First Selectman’s Report: 7/3 - 7/7

1.The Fields of Dreams are coming!! On Friday, I signed the contract with Fournier Irrigation to begin irrigation construction at the recreational fields.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously authorized the First Selectman to sign all contracts and documents associated with awarding the irrigation project to Fournier Irrigation in the amount of $238,797.00; the electrical work to Stula Enterprises in the amount of $9995.00; the fencing to Fenceman and Sons in the amount of $1750.00. These items will all be funded through ARPA.

2. Our Town will always Back the Blue. The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a contract between the Town of Colchester and Stephen Jager Associates, LLC, to prepare architectural design and construction documents for the police expansion in the amount of $18,400 in ARPA funds and allow the First Selectman to sign all necessary documents.The contract was signed on Friday and the Town looks forward to seeing the complete expansion of our police’s operational quarters come to fruition. 

3. Colchester Fire & EMS was recently awarded Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from FEMA. These highly competitive grants are submitted by emergency service agencies across the country for the purpose of funding critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance efficiencies, and support community resilience. This grant will support the installation of direct source capture vehicle exhaust systems for both fire stations in town. These systems will remove harmful and carcinogenic exhaust fumes from apparatus directly out of the building. This will have a direct, positive impact on the health & safety of our personnel as well as the public who frequent our facilities. The grant awarded totals $146,342.00, with $7,317.00 being the cost share for the town. A press release will be forthcoming from the Fire Chief. Great Job by Chief Hoffmann and his team for obtaining this crucial alternative funding source!

4. Mojo Rising!! Town & Country Learning Center, Jack’s Chevrolet, the Youth Center Roof, the Town Green Gazebo Revitalization, and the new Senior Center are all moving along nicely!

5. The Board of Finance will continue deliberations on both the Town and Education budgets at their Regularly Scheduled meeting on Wednesday, July 12th.

6. 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.

7. The Construction of Trail Head Parking Lot, Middletown/Rte. 16 (Sablitz Open Space Property) is expected to begin in July.

8. The Splash Pad is expected to be ready for fun mid-July. Our Public Works Director provided a detailed overview of the situation and has been working diligently on it with the Parks & Recreation Department. The Town appreciates their hard work, dedication, and collaboration.

9. A Public Hearing will 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.

10. The repaving of Rt. 16 will continue. Eversource will be sending a detailed timeline soon. When they do, it will be made publicly available.

Andreas Bisbikos

First Selectman