East Windsor Selectman's Report - Dec. 6, 2016

EAST WINDSOR, CT — Here is the latest Selectman's report from Jason Bowsza, from the meeting of Dec. 6, 2016:

On November 17, the East Windsor 250th Celebration Planning Committee met. The committee voted to authorize the first purchases of promotional materials to commemorate the event. The intention was to purchase sweatshirts, coffee mugs and so on. Hopefully, we will have spent a little bit of money that will help us raise a lot more, and generate some awareness as well.

I missed the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on November 22nd to attend a meeting at the Police Department. Planning and Zoning discussed releasing bonds associated with the Newberry Village development. The commission agreed to release about $27,000, although there are still questions about some work to be done.

That same night I did attend a meeting at the police department with Chief DeMarco, Deputy Chief Hart, Detective Sgt. Matt Carl, and Detective Roberts. We discussed issues associated with noise complaints in the Prospect Hill neighborhood, potential issues that would need to be considered if East Windsor were to host a casino, and issues associated with the opioid crisis affecting towns across the nation. I'd like to thank the chief, deputy and detectives for setting aside more than two hours to meet with me and discuss these issues.
After another review, the issues associated with noise in the Prospect Hill neighborhood continue to fall within the limits established by the state's noise code. While it may be troublesome, there isn't anything more that the town can do.

We also discussed the impacts that a potential casino may have on public safety concerning traffic associated with the final project and other unknowns about the facility at this point in time. I was impressed with their willingness to make the situation work if we are selected.

We also discussed the efforts to combat the opioid crisis that we all face. EWPD has successfully saved more than a dozen lives from fatal overdoses of "New World" heroin since 2013. By comparison, Enfield has had 25 overdoses in 2015 alone.

I truly believe that we need to discuss combating the opioid crisis in a more serious way, and I think that that starts by destigmatizing the issue of addiction. Any family can be afflicted with the evils of addiction, and many have been.

The Agriculture and Conservation Commissions did not meet due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

On November 26, the police union members and their spouses spent the day at the Super Walmart collecting unwrapped toys and cash for underserved families in East Windsor. Their union also donated $1,000 to purchase additional gifts for needy families. When I stopped by, there were SIX officers and their wives volunteering on their own time. This is one example that shows how dedicated these folks are to the community that they serve.

Tonight I attended the Community Conversation Forum on Opioid and Heroin Addiction. Another community forum covering this important topic will be next Wednesday from 5-7:30pm at the East Windsor Middle School

Respectfully submitted,
Jason E. Bowsza
Selectman

*the comments above are my own perspective on events that have happened in town over the last few weeks. They do not necessarily reflect the perspective of the Town or any other board member.

Photo credit: Mia Jensen