The council authorized Bolton and Mink Incorporated to transition the City of Winsted’s GIS data to a public cloud server, following a notification from Esri that private hosting would no longer be permitted. The transition will cost approximately $17,000, with annual licensing fees of about $1,225. This move ensures the continued functionality and accessibility of crucial city data, such as sewer, water, storm sewer, and zoning information, which have historically been stored on paper maps before being digitized.

In addition to the GIS transition, the council approved the solicitation of bids for the Hanland Park Improvement Project. Initial bids for a park pavilion were higher than anticipated, prompting the park commission to revise the plans to align with budget expectations. The council’s decision allows Bolton and Mink to prepare and advertise for bids.

The meeting also included a detailed report from the fire chief of the Winsted Volunteer Fire Department, highlighting the department’s activities and achievements in 2025. The department responded to a record 342 calls, with the majority being medical emergencies. The chief shared the successful replacement of an aging rescue truck, saving significant costs through strategic purchasing and local partnerships. The fire department’s charitable gambling efforts were also noted, contributing substantial funds to the department’s capital improvement plan.