Stage 1 of the roundabout construction project’s 6-stage plan will be completed by tomorrow, March 18, and workers will reopen Windsor Road to northbound and southbound traffic. All lanes will be open! The intersection of Windsor Road and Windsor River Road will be a 4-way stop for the remaining construction stages.
 
Please note, however, that Stage 2 work, which will begin on Monday, March 21, will involve some traffic control measures such as reduced lane widths. In this second stage, work will include the demolition, removal, and installation of curb, gutter, sidewalk, and paving along the southwest corner of the intersection.
 
In Stage 1, workers installed new sidewalks, a median island, SMART rail panels, and asphalt pavement on Windsor Road north of Windsor River Road. Workers also installed new storm drainpipes after several utility relocations were completed -- not an easy feat. We also removed the old signal system and replaced it with a four-way flashing red light.
 
Pedestrian Detours: There will be designated detours to route pedestrians away from the work zone, including temporary asphalt paths and a crossing of Windsor Road with pedestrian-activated flashing beacons. In addition, the public parking lot on the corner of Windsor River Road and Windsor Road will be closed to the public except on Saturdays so community members can access the food pantry.  
 
Completion of the roundabout construction project is scheduled for the end of 2022. Learn more about the construction project.

Town Completes Pedestrian Improvements on Starr Road 

The final phase of the Starr Road Sidewalk Gap Closure Project was completed last week, capping more than five years of work to make it more pedestrian and ADA-friendly.
 
Starr Road was widened and a 5-foot-wide sidewalk, curb, and gutter was constructed. Drainage improvements and driveway conforms were added. Striping changes were made and additional parking, a bike lane, and future underground utility conduits were installed. The project also included new sidewalks, curbs and gutters and pedestrian crosswalks near Cali Calmecac Language Academy.
 
The final phase included constructing sidewalks, ADA-accessible wheelchair ramp, curbs and gutters on Starr Road at Starr View. Now, the sidewalk, curbs and gutters along the east side of Starr Road are contiguous from Windsor River Road to Reiman Lane, a length of almost a mile. The project was funded through community development funds and the Town’s general fund. 

Damage to “RainJoe” Snoopy Statue

The “RainJoe” Snoopy statue has welcomed visitors to the Windsor Town Green since 2008. In 2018, the sculpture underwent major restoration to repair cracking due to mistreatment. Unfortunately, the statue is once again showing signs of damage: Large cracks have returned, making the Snoopy sculpture very fragile.
 
We want to remind you to please refrain from climbing or standing on either sculpture (Snoopy and Charlie Brown) on the Town Green. Please help us protect them so Windsor residents and visitors can enjoy them for many years to come.
 
RainJoe Snoopy was donated by the Windsor Farmers Certified Market and a group of dedicated Windsor residents. He is painted in bright colors to encourage kids (and adults) to eat foods from “every color of the rainbow.”

Shiloh Crossing: Affordable Housing Project

On March 8, the Planning Commission reviewed preliminary plans for Shiloh Crossing, a 173-unit mixed-use proposed affordable housing project at 295 Shiloh Road. The commission will consider approving entitlements (site plan, design review, affordable housing development incentives) at a public hearing in late spring.
 
As proposed, Shiloh Crossing would include 15 studios, 70 one-bedroom units, 44 two-bedroom units, and 44 three-bedroom units in two buildings (4- and 5-story).  Net zero energy is targeted, with substantial solar power generation on site.
 
Amenities would include a 3,000 sq. ft. community room with kitchenette, two offices, business center, internet library, laundry center, bicycle storage room, play structure, bocce ball court, seating area with firepit, pool, and community garden. The frontage along Shiloh Road would be lined with storefronts (8,000 sq. ft. of commercial space). 
 
For more information on this affordable housing project, go here to watch the video of the March 8 Planning Commission meeting, which includes the staff report.

Resident Satisfaction Survey

The Town of Windsor has commissioned the independent research firms GRA and McGuire Research to conduct research on important issues such as Town programs, services, and finances. The firms are choosing respondents (who must live within Windsor) from a scientific sampling process. Respondents are being contacted by email, text or telephone between March 14 – March 29. 

Individual responses will be entirely confidential and anonymous and used for research purposes only. In addition, individual data will not be sold or provided to anyone and respondents won’t be approached for any other reason.

If you are contacted, we would appreciate your response. Thank you very much. For further information on this survey, please contact: town.manager@townofwindsor.com

Are You Prepared?

A message from your Sonoma County Fire District: Our fire season has never truly ended. We have been responding to multiple wildfires each month around Sonoma County. While crews have been able to extinguish these fires quickly, a combination of seasonal changes and limited rain fall has, once again, put us in a precarious position. A reoccurring theme we have for all our residents is: Are you prepared?
 
Have you trained yourself, your family members, and your neighbors about what to do when another large-scale wildfire comes our way? Are your go-bags packed? Do you know your evacuation zone? Do you know your different evacuation routes? Do all members of your family know the plan? Have you joined your local COPE group?
 
If you answered “No” to any of these questions, it’s time to start training. Create a plan, know it inside and out, and practice it regularly. Don’t wait. As Archilochus once said: “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training.”
 
Here are some resources to help you prepare:

• www.ready.gov/wildfires
• www.sonomacountyfd.org
• www.readyforwildfire.org
• https://socoemergency.org
• https://firesafesonoma.org
• https://copenorthernsonomacounty.com
  
  

Read the Windsor Climate Resilience Plan

Check out our recently completed Town of Windsor Climate Resilience Plan, a significant step to building our community’s resilience to climate change. You may read a summary of the resilience goals and strategies here or download other parts or all of the plan.

Developed as part of an 18-month Caltrans grant-funded process, the plan creates a roadmap for proactive actions and the opportunity for the Town to compete for funding to enhance resilience efforts. The resilience plan is the result of collaboration between a working group, Town staff, experts, stakeholders, and the Windsor community. 

The initial phase developed a Community Vulnerability Assessment that evaluated the Town’s assets and threats (such as wildfire) and created resilience plan goals. The second phase identified and prioritized resilience strategies for the Town. The third phase generated the final plan. 

Partial Closure: Wilson Ranch Community Park

The southern portion of Wilson Ranch Soccer Park will be closed for annual maintenance and reseeding from March 28 – May 15. All programs will be relocated and the fields will be closed to recreational activity.
 
Park Irrigated with Recycled Water: Did you know that Wilson Ranch is one of eight public parks in Windsor that we irrigate with recycled water? As such, it isn't impacted by water conservation measures. Once we finish this annual maintenance, the park will again provide a great venue for outdoor play while you allow your lawns to go brown to help conserve water. Together, we can make it through the drought!  

March 22: Windsor Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event

Zero Waste Sonoma is offering a free household hazardous waste (HHW)) collection event in Windsor on Tuesday, March 22, from 3-8 PM. 

• Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Click here to schedule an appointment. (You must be a resident of Sonoma County.)
• Here is a list of common household hazardous waste items accepted at the event. Examples include batteries, medications, LED bulbs, paint, weed killer, oil and filters, and nail polish.
• This event does not accept electronics (e-waste).

If you can’t make it next Tuesday, sign up for other free hazardous waste collection events, which are held every Tuesday throughout Sonoma County. See the full calendar here. Or, check the times you can drop off your hazardous waste at the HHW Facility at the Central Disposal Site (500 Mecham Road, Petaluma). Thank you for disposing your household hazardous waste properly!

Update on Local Water Supply

Since we received virtually no rain in February, our reservoir-storage levels at Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino are still far below average for this time of year.

As of March 17, the water-storage level at Lake Sonoma is at 60 percent of capacity, or 147,035 acre-ft. That's a little lower than just a few weeks ago. The water-storage level at Lake Mendocino as of March 17 is at 57.6 percent of capacity, or 43,331 acre-ft. 
 
The last two years have been some of the driest on record and the Russian River Watershed has borne the brunt. Learn more here. Please continue to fix leaks, irrigate only when really needed, and conserve water. Thank you.

Fix Your Leaks!

Small leaks like a dripping faucet or running toilet can waste huge amounts of water: Each year in the U.S., household water leaks amount to 1 trillion gallons of water needlessly going down the drain.
 
During annual Fix a Leak Week, the Town of Windsor joins other municipalities nationwide in encouraging residents to check their plumbing for leaks. Finding and fixing leaks can save you money. You'll also be doing your part to conserve our water.
 
To learn more about Fix a Leak Week, watch this short video or click the image above. In addition, here’s more information to help you identify and repair common leaks.

Parks & Rec Summer Expo & Job Fair

You’re invited to the Parks & Recreation Department’s Summer Program Expo and Job Fair on the Town Green on Sunday, April 10, from 10 AM -12 PM. Learn about the great recreation programs offered this summer and all the part-time jobs available.
 
The event will feature free children’s activities, prizes, and the opportunity to apply for awesome summer jobs! For more information, call (707) 838-1260.