First Selectman’s Report: 7/24 - 7/28

1. The Town Meeting on the Town and Education Budgets will be held on Wednesday, August 2nd at 6:30 PM at Town Hall. The Budget Referendum will be held on Wednesday, August 9th from 6 AM to 8 PM at Town Hall.

2. The bids for the Electrical Services Upgrades for the Town Green were opened last week, with the lowest bid coming in at $17,895. The Town will look to award a contract at the next Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 3rd (or Special Meeting) with funding coming from a grant related to the Town Green revitalization project. 

3. Looking for residents to serve on the Public Safety Working Committee, the Sewer & Water Commission, the Fair Rent Commission, and the Colchester Housing Authority. Please reach out if interested.

4. Projects: 

New Colchester RecPlex Signs – Will be installed next week.
The Youth Center Roof, Town Green Gazebo, Town Green Guardrail, Trail Head Parking Lot – Finished by the end of August.
Splash Pad – Tentatively opening August 9th 
New Fire Department HQ Parking Lot – Paving Begins August 26th. 

5. According to Eversource, the repaving of the rest of Rt. 16 will begin August 14th.  

6. Summertime is the best time to spend time with family and friends!

Join us on the Colchester Town Green every Thursday from 6-8pm for a fun family event. Events are free and open to the public, just bring your lawn chair. 

Thursday, August 3-Concert by the Outcrops
Thursday, August 10-Trivial Night in the park
Thursday, August 17-Concert by Bluesberry Jam
Thursday, August 24-DJ Montez and the end of summer dance party in the park

7. Get involved in Colchester’s 325th Birthday Celebration
We hope you will join us to Celebrate Colchester on Sat., Sept. 9 from 1-5pm on the Town Green followed by fireworks at the RecPlex!

Register here: https://colchesterctrec.recdesk.com/Community/Home

You are welcome to set up a table/tent to showcase your local organization, business, or program! Booths are free, but we ask that you donate one item or basket for the silent drawing that will take place at Celebrate Colchester.

Celebrate Colchester will kick off a month of fun activities and events.  These are some of the things we have planned:

9/9 Celebrate Colchester from 1-5pm
9/9 Fireworks at the RecPlex at dark
10/7, 10/8, 10/9, 10/14 and 10/15- Historical tours, Open Houses, Presentations, activities, and events throughout the town
10/7-10/14 Restaurant Week
10/13 Special Birthday Gala at Priam Vineyard from 7-10pm

8. Colchester Giving Garden

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet with Peg Filloramo of the Colchester Giving Garden. The Colchester Giving Garden is an all-volunteer run vegetable garden that was started in the spring of 2013 behind the current Senior Center, located in town at 95 Norwich Ave.  The garden’s mission is to grow and donate fresh produce to our town’s food bank and area soup kitchens to help those in need. 

Since its inception, the Colchester Giving Garden has grown and donated over 12,000 lbs. of fresh food and is well on their way to cross the 1,000 lbs. this season. This year’s goal is to grow and donate 2,023 pounds for the year. You may follow their progress on social media or by visiting the large carrot tracker, located by the garden.

The Colchester Giving Garden could not be possible without the help of its fantastic volunteers! If you are interested in gardening or volunteering, please contact Peg Filloramo at [email protected] . We hope to see you by the garden soon!

9. Colchester Giving Garden Fundraiser

Featuring farm fresh food from Cold Spring Farm Food Truck
Friday, August 11, 2023, 5-8pm at the Colchester Giving Garden (95 Norwich Ave)

Tickets must be purchased by August 5th.
$25 / $10 for 12 and under

To purchase tickets email: [email protected]

Andreas Bisbikos

First Selectman