First Selectman's Report: 4/4 - 4/8/2022

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather today. I want to share plenty of key updates with everyone. 

Andreas Bisbikos

First Selectman

 

 

 

1. Connecticut Comeback: For well over a century, S&S Worldwide has made its home in Colchester. S&S serves teachers, coaches, counselors, and activity professionals from across the country. S&S helps people play and learn with time-tested products and services. The Schwartz family has made this company Colchester's largest private employer for four generations. When Covid struck in the Spring of 2020, the company was immediately negatively affected, as schools and youth groups were closed or forced to meet online. Business fell off dramatically and has yet to return to its former high levels. In addition, the current supply chain issues have prevented the company from having a solid and continued supply of inventory. The survival of S&S Worldwide had been in doubt. Losing this company would have resulted in the loss of over 250 jobs. This would have been devastating to the Town of Colchester.

 

Adam and Hy Schwartz reached out to me in early February for assistance in their endeavor to secure funding so that their business could survive. As the First Selectman of Colchester, I felt it was my obligation to reach out to both the State of Connecticut and corporate lenders. We need to support a company that has invested in Colchester for over a century and has kept jobs in our community. Securing this company has saved my hometown from economic devastation. Today, one of the corporate lenders I engaged with, Connecticut Innovations – has agreed to lend them the amount needed to keep S&S Worldwide operational here in Colchester.

 

The Schwartz family, like my family, came from Europe for a better life and to establish their own American Dream. That American Dream has flourished in Colchester and has provided countless opportunities for the people of this great town. Their heart belongs to Colchester, and our heart belongs to them.

 

2. On April 5th, I had the honor of presenting my first town budget proposal to this great community's residents and the Colchester Board of Finance. The Colchester Proposed Town Budget PowerPoint Presentation and the complete Colchester Proposed Town Budget book are now available online. If the Town and BOE proposals remain the same, the mill rate will drop from 33.05 to 27.46 mills!! 

 

Please follow the link for more information: https://www.colchesterct.gov/2022-2023-budget-information

 

3. The ARPA Committee is still accepting small business applications. There is $1M in ARPA funds specifically earmarked for our local businesses. A business may receive up to $25K in federal funds. The ARPA Committee is also accepting non-profit applications. There is $250K specifically earmarked for non-profits. Please apply and complete your ARPA application here:  https://www.colchesterct.gov/your-government/arpa-ad-hoc-committee 

 

You may reach out to [email protected] if you have any further questions. Deadlines for local businesses and non-profits are April 30th. The Board of Selectmen unanimously decided to review all applications after the April 30th deadline to ensure funding fairness for all applicants.

 

4. Recently, citizens contacted me regarding access to the CES Playgrounds. The Colchester Public Schools have agreed to keep the CES playgrounds open on the weekends from 8:00 AM to sunset. We encourage everyone to keep the playgrounds clean and to respect the surroundings. The police will routinely check up on the playgrounds too.

 

5. The Let the Fish Swim Free Painting fundraiser will benefit the development of the new Norton Park on Westchester Road/Rte. 149.   This fundraiser celebrates the dam removal on the Jeremy River at the former C.H. Norton Paper Mill and the future site of Norton Park. Local fine artist and Norton family member, Julianna W. Cameron, will lead the design and painting events. Participants will be encouraged to creatively paint fish cut from authentic C.H. Norton paper millboard. The participants may choose to have their painted fish be part of an art exhibit held at the Cragin Memorial Library from May 21st – to June 30th, 2022. Multiple sessions of this painting fundraiser will be held at the Colchester RecPlex Pavilion, 215 Old Hebron Road Colchester, on Saturday, April 30th, 2022, at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, and Saturday, May 7th, 2022, at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Online registration is through Colchester Parks and Recreation https://colchesterctrec.recdesk.com/Community/Program 

 

6. Join members of The Colchester Hayward Fire Department at Fire Headquarters located at 52 Old Hartford Rd as they instruct the American Heart Association's Family and Friends CPR Course. This video-based course teaches CPR and relief of choking in adults, children, and infants. Use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is also included in the training, and participants receive a student manual for ongoing reference. There is no cost to sign up. If you would like to sign up for one of these upcoming classes, don't hesitate to get in touch with Fire Headquarters at 860-537-2512 or [email protected] 

 

Available Dates: May 18, 2022 – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM; August 10, 2022 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM; November 9, 2022 – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

 

7. The Senior Center Logo Contest: As we design and build a brand-new senior center, we are looking to establish a new logo. We are conducting a community-wide contest to design this logo, which we envision using in the new building, and promotional materials such as our monthly newsletter, business cards, and letterhead. If you are interested in creating a design and entering it into the contest, please click here: https://www.colchesterct.gov/home/news/community-wide-new-senior-center-logo-contest 

 

8. A special shout out to Fornarelli's Ristorante & Bar for hosting a Meet & Greet last weekend. It was a pleasure to meet owner Vito Fornarelli while enjoying the atmosphere with friends. I wish them success in Colchester.

 

9. The Colchester Hayward Fire Department is conducting a survey of its external stakeholders. Our external stakeholders are our community members, which provide valuable feedback to see how we are doing and where we can improve. As an all-hazards emergency response organization, we want to ensure we are providing quality essential services, and your responses will assist in providing feedback to assist with that evaluation. Please take a few minutes to complete the CHFD External Stakeholder Survey 2022 to help us help you. The link below will bring you to the survey by either clicking on the hyperlink or cutting and pasting it into your web browser.

 

We look forward to hearing from you! The survey will close on Saturday, April 30th, 2022. CHFD External Stakeholder Survey 2022: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZNCBJ5S 

 

10. The Public Safety Subcommittee is looking for two members of the public to serve on it. You can get your application to join the subcommittee here: https://www.colchesterct.gov/first-selectmans-office/pages/forms-documents

 

11. In case you missed it: Channel 3 featured the dynamic duo of Corporal Craig Scheel and Officer Skipper in their news story. Glad to see the positive effect our school resource officers are having on our Colchester school system!! See the video here: https://www.wfsb.com/video/2022/04/05/video-k-skipper-patrolling-hallway...