Windsor officials report on permit inspections, fire-damaged building in flood plain, winter maintenance and grant prospects

Code Enforcement Officer Richard Osborne told the board on Jan. 7 that activity has been slow overall but inspections continue on active permits on Chestnut, Bridge and Main streets and that an area‑variance application for Academy Street is in process while residents are out of town. Osborne said the office is issuing appearance tickets to address a recurring backyard‑chicken complaint.

Osborne also reported a fire at a village business and that multiple parties have been consulted about whether the building can be rebuilt. "We will have to be careful when the time does come since the building is in a flood plain," Osborne said; Mayor Ronald G. Harting added the Village "could potentially have to raise the flood plain." The transcript records no final decision on rebuilding or flood‑plain action.

Streets Superintendent David M. Decker said winter equipment is operational and that salt usage is slightly above average because of constant snow; he noted the next salt order will meet the vendor minimum purchase requirement and that the village switched suppliers, lowering per‑ton costs. Decker is preparing the annual highway report for NYSDOT.

Decker also reported on water operations: quarterly and annual reports are being completed, a recent health inspection went well with the written report pending, several residences shut water for owner repairs, and the meter at 14 Main Street was damaged by fire and must be averaged for the next reading. The department received a replacement leak detector and will program and pair it with an iPad for field use.

Grant Writer Steven Contento reported the SRBC Consumptive Use Mitigation Grant remains ongoing, said he participated in a NYS County Infrastructure Program webinar, described the NYS Community Facilities Direct Grant and Loan Program as “more of a loan than a grant,” and said he plans to pursue the Small Community Grant when it becomes available next month.

What officials will do next The board did not take separate action on the fire or potential flood‑plain changes during the meeting; staff will continue inspections and pursue required approvals. The Zoning Board of Appeals will be engaged to consider the Academy Street area‑variance application. Grant‑related work will proceed as staff evaluate whether to apply for loan/grant programs noted by the grant writer.