First Selectman’s Report: 6/12 - 6/16
1. Congratulations to the graduates of the Bacon Academy Class of 2023. Best wishes to a very successful future filled with happiness and achievements!!
2. The Board of Finance will begin deliberations on both the Town and Education budgets at their Regularly Scheduled meeting on Wednesday, June 28th.
3. One of my key initiatives as First Selectman was to establish a Public Safety Committee to strengthen the relationship between our citizens and our first responders while increasing transparency across the board. On Thursday, June 16th, the residents of Colchester formally established the Public Safety Committee. The purpose of the group is to strengthen collaboration with the community, gather feedback & provide potential recommendations, increase transparency, and make public commendations. We are now accepting applications for residents of the Town to proudly serve alongside our first responders.
4. The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the contract award for the Construction of Trail Head Parking Lot, Middletown/Rte. 16 (Sablitz Open Space Property) to the apparent low bidder, Roma Construction Inc. in the revised amount of $52,852 in ARPA funds and allow the First Selectman to sign all necessary documents.
5. The work on the Town Green Gazebo will commence on Monday.
6. I will be calling for a Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen to award a bid for Field Irrigation to immediately begin construction. Residents will be posted on the meeting date.
7. The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved to set a Public Hearing to be held on Thursday, July 13th at Town Hall, 127 Norwich Avenue in Colchester, CT to modify Town Ordinances, Chapter 6 – Alarm Systems, Town Ordinances Chapter 103 – Rapid Access Systems as recommended by the Fire Marshal and Town Ordinances, Chapter 59 as recommend by the Fire Chief.
8. The repaving of Rt. 16 is tentatively scheduled to begin late June.
9. Gifts On the Green
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of spending time with Jess Stone, the owner, and Erika Daniels, manager, of Gifts On the Green. I purchased a variety of nice items, including Stress Free Tea specially designed for Board of Selectmen meetings
Gifts On the Green is in its 3rd year of business here in the center of Colchester. The owner is a farmer with a passion for building a local economy. Jess Stone opened the gift shop when the economic recovery had barely begun.
Erika is GOTG’s Manager and she does a wonderful job keeping the shop’s displays lively and fun. You will see her face on most days!
The gift shop, recently expanded, features all kinds of local products including plants and pottery, specialty foods, aromatherapy, artisan jewelry, kid’s items,
GOTG hosts and invites hosts for classes and events, art gallery space, book signings, and special shopping nights.
GOTG offers unique gift baskets, premade and made to order, online shopping, shipping, gift wrapping, and other services.
You can visit their website, join the email list and their loyalty program, and follow them on social media to shop, and to learn what’s coming up!
@giftsonthegreenct (Facebook & Instagram)
GOTG is OPEN Wednesday-Sunday weekly. Stop in and shop with them!
10. Family Pizza Restaurant & Grill
This week I had the pleasure of spending time with Dimitri, Foti, and Jocelyn Anastasiou, the owners of Family Pizza Restaurant & Grill, and their wonderful staff.
Family Pizza Restaurant & Grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers a variety of catering options. Family has everything from pizzas to seafood and omelets. The menu has something for everyone, including my personal favorite – their delicious Belgian waffle!
In January 2022, Dimitri, Foti and Jocelyn Anastasiou took over Family Pizza as a 3rd generation pizza family. Their grandparents started Family Pizza in 1978 as a modest pizza shop on Lebanon Avenue. In 1983 their parents, Anna & Kostas Anastasiou, and aunt and uncle, Chris & Maria Valkanos, took over the family business and relocated it to the current location. Family Pizza has a long history of family and community here in Colchester, which they look forward to continuing.
Though they have made some updates, their commitment to great food, quality service, and supporting the community remains. Today’s owners look to continue in their family’s legacy of quality and dedication to their customers and to our wonderful town.
Andreas Bisbikos
First Selectman