Walter Bernacki

 

1. What are your qualifications to be on Town Council?

 

I was elected to Windsor Town Council and started my term in 2017. My leadership and management skills have allowed me to assist in keeping our town fiscally sound. Those skills along with my public service experience have led me to be instrumental in prioritizing and completing capital projects. Those projects that the previous town council(s) had been discussing but little to no action was taken on them. These include: the Shilo Road sidewalk extension, the Windsor Town Center and the new Windsor Public Works building, which is currently under construction.

 

2. What are some issues you would like to see Town Council address?

 

I would like to see the town complete the final capital improvement project, which is building a new town hall. I also want to work toward establishing both a short-term and long-term plan for addressing drainage issues, water system improvements and improving the sewer system within the town in the future. This will help set the town up for controlled residential and commercial development.

 

3. What do you like/dislike about life in Windsor?

 

I love the small town farm atmosphere, you know your neighbors and I feel safe walking, biking and living in town. I hear from residents and listen to their vision of what they want Windsor to look like. I want to be a voice for them so they too can talk about what they like about our town.

 

4. Is Windsor “business friendly” in your opinion?

 

I think we are business friendly, but we need to improve. We need to look at zoning issues that may be overly restrictive or preclude business activities.

 

5. What are your thoughts on backyard chickens?

 

I led the movement to get a common sense ordinance for backyard chickens passed in my first year on council. The zoning commission generated a great compromise chicken ordinance that it had appeared everyone agreed upon. When it came down to the vote, even though most of the residents spoke in favor of this ordinance, a majority of the council at that time turned their backs on the residents and voted what they wanted, which was NO chickens. If a majority of the residents still want backyard chickens, then council needs to pass an ordinance to allow them.