Town Manager's Report - March 20, 2023
New Technology to assist Law Enforcement
Similar to other area towns, the Police Department fixed Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) to enhance crime prevention and reduction. In addition to Hartford, Glastonbury, East Hartford, Wethersfield, West Hartford, Avon and other towns in the region we have deployed ALPR systems.
Over the past several years, a large portion of crimes committed in Windsor involve vehicles that either enter or flee prior to police arriving on the scene. Many times, stolen vehicles are used. Victims of crime can usually only provide partial registration or general vehicle descriptions, which limits the ability to solve these cases.
In 2019, the department deployed two mobile ALPR units on patrol vehicles. Building on this, the department has deployed six fixed cameras at various locations in town, focusing on the I-91 corridor from exits 34 through 39 as well as in town center. The ALPR units are motion activated and only take a still image of passing vehicles.
The images capture objective data and do not capture occupant descriptions. The ALPR system will alert police in real time when a vehicle is identified as stolen, or a known or wanted suspect vehicle from a state or national crime database enters the town, or if a vehicle involved in an Amber Alert or Silver Alert is detected. The cameras are not “red light” cameras and are not intended for traffic enforcement or parking violations. Rather, they will be used for investigating significant property or crime incidents.
Every search of the ALPR data requires justification. As with our current ALPR use, each search is logged and requires justification. Its use is strictly limited to a legitimate crime-related event. The ALPR data is not sold or shared with third parties and is deleted after 30 days.
The ALPR system will assist officers in detecting crimes as well as identifying, apprehending, and convicting individuals associated with criminal activity. They will play an integral role in solving and reducing crime in Windsor.
Property Revaluation
Vision Government Solutions, Inc. has been hired to help conduct the 2023 town-wide Property Revaluation. Vision will be working with the town’s Assessing Department on the nearly year-long process. There are five major phases to a municipal revaluation: Data Collection, Market Analysis, Valuation, Field Review, and Informal Hearings. Vision will be primarily working on the residential properties and Larry Labarbera, Town Assessor will be handling the majority of the commercial/industrial properties.
In the next week or so, we will be notifying the public and property owners of the revaluation process. Residential owners will be getting a direct mailer to their address of record which will include a data form to be completed and returned to Vision. Over the coming months, we will also be providing several public information pieces to help explain the overall revaluation process.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
The Windsor Health Department will host COVID Vaccine Clinics in partnership with the DPH/Griffin Hospital VAX Van in March on:
- Wednesday, March 22, 2023, LP Wilson Community Center, 4 PM – 7 PM, 6mo+
- Wednesday, April 12, 2023, Windsor Library, 10 AM – 1 PM 12yo+
- Tuesday, April 18, 2023, LP Wilson Community Center, 4 PM – 7 PM, 6mo+
No appointment is needed. This clinic is a walk-in clinic and recipients should bring their vaccine, insurance cards and ID with them.
March 30 Budget Workshop for Windsor Residents
Residents are invited to a budget workshop on Thursday, March 30th from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM here at town hall. The meeting is an informal and interactive gathering that will provide residents with an opportunity to hear an overview on the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget.
A public hearing on the FY 2024 budget will be held on April 3rd.
On May 2nd and May 3rd, community budget forums will be held throughout the town sponsored by the League of Women Voters and CT Votes.
A detailed schedule of budget hearings, workshops and community forums can be found on the town’s website. For more information call 860-285-1835.
Yearly Voter Canvass
The Windsor Registrar of Voters, every year between January and May, are required by state law, to conduct a canvass of the voters. Any Windsor voter that filed a change of address with the U.S. Post Office within the past year will receive the notice in the mail. Registrars may also canvass a voter when they receive notification of the voters move by other means.
The letter will be in an envelope that reads in red lettering “Don’t Risk your Right to Vote – Read Carefully”
Received a letter? Here’s your next steps:
Letter addressed to a voter that still resides at address:
- Voter must respond within 30 days to remain on the active voter list
- Complete the form and mail back to the Registrars
Letter addressed to a voter no longer residing at your address:
- Do not open the envelope. Mark the envelope with the following: Does Not Live Here. Mail back to the registrars, no extra postage is required.
- If the voter is a family member who moved, please forward the mail to the voter.
Questions about your voter registration?
State Voter Registration Lookup
Need to change your voter registration?
State Voter Online Voter Registration
Friends of NWP Pancake Breakfast
On Saturday, March 25th from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM for the Friends of NWP will host their 36th annual Pancake Breakfast. Pancakes and sausages, with 100% pure maple syrup produced right here at NWP, will be served. Refreshment choices include orange juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for children under 12 years of age. Children under the age of 3 are free. Proceeds will go toward programs and projects at the park. For more information, call 860-285-1886.
Community Garden at Northwest Park
Starting April 1st you can rent a plot in the Community Garden at Northwest Park. Raise your own produce in a 36 square foot plot that’s been harrowed and staked out at the start of the growing season. There’s a nearby water source but gardeners need to bring their own hose and tools. $60 (Windsor residents), $75 (non residents). There is a $50 refundable security deposit. Starting on April 1st register for the season, call 860-285-1886.
Town Green Tree Plantings
Public Works crews are in the process of removing two diseased trees in front of town hall and the Chamber of Commerce office on the town green that are in severe decline. Unfortunately, these trees are suffering from environmental damage so they do not pose a hazard to those utilizing the town green. The soils in the areas adjacent to the trees will be reconditioned so that they can be replanted with new trees. Plans are currently underway to replant the green this spring and ensure that its beauty, stature, and vibrancy remains the same. Please follow this link for more information: https://townofwindsorct.com/app/uploads/2023/03/Town-Green-Tree-Removal.pdf