Windsor Discusses Joining West Hartford - Bloomfield Health District

At a meeting on Monday, members of the Windsor town council discussed the possibility of collaborating with neighboring towns to deliver health services.

According to Town Manager Peter Souza, the issue was prompted by the retirement of a veteran Windsor sanitarian and the need to fill the full-time position as mandated by state law.

Windsor has provided full-time health services to residents and businesses since 1983, Souza said, but changes to the town's staff and state funds have led officials to consider a partnership with municipalities to satisfy service-delivery requirements to provide a full-time sanitarian and maintain the current standard of services.

One options is joining the West Hartford-Bloomfield health district, which has been established for 15 years, according to Souza. There are some differences in the way services are provided in the West Hartford-Bloomfield district; however, the core services (food service operation, sewage control, etc.) are similar.

Director of Health Charles Petrillo addressed the council, stressing the economic factors contributing to the town's consideration of municipal collaboration. According to Petrillo, the state cut health funding in fiscal year 2009 to municipalities with fewer than 50,000 residents, resulting in the loss of $34,000 to the town.

While the collaboration would allow Windsor to maintain the current standard of services provided, it was clear Monday night that the examination stage is still well underway, and a decision will not be made in the near future. According to Petrillo, West Hartford-Bloomfield district is currently completing its budget process, and the budget will be assessed by town officials upon completion to determine whether or not it would be economically beneficial to Windsor residents.

Souza said that while the economic benefits to the town are of significant import, the financial value is "a close second" to the quality of services that are provided.

Councilor Ronald Eleveld raised a couple of concerns, namely the possibility of the council losing any influence over the town's health services if Windsor were to join the district, and whether or not West Hartford and Bloomfield would be the best partners.

Eleveld proposed a collaboration between Windsor, South Windsor, East Windsor and Windsor Locks, based on historical ties. The towns were all Windsor at one point in history, and the towns are tied by a foundation in agriculture, he said.

Councilor William Herzfeld expressed his approval of the examination of the West Hartford-Bloomfield-Windsor Collaboration, while Mayor Don Trinks chose to view the discussion from the perspective of Windsor residents. "How will this affect the way services are delivered?" he asked.