WINDSOR
No one spoke for or against Windsor’s budget or capital improvement plan for fiscal year 2017-2018 during public hearings held on each matter Thursday evening. The Town Council is scheduled to vote on each during its regular scheduled June meeting.

Changes to the current proposed budget from the draft released to the public at the beginning of the month include at $10,000 reduction to the town’s space needs fund, resulting from the elimination of a proposed increase in the town’s cigarette tax from $0.25 per pack to $0.35 per pack; an $8 increase to the indirect cost from water fund line item; and a $4,000 transfer from the police budget’s fuel line item to its maintenance line item to allow for anticipated expenses.

The council also voted unanimously with one absent to appropriate several donations for the current calendar year. Several citizens donated a total of $800 to the purchase of T-shirts for Windsor’s car show on July 4. Duke Automotive donated $750 to Windsor’s summer concert series. Councilman Greg Willis donated $600 of his annual council stipend to the car show and Councilwoman Patty Flemming also donated $600 of her stipend to the equipment line item in the town’s budget for concerts and events.

Town Manager Michael Stallings also reported that, per a council resolution, he had approached the Lions Club of Windsor about the possibility of their operating a beer truck during the town’s summer concerts. He said they were agreeable to the idea but were concerned about the cost of liability insurance, since they operate by planning their community events at the beginning of each year and purchase liability insurance at that time only for the specific days events are scheduled. To further pursue the matter, Stallings plans to investigate whether the town’s existing liability insurance would be able to cover the participation of the Lions Club.

The council also briefly discussed the possibility of fencing off the area where beer would be served and/or using drink tickets or wrist bands to limit consumption during the concerts. Councilman N. Macon Edwards expressed concern that some attendees may try to bring their own beer in coolers rather than pay for it at the truck.

The council concluded by going into closed session to complete their evaluation of town employees. Upcoming events at which members of council may be present include an intergovernmental meeting with the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors on June 6, at 6 p.m., in Windsor’s municipal building and the Flavors of Isle of Wight fundraiser on June 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Smithfield Center.