Windsor Locks to consider joining state Municipal Development Authority; resolution set for Oct. 21 with public comment

The Windsor Locks Board discussed and agreed to place a resolution on its Oct. 21 agenda to become a member of the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority (CMDA), a state-created body that provides financing and technical assistance to support transit-oriented development.

The board’s chair said Windsor Locks is one of two municipalities in the state that are unusually prepared to access the authority’s resources because of prior planning work and the new train station project. "This is another funding mechanism that we have been asked to consider because we are one of two fully developed transit-oriented districts in the state of Connecticut right now...the money's there now," the chair said.

Board members were clear that joining the authority does not obligate the town to spend money but would make Windsor Locks eligible to apply for project funding and technical support. The board directed staff to include a period of public comment on the Oct. 21 agenda; the chair said state enabling language allows either a public hearing or public comment and the town will use the public comment option to satisfy the requirement.

Town staff said there are existing examples of state support in the district, referencing prior investments including projects supported by Trinity Financial and CTDOT-related work. The board’s discussion noted the value of a clear project that aligns with the authority’s purposes and emphasized that any decision to seek funding would be project-specific and subject to future approvals.

The resolution introduction was an informational item on Oct. 7; formal consideration and potential approval will occur at the Oct. 21 meeting after public comment.