First Selectman’s Report: July 25, 2025
Safe Streets Survey
Colchester is partnering with SECOG to update the regional Transportation Safety Action Plan. The updated plan will help support future grant applications and infrastructure updates that could improve the safety of state roads that run through Colchester such as Route 354 and Route 16.
Residents can fill out the survey here: https://secogct.gov/project/regional-comprehensive-safety-action-plan
There is also a public input map where you can help us flag areas with specific safety concerns.
Yesterday, WFSB reporter Luke Hajdasz covered our efforts to reduce crashes with increased speed enforcement on these state roads. In light of recent crashes, including the tragic accident on Route 16 earlier this month, I am asking drivers in town to be mindful of their speeds on these roads. On Route 16 from Westchester to downtown in particular, it is very easy to pick up speed coming down the hills that far exceeds the posted speed limits. This can be very dangerous for drivers at intersecting roads turning onto or off of Route 16.
Please do your part to help make these areas safer. Drivers can also expect a more consistent speed enforcement presence from our local police in these areas.
You can watch yesterday’s report here: https://www.wfsb.com/2025/07/24/colchester-police-working-reduce-crashes...
Medical Van Grant
Colchester’s new medical van for Senior Services arrived this week - with $67,000 in grant funding from CTDOT thanks to an award from Section 5310 program.
Our new van is equipped for both walk-on passengers as well as those who need wheelchair accessibility. This van will be used to transport seniors (over the age of 60) and younger individuals with disabilities to get to medical appointments outside of Colchester, within a 40-mile radius. This important service is available through the Colchester Senior Center. Please call 860-537-3911 for additional information including eligibility and policies.
Jack Jackter Playground Repairs
The playground at Jack Jackter will be closed next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for repairs. The Town and Board of Education are working together on repairs that include replacement of the base of swingsets, replacement of a missing bridge, other repairs, and laying fresh mulch.
Norton Park Remediation
This week, environmental engineers from Langan arrived at the former Norton Paper Mill to dig test pits and collect waste class samples ahead of the upcoming remediation work.
Reduced Tuition Preschool Spaces!
There is a limited number of Early Start CT spaces (formerly School Readiness) available within CES's preschool and one at Castle. These spaces are designed to make preschool more affordable for families who may find paying preschool tuition challenging.
Currently, students with an income below 75% of the State Median or those who would pay lower regular program rates through Early Start are being selected for placement.
Families who are above income eligibility and would not receive a discount may still access the program spaces, if spaces remain after August 1.
If interested, complete the application here: https://www.colchesterc3.org/early-start
For questions, email [email protected]
Fire Cadet Fundraiser
Thank you to Mel’s Downtown Creamery for sponsoring our annual fire cadet fundraiser this week! On Wednesday night, Colchester Fire & EMS members and Colchester Police participated in their annual kickball game on the Town Green in front of Mel’s. 20% of sales from Wednesday evening were donated to support the cadet program. Thank you again to Mel and her team and to everyone who came out to support our cadets!
STEAP Grant Event
On Monday, July 28 at 10:00 AM, state and local officials will hold a press conference at the Lebanon Ave airline trail spur to discuss the award of a $900,000 Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant to the Town of Colchester for improvements to the Lebanon Ave airline trail and Mill Street streetscape. Lieutenant Susan Bysiewicz, State Rep. Mark DeCaprio, and ARK Distillery owners Susan Caron and Alane Wilansky will be in attendance to discuss the upcoming project which is expected to begin construction in 2026.
The project includes upgrading the spur entrance to improve the parking area and to encourage trail users coming from the main trail to continue past the end of the spur into the downtown to support our shops, restaurants, and other local businesses. The project also includes repaving Mill Street from the Town Hall to Lebanon Ave, replacement of damaged sidewalk sections from Town Hall to Lebanon Ave, upgraded drainage and pedestrian-friendly improvements to the intersection of Mill Street and Lebanon Ave.
Parks and Recreation “Pay-to-Pie” Fundraiser
Colchester Parks and Recreation Day Camp wants to thank everyone who participated this week in the Pay-to-Pie fundraiser we held at camp this week. Our amazing summer staff, town employees, parents put themselves in the hot seat to be pied to raise money for our camp scholarship fund. Our campers gleefully pied over 200 times on Thursday, making this the funniest, and most laugh-filled fundraiser of our year!
This year, I joined the fun with a special offer: $50 donors could purchase a real pie to be thrown at their First Selectman. Three pies were sold and I don’t think I will ever look at lemon meringue the same way!
In total, we raised $439 for our camp scholarship fund. If you would like to donate to support our camp scholarship fund, please reach out to Colchester Parks and Recreation.
Sincerely,
Bernie Dennler
First Selectman
Town of Colchester