Town Manager's Report - March 16, 2020
2020 Census
The Census Bureau will be mailing invitations to respond to the 2020 Census between March 12th – 20th. These mailings will include detailed information for completing the Census including how to do so online.
During this time frame, some homes will receive a paper questionnaire. Please complete your form online, by phone or by mail when your invitation arrives. When you respond to the census, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.
Please note that if you are responding online, you must complete the census in one sitting, as you don’t have the ability to save your progress. If you do not receive an invitation to respond from the Census Bureau, you may respond online at www.2020census.gov or call their phone line at 844-330-2020. You can complete the census online or by phone in 13 different languages. There are also webpages and guides online in 59 non-English languages as well.
Central Street Closing
The Central Street rail crossing will be closed to motor vehicle traffic from 9:00 p.m. March 24 until 9:00 p.m. March 31. Amtrak will be reconstructing the western tracks to be compatible with the new high platform at the station. The crossing will be open to pedestrian traffic from Tuesday – Friday, but closed for the duration of construction to pedestrian traffic. Amtrak police will have a 24-hour presence at the job site to assist with traffic control. The DOT will be installing variable message signs and other signage this week, to inform the public of the crossing closing. They will also have other forms of outreach to make the public aware of the project and the closing. The Town will link to the DOT’s message. This closing is very similar to the crossing closing of Central Street 2018.
COVID – 19 UPDATE
As the State of Connecticut continues to see a rise in the number of cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it is imperative that as a community we help slow the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing or separation.
Last week I took steps in a number of ways to implement social distancing. All of these are subject to modification in the coming days. They include:
- Limiting public events on town-owned property, or sponsored by the town to no more than 100 attendees
- Suspended operations of The Caring Connection Adult Day Care Program through at least Sunday, March 29th.
- Closed the Senior Center and suspended all senior programs beginning today, Monday, March 16th and reopening on Monday, March 30th. Senior meal services will continue under a delivery/pickup model. Dial-A-Ride transportation will be accessible for urgent or time sensitive medical treatments (i.e.; dialysis or chemotherapy). Senior Center staff will work with participants to ensure that people are signed up for the appropriate service.
- The L.P. Wilson Community Center and the Community Center at 330 Windsor Avenue are closed. Recreation programs at both facilities are canceled beginning today, March 16th through at least March 29th.
- Both the Main Branch Library and Wilson Library are closed as of Monday, March 16th through at least Sunday, March 29th
Under Governor Lamont’s additional Executive Order of today, March 16, 2020, additional measures will be taken and the timelines above revised. The Governor’s Executive Order:
- Enacts a prohibition on large gatherings to a capacity of 50 people, and adds religious gatherings to the list of activities subject to the limit effective immediately through April 30th.
- Limits restaurants to non-alcoholic beverage and take-out/delivery services only, effective 8 PM tonight through April 30th.
- Requires closure of gyms, fitness studios, and movie theaters, effective 8PM tonight through April 30th.
Throughout our preparedness efforts, the overall goal has been to try to find a balance between maintaining services and programs while appropriately instituting social distancing or separation practices to protect our residents and employees.
Additional cleaning and sanitizing efforts have been deployed in our buildings, and hand sanitizer has been distributed to every building.
Signage has been put in place encouraging visitors and the public to practice good hygiene and wash their hands often.
While we have closed several facilities and suspended in-person programming, there are still a large percentage of town services being delivered.
Between the Social Services Department, Board of Education and citizen volunteers, there are still a variety of food assistance programs being offered.
School Grab-N-Go Meals
The Board of Education’s free grab-n-go meals are available to all Windsor children who are 18 years of age or younger. The locations for this will be at the Windsor High School, located at the entrance near the tennis court, as well as Clover School, and Oliver Ellsworth School, Monday thru Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Weekend Wheels Backpack Program
The Weekend Wheels backpack program is currently distributing items through the 2019-2020 school year. This program distributes a food- filled backpack to qualifying elementary school children each week throughout the school year for the purpose of providing nutritional assistance through the weekend.
Windsor Food Bank
The Windsor Food Bank will be offering a drive-through distribution Monday through Thursday. Residents will be able to drive up and pick up pre-packaged bags.
Groceries-to-Go Program
This program is for residents over the age of 60. Staff will be delivering pre-packaged bags to residents’ home.
For more information on these food assistance programs, please contact Windsor Social Services at 860-285-1839.
There are a number of town services residents and businesses can access online via www.townofwindsorct.com
We encourage residents to contact town departments by phone or email prior to coming in person. We very well may be able to help you complete your business remotely, saving a trip and helping to ensure community health.
I appreciate all of the dedication and understanding our full and part-time employees have put forth through the past weeks.
I also extend my thanks to our residents for understanding the importance of the various actions taken to date in order to institute social distancing or separation practices to protect our residents and employees.