Town Manager's Report - February 1, 2021
Residential Trash Pick-up Schedule
Due to the snowstorm, the trash and recycling pickup schedule has been delayed by 1 day this week according to Windsor Sanitation.
Tax Relief for Senior Citizens
Applications for Elderly Homeowners tax relief are being taken in the Assessor’s office and will be accepted until May 15, 2021. To be eligible for this program, you must be at least 65 years of age by December 31, 2020 or totally disabled per the Social Security regulations. You must also own and occupy your home and meet income requirements.
In addition to the state program, the town also offers a local program. All taxpayers that qualify for the state program will automatically qualify for the local program. However, if you do not qualify for the state program, you could still possibly qualify for the local program. The income limit is $51,700 per household. For more information please contact the Assessor’s office at 860-285-1817.
Town Clerk’s Office Annual Marriage License Tradition Continues
In keeping with a tradition that dates back to 1963, the Town Clerk’s office will issue free marriage licenses in honor of Valentine’s Day. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday, the Town Clerk’s office will issue free marriage licenses on Friday, February 12th.
New measures have been established this year to protect the health of the couples and staff members of the Town Clerk’s office. Couples will need to make an appointment by Wednesday, February 10th, and submit their marriage application in advance of their appointment. To keep the transaction time to a minimum, all marriage licenses will be prepared in advance of the couple’s appointment.
AARP Tax Preparation Program
Staff has been attempting to line up AARP or another group to once again assist with Senior Income Tax consulting/preparation service that is held each year at the Senior Center. Not surprisingly, AARP is having a difficult time securing enough trained volunteers to provide the service this year. We expect to receive a final decision this week.
Vaccination Clinic Update
The Windsor Health Department and South Windsor Health Department have collaborated to offer COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics to ensure access and availability to persons living in Connecticut. COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics are offered on Tuesdays in Windsor and on Thursdays in South Windsor and are expected to continue for the next few months. Tomorrow’s clinic appointments have been rescheduled to Wednesday.
The first clinics were offered the last week of December and have continued since then. To date, 10 clinics have been offered. 1,126 shots have been provided. (1,046 1st first vaccines and 80 second vaccines). Appointments for second vaccines started last week and those appointments will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays alongside the appointments for first vaccines. We are still constrained by vaccine availability.
Economic Development Update
Town staff has continued to work with a multi-national bio-science firm interested in investing in town. This project involves both a research and development function along with a production facility in a multi-year phased approach.
They have submitted an application for a Fixed Assessment Agreement incentive. The Economic Development Committee has met and reviewed the application and found the project to meet the Town Council’s incentive policy.
I anticipate the item to be formally introduced to the Town Council later in February.
Snow Removal reminders
Please remember to clear snow from around fire hydrants near your property as well as to clean sidewalks that abut your property. Please do not push or blow snow into the public right-of-way as it may create hazardous conditions.
Thank you to all our public works employees who have worked throughout the storm starting at 3:30 AM on Monday and will be on duty through Tuesday afternoon making our roads and town facilities passable.