More than a dozen Public Works staff from three divisions – Water, Utility Maintenance, and Streets – stopped a water main break in the Lakewood Hills neighborhood on May 5. A community member contacted the Town at 6:32 AM and within 8 minutes, Public Works staff were on the scene. Workers quickly isolated and shut off the faulty water main, which had caused a loss of 318,000 gallons of water.
 
Staff then started clean-up, which took seven hours. That work included jetting and vacuuming storm drainpipes and clearing sediment and debris. In addition, the environmental program manager for Public Works inspected the storm system and creek, collected samples, and notified the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Staff also contacted Sonoma County Resource Recovery to finish sweeping the street ditches and roadway surface. Another glamorous day for our Public Works staff!

Town Forecasts Budget Shortfall 

Due in part to the pandemic, the Town forecasts an ongoing $900,000 annual budget deficit (expenditures exceeding revenues) in the years to come. Unfortunately, reductions in operating expenditures alone will not cover this shortfall without significantly reducing services to the public. Without additional financial resources, the Town’s fiscal reserves could be depleted by the end of fiscal year 2024-25.
 
In March, the Town conducted a community survey with the help of Management Partners and Godbe Research in part to consider including a revenue measure in the November 2022 General Election. At its presentation at the May 4 Town Council meeting, the consultants indicated that the survey results showed insufficient voter support for a revenue measure this year, but that one could have more support in the future. Consequently, the Town is in the exploratory phase of bringing a revenue measure to voters in November 2024.

The results of the community survey include 77% satisfaction on the Town’s services and how they’re delivered, 73% satisfaction on how the Town is addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, and 52% satisfaction with how the Town is managing tax dollars. 

You can watch the staff presentation on the Town’s financial outlook, the consultants’ presentation, and the subsequent Town Council discussion here. Be sure to scroll down to the May 4 meeting, click “video,” then click “13.2 Financial Update for FY 2020-21 Year-End Close and Mid-Year Financial Update for FY 2021-22 through March 2022.” After watching that presentation, click "13.3 Consideration of a Revenue Measure to Address the Town’s Projected General Fund Fiscal Gap.”

Stage 4 Roundabout Construction Has Started 

Roundabout construction began its fourth of six stages today, May 12, and consists of the excavation, grading, and paving of Windsor River Road east of Windsor Road and sidewalk and bus-pad work on the southeast corner of the intersection. Businesses remain open and accessible. We estimate that this stage will be completed by mid-July, weather permitting. 
 
Please note that here are new changes for the pedestrian path of travel and vehicle detours. See the pedestrian detour map and vehicle detour map for details.
 
Road Closure: Northbound lane of Windsor Road south of Windsor River Road to Wall Street will be closed. Vehicle detours consist of:

• Northbound Windsor Road detour for eastbound Windsor River Road: East on Mitchell Lane to north on Conde Lane to Windsor River Road.
• Northbound Windsor Road detour for westbound Windsor River Road: West on Reiman Lane to north on Starr Road to Windsor River Road.
• Windsor River Road is open to through traffic, east/west.
• Windsor Road is open to southbound traffic.

Town Launches First E-Scooter Program
in Sonoma County

Last week, the Town launched the first shared e-scooter program in Sonoma County with micro-transportation company Bird. Up to 30 scooters are available for use within Windsor town limits to people ages 18 and over. 
 
Residents and visitors can use the scooters to replace gas-powered car trips and help lower carbon emissions. These trips could include going to the store, meeting friends, or just exploring Windsor. To start, sign up for an account on Bird’s mobile-phone app. When you want to ride, open the app to search for and find available scooters near you. Learn more here on how to find and ride a Bird scooter.
 
Bird riders must travel on the road – not the sidewalk – except to mount and dismount. While Bird riders can travel within Windsor town limits, portions of the Windsor Creek Trail near the Senior Center will be a “slow zone” and the Windsor Town Green is a “no-ride zone.” Bird users who live in Windsor are also eligible to get one free helmet from the company (just pay $4.99 in shipping) once they complete one ride. Riders can request a helmet through the Bird app. To learn more, read our press release.

May 14: Virtual Eco-Friendly Garden Tour and Q&A

The Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership, of which the Town of Windsor is a member, is hosting an online eco-friendly garden tour this Saturday, May 14 at 10 AM. This digital tour will teach you sustainable landscaping practices by showcasing inspiring gardens in Sonoma and Marin counties, including the Windsor Town Green Community Garden.
 
There will also be a live Q&A at 1 PM that same day: A panel of experts will answer your questions about biodiversity in your garden, garden design recommendations, native plant selection, landscape planning, drought preparation, and garden maintenance. Register below for these free events by going here. 

May 15-22: National Public Works Week

Next week, May 15-22, is National Public Works Week and Windsor joins other communities in recognizing the vital services that Public Works departments across our country provide, such as water, sewer, streets and highways, and solid-waste collection.
 
The health, safety and comfort of Windsor community members depend on these critical facilities and infrastructure services. And the quality and effectiveness of these services and structures, as well as their planning, design, and construction, depend on our highly skilled Public Works staff. Thank you, Public Works! 

May 19: Survivors Garden Dedication and Ribbon Cutting

Please join us at 4:30 PM on Thursday, May 19, for a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Town of Windsor Survivors Garden (Lakewood Meadows Park, 9150 Brooks Road South). The intent of the garden is to remember and honor all survivors of sexual assault and sexual trafficking.

Serve Your Community: Volunteer on a Town Commission

If you would like to serve the Windsor community, please consider volunteering on a Town commission. Commissions serve as a conduit for citizen input to gather, analyze and recommend options to the Town Council. These commissions have vacancies:

• Parks and Recreation Commission
• Planning Commission
• Public Art Advisory Commission
• Senior Citizen Advisory Commission

Here is the application. All commission applicants must be at least 18 years old and live within Windsor’s town limits, unless otherwise indicated. Please submit your application to the Town Clerk by 5 PM on Thursday, May 19, by email to iwerby@townofwindsor.com, or by USPS mail to Town Hall, PO Box 100, Windsor, CA 95492. Applications mailed to Town Hall must be postmarked by May 19. To learn more about Town commissions, go here. If you have any questions regarding this application, please call (707) 838-1000. 

May 21: Join Us for a Water-Wise Garden Tour

The Town is partnering with Daily Acts for a public showcase of Windsor low-water gardens on Saturday, May 21, from 10 AM – 12 PM. This free tour is perfect for garden lovers or those who want to make their landscapes more drought tolerant but don’t know where to start. This tour is meant to be an opportunity for discussion and inspiration!
 
Tour sites include residential and community gardens with features such as water-retaining swales, native plants, drip irrigation, and mulched landscapes. To register, please visit https://dailyacts.org/events-cal/windsor-water-wise-garden-tour/. Come with your questions and curiosity!

May 26: Help Keep Kids Safe Online

The Windsor Police Department will host a social-media safety presentation at 6 PM on May 26 at the Windsor High School theater (8695 Windsor Road). Representatives from the Polly Klaas Foundation will provide information on the latest trends in the online victimization of children and what you can do to protect the children in your life from online exploitation.

The mission of the Petaluma-based Polly Klaas Foundation is to keep children safe, recover missing children, and push forward public policies that keep children safe in their communities.  If you would like to attend the event, please RSVP Service@PollyKlaas.org

Get Your Dancing Shoes Ready

This summer will mark the 20th Anniversary of the Summer Nights on the Green concert series and it’s bound to be the best yet!
 
The concerts, held on Thursday nights, is brought to you by the Town of Windsor, the Windsor Certified Farmers Market and all of our generous sponsors. To learn more about seating, parking, sponsors, and more, go to: https://bit.ly/SummerNights2022
 
In addition to the live music, there will be food, wine, and beer available for purchase. You can also take part in free family lawn games. And, to help you waste less, stop by the Waste Less Windsor booth and buy a custom stainless-steel cup. Drink vendors at the concerts will give a discount on your drink!
 
June 2 - Foreverland
June 9 - Pacific Mambo Orchestra
June 16 - Skynyrd ‘N Frynds
June 23 - The Refugees
June 30 - Pop Fiction
July 14 - David Luning Band
July 21 - The Bell Brothers
July 28 - Maya
August 4 - Hip Service
August 11- Kenny Metcalf as Elton John
August 18 - The Dylan Black Project
August 25 - Sabor de mi Cuba
September 1 - Special Guest TBD
September 8 - The Beatles Flashback

Streamlining Customer Experience:
Town Public-Counter Hours

To provide a more efficient and streamlined customer experience, Town services such as cashier, utility billing, business licenses, and accounts receivable are now available at the public counter in Building 300 of Town Hall (9291 Old Redwood Highway). This public counter is open Monday through Thursday, from 7 AM to 6 PM.  
 
Staff in the Town’s Community Development Department are available as follows: Building Division staff are available from 7 AM to 9 AM and by appointment, Monday through Thursday; Planning Division staff are available from 2 - 6 PM and by appointment on the same days. In addition, the Town Clerk’s staff are available Monday to Thursday from 9 AM - 5 PM and by appointment. 
 
The front counter for the Parks and Recreation Department is open 7 AM to 6 PM, Monday to Thursday. The Public Works Department lobby is open 9 AM - 12 PM and 1- 3 PM, and by appointment, Monday through Thursday. While the Windsor Police Department is open 24/7, its public lobby is open 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Thursday.

Thanks for Cleaning Out Your Medicine Cabinet 

The Windsor Police Department collected 108 pounds(!) of medications on Drug Take Back Day, April 30. Part of a national initiative by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Drug Take Back Day encourages residents to safely dispose of unwanted, unneeded, unused or expired medications. Thank you to all those who responsibly dropped off their meds and helped to make our community safer.
 
If you missed Drug Take Back Day, you can still dispose your unwanted or expired medications: Windsor Police has a medicine disposal bin in its lobby, open Mondays – Thursdays from 8 AM – 5 PM. The year-round bin is limited to over-the-counter and prescription medication, veterinary medication, and inhalers. Be sure to empty pills into a plastic bag as pill containers will not be accepted. Leave liquid medication in their original containers and secure in a leak- proof plastic bag. 

Use These Water-Safety Tips

Now that summer is quickly approaching, your Sonoma County Fire District reminds you that water safety is everyone’s responsibility. Please follow these water-safety tips:

• Never leave a child unattended in or near water. Designate an official “water watcher” (adult) to monitor children and adult non-swimmers when around water.

• Learn how to swim: Not only fun, but a lifesaving skill as well!

• Teach children to stay away from drains. Never play or swim near pool and spa drains or suction outlets.

• Ensure pools and spas have compliant drain covers. Powerful suction from pool or spa drains can even trap an adult.

• Install proper barriers, covers and alarms on and around your pool and spa. Proper fences, barriers, covers and alarms can be lifesaving. Install door alarms from the house to the pool area.

• Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.