First Selectman's Report - April 19, 2024
Finance Department Update
I want to provide residents an update on our ongoing efforts to restore stability and transparency to the Town’s financial operations. As of yesterday, the position of Director of Finance is officially vacant. For the moment, the department will continue to be under the leadership of Deputy Director Michelle Marceau who has been serving as the Acting Director since January.
As we move forward, if the Town budget is approved as presented, I will recommend that the Board of Selectmen begin a formal search for a permanent Director of Town Finance after July 1st. This will complete the restructuring process which began in January, shortly after I took office.
At that time, the Board of Selectmen was responding to issues regarding the management of the Finance Department. The Board reviewed concerns about inaccurate reporting in the Town’s financial bookkeeping software MUNIS as a result of improperly booked expenses, failure to properly charge against encumbrances, and unposted revenue. In February, we presented the Board of Finance with logs containing the hundreds of pages of corrections and journal entries made to clean up the Town’s financial books. Those documents are available here.
Despite these issues, I want to be clear: The Town of Colchester remains financially solvent and I have no concerns regarding our Town’s ability to pay its obligations. However, the Town must follow established procedures, guarantee accurate and timely payment of employees and vendors, ensure proper internal controls, have appropriate safeguards against misuse of funds, and have accurate reporting both internally and externally.
Over the last few months, we have restored and strengthened proper separation of duties and I have renewed confidence in the financial reporting which all departments and elected officials rely upon for decision-making and budget planning.
While there is still work to do, I am confident in the team we now have running the Colchester Finance Department. This office was once an award-winning model of success statewide. As part of our restructuring, we have engaged talented staff who were previously part of that successful office configuration to help restore institutional knowledge and bring back stability to this critical department which is charged with overseeing taxpayer dollars and the Town of Colchester’s financial operations. I want to thank Deputy Director/Acting Director of Town Finance Michelle Marceau and Finance Department Advisor Maggie Cosgrove (former Colchester CFO) for their leadership over the last four months.
As I have promised from day one in office, I will continue to keep you informed and to be transparent about this situation.
2024 Spring Clean Up
Tomorrow, celebrate Earth Day and register to help clean up Colchester! We will have registration forms, garbage bags, and ice cream vouchers at the TOWN HALL (main entrance) between 8-9am.
It looks like a 50% chance of rain on Saturday but we will be here from 8-9am rain, or shine. Please stop in and complete your registration forms, pick up garbage bags and/or ice cream vouchers between 8-9am but feel free to start cleaning after the rain stops!
There are many different areas that you can choose to work on. Bring a team, a family, or friends. We will provide garbage bags and free garbage pickup. Jobs include spreading mulch, raking, weeding, picking up garbage, and more. Locations include the schools, town buildings and parks.
Meet up at 12pm at Mel’s Downtown Ice Cream for a free ice cream as our way of saying “Thank you!"
If you have any questions, please call the Recreation office at (860) 537-7297.
Nip Bottle Clean Up Plan
Yesterday, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a plan to begin utilizing funds from the state's nip bottle deposit program to reduce and clean-up nip bottles and other litter in our community.
For every nip sold in a municipality, the town receive five cents from the sale for use specifically for remediation of the litter problem caused by these tiny plastic bottles.
The Town has received about $60,000 over the last two years but has not spent any of it until now. With the funds, Public Works will be replacing the open-top plastic trash barrels currently on the Green along with the metal bins which are damaged or missing their lids. The replacements were selected to conform with the requirements set by the Historic District Commission during the approval process for renovations to the Town Green and to reduce loose litter blowing out of them. Two new bins will also be placed at Ruby & Elizabeth Cohen Woodlands.
In addition to these purchases, these funds will also be used to pay for Public Works to do a Town-wide litter sweep outside of regular working hours. This kind of Town-wide litter cleanup would not be possible with their day-to-day obligations, but these specially designated funds from the nip bottle deposit program will enable us to get nips and other litter off our streets.
Emergency Management Plan
On Thursday, April 18, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve relocating the main emergency operations from JJIS to Colchester Fire & EMS headquarters. Colchester Emergency Management will become a division of Colchester Fire & EMS, pending the adoption of the FY24-25 budget. This is expected to produce a cost savings to the Town and be more efficient for our emergency management team which is primarily based out of Fire/EMS HQ already.
Budget Workshops
The Board of Finance will host its second budget workshop of the year on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:00 PM. This workshop will focus on the Board of Selectmen/Town budget. Workshops will be held in-person at Town Hall and via Zoom. Note: This workshop was originally scheduled for Monday, April 22 but is being rescheduled due to Passover.
Summer Registration Open
Youth Services summer registration is open! Spots are filling up, sign up your child today We have a fun filled, action packed schedule this summer! Sonny's, Six Flags, Quassy, Breezy, all your favorites and more!
Colchester Cares - Economic Development Donation
This week, Colchester Cares approved a donation of $1,200 to the Colchester Economic Development Commission. The EDC currently operates without any budget.
Thank you to Colchester Cares!
Business Spotlight: Cottage Gardens Bakery & Greenhouse
This week, I visited Cottage Gardens Bakery & Greenhouse with Val Geato, Director of Colchester Youth and Social Services.
Located at 460 New London Road, Cottage Gardens is operated by Seabird Enterprises to provide socialization, vocational training, and job opportunities for individuals physical and developmental disabilities. Cottage Gardens country-style bakery is open to the public for breakfast and lunch. It's a great place to get a fresh sandwich or homemade sweets. Personally, I am a big fan of their lemon bars!
Cottage Gardens is also home to a greenhouse with an assortment of beautiful, well-cared for plants for sale. They are typically open Monday through Friday 8AM to 1PM. However, they will be hosting a pop-up market with flowers, plants, and baked goods for Mother's Day on Saturday, May 11 from 9AM to 1PM.
Please consider visiting and supporting Cottage Gardens.
Bernie Dennler
First Selectman