First Selectman's Report: 4/10 - 4/14

1. This is a holy week for many in our community with Orthodox Easter  being celebrated. For those celebrating this week, may your observance be filled with blessings and love.

2. The Board of Finance Town Budget Workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 18th at 6 PM

To see the proposed Town Budget PowerPoint presentation, the Budget Summary by Function, and the proposed Town Budget please follow this link: https://www.colchesterct.gov/2023-2024-budget-information

3. The Board of Finance Education Budget Workshop will be held on Wednesday, April 19th at 6 PM.

To review the Education Budget, please follow this link: https://www.colchesterct.org/board_of_education/education_budget

4. On March 22nd, the Sewer & Water Commission made motions to approve a sewer budget at 6.5%, a water budget with a 6.5% rate increase, and significant fee increases.

Please follow this link to see the information, along with the original fee structure:

https://www.colchesterct.gov/home/news/proposed-23-24-sewer-budget-23-24...

There will be a public hearing on April 26th at 7pm to determine if these rate and fee increases should move forward.

5. On Thursday, April 20th the Board of Selectmen will be looking to finalize the appropriation of ARPA Funds to projects such as Field Irrigation, Police Expansion, Norton Park, a Social Services Grant Program, a new Town Hall Roof, and a New Parking Lot for the Fire Department.

6. A Big Thank You to the Colchester Lions

The Colchester Lions Club distributed a record $20,000 in grants to 27 local organizations at its annual Community Night of Giving on April 12.

The grants were the result of a successful year of fund-raising projects. In addition to a very successful carnival last year, the Lions sponsored many other events, including a Craft Festival on the Green, pirogi booth at the Hebron Fair, annual appeal mailing, and pancake breakfast.

Next month, the Lions Club will award a record $15,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors, and another $9000 during its annual District Night of Giving to ongoing Lions projects for sight, hearing and speech, guide dogs and children with cancer.

7. On April 17th, there will be a Blood Drive through the American Red Cross at Colchester Town Hall in Meeting Rooms 1 &2 from 1 pm to 6 pm. Please consider donating.

Did you know financial assistance is available for COVID-19 funeral costs? FEMA may provide up to $9,000 in financial assistance per deceased individual for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020.

The Town of Colchester understands that the COVID-19 pandemic brought overwhelming grief to many. We are providing information to the Colchester community about federal assistance that may ease the financial stress caused by the pandemic.

Currently, there is no deadline to apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. To apply or learn more, please call FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline at 844-684-6333. You may also visit FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance website or contact Colchester Emergency Management at [email protected] for more information.

8. The “Colchester Memorial Day Parade” has chosen the theme for this year’s parade.  This year it is “Colchester Honors and Remembers Those Who Served and Sacrificed in the Vietnam War.”  All marching units and floats should try and use the theme in preparing for the parade, which will be on Sunday May 28th, 2023. Applications are available at the Town Hall and through the Town's website.  Applications are required for those who are interested in participating in the parade.  Please contact the Town Hall, First Selectman's Office, and file your application before May 4th, 2023.

The Parade is a community effort supported by local groups that are committed to making this event a success. We strive to show the pride we feel in our departed military veterans by asking local organizations and members of the community to step up and participate by making a float or marching in the annual parade.

We are honoring and remembering the fallen from all our wars beginning with the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the more recent conflicts World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, the Gulf War, and the continuing conflicts.

The parade committee is expecting to have several military units represented. They will include the Connecticut Army National Guard, 1109th TASM-G, U S Navy Silver Dolphins Drill Team, US Marine Reserve, the Coast Guard, and the US Air Force Reserve. Our American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Colchester Veterans Honor Guard will also participate.

The Parade Committee will award prizes in three categories; 1. Best marching unit, 2. Most Patriotic Float and 3. Most creative float. Applications to join this year’s Memorial Day Parade are available online from the Town Hall, First Selectman’s Office. We encourage any veteran, or local organization in Colchester and our surrounding towns to join us in honoring our fallen heroes.

9. The historic restoration of the Youth Center Roof is anticipated to begin the first week of May.

10. Colchester Cabinet of Curiosities

Today I had the opportunity to meet Cassidy Erwin, owner of the Colchester Cabinet of Curiosities. As a new business in town, her metaphysical shop is catered towards adults. They provide small time crafts, spooky memorabilia, paint classes, and serve as a smoke shop. For an out of this world experience, you can find them at 228 Old Hartford Road.

Andreas Bisbikos

First Selectman