First Selectman's Report: 8/1 - 8/5/2022

First Selectman's Report: 8/1 - 8/5

1.    I want to thank the entire Board of Finance for their hard work, collaboration, and dedication to the budget. The new proposed mill rate will now be 26.88 mills.

2.    Fiscal 21-22 Budget is not only balanced but will exceed revenue projections by 900K. That revenue will go into the unassigned fund balance; it will be utilized to lower future expenditures and ensure that this Town runs efficiently on a lower mill rate for years to come.

3.    Thursday, August 4th, 2022, marked the 232nd Birthday of the United States Coast Guard. We are forever dedicated to their commitment and service to our great nation. It was an honor to be Colchester's representative at Thursday's celebration. Please watch the video below for a story on the celebration: https://www.fox61.com/video/news/national/military-news/coast-guard-celebrates-birthday-at-academy-in-new-london/520-a0a67b69-5383-44ca-a7c0-e9404dc53469 

4.    Celebrate Colchester is coming Saturday, September 17th, and it will be held on the Town Green. The event will be held from 1 pm – 5 pm, and there may be a dunk tank…

5.    Concerts on the Green will be occurring every Thursday in August. Concerts will take place from 6 pm to 8 pm. All concerts are free.

6.    Red Thread has begun preliminary work on the Hybrid Meeting Room. Showtime is expected for September!! 

7.    A friendly reminder that the Cragin Memorial Library and the Firehouse are the designated cooling centers for the Town of Colchester. They have been operating as such and will continue to do so during extreme heat.

8.    DOT has provided the Town the green light to update the Stop Ahead signs on Scoffield Road, Bulkeley Hill Road, and McDonald Road. DOT will also be relocating the Stop sign on Scoffield Road to make it more visible for approaching vehicles. 

9.    Absentee Ballots are now available at Town Hall for the Republican Primaries and Democratic Primaries, which are to be held on Tuesday, August 9th. 

10.    The Neighborhood Health Clinic from Hartford HealthCare, with collaborative services from TVCCA and UCFS, will provide an open clinic to the public (all ages) with or without insurance. No appointment needed; walk-ins are encouraged. The service will be located in the Activity Room of the Colchester Senior Center on Monday, August 8th, from 10 am to 2 pm. Masks are required for any medical services.

11.    Ned Lamont has proclaimed the year 2022 to be The Year of Inland Wetlands and Watercourses in the State of Connecticut. This proclamation is made in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Connecticut's Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act. Learn all about this important law, the roles and responsibilities of municipal inland wetlands agencies, and the functions and values of these important resources through DEEP's free online course. https://lnkd.in/eb_5Kird 

I want to give a special thanks to the Conservation Commission and Carol Szymanski, our Wetlands Enforcement Officer, for all they do regarding Colchester Inland Wetland & Watercourse Regulations and Conservation Issues.