 

 

The Shad Always Returns

 

The Annual Shad Derby Parade and Festivities are scheduled for Saturday, May 19th.  The festivities on the green begin at 10:00 AM and will conclude by 4:00 PM. Events on the green will include games, crafts, food and drink. The parade will step off from Windsor High School at 12:30 PM.  Motorists can expect detours around the center of town during the celebration and along the parade route.  For detailed information visit windsorshadderby.org.

 

 

 

Rabies Clinic

 

Together with the West Hartford/Bloomfield Health Districts, Windsor's Health Department is coordinating the annual rabies clinic on Saturday, May 12^th at the L.P. Wilson Community Center from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  Rabies vaccines will be given for dogs and cats age three months and older for $20 (cash only) per animal.  For everyone's safety, dogs must be on a leash and cats in a carrier.  For more information, call 860-285-1824.

 

 

 

Senior Center Meal on Wheels Volunteers

 

The town's Senior Services' Meals on Wheels Team was recently selected to receive the VNA Rose Award for the seamless way that meals are delivered to homebound seniors in our community. The Rose Award is VNA's highest recognition.  Senior Center staff member Millicent Gill and volunteer Jerry DiLauro accepted the award on behalf of the 50 drivers and volunteers that deliver more than 400 meals per month, on time, regardless of inclement weather.   Congratulations and thanks to those volunteers for their dedication and on receiving this well-deserved award.

 

 

 

Business Breakfast Highlights Transportation

 

This Thursday, May 10th, the Economic Development Commission will co-sponsor a business breakfast with the Chamber of Commerce.  The focus for this year's event is transportation.   The event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn with breakfast beginning at 7:45 AM.  

 

At 8:15 AM James Redeker, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation will present a program about the state's plans for commuter rail service.  There will also be a report of findings and recommendations regarding the establishment of a local transportation management association to support commuter services in Windsor. For more information call 860-285-1877.

 

 

 

Public Service Recognition Week

 

Celebrated since 1985, the first week in May, Public Service Recognition Week is a time set aside to honor the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees as well as our many volunteers.

"Service" has many meanings.  In the past eight months, Windsor town employees have donated more than $10,000 to help others.

 

• In October, we raised $3,550 for the Windsor Food and Fuel banks as participants in the Kiwanis canoe race on the green.
• Our total contribution to United Way this year was $5,500.
• More than $1,000 was donated by town employees to Neurofibromatosis 2 research in support of a loved one of one of our colleagues. 

 

In addition to these three examples, Windsor town employees are members of, and support the good work done by so many civic groups and other organizations - here in Windsor or in their own home towns.    

 

Many of the services provided by town employees together with community volunteers were highlighted during the past month during budget sessions, so I will re-cap just a few.  These services impact our residents, visitors and businesses each and every day: 

 

• Respond to more than 9,500 Emergency 911 calls, 1,400 fire calls, and 3,400 medical calls
• Offer more than 700 recreation programs
• Provide 12,000 meals to elderly residents
• Administer 480 doses of flu vaccine
• Process more than 15,000 vendor payments
• Conduct thousands of fire and building code inspections
• Loan more than 300,000 library items
• Maintain 136 miles of roads

 

As you can see we are indeed in the business of providing public services. We often ask employees to take time to reflect on how in the course of a 24 hour period the Town affects the life of a 14 year old. When you step back and answer that question it is quite profound.

 

• There are safe neighborhoods, parks, athletic fields
• Public computers at the library
• Recreation programs at PAL, NWP, or L.P. Wilson Community Center
• Safe schools with talented teachers
• Safe clean restaurants to patronize
• Grandparents can be brought to and from medical appointments allowing parents to work a full day

 

The dedication and effort they put forth day in and day out makes Windsor the quality community that it is.

 

My sincere thanks and appreciation goes out to all of our Town of Windsor employees and volunteers.