First Selectman’s Report: 4/18-4/22/2022

A lot will be going on this weekend. On Saturday - I will be throwing out the opening pitch at the CBSL game, the Ukrainian flag will be raised at Town Hall, two Eagle Scouts will be honored, and I will be hanging out with K9 Officer Skipper & friends at the Mark Twain House for a very special event!! On Sunday, my family and friends will celebrate our Greek Orthodox Easter. Of course, I'll be doing all my First Selectman duties too! I wish everyone celebrating Orthodox Easter well. May everyone in our community have a wonderful weekend!!

 

Andreas Bisbikos

First Selectman

 

 

 

1. The ARPA Ad-Hoc Committee is still accepting small business applications. $1M in ARPA funds has been specifically earmarked for our local businesses. A business may receive up to $25K in federal funds. The ARPA Committee is also accepting non-profit applications. There is $250K specifically earmarked for non-profits. Please apply and complete your ARPA application here:  https://www.colchesterct.gov/your-government/arpa-ad-hoc-committee.

 

You may reach out to ARPA@ColchesterCT.gov if you have any further questions. Deadlines for local businesses and non-profits are April 30^th. The Board of Selectmen unanimously decided to review all applications after the April 30^th deadline to ensure funding fairness for all applicants.

 

Phase A

a)Playgrounds – Bid Closed, going to the Park & Rec Commission for review in May – Expected to be voted on by the BOS on Thursday, May 5^th

b)Strategic Planner – Expected to be voted on by the BOS on Thursday, May 5^th

c)Pickleball Courts - Expected to be voted on by the BOS on Thursday, May 5^th

d)Tennis Courts – Price too high with the contractor; Tiffany and I will be negotiating new terms, or we will explore other options, part of our town capital plan

e)Irrigation – Out to bid, waiting for bid to close in May; part of our capital plan; would like it in front of the BOS by June

f)ARPA Gift Cards – Giverrang will be presenting to the ARPA Committee at their first meeting in May, and I would like it in front of the BOS by June

g)Police Expansion – Floor Plans are in, estimated expansion cost at $228K, the project is being prepared to go out to bid

h)New Youth Center – Looking to secure a contractor to help establish an estimate, will be put out to bid afterward

i)Youth & Social Services Counselor – sent to the ARPA Committee for a vote at their first meeting in May, will be brought to the BOS meeting once approved; 60K temp position to address mental health issues

 

 

Phase B

a)Current Youth Center roof – Being prepared to go out to bid, 30K of ARPA already secured from last year. Estimate 70K-100K total

b)Town Hall Projects – Earmarked and put on hold until other items secured

c)Fire Department parking lot – Chief Hoffman has been instructed to put the project out to bid; 100k -180k project; part of the capital plan

 

3. Colchester continues to move into the 21^st Century as our Online Permitting Portal is now active!! If you are interested in applying for a permit, you can easily access the documentation and submit the forms online. 

 

4. The Senior Center Logo Contest: As we design and build a brand-new senior center, we are looking to establish a new logo. We are conducting a community-wide contest to design this logo. We envision using the logo in the new building and promotional materials such as our monthly newsletter, business cards, and letterhead. If you are interested in creating a design and entering it into the contest, please click here: https://www.colchesterct.gov/home/news/community-wide-new-senior-center-logo-contest.

 

5. The Colchester "Annual Spring Clean Up" is Saturday, April 30^th, from 8:00 a.m.-12 noon. People (groups, families, organizations) can register online to clean up a specific area in town. Colchester Parks and Recreation will provide garbage bags that can be left onsite for the Public Works crew to pick up.  Clean-up areas in town include the schools, the RecPlex, the Town Green, the Town Hall, and Ruby Cohen Woodlands.

 

All registered participants will meet at noon at the Town Green baseball field for a group picture. Then we will all head over to Mel's Downtown Creamery for a free ice cream cone on us as a "thank you"! When you register, you will be able to specify a location. Then you will receive an email with all the details on Monday, April 25^th. If you have any questions, please call the Recreation Office at (860) 537-7297. If you are interested in participating, please register online at  https://colchesterctrec.recdesk.com/Community/Home. 

 

6. The Public Safety Subcommittee is looking for two members of the public to serve on it. You can get your Board & Commission application to join the subcommittee here:

 

7. The "Colchester Memorial Day Parade" has chosen the theme for this year's parade. This year it is "Colchester Remembers Their Citizens Who Gave Their Tomorrows For Our Today's." All marching units and floats should try and use the theme in preparing for the parade, which will be on Sunday, May 29^th, 2022. Applications are now available in the First Selectman’s Office and through the Town's website. Applications are required for those who are interested in participating in the parade. The application deadline is May 1^st. You can access an application here: https://www.colchesterct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4286/f/uploads/parade_application_2022.pdf

 

The parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. Parade participants should assemble by 11:00 a.m. The public is encouraged to view the parade on Norwich Avenue and Main Street to help cheer on the marching units. The Memorial ceremony will take place on the Veterans Green starting at about 1:15 p.m. Any local Veterans are encouraged to join the members of veterans' organization in the line of march. A trailer will be provided for veterans unable to march. It is important that all Americans pause to reflect on what our nation's heroes have done to preserve our freedoms in America. The event's rain date will be Monday, May 30^th at 12:30 p.m. There will also be a flyover on Monday as well.

 

8. The Board of Finance unanimously approved the Town Budget of Finance with a 2.12% increase from last year's budget. This increase is 1.5% less than the budget increase passed at the referendum on the third try last year. The budget maintains all current services, begins the investment in various long-term capital projects, reorganizes two departments for greater efficiency, integrates 21^st Century Transparency Software, doubles the investment in overdue tree removal services, and answers the call for the demand of additional senior services with a new part-time bus driver.

 

9. The Board of Education budget was approved at Wednesday's Board of Finance meeting. It is approximately a .47% increase from last year. If both budgets pass, the mill rate would land at 27.27 mills, a decrease of 5.78 mills from last year.

 

10. The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved raising the Ukrainian flag from April 23^rd to April 30^th on behalf of the humanitarian effort in Ukraine. On Saturday, April 23^rd, a ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Town Hall.