First Selectman's Report: 4/3- 4/6
1.Congratulations to Eddy Lengel for naming the bunny at Town Hall!! Jellybean will be hopping around all of April. Eddy and his sister Delilah were the recipients of a treasure trove of treats to enjoy over the weekend!
2. This is a holy week for many in our community with Easter, Passover, Ramadan, and Orthodox Palm Sunday being celebrated. For those celebrating this week, may your observance be filled with blessings and love.
3. The Town Budget and Education Budget review is scheduled for the Board of Finance Regular Meeting on Wednesday, April 12th at 7 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
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. The Chair of Sewer & Water Commission and a town employee did not make this information public. As a proponent of affordability and transparency, I am extremely disappointed by this.
An on-going investigation of the Chair and that employee has led to the uncovering of the budgets and fee increases that were unanimously voted through by the Sewer & Water Commission.
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. April is National Donate Life Month!! On Monday, the Town of Colchester raised the Donate Life flag to raise awareness and encourage citizens to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors. We also celebrate the lives that have been saved through donation.
6. April is also Safe Haven Month. CT’s Safe Haven Act is a program that allows a parent to voluntarily give up custody of an infant age 30 days or younger, to the nursing staff of any emergency room without the parent being subject to arrest for abandonment. Every state now has a Safe Haven Act/Law to protect both the infant and the parent. Over 25 babies in CT have been saved by the Safe Haven Act. More information about the CT Safe Haven Act for Newborns can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/.../Prevention/PDF/SafeHavenEngpdf.pdf
7. 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.
8.The historic restoration of the Youth Center Roof is anticipated to begin the first week of May.
9. Red Rose Café
This week, I had the pleasure to visit owner Jackie Sirois and her wonderful staff. Whether you are looking for breakfast, lunch, or dessert - the Red Rose Café has something delicious to offer. My personal favorite - The Balboa Sandwich - keeps me strong all day long!
Located at 125 Lebanon Avenue, the Red Rose Café has been a favorite in our wonderful community. Please consider visiting next time you are looking for a bite.