Town Manager's Report - August 6, 2018
Community Block Party
Just a reminder that there will be a community block party on Friday, August 10th at Deerfield Park, 70 Colton Street. This event runs from 4:30 PM until 7:30 PM and admission is a school snack donation for the Weekend Wheels Program. Enjoy carnival games, arts and crafts, face painting, music, bounce-house, food and more! There will be prizes and giveaways. This event is created by youth in the Summer Teen Employment Program (STEP) in partnership with the Windsor Police Department to promote family fun and community spirit in a substance free environment. Call (860) 285-1990 for more information.
August 14th State Primary
The 2018 State Democratic and Republican Primaries will be held on Tuesday, August 14th. All polling locations will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
To participate in the primary you must be an enrolled party member of either the Democratic or Republican parties. The deadline for new or unaffiliated voters to enroll in a party is August 9th by mail or August 13th in person at Town Hall.
Absentee ballots are now available in the Windsor Town Clerk’s office. Applications for an absentee ballot may be obtained by calling 860-285-1902 or by downloading the application from the town’s website.
The Town Clerk’s office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Extended office hours for absentee ballots will be on Thursday, August 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Windsor Citizen’s Academy
Since 2005, more than 200 Windsor residents have graduated from the Windsor Citizen’s Academy.
The program is a fun opportunity to learn more about the services the Town of Windsor provides, how they are funded, a look at our day-to-day operations, and how you can get involved. The interactive Citizen’s Academy meets on Thursday evenings beginning September 20th and focuses on how daily government operations contribute to a better community.
This is a free program. To register call 860-285-1835, by going online at townofwindsorct.com or by email at: jubrey@townofwindsorct.com.
Deerfield Avenue
On May 21st, Council approved the submission of 2 grant applications, under the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP), for the rehabilitation of Deerfield Road and Archer Road. The Capital Region Council of Governments voted recently to approve the $936,000 grant request for the Deerfield Road project. CRCOG voted to fast-track the project under its initiative to accelerate the spending of $5 million of LOTCIP funding. Windsor was one of 4 communities selected to receive the fast-track funding. In order to be considered for fast-track funding, the municipality must commit to a May 2019 final design date. In September staff plans to request funding for any necessary geotechnical, survey and traffic services related to the design of the improvements. We are currently anticipating performing the design in-house.
Upcoming Paving Projects
The next phase of street repaving is scheduled to occur in late August with the third phase slated for late fall. Earlier this summer we repaved just under 3.5 miles. Public Works crews have been working to replace storm drain tops in preparation of milling the existing paving. Remaining road sections, totaling 6.25 miles, to be repaved this construction season include:
Mill & Overlay – Phase 2
- Bent Road
- Harvest Lane (Prospect Hill to Ethan)
- Silver Birch Lane
- Prospect Hill Road (Harvest to Lang including circle)
- Ethan Drive
- Wooduck Farms
- River Street (Strawberry Hill to Stop sign)
- Lamberton Road (Day Hill to Pigeon Hill)
Mill & Overlay – Phase 3
- Preston Street (Maple to Kellogg)
- Sycamore Street
- Sycamore Circle
- Welch Avenue
- Capen Street (Crest Drive to Dudley Town)
- Remington Road
- Bristol Street
- East Barber Street
- Rodney Street
- Upton Street
- Great Pond
Police Department Matter
Through the Town Attorney’s office an independent fact finder has been engaged to review matters or concerns related to the police chief and handling of an in-car video. The name of the firm is Marcum Accountants and Advisors and they have offices in Boston and Hartford.
It is expected that the findings and report will be completed prior to the end of the month. Funding will be from projected vacancy savings within the FY19 budget.
Mill Brook Open Space Steering Committee
The volunteer Mill Brook Steering Committee has had 3 meetings. The first meeting was an orientation meeting and the second was a site tour of the property. During the last meeting, the committee discussed various ways to obtain public input during the planning process.
The steering committee has scheduled two public open houses or tours of the property. They will be held on August 22 and 28 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Citizens will be able to tour the former clubhouse building as well as walk the property if they wish. Steering Committee members and staff will be on hand to answer questions and to receive ideas as to the future use and management of the open space and the buildings. Residents can drop in anytime at the former clubhouse at 147 Pigeon Hill Road between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
An on-line survey is also being developed to gather additional input and it is expected to be available the first week or so of September. Various means will be used to publicize the open houses including a mailing to neighboring property owners within the next week.
Northwest Park
We’ve had recent sightings of a coyote on Brookside Trail, as well as the usual frequent bear sightings in that area. Northwest Park staff conferred with wildlife resources officers at CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and they advised to post informational signs for park patrons, especially dog walkers. The signs include the do’s and don’ts or precautions if a hiker sees a coyote or a bear.
There are no reasons to close off the trail or part of the park at this point. However, we are working to inform and educate our visitors on how to act if they have an encounter with our larger wildlife. Dogs running off leash are at the highest risk. People running away from a bear or coyote may also endanger themselves unintentionally.