Town Manager's Report - May 16, 2022
Memorial Day Observances and Parade Monday, May 30th
On Monday, May 30, 2022, the town will hold several ceremonies in observance of Memorial Day. The first will be held at the Elm Grove Cemetery located in Poquonock beginning at 8:00 AM followed by a ceremony at Veteran’s Cemetery on East Street at 9:00 AM. Following the ceremony at Veteran’s Cemetery, the Memorial Day Parade will proceed to Windsor Town Hall via Poquonock Avenue. The parade usually arrives in the center of town between 9:45 AM and 10:00 AM. The 10:00 AM ceremony at town hall will include a special flag ceremony performed by members of Windsor scouting.
This year’s Parade Marshal is Windsor resident Steve Porcaro. Steve served in Navy Medicine as a Hospital Corpsman, Surgical Technologist, and First Assistant in the United States Navy from 1982 – 1988. During that time, he was stationed at Great Lakes, IL, Oakland, CA, and Groton, CT. He is originally from Medford MA and moved to Windsor after leaving the service. He lives in Windsor with his wife and his three sons who attended Windsor Public Schools before becoming active duty Unites States Marines. He volunteers in the community with Boy Scout Troop 203, the Windsor Historical Society, and with local veteran’s groups including, Gray-Dickinson Post 59 – The American Legion, Peter P. Monaco Jr. Detachment 40, Marine Corps League, Open Doors Outdoors, and the Eastern Connecticut Veteran’s Center. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for Windsor Community Television, and the Windsor Chamber of Commerce.
In case of rain, one single ceremony is held at 10:00 AM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. Contact 860-285-1835 with any other questions.
Dog License Renewals
Renewal Period: JUNE 1 -30, 2022
The Town Clerk’s office encourages all dog owners to renew their dog’s license online or through the mail. For your convenience, you may also drop off your dog’s license renewal payment in the Tax Collector’s drop box conveniently located in our town hall parking lot. Dog licenses are required by state law for dogs six months or older. Newly obtained dogs must be licensed within 30 days of new ownership. There is a late fee for licenses renewed after June 30th.
Online Renewals – Online renewals will be available on our website www.townofwindsorct.com beginning on June 1st.
Renew by mail or drop box – Enclose a check payable to the Town of Windsor and a self-addressed, stamped return envelope. Dog tags will be mailed to the owner in the self-address stamped envelope. Rabies vaccination certificates are required for any dog that had its rabies vaccination updated since last June.
Renew in-person: At the Town Clerk’s office, Town Hall, 275 Broad Street. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Windsor Affordable Housing Survey Public Workshop
Just a reminder that a public workshop on the development of the town’s Affordable Housing Plan will be held tomorrow evening (May 17th) at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall. Staff will present the results of the Windsor Affordable Housing online survey as well as review the draft plan. Public comments are welcome during the meeting. For more information, please go to the town’s website at www.townofwindsorct.com or call 860-285-1980 with any questions.
Hypertension Workshop
The Windsor Health Department will be hosting a Hypertension workshop via Zoom on May 23rd from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. This is the fifth in a series of six hypertension workshops being held. The May 23rd workshop will discuss Adherence to High Blood Pressure Therapy and will be presented by Atique Mirza, MD. Please register online at www.townofwindsorct.com. There is no charge for participation. If you have questions, please call the Windsor Health Department at 860-285-1824.
Building Inspection Services
Town staff continues to explore the possibility of extending our temporary agreement with South Windsor for Building Inspection Services as the marketplace for certified and experienced Chief Building Officials is extremely tight.
We currently have two full time assistant building officials with the South Windsor Chief Building Official providing 8 to 10 hours a week of assistance and oversight. As we enter into the more active construction season there may be some scheduling delays on certain types of inspections. We appreciate our permit holders’ patience.
CT DOT Construction Projects
Paving of Route 75
The contractor repaving Route 75 between River Street and High Street will be changing their work schedule so the milling and paving occur during the day versus the overnight hours. Town staff have reached out to the CT DOT to express concerns relative to traffic management especially given morning and afternoon rush hours and student drop off and pick up times at the Poquonock School. CT DOT states that through traffic will be allowed.
I-91 Bridge Repair Work
Staff has also contacted the DOT to express concerns regarding planning of day-time construction activities on I-91. This past weekend work on I-91 Northbound resulted in multiple lanes being closed. Motorists sought alternative routes which added significant amounts of traffic on local town and state routes. We have asked DOT not to schedule day time lane closures this Saturday as the Shad Derby is being held.
Healthy Minds, Healthy Windsor
The Social Services Department, in conjunction with the CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, PGS (Problem Gambling Services) and Amplify, will be sponsoring a program ‘Healthy Minds, Healthy Windsor’ on May 24th. This event will have a community discussion on the stigmas associated with mental health. All ages are welcome to attend. This will be an in person event at the Windsor Public Library, 323 Broad Street, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Tuesday, May 24th. Child care will be provided.
National Public Works Week
I’d like to extend my thanks and appreciation to our public works and engineering department for all that they to keep us safe, maintain our facilities and infrastructure, as well as work to beautify the community.
The men and women of these departments are on call 24 hours a day – year in and year out – no matter what the weather conditions.
They are responsible for a wide array of activities and services that touch our lives each and every day. Not only do they maintain well over 150 miles of roads ways, they also take care of:
- 87 miles of sidewalks
- 95 acres of grass turf
- 27 athletic fields and hundreds of acres of open space
- over 3,000 storm drains and 100 miles of drainage pipes
Our dedicated employees help support multitudes of community events such as setting up polling locations and maintaining community centers and buildings that range in age from 150 years old to newly renovated ones.
Thank you to each member of our public works and engineering team for working in partnership will all of our fellow departments – with you we are a much stronger and vibrant community.