Insider Edition 71 | July 25, 2024 | | |
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Hello Windsor!
Wow, I can’t believe it! We are already over halfway through our summer event season. On Tuesday, August 6 be sure to join us from 6 – 8:30 PM at the Town Green for “National Night Out” hosted by the Windsor Police Department. Stay afterward for the last Tuesday Family Movie for 2024, Elemental (PG). This is sure to be a great time!
For more information on both events visit the Town’s Major Community Event Calendar.
On a less joyous note, I am unhappy to report that the Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB), an invasive ambrosia beetle continues to infect the beautiful Oaks throughout the community. Several of the trees here at the Civic Center have been impacted beyond rehabilitation and will need to be removed in the coming month. More information about the MOB and tree protection can be found here https://townofwindsor.com/388/Tree-Protection.
As always, please remember to remain fire-ready and be sure to sign up for Alert & Warnings and “Know Your Zone” by visiting https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/.
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In this edition of the Insider:
Parks Maintenance Division - Spotlight
Town Hall Beautification Project
Town Council Elections
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Keiser Park Expansion
Community Event
Every Effort Counts
Registrar of Voters Open House
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PARKS MAINTENANCE DIVISION - SPOTLIGHT | |
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Parks & Recreation Department
Summertime in Windsor means gathering at the Summer Nights on the Green concerts, cheering for our sports teams in our community parks, picnicking in our neighborhood parks, and enjoying morning and evening walks along our trails. In honor of July being Parks Make Life Better Month (a time to recognize the vital role that Parks and Recreation plays in fostering a healthy and thriving community), let’s meet the team responsible for maintaining our parks and public spaces--the Town of Windsor Parks Maintenance crew!
Windsor is home to 19 community and neighborhood parks. The parks maintenance crew, comprised of 10 full-time staff and several part-time staff, services approximately 110 acres of public parks and 26 miles of streetscapes. Working 7 days per week, 365 days per year, the crew operates in a Total Efficient Area Maintenance (or TEAM) system. Developed and implemented by Parks and Facilities Superintendent Charlie Johnson in 2011, the TEAM approach involves two-person teams tackling a quadrant of town, with each team responsible for the care and maintenance of their area, including all pruning, irrigation, field maintenance, restroom and garbage servicing, and graffiti removal.
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The crew’s toughest challenge in recent years? Weeds. A wet and sunny weather pattern contributed to a robust growth of weeds this season. While they may be an eye sore, the weeds reflect the Town’s efforts to protect the environment, the public, and worker health and safety through its Integrated Pest Management Policy. The policy bans the use of synthetic pesticides and fosters the use of organic alternatives.
“We test approved products as they become available, but we still rely heavily on mechanical methods,” Johnson explains. The Conservation Corps and Circuit Rider have provided additional weed abatement support this season. “We appreciate the community’s patience as we develop a healthier, organic, and natural landscape environment.”
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From weeds to irrigation leaks to wind-damaged tree limbs, each season brings its challenges, but the tight-knit team takes pride in knowing that the Town’s public spaces are clean and safe.
As many crewmembers are also Windsor residents, they make every effort to respond quickly and provide excellent service. Parks Maintenance Supervisor Bret Leonard encourages residents to contact the division directly with any concerns.
“We do our best, but the residents are our eyes and ears,” says Leonard.
The Parks and Facilities Maintenance Division can be contacted by phone at 707-838-5399.
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TOWN HALL BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT | |
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Leadership Windsor partners with the Town
The open space between Building 300 and 400 at Town Hall was once ornamental turf that was removed in June of 2009 to install a drought-tolerant demonstration garden. The demonstration garden had 10-12 raised beds that the Windsor Garden Club maintained. The garden club used this area to set the groundwork for what is now the Town Green Community Garden across the parking lot at Town Hall.
As the Community Garden grew and flourished, Mary Marianni, Cindy Fenton, and other members of the Windsor Garden Club continued to maintain this area for many years. The Town would like to thank them for their longstanding commitment and dedication.
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The former demonstration garden has a new vision and is the focus of the courtyard beautification project. The new area will include a shaded gathering spot for Town staff and the public, with bench seating in the corners and several picnic tables. New plantings along the adjacent landscape beds will appeal to butterflies and other pollinators. We are grateful for Leadership Windsor’s participants, the Parks and Recreation staff, and all the volunteer efforts in this renovation.
We all look forward to unveiling the new courtyard soon!
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November Election: All Districts Highlight
In the past two Insiders, we highlighted our electoral Districts 2 and 3. Today, we are highlighting all districts. In this election, all districts can vote for the at-large Mayor because the boundaries encompass town limits. Therefore, if you live within Town limits, you aren’t left out of this election! You can vote for the two-year term of an elected Mayor.
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If you are more interested in running for Council, the Nomination period is open and will close on August 9 (unless an incumbent doesn’t qualify by then, then it could be extended to August 14). Interested residents can request candidate information and forms to run for Council from the Town Clerk’s Office.
If you would like more information on which district you live in, visit our District Look-up tool to find out!
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As a reminder – the Town of Windsor will have three open seats this election: At-large Mayor, Councilmember District 2, and Councilmember District 3. To keep up to date on the November election, please review our election webpages here: https://www.townofwindsor.com/358/Election-Information. | |
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Town Awarded Grant Funding
On July 9, the Board of Supervisors approved $650,000 to support the Town of Windsor for the expansion of Keiser Park. The funding was provided by Sonoma County Ag + Open Space through its Community Spaces Matching Grant Program. This is the second Community Spaces grant used by the Town to expand this park. In 2002, Ag + Open Space contributed $1.14 million in funding to help Windsor purchase nearly seven acres.
In 2020, Windsor applied for $650,000 in additional Community Spaces funding to expand the park by another 2.6 acres. Both rounds of funding, including Ag + Open Space required a conservation easement on the properties to ensure that the land is forever conserved for the community.
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“I am very happy for yet another opportunity to invest in growing Keiser Park,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents the area.
“Through Ag + Open Space’s Community Spaces grant program, we’re able to invest in open spaces in the heart of our cities and town, ensuring that everyone can have equitable access to the outdoors.”
For more information on the Keiser Park Master Plan visit Keiser Park Master Plan Update | Windsor, CA - Official Website (townofwindsor.com)
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Windsor Day Parade and Concert
Don’t miss the
2024 Windsor Day Parade and Concert
on September 28.
Visit Windsor Day Parade | Kiwanis Club Of Windsor (kiwaniswindsor.org)
to learn more about how to submit your parade entry.
The parade begins at 10 AM
starting at the High School and
finishing up at the Town Green.
The theme of the parade this year
is “Windsor Through the Eras” and
the live concert on the Town Green will feature
RED, is a Taylor Swift cover band.
Mark your calendars and
don’t miss this great community event.
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Pick up a FREE compost pail
Kitchen compost pails are available at Town offices during normal business hours.
Town Office Locations – 9291 Old Redwood Highway
Building 300 A - Administrative Services
Building 300 D - Recreation Department
Building 400 - Town Hall
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REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OPEN HOUSE | |
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Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office will be hosting an Open House on August 1
The event will feature two sessions, each including a Q&A "mini-session" to engage with the community and address any questions.
Location: Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office
435 Fiscal Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Session 1: 2 PM to 4 PM with Q&A at 3 PM
Session 2: 6 PM to 8 PM with Q&A at 7 PM
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The purpose of the Open House is to provide the public with the opportunity to vote at a mock Vote Center, tour the Registrar of Voters facility and learn more about how elections are conducted in Sonoma County. For those who are unable to attend in person, the Q&A sessions will be recorded and posted to the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters YouTube page at youtube.com/@CountyofSonomaROV. | |
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Anyone interested in attending the Open House is encouraged, but not required, to RSVP by email to rov-info@sonoma-county.org or by calling 707-565-6800 (Toll-Free: 800-750-8683); TDD: 800-565-6888. If possible, please state which session you plan to attend and the number of guests you will be bringing.
The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office is located at 435 Fiscal Drive in Santa Rosa. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays (excluding County holidays such as Independence Day). More information about the office and the upcoming Nov. 5 General Election can be found at the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters website at SoCoVotes.com.
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Come Join Us!
The Town of Windsor is active with events year-round.
The following Town links will provide you with dates and event details to "mark your calendar".
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The Town of Windsor is looking for talented people.
For information on open positions, click here for the full list. If you have questions about working for the Town, please reach out to our Human Resources team at hr@townofwindsor.com.
Join our team! Go here to apply.
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Here are some public meetings and workshops we would love for you to participate in. For more information on the agenda, view the meeting, or the recording click on the meeting link. | |
As always, if you'd like to get the Insider sent directly to your email inbox, go to our Notify Me page to sign up. Please let us know what you think -- we welcome your feedback. | |
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Town of Windsor
9291 Old Redwood Highway
Windsor, CA 95492
(707) 838-1000
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