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Windsor Mayor George Stubbs took some time on Friday, Jan. 3, to reflect on the highlights and challenges of 2024 for the town of Windsor.

POSITIVE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

He first highlighted businesses within the town.

“I think overall for the town of Windsor and everything with the revenue that comes in, I think the businesses have had a good year, and I’m glad of that,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of the people that support them.”

He noted that one or two smaller Windsor-based businesses started in 2024, and he took a moment to highlight one of them — Fizz Fusion, an innovative soda shop located at 45 W. Windsor Blvd. It opened on Aug. 23 and has expanded since then.

“They’re doing an excellent job,” he said.

Stubbs mentioned that just down the road on West Windsor Boulevard, Councilman Jake Redd has been preparing a building and property for his chicken and ice cream restaurant concept.

“He’s trying to finish that up to where he can get that open,” Stubbs said.

STRONG TOWN STAFF PERFORMANCE

Stubbs noted, “As far as the town and what we represent, I think town staff has done an excellent job of supporting the residents of the town.”

He cited the outstanding fiscal year 2024 audit report that the Windsor Town Council received in November.

“I think it’s an excellent job,” Stubbs said. “The treasurer and the town staff and (Town Manager) Mr. (William) Saunders, they do a good job.”

PROGRESS TOWARD MORE HOUSING

The mayor said, “We have a new housing development that is in the process of site preparation — Windsor Station. That’s in progress right now.”

It was reported in November that construction was underway on the Windsor Station subdivision that will bring 60 single-family homes to the town on Shiloh Drive.

NO FIREWORKS ON THE 4TH OF JULY

Stubbs said that on a less joyful note, it was a disappointment to town leaders that the town’s 2024 Independence Day event did not end with fireworks, as originally planned.

The town of Windsor announced on its Facebook page just before 6 p.m. on July 2 that the fireworks show set to cap off the town’s Independence Day event on July 4 had been canceled.

Stubbs noted that the contractor was unable to fulfill its obligations to perform the fireworks show.

LARGEST TOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE EVER

The mayor contrasted the disappointment in July, however, with the elation in December associated with the Windsor Christmas Parade and Market.

“It’s the largest Christmas Parade that’s ever been held in town; we had 42 participants,” Stubbs said, noting that feedback was positive, including one lady who said it was the best parade she had ever seen in town. “We had a downfall with the Fourth of July event, but the Christmas Parade and the people that were at the (Windsor) Town Center that had the (market) vendors that were set up out there, they seem to have been very well satisfied, the ones that I’ve heard from.”

WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT DELAY

Stubbs said a sticking point with the Town Council, himself and Saunders has been the status of the Duke Street and Virginia Avenue Water Main Replacement Project, the conclusion of which has been delayed.

“That’s still ongoing,” Stubbs said.

Saunders stated in a Dec. 10 memo to the mayor and council, “The town is awaiting a revised plan for chlorination, flushing and sampling from the contractor.”

REVIVED TALKS OF A NEW TOWN HALL

Stubbs noted that the council resumed a discussion in 2024 that had been dormant for years — building a new Town Hall.

“They’ve got a consensus that the plans that they have right now for the new Town Hall center are acceptable,” Stubbs said. “Down the road, maybe sometime (in 2025), I’m not sure, they’re going to have to make a decision as to whether they want to go forth with this and maybe sign a contract with someone and even start the building of it.”

TOWN AIMS TO OBTAIN A CABOOSE

The Windsor Town Council reached a consensus at its Dec. 10 meeting to pursue a process that could bring a circa 1927 red Norfolk & Western caboose to Windsor to ultimately be put on display as a tribute to Windsor’s history as a train town.

“And we are doing that,” Stubbs said, noting town officials have met with representatives associated with the site where the caboose is presently located in Suffolk. “They’ve been very diligently working with us. They want it moved, but they know it’s not something that we can accomplish overnight. There’s a lot of things that have got to be determined.”

VIVIAN FONTAINE’S 100TH BIRTHDAY

Vivian Fontaine, who has been a resident of Windsor for more than 38 years, celebrated her 100th birthday on May 3, 2024.

“I had the opportunity to recognize her in a council meeting,” Stubbs said. “That was another highlight of the year.”