First Selectman's Report - May 3, 2024
Public Works Summer Paving
Thursday night, the Board of Selectmen approved several road improvement projects to take place in Colchester this summer, funded significantly by Town Aid Road funds received from the State of Connecticut. Work will include chip sealing all or portions of the following roads: Shugrue Rd, Jurach Road, Lake Hayward Road, Windham Ave, and Bull Hill Road for a total of 6.5 miles of work. Two inch mill and fill paving will also be done on the following roads: Pleasant Street, Davidson Road, Pine Brook Road, and Linwood Cemetery Road for a total of 2.2 miles of work.
While this work is being funded in-part by State-granted Town Aid Road funds, more road improvement work is expected to be approved later this summer, pending approval of the Town budget. The Town has delayed or deferred significant road improvement work since 2020. The projects planned for this summer will start to put us back on the right track.
Budget Workshops
The Board of Finance will hold its next two budget workshops on Monday, May 6 and Tuesday, May 7. Monday’s workshop will focus on the Town budget including departments like Cragin Library, Senior Services, Youth and Social Services, and Public Works.
The Public Works portion of the presentation will focus heavily on efforts to improve maintenance of Colchester's recreation fields, particularly those at the Recreation Complex.
Tuesday’s workshop will focus on the Board of Education. Meetings start at 6:00 PM and will be held at Town Hall Meeting Room 1 and via Zoom.
Facilities Maintenance Updates
The bathrooms at the Recreation Complex are receiving a much-needed repainting this week and next week. Painting is being done on both the interior and exterior. Thank you to Doug and the rest of the grounds crew! After the bathrooms are repainted, the Splash Pad will also be repainted with a non-slip paint ahead of the summer season.
The Town Hall sign was also given a beautiful new fresh coat of paint this week.
Recreation Needs & Coordination Committee Update
The newly formed Recreation Needs temporary committee held their first meeting on Wednesday night. Matt Parsons was elected as chair and Luke McCoy as vice chair. The group scheduled their next meeting for May 15 at 7:00 PM. An email address for this group will go live early next week.
Food Truck Festival
Join us Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 for the Colchester Food Truck Festival on the Town Green from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Come enjoy a wide variety of food offerings and fun for the whole family!
Summer Concerts on the Green
More great events are right around the corner, including summer concerts on the Green starting in July!
Every Thursday, July 11 - August 22, from 6-8pm.
- 7/11/24 My Druthers concert
- 7/18/24 Bob Button Big Band concert
- 7/25/24 Karaoke Night with DJ Montez
- 8/1/24 Concert in the Park (TBD)
- 8/8/24 Mighty Soul Drivers concert
- 8/15/24 Sunny Train- Kids Concert in the Park
- 8/22/24 End of Summer Dance Party with DJ Montez
USPS Food Drive
Each year, letter carriers across the country head out on their routes on the second Saturday in May to collect donations of non-perishable food items to benefit local food pantries. Since launching in 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States.
The need is great, but you can help. We invite you to join letter carriers and partner organizations in the fight to end hunger in our communities by participating in the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
Simply leave your donation of non-perishable food in a bag near your mailbox on the second Saturday in May, and your letter carrier will do the rest.
https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive
Colchester Senior Center Celebrates "Older Americans Month"
This May highlights “Powered by Connection”, the profound impact social connections have for older adults.
The Colchester Senior Center invites all citizens ages 55 and over to come and explore the important role that senior centers play in helping people age with the necessary supports, programs and resources which will keep them healthy and independent in the community. To CONNECT with the Colchester Senior Center, call 860-537-3911 or the town website at https://www.colchesterct.gov/senior-center.
Eversource Shut Offs
Eversource has begun informing residents and municipalities that the shut-off moratorium implemented during the COVID19 pandemic will end this month. Please see the flyer below for information on programs that may help residents with a past due balance who are in danger of being shut off. Residents may also be eligible for funds under the Town of Colchester's ARPA Household Assistance program through Youth & Social Services. Click here for more information on this program.
Youth Services “Making Moves”
Making Moves is a 5th grade group that Colchester Youth Services offers kids to help with the transition to middle school.
Sincerely,
Bernie Dennler
First Selectman
Town of Colchester, CT