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First Selectman’s Report: 8/14 - 8/18

Posted on: August 18, 2023 - 1:21pm
Splash Pad

1. The Splash Pad is now open. The Town will keep it active all the way into September as long as the weather allows.

2. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance unanimously voted to support the installation of a natural gas connection into Town Hall and the new Senior Center Project in the amount of $77,411 with the Town agreeing to pay 50% of the cost and the Senior Center Building Committee agreeing to pay the other 50% to Eversource.

3. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance made progress on moving forward towards a new senior center referendum. I will be working with Andrea Migliaccio, the Board of Finance Chair, Mary Williamson, the Finance Director, and other invested parties to develop a Plan B and Plan C in case a referendum is not successful. 

4. The Board of Selectmen, the ARPA Ad-Hoc Committee, UHY, and Social Services are collectively working on a Grant Program to help individuals and families in need. The Town expects to have the Program completed by the end of September and begin its promotion in October. At the last meeting I pushed to expand the initiative that services are made available for at least 40% of households, not only the 11% as some have suggested.

5. Projects: 

The Youth Center Roof – Scholar Painting has been mobilized to put the finishing touches.

Trail Head Parking Lot – Construction on the site has been mobilized.

New Fire Department HQ Parking Lot – Paving Begins August 26th. 

6. A Message from the Tax Collector

1st Installment Real Estate are due August 1st, 2023, and delinquent after September 1st, 2023.

https://www.colchesterct.gov/tax-collector/pages/legal-notice-1st-instal...

Personal Property & Motor Vehicles are due August 16th, 2023, and delinquent after September 18th, 2023.

https://www.colchesterct.gov/tax-collector/pages/attention-colchester-re...

For any questions related to your taxes, please contact Michelle Wyatt, the tax collector, at 860-537-7210 or [email protected] 

7. Summer Concerts

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 24-DJ Montez and the end of summer dance party in the park

8. We are still 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.

9. 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

10. Illiano’s of Colchester

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to spend time with Anthony Basileo, owner of Illiano’s of Colchester. We had a fantastic conversation about our love of collecting sports cards and autographs. I also got to enjoy a wonderful slice of Grandma’s Pizza and a slice of Buffalo Chicken. My other go-to is their amazing meatball grinder.

Anthony began restaurant work in 1975 with his father after his family immigrated to New York from Sicily in 1960. After working in several Italian restaurants throughout New York, Anthony got an opportunity in 1997 with Illiano’s to become their business partner in Connecticut. 

After managing a successful operation by the shoreline, he opened Illiano’s in Colchester in 2005. For the past 18 years, Illiano’s has provided the Colchester community with authentic Southern Italian cuisine and New York style pizza. Anthony and his team are grateful for all the years of support coming from our wonderful community.

Please consider visiting Illiano’s next time you are hungry!

Andreas Bisbikos

First Selectman