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Residents praise outreach but warn Windsor Locks board against cutting core services
Summary
At budget outreach meetings and during public comment, residents praised additional budget presentation events but warned the board against presenting closures of the senior center or pool as options; the first selectman urged residents to attend upcoming meetings to review the budget and ask questions.
Residents attending the Windsor Locks selectmen meeting thanked officials for expanding budget outreach but urged clearer notice and cautioned the board against framing core services such as the senior center or pool as options to close.
Kurt Brace, a resident who addressed the board during public input, said he attended the senior-center event and wished meeting notices and materials had been publicized earlier so people could better prepare questions. "Do you really wanna cut the townspeople out of this process?" Kurt asked, adding that capital funds returned from the state are still taxpayer dollars and residents should remain engaged in allocation decisions.
Peggy Stayers thanked the selectmen for scheduling multiple meeting times — evenings, weekends and daytime sessions — which she said made it easier for seniors to participate. Linda (joining online) echoed concerns that projects often cost more than grants cover and said additional taxpayer impact is likely unless other funding is secured.
Elba Soria, chairwoman of the Board of Education, said school budget staff have already presented their portion at a senior center meeting and will join the town’s upcoming sessions so residents can ask questions and be better informed ahead of the May vote.
First Selectman John urged residents to attend the scheduled meetings (including April 28 at the high school and events on May 2 and May 8) to review budget documents and to participate in line-by-line discussions with town directors and the board of finance.
Why it matters: Windsor Locks is in the second year of a phased budget increase that town officials say will be difficult for some residents. The board’s expanded outreach aims to provide information and gather public input ahead of any decisions that could affect services or tax bills.
