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First Selectman’s Report: 5/31 - 6/3/2022

Posted on: June 3, 2022 - 5:07pm
Memorial Day Ceremony
Colchester Memorial Day Ceremony 2022
Our Traditional Values
My parents also taught me the importance of Tradition. Tradition allows us to share common values and honor those who came before us. We must embrace our history as a community and reinvest in community events that will bring us together, not divide us. The return of the Memorial Day Parade after a two-year hiatus was proof of that. Tiffany Quinn and I will be working on a new Fall Community Event (replacing 57th Fest in name, but not in spirit) and we will be reinvigorating Holiday Homecoming into Winter Wonder Wonderland. These new events will become our shared tradition moving forward. I look forward to more days of unity and love.
Andreas Bisbikos
First Selectman
 
First Selectman’s Report: 5/31 - 6/3
  1. At the Memorial Day Ceremony, I issued a Proclamation honoring Ray Ryan, Jacob Finkelstein, and All of the Armed Forces Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice for Our Freedoms. This Proclamation covered the days of May 29, 2022, and May 30, 2022. I was also very humbled by our Memorial Day Parade turnout. I special thank you to the Memorial Day Parade committee and all the town employees and volunteers who made the Parade a very special one.  May God Always Bless the United States of America.
 
  1. The Town Budget was recently sent to a Town Meeting by the Board of Selectmen. The Town Meeting will be held on June 8th for 6:30 PM at Town Hall, and Town Budget Referendum will be held on June 15th.
 
The Town Budget was reduced by $170,402, revenue was increased, and unassigned balance was used to ensure a zero mill increase from the previous year based on calculating the current fiscal 21-22 budget using the 10/1/21 grand list instead of the 10/1/20. The mill rate will now land at 27.08 and factors at least $320,000 of built-in increases, the accepted increase of the school budget, and all-new additional revenue. The new budget maintains all current services and lays off zero town employees, reorganizes two departments for greater efficiency, integrates 21st Century Transparency Software, increases the investment in overdue tree removal services, and answers the call for the demand of additional senior services with a new part-time driver, and adds $1K to the Memorial Day Parade line item.
 
To see the Proposed Town Budget, the Town Budget PowerPoint Presentation, the Mill Rate Calculator, and Questions & Answers; please follow this link: https://www.colchesterct.gov/2022-2023-budget-information
 
  1. The CORE Commission is hosting its first Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 19, from 9–1:00 PM at the Farmer’s Market on the town green.  The CORE Commission will have a table on the opening day of the Farmer’s Market.  The Juneteenth Celebration will consist of educational materials, children’s games, and hearing from a few members of our community on what this means as a Colchester resident.
 
  1. Empowering Tomorrow Foundation is hosting a series of sponsored youth camps this summer.  They will be offering an Archery Camp June 27-30 and an Arts Camp July 11-14, 9 AM-3 PM at 85 Skinner Road in Colchester.  These camps are for any youth ages 12-19.  Attendees will complete a course on healthy relationships in addition to participating in fun activities.
 
 
  1. Park & Recreation received the 2022 Summer Enrichment Grant from the State of CT in the amount of $67,498. This will provide free camp to families that qualify this summer! A big thank you to Tiffany Quinn, our Park & Recreation Director, for securing that grant!!
 
  1. Park & Recreation Update: Our basketball courts were one of the first projects to be worked on! They have been paved. They have been painted, and we expect the remaining work will be compete any day (weather and rain-dependent). We appreciate your patience, and we know the wait will be worth it!
 
With the ARPA funding, we are all looking forward to a wonderful new playground for the Colchester community! The process of selecting a new playground and contractor is complete, and the playground equipment has been ordered. We will keep you all posted when we have estimated delivery and installation dates, but right now, we expect installation to begin at the end of August.
 
The pickleball courts have started- we expect them to be completed after the basketball courts are done. 
 
The Irrigation Design and Installation RFP has closed, and the contract award process is being worked on.
 
  1. COLCHESTER’S NEW FALL COMMUNITY EVENT (Replacing 57th Fest)
 
Saturday, September 17th on the Town Green- a new community event featuring local organizations, local businesses, a silent auction, food, friendly games and competitions, kid-friendly activities, giveaways, and so much more! Save the date, and keep an eye out for more information on how to join in the fun!
 
Tiffany Quinn and I are looking for a name. Please send us your ideas!!
 
  1. WINTER WONDERLAND (AKA HOLIDAY HOMECOMING)
 
Saturday, December 3rd, with a snow date of December 4th. All your favorite activities from Holiday Homecoming…. only more! Winter Wonderland will include a holiday light parade that will lead the firetruck with Santa to the Town Green! Start planning your float decorated with holiday lights now! Activities will be planned throughout the afternoon to ring in the holiday season.
 
  1. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be held at Town Hall on Saturday, June 4, 2022, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.