Town Manager's Report - April 6, 2020

Street Sweeping
The street sweeping program has begun. It is expected that the sweeping will be complete in early June, weather permitting.

This year, the sweeping began in the Walden Meadow and Poquonock, Farmstead, Village Lane neighborhoods.  The order of the neighborhoods to be swept changes each year so that one neighborhood is not always swept first or swept last. Please see the town’s website for the order at https://townofwindsorct.com/public-works/2020-street-sweeping-schedule/.

 

Island Road reconstruction & Batchelder Road repaving
The town is advancing the schedule for paving Island and Batchelder Roads due to Loomis Chaffee being closed. Both Island & Batchelder Road work is scheduled to begin April 16 and will last until April 24.

Island Road, during the week of April 20, will have temporary road closures but will be open to emergency vehicles and residents living on or off of Island Road. Final pavement of both roads is tentatively scheduled for the week of May 4.

 

Repaving of town hall parking lot and 240 Broad Street
Repaving of the town hall parking lot is scheduled to occur starting April 17 in the evening and will be included on Saturday the 18 during the day.

Also, the town-owned parking lot at the corner of Maple Avenue and Broad Street will be repaved on Saturday the 18.

 

Summary of Governor’s Executive Order 7S
The Governor has issued an Executive Order which allows towns to defer tax payments for eligible taxpayers and/or reduce the interest rate for delinquent taxes.

Deferment Plan
The deferment plan offers eligible taxpayers a 90 day (versus the usual 30 days) deferment to pay taxes (from the time the bill became due and payable) during the period March 10 to July 1, 2020.  Interest is waived during the 90 day period.

Low Interest Rate on delinquent taxes
The delinquent portion of any taxes shall be subject to interest at the rate of 3% per year (0.25% per month) from the due date for a period of 90 days for any tax due and payable from March 10 through and including July 1, 2020.

Please note that if FY 21 tax bills are delayed past July 1st it appears that neither of these options would be applicable per the Governor’s Executive Order.

Based on the preliminary review of the Executive Order, the Town Council would need to make a decision on approving one or both of the options by no later than April 24th.

Staff is reviewing the specifics of each option and I anticipate having a report and recommendation for Town Council consideration at the next scheduled meeting in April.

 

Update on COVID – 19 Response
I’d like to thank our residents and business owners for following the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order.

While this has changed our normal routines, it is in the best interest of the community’s health to contribute in our own individual way.

  • Please limit your public face to face interactions to the least extent possible
  • Call your elderly or homebound neighbors to see how they are doing
  • Practice social distancing and good hygiene

What you can count on from the town:

  • Town of Windsor staff continues to provide core services to the highest levels possible.
  • Our Police, Fire and Ambulance first responders are dedicated to providing you with the best care possible.
  • Our departments are staffed (some remotely) and ready to continue to serve and support you.
  • Our food bank continues to operate with a drive-through service.
  • There are food assistance programs for families with school students and or elderly.
  • Our park areas are open for your enjoyment. Please remember to spread out and don’t congregate.

I strongly encourage you to stay updated by visiting our website at townofwindsorct.com.

You can also check out some great library and recreation offerings through our on-line programs.

If you have time-sensitive essential service needs, please contact the specific department.

Thank you all for doing your part to curtail the spread of the virus as well as to our town employees for their continued dedication & commitment.

 KEEP POSITIVE, STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!