Town Manager's Report - January 19, 2021

COVID-19 Testing
Charter Oak Health Center is again offering COVID-19 Testing at The Holy Temple Church at 691 Windsor Avenue. Drive- up testing is available tomorrow Wednesday, January 20th. Hours are from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. There is no fee. To pre-register call 860-550-7500 and dial ‘0’.

Wireless Telecommunications Facility off of Prospect Hill Road
A private company has filed a permit application with the Connecticut Siting Council to construct a communications tower off of Prospect Hill Road near the Day Hill Road end. Per State regulation, the Siting Council has exclusive jurisdiction over the siting/approval of cell towers.

The Siting Council has set two hearings for March 4, 2020. An evidentiary session will be held at 2:00 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. that day there will be a public comment session. The applicant will provide a brief overview of the proposal and the public may make brief statements into the record. Both sessions will be held virtually.

Later this week, town staff will be posting hearing information on the town’s website. This will include how to sign up for the evening session as well as links to the CT Siting Council.

State Grant for Multi-Use Path Along Connecticut River
I’m excited to let the community know that Windsor has been awarded a $500,000 state grant for the multi-use path along the Connecticut River in the Windsor Meadows State Park. This grant will go towards the construction of an 850 foot trail segment that will connect Riverfront Recapture’s trail in Hartford to the town’s existing segment just north of Decker’s Brook. According to CT DOT, this was an extremely competitive round of funding, with 43 municipalities applying for funds, and we were one of only ten being awarded this round. My thanks to town staff and our partners at Riverfront Recapture for all the work they did in preparing the grant application.

Youth Services Bureau Circle Groups
The Youth Services Bureau continues to offer a variety of virtual programs. These programs are free and will be held via Zoom.

The Mother-Daughter Circle creates a dialogue on healthy communication, stress reduction skills, setting clear limits, and relationship success strategies. This group will meet weekly via Zoom from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM beginning Saturday, January 23rd – March 20th. Program is for 4th, 5th and 6th graders.

Girls Circle will focus on community connectivity, healthy self-expression, and relaxation techniques during these challenging times! Girls will periodically receive kits with activity material delivered to their homes. The group will meet weekly from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM beginning Friday, January 22nd – Friday, March 19th, 2021. No program on February 12th. Windsor residents only. Space is limited so we are requiring registration. For more information on these and other programs, please call the Youth Services Bureau at 860-285-1946 or go to the town’s website.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station
The EV Charging Station at Broad and Maple Ave public parking lot is up and running. In the first few days of operation we already have had a handful of users.

Per Town Council direction there will not be a user fee through the end of June 2021.

COVID – 19 VACCINATION UPDATE
Residents 75 years of age or older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Town is encouraging these residents to make an appointment to get vaccinated.

Given the currently limited supply of vaccine, it will take time for all individuals in Phase 1b to receive the vaccine.

Currently there three different ways you can make an appointment.

1. Online
A form can be accessed online that allows individuals to schedule an appointment through the web-based Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).

2. Telephone
You may call Connecticut’s COVID Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line at (877) 918-2224. The phone system was created in partnership with the Department of Public health and United Way of Connecticut. The line will take calls on Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will offer a call-back option when all contact specialists are busy serving other callers. The team will aim to return calls as soon as possible, with the goal of same-day response.

3. Healthcare Provider
You may have already been or will be contacted by your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment IF your healthcare provider is participating in the state’s vaccine program. Not all providers are administering the vaccine. Please don’t call your doctor’s office – they will contact persons 75 years old and older if they have vaccine.

On Friday, staff mailed letters to 316 clients over 75 years old from the Senior Center & Social Services providing them details about vaccine distribution and a frequently asked questions guide. There is a limited supply of vaccine at this time.

The tiered approach to Phase 1b will proceed as follows:
• Scheduling now: Individuals over the age of 75
• Scheduling next (likely early February): Individuals between the ages of 65 and 74
• Scheduling soon (likely late February or early March): Frontline essential workers and individuals with underlying medical conditions who have an increased risk for severe illness

Please continue to take COVID-19 precautions. Remember to mask up and maintain proper social distancing.