In this edition of the Insider:

Holiday Closure

Conde Lane Tree Removals

Zoning Ordinance Update

Crosswalk Improvements - Brooks Rd S & Natalie Dr

Achieving Water Savings

October 7 – Life-Saving Skills Event

Windsor Ready! Emergency Preparedness Guide

Join Our Team

Town Meetings and Workshops

FREE Kitchen Compost Pails

Messages from our partners WPD & SCFD

The Town will be scheduling the removal of a number of trees on Conde Lane between Mitchell Lane and Shiloh Road. The project will begin Monday, September 11, and will take approximately five days. Please be advised of the intermittent traffic control in effect which may cause traffic delays in this area. 

The tree removals are a result of a confirmed infestation of the Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB), an invasive ambrosia beetle found during a recent arborist inspection. The MOB infestation has only recently been discovered within Sonoma County and has spread to trees within the Town limits. Upon the recommendation of the contracted Town Arborists along with Urban Forestry Advisors from the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), the infested trees will be removed and disposed of following proper infestation protocols.

Property owners seeking additional information and guidance on this invasive pest can visit www.mobpc.org or see the Pest Alert. The Town will be hosting a public informational presentation regarding MOB on Wednesday, October 4, at 6:00 pm. This presentation will be part of the regular Town Council meeting and viewing will be available in person or online www.townofwindsor.com.

For any questions regarding the Town tree removals, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 707-838-5399. If you have a tree that you believe to be infested, please contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Hotline: (800)-491-1899 or www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/reportapest.

Zoning Ordinance Update Stakeholders Forum -

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Please join us on September 11 at 3PM, at the Windsor Town Council Chambers to participate in the stakeholders’ forum to review and “test drive” the updated Zoning Ordinance. The forum will focus on what has and has not changed in the Zoning Ordinance. The forum is conducted as a public meeting in which all members of the public are welcome to share their thoughts and opinions on the updated Zoning Ordinance.

The purpose of a Zoning Ordinance is to specify which uses are allowed on a given property, establish development standards (e.g., parcel size, building height, yard setbacks, parking, landscaping), and implement the policies of the Town’s General Plan. The update is primarily funded by a state grant intended to facilitate housing production and remove barriers to housing production. As such, the update introduces new housing types including tiny homes, cottage home developments, dwelling groups, and small lot subdivisions. The objective of the forum is for Zoning Ordinance users and stakeholders to be comfortable with and knowledgeable about the standards in the updated Ordinance.

As part of the meeting, Town staff will facilitate a Zoning Ordinance “test drive.” For this exercise, the Town will provide typical scenarios for the participants to use the Zoning Ordinance. This “where the rubber meets the road” exercise will provide the Town with a firsthand account of the usability of the updated Ordinance and identify where modifications to increase clarity for the community could be made.

To review the draft updates, click on the link to the Public Review Draft Zoning Ordinance or visit Town Hall, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 400, Monday through Thursday, 7AM to 6PM. 

Public comments are requested by September 13, 2023. For more information or to submit comments, email Kim Jordan, Planner III, at kjordan@townofwindsor.com.

BROOKS ROAD S AT NATALIE DRIVE

Crosswalk improvements were completed on August 22, with the installation of vertical bollards to separate the bike lanes from the drive aisles. Students of Brooks Elementary and Windsor Middle School and pedestrians now have rapid rectangular flashing beacons, ADA curb ramps, and separated bike lanes at the intersection of Brooks Road South and Natalie Drive.

This project is anticipated to increase driver awareness of the presence of pedestrians, enhance the visibility of pedestrians crossing the street, reduce pedestrian crossing distance, reduce the number of conflict points, and establish a clearer path of travel for vehicles and bicycles. 

Achieving water savings with the Rachio Smart Irrigation Controller

Windsor residents have continued to show their commitment to water conservation even after the drought. The Town of Windsor offers Windsor residents a discount on the Rachio Smart Irrigation Controller, which saves water by providing self-adjusting watering schedules that use customized yard details and the latest watering technology to determine exactly how much to water and when. In July alone, 53 residents took advantage of a special discount on the controller!

Conserving water wherever possible continues to be important, and we want to thank Windsor residents for doing their part! To order a Rachio Smart Irrigation Controller, please visit https://calwep.rachio.com 

Windsor COPE, Sonoma County Fire District, and the Town of Windsor are sponsoring a free training for Windsor residents on Saturday, October 7, from 10AM to 12PM at Huerta Gym, 9291 Old Redwood Hwy, Suite 200.

All interested residents, please pre-register at https://bit.ly/WindsorCPRTraining to save a spot. Certification will not be issued with this training, and you will need to sign a Town of Windsor waiver on the day of, to participate.

If you have any questions, contact Karen Hancock at KHancock@sonomacountyfd.org.

September is National Preparedness Month, a time to take action and commit to being prepared for any type of emergency or disaster.   

Windsor Ready! Emergency Preparedness campaign was created to demonstrate the importance of staying connected, being informed before and after an event, and making a plan that will make a difference to ensure you and your loved ones are safe and secure when the stress of an event occurs. 

The newly created Windsor Ready! Emergency Preparedness Guide will be released in the September utility bill and made available at all Town offices, and online. You get a sneak peek by clicking on the button below. Download the document and pass it along to your neighbor, provide it to a friend, keep a copy on your refrigerator, a copy in your car glove box, and most importantly read it with your family. 

Lastly, get familiar with the resources, know your evacuation zone, and commit to being prepared.  If you have questions, we are here to help by emailing info@townofiwndsor.com

As always stay connected with the Town of Windsor by following us:

Website www.townofwindsor.com

Facebook @townofwindsorfan

Nextdoor https://nextdoor.com/agency/town-of-windsor-3/

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.

Join our team! The Parks & Recreation Department is seeking applicants for the part-time position of Facility Attendant. Facility Attendants assist the department with special events, the setup and breakdown of programs, and much more!

Click here to view the position description and to apply online.

Here are some public meetings and workshops we would love for you to participate in. For more information on the agenda, click on the hyperlink to the corresponding meeting of interest. You can always find more meeting information on the calendar on the Town website homepage. 

Council Meetings

The Town Council meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6PM.

• September 6, 6PM

Planning Commission Meetings

The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5:30PM.

• September 26, 5:30PM

Parks and Recreation Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6PM.

• September 13, 6PM

Public Art Advisory Commission

The Public Art Advisory Commission meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 4:30PM.

• September 27, 4:30PM

Senior Citizen Advisory Commission

The Senior Citizen Advisory Commission meets quarterly, on the third Tuesday at 2PM. (January, April, July, October)

• October 17: Coming Soon

On Thursday, 08/24/23, Windsor deputies were dispatched to the Windsor Senior Center for a report of juveniles vandalizing a bathroom.

Deputies responded to the area and located a juvenile near the bathroom. The suspect ran away from the Deputy but was subsequently located and detained. Evidence located at the scene and on the suspect linked him to the crime, and he was arrested for vandalism and resisting arrest.

We have noticed an increase in graffiti in town and are working hard to address the issue. Thank you to the observant members of our community who help ensure our town stays beautiful and safe.

#SeeSomethingSaySomething

September is National Preparedness Month: Be Ready, Windsor!

Greetings, Windsor residents! As we transition into the fall season, it's important to remember that September is not just about back-to-school routines; it's also National Preparedness Month. This annual observance serves as a reminder for all of us to take proactive steps in safeguarding our families, homes, and communities against potential emergencies.

Preparedness is not just a task; it's a mindset that can make a significant difference when disasters strike. By dedicating time to planning and staying informed, we can face emergencies with confidence and calmness, ensuring the safety and well-being of ourselves, our families, and our community.

Steps to Get Prepared



1. Create a Family Emergency Plan: Sit down with your family and discuss what to do during an emergency. Make sure everyone knows evacuation routes, meeting points, and important contact information.

2. Build an Emergency Kit: Put together a well-stocked emergency kit that includes essential items like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and important documents.

3. Stay Informed: Sign up for local emergency alerts and stay connected to reliable sources of information. During an emergency, accurate information can be a lifeline.

4. Practice Fire Safety: As we are well aware, wildfires are a significant concern in our region. Make sure your property is fire-safe by maintaining a defensible space, using fire-resistant materials, and avoiding activities that could spark a fire during high-risk times.

5. Community Involvement: Engage, Educate, Empower. Reach out to your neighbors and community members. Collaborate on disaster preparedness plans, share resources, and support one another in times of need.

Remember, your preparedness efforts aren't just about protecting yourself; they contribute to the overall safety and resilience of our entire community. By taking steps to be ready for any situation, you're helping to create a stronger, more capable Windsor.