First Selectman’s Report: 9/26 - 9/30/2022

1. The Town Budget went down on Wednesday, 742-856. I have discussed the next steps with members of the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance. There may also be a Public Budget Forum soon to get more citizen feedback. A date has been eyed, but nothing has been finalized yet. We will keep you posted.

 

2. Saturday, October 1st, is GARLIC DAY at Tapestry Hill Farm, located at 388 Jurach Road in Colchester. This chef-owned small farm is a new addition to Colchester, and we welcome Meg Buchsbaum and her many farm offerings with open arms! Ms. Buchsbaum is not only a farmer but also a chef, a food photographer, a food consultant, and an avid beekeeper; her farm stand is typically open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October 22nd this year.

 

On this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 1st, the farm will have loads of garlic for sale, for cooking and planting, and for the brave of heart—for raw eating to keep germs away. It is flavorful and wonderful and should not be missed if you are a foodie or a garlic aficionado. Hippocrates once said, “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” and it is as true today, especially for garlic.

 

In addition to their regular farm stand offerings (changing variety of fruits and veggies, organic eggs, honey, baked goods, jams, bourbon vanilla extract, elderberry syrup, etc.), they will be featuring this Saturday only: cheddar garlic scones, Baba Gannuj, garlic focaccia, zucchini bread, chocolate croissants and much more. All chef prepared and all chef-approved. It sounds like a great time to eat and to experience the abundance of one of our newest farms! The farm takes large orders for garlic by telephone at 1-646-823-5273. 

 

I understand Ms. Buchsbaum is working toward publishing a cookbook, so we eagerly await her local recipes and well-honed cooking advice. Let’s give Ms. Buchsbaum a warm Colchester welcome at Garlic Day on October 1st!

 

3. I want to congratulate Tiffany Quinn and the Park & Recreation Department for earning 2022 Inclusive or Adaptive Program of Merit Award for their work related to Summer Day Camp.

 

Our Town is very fortunate to have wonderful town employees who work very hard for all of us!!

 

4. A special shout out to the Colchester Giving Garden. The giving garden has done exceptionally well this year. Successive plantings and companion plantings have given them their biggest crop ever. They have donated over 2,100 lbs. to those in need this season alone! Bless them for all their hard work and love for our community.

 

5. One of my first acts as First Selectman was entering the Town of Colchester in the National Opioid Settlement agreement. This week, the second round of payments came into the Town. The $10,227.68 will be utilized through Youth & Social Services to combat substance abuse.

 

6. The Town Green Revitalization Project is active! Through a $360K State Grant, the Town can expect new light pole conduit, new light poles, new benches, handicap ramps, a new sign, and much more. The project should be completed by Thanksgiving.

 

7. Interested in tracking Fall Foliage? Follow the Fall Foliage Report weekly at https://www.depdata.ct.gov/forestry/foliage/foliagemap.htm

 

The Estimated Date of Peak Foliage - October 5th through November 8th

 

8. The Playground is undoubtedly moving along. A few wrong parts were shipped to us. Oops, it happens! We will keep the community noted of its completion and the subsequent ribbon-cutting ceremony.

 

9. The Hybrid Room looks to be completed for the week of October 12th. The room will be state-of-the-art and one of the most advanced in the state.

 

10. Youth Services is launching a community-wide Poster Contest to promote Red Ribbon Week. We will be choosing a winner and a runner-up from each school. The contest runs from Sept 30-Oct 14th. The winning posters will be made into placemats that will be featured in local restaurants during Red Ribbon Week from Oct 23rd-Oct 31. First Place Winners from each school will receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card, and Runners Up from each school will receive a $50 Gift Card.

 

11. The CORE Commission has a vacancy. If you are interested in applying, please apply to the First Selectman’s Office. Applications can be found here: https://www.colchesterct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4286/f/uploads/boardsco...

12. Visit our Friends of Cragin Memorial Library Booksale from Friday, September 30th - Tuesday, October 4th.

 

Pre-Sale ($5 admission):

Friday, September 30, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

 

Regular Sale:

Saturday, October 1, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sunday, October 2nd, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

 

Bag Sale ($5 a bag):

Monday, October 3rd, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 4th, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Andreas Bisbikos

First Selectman