First Selectman Jason Bowsza

05/24/2026

The Memorial Day parade in Warehouse Point has been cancelled due to the weather forecast. A ceremony will still be held at 10am at the Warehouse Point Fire Department.

05/24/2026

First Selectman’s Report – May 21, 2026

On May 11th, I had the opportunity to meet with Governor Lamont and thank him for his support of the solar moratorium in East Windsor. The governor reiterated his shared frustrations regarding the inundation of solar on prime and important farmland. I intend to be engaged with the working group that will study the equitable siting of solar over the course of the summer and fall.

On May 12th, East Windsor’s first budget referendum failed by a considerable margin. The following night, the Board of Finance met and made adjustments to the budget, cutting $180,000 from the Town government and reducing the Board of Education budget by an amount equal to the additional funding provided to the Town in the adjusted state budget. Those new state dollars can be used to either offset the local tax levy or to support public education.

The next budget referendum will be on Tuesday, May 26th. The budget voters will be asked to consider is a 2.9% overall spending increase. Polls will be open from 6am to 8pm, and all voters are encouraged to come out and vote.

As we await the outcome of the budget vote, a number of positions have remained unfilled until we are sure we have the funding for them in the next fiscal year, including positions in the Police Department and in the Building Department. To that end, we are using temporary help to support the work of the Building Department, and I want to welcome Allie McConnell to the Town in her temporary support role.

Tonight, the Community Center hosted the first Senior/Senior Prom! East Windsor senior citizens and members of the East Windsor High School National Honor Society got together in a fun and relaxing evening – even getting dressed up in prom dresses and suits!

This coming weekend, residents in town will have two opportunities to commemorate Memorial Day. On Sunday, the Melrose Parade and ceremony will be held at the Melrose Cemetery, commencing at 2:30pm. (Anecdotally, I’m told this is one of the shortest parades in America, stepping off from the Melrose School House and concluding at the Melrose Cemetery.) The following day, the Veterans Commission and the American Legion will be hosting a Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony at the Joseph Tracy Memorial Green in Warehouse Point. The parade begins at 10am and the ceremony follows immediately afterwards.

For both of these ceremonies, the weather is looking a little challenging. If changes in programming are made, we'll share those as soon as possible.

Looking ahead, the Town is offering our annual rabies clinic on Saturday, June 13th. The cost per animal is $13. And, while you are here, you can register your dogs! I want to thank Town Clerk Amy Lam for organizing again this year.

And finally, June 25th marks the first summer concert series of the year, featuring the Savage Brothers Band. The Savage Brothers are a very popular local band that cover a wide range of music for all to enjoy. That concert, and all our concerts this year, will be from 6:30-8:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jason E. Bowsza
First Selectman

05/01/2026

For the last two years, East Windsor and Enfield have participated in a pilot program to provide microtransit access to East Windsor residents. These state-subsidized ride shares have been a tremendous success, resulting in 30,000 rides per year, in a region of the state otherwise without public transportation.

Our residents are using this program to get to school, to work, to doctors' appointments, to grocery stores, and to recreational opportunities.

By every measure, this has been a benefit to East Windsor residents. It is critical that the legislature maintain the funding for offer this to our community, and others serviced by the micro-transit program. That's why I was honored to speak at a press conference at the State Capitol this week advocating to continue that funding, joined by municipal leaders and advocates from around the state.

04/28/2026

I wanted to reach out with a few exciting community updates and opportunities to get involved.

Tonight, we invite you to stop by the Maine Fish Market Restaurant between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m. for our annual Tip-A-Cop event supporting Connecticut Special Olympics. Local officers will be on hand helping serve guests, and patrons are encouraged to make a donation of their choosing to support this great cause. It’s always a fun evening filled with energy, and proceeds go to a great cause. Thanks to the EWPD Union for leading this!

Looking ahead to this summer, from July 20th through July 23rd, East Windsor will host the Connecticut FBINAA Youth Leadership Program at the Annex. This free program is open to students entering their sophomore through senior years of high school. Participants will take part in hands-on leadership training, team-building activities, physical fitness, and even a visit to FBI Headquarters in New Haven. If you know a student who might be interested—a child, grandchild, neighbor, or friend—this is an outstanding opportunity. For more information or to apply, please reach out to Deputy Chief Ben Murphy.

On Saturday, May 2nd, the Broad Brook Angling Club will hold their annual Kids Fishing Derby at East Windsor Park. This free event is open to children ages 15 and under. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., with fishing from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. There will be prizes, plenty of fun, and participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Five Corner Cupboard.

The East Windsor Community Fund Advisory Committee is also looking for new volunteers. They will host an open house on May 7th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Trolley Museum. It’s a great way to learn how you can help support meaningful projects right here in our community.

On Saturday, May 16th, the East Windsor Garden Club will host a plant sale at the Old Melrose School from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You’ll find a wide variety of plants at great prices, along with tag sale items, all supporting local beautification efforts, education, and scholarships.

And finally, on Thursday, May 21st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., the Community Center will host its first-ever Senior Prom for residents ages 55 and older. Enjoy an elegant evening of dinner, dancing, and great music in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.

We hope to see you out in the community!

04/17/2026

Hello, I wanted to reach out with a quick community update.

First, tomorrow, the Town will host a bulky waste and metal drop-off event for East Windsor residents at USA Hauling, located at 9 Shoham Road. The event runs from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Please note that drivers must show proof of residency to participate.

Next Saturday, April 25th, the East Windsor Local Prevention Council is sponsoring a Community Prevention Event from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Community Center, located at 28 Abbe Road. The event will feature interactive prevention simulations, educational opportunities, and community resource tables. There will also be games, raffles, and food for all ages.

Additionally, on April 25th and 26th, please expect road closures on Depot Street between Main Street and Emily Road. The Broad Brook Fire Department will be conducting mandatory training at the Broad Brook Pond boat launch, which will also be closed during this time. Closures are expected on April 25th from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, and on April 26th from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Finally, the East Windsor Community Fund Advisory Committee is seeking new members. The committee will host a New Volunteer Open House on May 7th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Trolley Museum. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the committee and how to get involved in supporting the community.

Thank you for your time, and we hope to see you at these upcoming events.

04/16/2026

Thank you, East Windsor, for supporting our at-risk seniors!

03/26/2026

https://www.ctinsider.com/waterbury/opinion/article/connecticut-solar-farms-explosion-22096381.php

03/21/2026

03/19/2026

First Selectman’s Report – March 19, 2026

Over the past two weeks, much of my time has been dedicated to three major areas of focus: matters related to the Connecticut Siting Council and its recent decision approving the Gravel Pit Solar expansion; legislative activity before the General Assembly; and finalizing my budget message for the current budget cycle.

As most residents now know, on March 5 the Connecticut Siting Council approved the expansion proposed under Petition 492A, Gravel Pit Solar’s expansion plan. In response, the Board of Selectmen has authorized an appeal of this decision, which is expected to be filed within the next couple of weeks. We fully understand and share the community’s frustration over the continued saturation of grid scale solar projects in East Windsor. We will continue to take every action available to us to prevent further expansion of these projects.

One of our core challenges is that grid scale solar siting is largely governed by state authority, leaving municipal governments with a limited role in the decision making process. Our remaining options include working with the General Assembly to change existing statutes, pursuing relief through the Superior Court, and seeking action from the executive branch. Given the seriousness of the concerns raised by our residents, which the Board of Selectmen shares, we are actively pursuing all three avenues. The process currently used by the Siting Council lacks adequate transparency, accountability, and community input, and meaningful reform is urgently needed.

In alignment with this effort, I have testified on several bills over the last two weeks. Two of those bills—one before the Public Safety Committee and one before the Energy and Technology Committee—address how the Siting Council evaluates public safety considerations, particularly related to fires at grid scale solar installations.

Just yesterday, I testified in support of House Bill 5551, a comprehensive reform of the Connecticut Siting Council. This bill includes several significant measures, such as:
• establishing moratoriums on additional expansion under certain conditions, which East Windsor would meet;
• creating a public ombudsman to assist residents in navigating the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act; and
• addressing conflicts of interest, membership structure, and other systemic issues that contribute to the frustrations our community has repeatedly experienced.

There is still time for residents to submit testimony on House Bill 5551, and I encourage anyone with an interest in this issue to do so.

In addition to solar-related legislation, I also provided testimony on bills that would fully fund the state’s Pequot Grant Program—which has gone underfunded for many years—and on legislation that would continue funding for the micro transit system serving East Windsor and Enfield. This service has provided more than 30,000 rides per year over the past two years and has been a critical resource for residents who face transportation challenges, giving them access to employment, education, medical appointments, groceries, and community engagement. I have now testified twice in favor of extending this program’s funding, and I remain optimistic about its prospects.

Finally, I have been completing my budget message, which outlines several key components of the Town’s financial planning. These include:
• the Town’s fiscal policy;
• major features of the proposed budget;
• explanations of significant increases and decreases recommended by the Board of Selectmen;
• a summary of the proposed General Fund budget;
• the Town’s debt position; and
• the current status of pension funding.
The Budget Message marks the midpoint of the annual budget process. Department heads have submitted their requests, the First Selectman has completed the initial review and recommendations, and the Board of Selectmen has made its own final recommendations. We now enter the phase of the process led by the Board of Finance, which will culminate in the referendum scheduled for early May.

Links to relevant testimony from this legislative session:
HB 5457 (Solar):https://cga.ct.gov/2026/psdata/TMY/2026HB-05457-R000312-Bowsza,%20Jason,%20First%20Selectman-Town%20of%20East%20Windsor-Supports-TMY.PDF
HB 5472 (Solar): https://cga.ct.gov/2026/etdata/TMY/2026HB-05472-R000312-Bowsza,%20Jason,%20First%20Selectman-Town%20of%20East%20Windsor-Supports-TMY.PDF
HB 5551 (Solar):https://cga.ct.gov/2026/gaedata/TMY/2026HB-05551-R000318-Bowsza,%20Jason,%20First%20Selectman-Town%20of%20East%20Windsor-Supports-TMY.PDF
SB 9 (Micro Transit):https://cga.ct.gov/2026/tradata/TMY/2026SB-00009-R000302-Bowsza,%20Jason,%20First%20Selectman-Town%20of%20East%20Windsor-Supports-TMY.PDF
SB 144 (Solar): https://cga.ct.gov/2026/envdata/TMY/2026SB-00144-R000220-Bowsza,%20Jason,%20First%20Selectman-Town%20of%20East%20Windsor-Supports-TMY.PDF
SB 388 (Pequot Fund): https://cga.ct.gov/2026/appdata/TMY/2026SB-00388-R000312-Bowsza,%20Jason,%20First%20Selectman-Town%20of%20East%20Windsor-Pequot%20and%20Mohegan%20Fund-Supports-TMY.PDF
SB 390 (Micro Transit): https://cga.ct.gov/2026/appdata/TMY/2026SB-00388-R000312-Bowsza,%20Jason,%20First%20Selectman-Town%20of%20East%20Windsor-Pequot%20and%20Mohegan%20Fund-Supports-TMY.PDF

03/05/2026

First Selectman’s Report
Board of Selectmen Meeting
March 5th, 2026

Gravel Pit Solar – Expansion Petition 492-A
Earlier today, the Connecticut Siting Council approved the expansion of the Gravel Pit Solar project under Petition 492-A. While this outcome is disappointing, it is unfortunately not surprising given the Council’s long-standing record of approving the overwhelming majority of applications that come before it.

The Town of East Windsor strongly opposed this expansion. Our opposition included formal participation in the proceeding, presentation of evidence and testimony, and the submission of a petition signed by more than 2,100 residents who opposed the project. In addition to the Town’s efforts, several residents also exercised their right to become parties to the petition and participated directly in the evidentiary process. Their dedication and advocacy on behalf of the community were significant and deeply appreciated.

Despite these efforts, the Council once again declined to meaningfully consider the cumulative impact that repeated large-scale renewable energy developments are having on the Town of East Windsor. As has been the case in many previous decisions, municipal concerns and local planning considerations were given limited weight in the final outcome.

The next step for the Board of Selectmen will be to meet with the Town’s legal counsel to evaluate any legal remedies that may be available and to determine an appropriate course of action moving forward.

For residents who are disappointed with today’s decision, I want to emphasize that the Town shares those concerns. The frustration felt in the community is understandable, and the Town remains committed to continuing its efforts to address these issues through every available avenue.

Legislative Activity – Renewable Energy Siting Reform
The challenges surrounding renewable energy siting are rooted in state law. Meaningful change will ultimately require legislative action.

Representative Foster has been working on this issue for several years and has successfully advanced several reform proposals through the Connecticut House of Representatives. Unfortunately, those initiatives have either stalled in the Senate or been vetoed by the Governor.

With the General Assembly currently in session, there have been several recent opportunities to highlight the urgency of the circumstances facing East Windsor.

On February 20, I testified before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Environment Committee in support of Senate Bill 144, which would provide for local municipal representation on the Connecticut Siting Council when projects are proposed within a municipality.

Earlier today, coincidentally at the same moment the Council was approving the Gravel Pit expansion, I testified before the Energy and Technology Committee regarding HB 5340, legislation that would extend incentives for additional grid-scale solar development. During that testimony I highlighted the years of frustration experienced by residents in our community and noted that, to date, neither the legislative branch nor the executive branch has provided meaningful relief for municipalities facing these siting challenges.

The Town will continue advocating for legislative reforms that provide municipalities with a stronger voice in determining how and where large-scale energy infrastructure is located.

Other legislative advocacy – Micro-transit Program – Senate Bill 9
Earlier this week I also testified before the Transportation Committee in support of Senate Bill 9, which would extend the pilot micro-transit program currently serving East Windsor and Enfield.

When the State establishes a pilot program, the intent is generally to evaluate whether the program can deliver meaningful results. In the case of the micro-transit program serving our region, the results have been clear.

The service is currently providing more than 2,300 rides per month, offering reliable, low-cost transportation to residents who otherwise have limited mobility options. The program has opened access to:
• Employment opportunities
• Medical care
• Grocery stores and fresh food
• Educational programs and training opportunities

For many residents in our community, particularly those without access to a personal vehicle, this service has become an essential transportation link. Extending the pilot program will allow the State to continue building on what has already proven to be a highly successful initiative.

Board of Education Appointments
I would like to congratulate Casey Starvish and Coreen Seymour, who were sworn in as the two newest members of the Board of Education on February 25. With their addition, all seats on the Board are now filled. I wish them both the best as they begin their service to the community.

East Windsor Middle School Career Day
I recently had the opportunity to participate once again in Career Day at East Windsor Middle School. It is always a pleasure to speak with students about careers in public service and to discuss the work that goes into municipal government.

The students were engaged, thoughtful, and asked excellent questions. Opportunities like this allow us to share our experiences and hopefully inspire the next generation to consider careers serving their communities. I appreciate the invitation from the Middle School staff and their continued commitment to providing these experiences for students.

Geriatric Social Work Initiative
Staff discussions are continuing regarding how best to address the growing need for geriatric social work services in the community.

East Windsor’s population is approximately 20 percent older than the state average, and we are increasingly seeing situations where older residents require coordinated social service support.

Work is underway to refine a program design that would help meet these needs. I expect to present a revised proposal to the Board of Selectmen in the coming weeks for consideration.