More than 80 (masked) people came to the Huerta gym on July 20 to learn about Windsor COPE (Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies), a new grassroots community group to help Windsor residents better prepare, respond and recover from emergencies such as wildfires and floods.

Speakers included representatives from the Sonoma County Fire Department and the Windsor Police/Sonoma County Sheriff, who gave presentations on emergency preparedness. Windsor resident and COPE leader Diana Borges also provided COPE information, including the history of this effort, which started after the 2017 Tubbs Fire. 

Video Recording: We livestreamed the event on our Facebook page, so if you missed it, you can watch the video here.

Windsor COPE is endorsed by Sonoma County Fire, Windsor Police/Sonoma County Sheriff, and the Town of Windsor. This community group will start meeting soon, so if you'd like to help you and your neighbors better prepare for disasters, please go to https://www.sonomacountyfd.org/town-of-windsor-cope to learn more and sign up.  You may also email COPE@townofwindsor.com or call (707) 838-5302.

Town Council Mandates 20 Percent Cut in Water Use 

On July 21, the Windsor Town Council declared a Level 2 water shortage emergency and mandated a 20 percent reduction in water use due to the extreme drought. This mandate is in effect for all Windsor residents, businesses, City facilities and schools.

Did you know that up to 80 percent of residential water use goes to irrigation? Not surprisingly, a Level 2 water shortage restricts landscape irrigation. Here in Windsor, irrigation systems may now run only three times per week, from 7 PM - 7 AM (unless watering by hand), for both residential and commercial properties:

• West of Highway 101, allowable irrigation days are Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
• East of Highway 101, allowable irrigation days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Water Conservation Resources

Our new water-conservation page has plenty of information on all things H20, from our 2020 Water Quality Report to helpful tips on how reduce your water consumption.

For example, get a better handle on your water use via WaterSmart, a new portal where you can view current and past water consumption, get leak alerts, and notifications. Get started: https://townofwindsor.watersmart.com/index.php/welcome. 

Report leaks or water waste: If you see excess water use in your neighborhood, you may call (707) 838-1004 or fill out and submit our Water Waste Reporting Form.

August 2: Town to Re-open Public Counter Services

Starting on Monday, August 2, in-person public counter services will be offered from 7 AM – 2 PM, Monday through Thursday, at the Town’s Administrative Services Department, Community Development Department, Parks and Recreation Department and Public Works Department. Visitors to all Town offices will be required to wear face masks. 
 
Town offices have been closed to the public since March 2020 following the global outbreak of COVID-19. The resumption of public counter hours is part of the Town’s plan to transition back to full in-person office operations. During this transitional period, the Town will continue to offer services “virtually” to accommodate health and safety needs and concerns. If you have any questions, please call (707) 838-1000.

Update on COVID-19 Vaccine and Masking

The highly infectious, virulent and more contagious Delta variant is increasing hospitalizations in Sonoma County - mostly among unvaccinated residents. If you haven't gotten vaccinated yet, there are many vaccine opportunities available at no cost to you. Go to: https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus/vaccine-information/ to learn about the clinics, vaccine eligibility, transportation services to vaccine appointments, vaccine data, and more.

In addition, Sonoma County has joined other Bay Area counties and the City of Berkeley in recommending that everyone -- regardless of vaccination status -- wear a mask in indoor public spaces to help quell the spread of the Delta variant. Read the press release here.

2021 Summer Nights on the Green

The Town of Windsor and the Windsor Certified Famers Market are excited to announce the return of the 19^th Annual Summer Nights on the Green concert series. The seven-week series will kick off Thursday, August 26, and run through October 7.

The farmers market will begin at 5 PM and live music will start at 6 PM. For more information on the concert series, please go to www.townofwindsor.com/specialevents. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the Town Green! 

Family Movies on the Green

The annual tradition of Family Movies on the Green returned on Tuesday, July 6, for a six-week series, running through Tuesday, August 10. Movies are free, rated PG and begin 15 minutes after sunset.

Bring your own blanket or low-back chair and please remember: no blankets on the lawn before 4:30 PM. The last two movies of the season are Abominable on August 3 and COCO on August 10. For questions, please call (707) 838-1260. 

Discover Windsor: Supporting Local Businesses

Have you checked out DiscoverWindsor.com yet? The Town created this digital resource (which is linked on our homepage: www.townofwindsor.com) to help promote our locally owned businesses in Windsor; it includes links to the Windsor Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Merchants website.  

In addition, we recently updated the marketing billboard facing U.S. 101 south near Arata Lane to reflect the new Town branding and promote the Discover Windsor website. Through a 20-year-old settlement agreement, the Town of Windsor can use half of this billboard to promote the Town and special events free of charge. The Town will continue to use the billboard for tourism promotion and to highlight upcoming community events. We anticipate changing the billboard 3-4 times a year. 

Senior Recreation Center Patio Remodel

The outdoor patio adjacent to the Windsor Senior Recreation Center was demolished on July 21 in preparation for a new, larger patio and connecting pathway. The new concrete patio will be installed late this summer to provide seniors and facility renters with a larger program and event space.

The pathway system will connect to the historic Cunningham House and Hembree House Museum. In addition to this project, the Windsor Historic Society will expand the connecting patio on the back of the museum to increase its own event space. Once completed, these two patio areas will be accessible from the Windsor Creek Trail and the Windsor Senior Recreation Center parking lot at 9231 Foxwood Drive.