By Merle Monahan/Contributing Writer
merlemonah@aol.com

WINDSOR—The Town Council on Tuesday adopted a $1.5 million operating budget for fiscal 2012 that will result in no increase in taxes, no reduction in services and no new programs.

Included in the budget is a five-year Capital Improvements Plan, which also was adopted.

Town Manager Michael Stallings said there are only a few things in the CIP earmarked for this year. They are $10,000 for technology upgrades, $50,000 for the Space Needs Funds and $38,000 for a new police vehicle.

Some $205,000 from the Virginia Department of Transportation has been set aside for sidewalks beside Route 460.

It was noted that Windsor resident Mike Jones was the only person to comment on the proposed budget at a public hearing held on May 24.

Jones said he wanted to show his support of the budget and commended council members for keeping the tax rate the same as last year.

In other business, the council discussed the possibility of changing town elections from May to November in order to save money. After discussion, council members decided to schedule a public hearing on the matter. At the same time, the council will hear comments on correcting a misspelled word (“officer” should be changed to “official”) in the town charter.

A complaint about residents discharging firearms within the town limits was addressed. Police Chief Vic Reynolds said an ordinance prohibiting this activity would be difficult, as there are landowners in the town who have enough land to hunt on, usually with permission from the county.

He added that discharging a firearm in some areas, such as housing developments, is dangerous, however.

Council members recommended that Stallings and Reynolds work on drafting an ordinance to address the issue.