Town Manager's Report - October 21, 2019

Leaf collection program

The leaf collection program will begin on Monday, October 28th and will end on Friday December 20th. During this eight-week period, your leaves will be picked up on the same day as your trash pick-up.

Residents need to place their leaves at the curb in 30 to 40 gallon paper leaf bags. Leaves may also be placed in similar-sized containers that are labeled with a “Leaves Only” sticker that can be easily identified by the driver (i.e., the sticker facing the road). Residents can obtain these stickers at the Town Hall or the Windsor Transfer Station.

In Windsor, the transfer station accepts residents’ leaves at no charge and uses them to produce compost. Leaves must be clean and must not contain other items that will compromise the quality of the mulch that will be created. These items include grass clippings, branches, or other items.

If you choose to self-haul your leaves to the transfer station, there is no charge during this period for dropping off clean loads of leaves (no contaminants or plastic bags).

The transfer station accepts leaves on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 2:45 PM, and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM. Residents should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing to allow sufficient time to unload their vehicles. The Windsor Transfer Station is closed on Thursday and Sunday. It is located at 500 Huckleberry Road in Windsor. If you have any questions regarding recycling or composting in Windsor, please call the Transfer Station at (860) 285-1833.

 

Nightmare on Broad Street

First town Downtown and Windsor Federal Savings invite you to Windsor Center on Thursday, October 31st from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM for some ghoulish treats and fun at Nightmare on Broad Street.  Windsor businesses will be giving out treats to the youngsters and more at this free event.  Please note that Broad Street will be closed to traffic.  For more information call 860-688-5715.

 

Windsor Bridge Builders

The Human Relations Commission is seeking nominations for the Annual 2019-2020 Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards.  Nominees can include students, church members, neighbors or local businesses that have worked toward greater understanding of differences in Windsor. Anyone of any age may fill out an official nomination form.

The deadline for submitting applications is November 1st.  A panel of judges will review all entries and select this year’s honorees. A reception will be held in honor of the recipients on Thursday, January 23, 2020 in Windsor Town Hall in the Council Chambers beginning at 6:30 PM.

Official nomination forms for the Windsor Bridge Builders Awards are available at the Town Hall, Windsor Public Libraries, and L P. Wilson Community Center, (outside of the Recreation office) as well as on the Town’s Website at https://bit.ly/2pGaQlk.

 

November 5 is Election Day

All Windsor polling locations will be open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM for Election Day.  Come out to vote for the Town Council, the Board of Education and Constable candidates. Absentee ballots are now available.  Applications for an absentee ballot must be received by the Town Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. the day prior to the election. The Town Clerk’s office will be open for extended hours on Tuesday, October 29th from 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM.  For more information contact 860-285-1902.

 

Fish Advisory Continues for the lower Farmington

The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has received validated test results from the first fish sample that was taken in July.    PFAS levels in the fish tissue were found to be higher than the guidelines the CT Department of Public Health uses to determine ‘do not eat’ fish advisories.

Therefore, the advisory not to eat fish caught in the Farmington River below the Rainbow Dam remains in place.  A second sample of fish (taken in September) are currently being tested.  DEEP currently expects those test results to be available towards the end of December.

These results will be used in conjunction with the July data to determine if the fish consumption advisory should be modified and if additional sampling along the Farmington River is necessary. Additional information on DPH fish consumption advisories can be found at: https://portal.ct.gov/fish or by calling 1-877-458-FISH (3474).

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Department of Public Health are planning to have a second community information meeting regarding the chemical release.   We are coordinating a meeting date and place and hope to have the logistics set this week.   At this meeting, the state agencies will provide information on the testing of surface water, fish tissue, soil, well and sediment.

There will also be information presented on the response and clean-up activities related to the tragic crash at Bradley earlier this month.