First Selectman's Report: 2/13 – 2/17/2023
Posted on: February 17, 2023 - 5:12pm
1. The Town of Colchester would like to welcome Mary Williamson as our new Finance Director and Jason Nowosad as our new Building Official!! Next week the Board of Selectmen will review candidates for Public Works Director.
2. Colchester Business Association presented two checks for $1500 each to the Colchester Fuel Bank and Colchester Food Bank today. The funds were raised during the CBA's annual Holiday Auction this past December. Presenting the checks today were Ash Bashir, Chairman of the Holiday Auction, Jennifer Marozzi CBA Vice President and Chuck Maynard CBA President. Thank you to the members of the Colchester Business community who graciously donated so many items for the auction, and all those who attended and bid so generously. We are so humbled by your support and are so grateful to be able to give back to the community that supports our businesses.
3. The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved raising the Donate for Life flag from April 3rd to April 10th.
4. Today, I entered the Town of Colchester in the New National Opioids Settlement Agreement. This is a separate agreement from the Opioid Settlement Agreement signed in November 2021.
5. The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the recommendation resolution designating Dime Bank as the Town of Colchester's Public Depository and Authorizing Withdrawal of Municipal Public Moneys and positive pay services. I want to personally thank John Ringo (Treasurer), Michelle Wyatt (Tax Collector), and Debbie Kratochvil (previous Finance Director) for their efforts in moving this initiative forward. Moving the Town from M&T Bank to Dime Bank will save the Town money both short term & long term. The Town looks forward to working with Dime Bank and their supportive representatives.
6. This week's Black History Month update contains information about Colchester. Let's acknowledge Sally Whipple, a new CORE member, and Nancy Nelson, the new Vice Chair of CORE, who pulled together this information. Please follow the link for the cool history lesson: https://www.colchesterct.gov/home/news/black-history-month-colchester
7. The Colchester Community Theater will be presenting Young Frankenstein. Performance dates are Friday, February 17 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm, and Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 pm at Bacon Academy High School Auditorium, 611 Norwich Avenue in Colchester, C . To purchase tickets to the show, please use the following link: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/70234
8. Central K9
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet with Jessica Edgerly, owner and experienced dog trainer, of Central K9 (located at 493 Norwich Ave). I was extremely impressed with the facilities dedicated to training dogs as well as her passion and expertise.
Central K9 Dog Training & Canine Sports Center is one of the most well-rounded dog training facilities in CT, offering a full range of classes for dogs of all ages, breed, and temperament. Both group and private classes are available. Their indoor facility offers training classes year round (including Barn Hunt). Their outdoor canine center offers dock diving and disc on a seasonal basis (typically May – October). Central K9 also does entertainment shows for fairs, public events and birthday parties.
Central K-9 specializes in Obedience, Agility, Frisbee, Dock diving, Barn Hunt, and Herding. Jessica Edgerly, owner of Central K9, has competed in many sports with all of her dogs for 20 years. Her dogs have won many top awards in different sports and has been to many national events. Jessica also runs the Northeast Dock for North America Diving Dogs. Her dock will be going to the Westminster this year. Recently, she has been featured on Better Connecticut and Good Morning America with her dogs.