Town Manager's Report - March 4, 2019
5th Annual Youth Summit
The Windsor Youth Commission, in partnership with the Youth Service Bureau, Library Services and Public Schools, is presenting its 5th Annual Youth Summit on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the 330 Windsor Avenue Community Center from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Youth Summit is an annual conference for high school teenagers created to help explore some of the challenges young adults face today. This year’s interactive conference will focus on life skills not taught in the classroom, like the importance of voting, managing money, and life hacks such as dorm etiquette and living frugally. The summit includes breakfast, door prizes, and lunch. Registration is free and limited to the first 75 people. Participants must be a Windsor resident. Call 860-285-1990 for more information.
Windsor Library STEM kits inspire hands-on learning
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) kits are now available for a 3 week loan to patrons and their families interested in hands-on, project-based learning at home. Each kit includes books, tools and other equipment that allows users to experience hands-on learning about a particular theme. For example, the Universe Experience Kit includes a map of the night sky, reading materials on constellations, stars and the galaxy as well as a 31” size telescope with four lenses to take home and use. The Hiking Experience kit features a compass, binoculars, magnifying glass, field guides, Best Day Hikes in CT, map of Northwest Park and a CD of bird sounds. Other STEM kits feature Geology, Cooking, Human Body, Coding, Geometry and Animation.
STEM kits were purchased with a John A. Bartash and Anna Papikas Bartash memorial bequest administered by the Windsor Library Association.
Property Revaluation Update
The Assessor’s office conducted informal hearings for revaluation beginning December 3, 2018 through January 15, 2019. 11,660 notices were sent out to all real property parcels, and 210 appointments for informal hearings were made with the Assessor’s office. The 210 appointments consisted of 111 residential and 99 commercial/industrial. Following the informal hearings, the Assessor’s office sent letters to the property owners indicating if any adjustments were made. This allowed the owners time to file a formal appeal with Board of Assessment Appeals if they elected to.
Formal hearings before the Board of Assessment Appeals are set for later this month. There are 65 hearings scheduled. 6 residential, 52 commercial/industrial, 4 personal property and 3 motor vehicles. Results of the formal hearings will be sent out to property owners in April by the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Taste of Windsor
First Town Downtown invites you to its annual Taste of Windsor on March 9th (snow date March 16) from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM presented by the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor Center. Enjoy tastes from local restaurants and spirits from local breweries and from local distributors. Enjoy good company, delicious food and drink, music by The Armentano Duo and a silent auction. Tickets are $30/person. Please call 860-257-8982 or go to FirstTownDowntown.org for more information.
Winter Festival and Kids Fair
The third annual Winter Festival and Kids Fair, sponsored by Recreation and the Youth Services Bureau team, will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2019 from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at the Community Center at 330 Windsor Avenue.
There will be family fun and entertainment such as a professional face painter, a cartoonist, photo booth, bounce houses and interactive festival games, arts and crafts, and food.
This is a free event, but donations of a nonperishable food item for the Windsor Food Bank are welcome. For more information about this event please call the Recreation Office at 860-285-1990.
REMOVAL OF ASH TREES
The Emerald Ash Borer continues to spread across the state and will continue killing ash trees. As a result, the town’s Department of Public Works is doing extensive tree work and removing hazardous ash trees for public safety in high use areas.
Removal work is underway at the Windsor Center River Trail. This work is needed to keep the public safe. Work is also planned for along the river trail south of East Barber Street boat launch.
Some temporary closures or detours around the work areas may occur.
Learn more about the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer here:
https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2697&q=464598&deepNav_GID=1631