WINDSOR: Town receives $5,000 grant to help offset added election expenses

by The Town Line staff

The Windsor board of selectmen met on October 26 with members Ray Bates, William Appel, Jr., Andrew Ballantyne, Richard H. Gray, Jr., and Ronald F. Brann. present.

According to Town Manager Theresa Haskell, public works director Keith Hall has been busy getting trucks ready for snow.

Selectmen unanimously approved appointing Peter A. Nerber as the backup Animal Control Officer.

Cemetery Sexton Joyce Perry informed the board that the cemeteries will be closed as of October 30, 2020. They have had their last meeting of the season and will meet back up in the spring.

A resident informed the board that he was the owner of a warehouse and it has a medical marijuana establishment with the proper state licensing. The Board of Selectmen thanked him for coming forward.

Haskell said the Town of Windsor has received confirmation that they will be receiving a $5,000 Elections COVID Response Grant to be used for voting.

Haskell also said they received a Building Valuation Update for the Town of Windsor from MMA Property and Casualty Pool for the town hall, town garage/food pantry, and the fire station. Each building has increased in estimated insurable value. This will be an increase of $266 per year. It has been waived this year but will need to be budgeted in next year.

Also, Haskell said the town needs to update the E-911 Addressing Officer and Alternate(s). The town has received a call from Todd Fenwick from E-911 who has indicated that he has received a grant which will be able to pinpoint every building within the town and if he is sent an updated E-911 address list it will help with this process. Todd said he will send over the results. This will not change any addresses for the town but will give a good update on what may need to be updated or changed. Haskell said with the current change within the office she is suggesting the board appoint Kyoko Roderick the new E-911 Addressing Officer and have Debbie French as the alternate. The Board of Selectmen agreed.

Haskell has prepared a letter to the MMEHT regarding having all waiting periods be 60 days. Ray Bates made a motion to have Theresa L. Haskell sign the letter having all waiting periods for the MMEHT be 60 days. The board approved unanimously.

Haskell then handed out the 2019/2020 end of year report. The total 12-month budget for the Town of Windsor was 88.01 percent. There were no categories that had deficits. Each category was within the budget. The Town of Windsor was up on revenues for the year just over $34,000 and would have been higher if they were able to collect excise taxes during the COVID-19 State of Emergency time frame. The town may see an increase in next year’s excise taxes.

Haskell received a concern about the Welcome to Windsor signs regarding the plant box deteriorating, and since the Windsor Fair Association passed these onto the town it is the town’s responsibility to maintain them. Ronald F. Brann made a motion to remove the Welcome to Windsor signs and have the Public Works Department take them down. The request passed 4-0 with Andrew Ballantyne, absent, since he left the meeting early.

The next regular board of selectmen’s meeting was held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.