First Selectman's Report: 8/28 - 9/1

1. Please join us in Serving the Community at Scotties Frozen Custard from 11:30 AM – 1 PM.  All first responders and veterans will be eating for free.

2. Fields of Dreams

After securing monumental funding for Field Irrigation (as part of the Fields of Dreams initiative), irrigation on the town recreational fields has officially begun.

I would like to personally thank Tim Angell (Grounds Supervisor), Tiffany Quinn (Parks & Recreation Director), and Joe Leone (Public Works Director) for their efforts and support along the way. 

We would also like to acknowledge Mike Fournier, whose company will be installing the irrigation. The Town of Colchester has been looking forward to this day for a very long time and I am proud to be the First Selectman who will see its completion.

3. Project Update:

The Youth enter Roof – Work on the Youth Center Roof is completed.

Trail Head Parking Lot – Construction on the site is ongoing.

New Fire Department HQ Parking Lot – Paving is progressing. 

4. Green Energy Initiative Completed – EV Charger at Town Hall

The Board of Selectmen authorized the First Selectman to execute a contract with Artis Energy Solutions for the installation of a 2-port Level 2 Electric Vehicle charging station at Colchester Town Hall, with an out-of-pocket project cost to the Town not to exceed $20,000 out of the Equipment Reserve Account, a dollar amounts equal to the available $20,000 Eversource incentive, representing a 50/50 or better match of Town and Eversource incentive funds. The contract has been signed.

5. Library Fun!!

Cragin Memorial Library will welcome Connecticut’s Lt. Governor, Susan Bysiewicz, to the Library on Tuesday, September 5th at 11:00 to celebrate reading and libraries as part of National Library Card Sign-Up Month, Read a Book Day on September 6th, and National Literacy Day on September 8th. The public is welcome to attend this brief press event!

6. Amber Issac

Colchester resident and local author, Amber Isaac will be signing her award-winning children’s book: Cody the Teeny, Tiny Alpaca, based on the life of Colchester’s most famous resident alpaca: Cody!

Come meet Amber on September 9th, 1-3pm at Gifts on the Green. Find out more about Cody and get a “paw”tographed copy of her book! Don’t forget to peruse all the beautifully crafted one-of-a-kind crafts while you’re at Gifts on the Green.

7. We are still looking for residents to serve on the Public Safety Working Committee, the Sewer & Water Commission, the Fair Rent Commission, and the Colchester Housing Authority. Please reach out if interested.

8. Celebrate Colchester

Join us on Saturday, September 9th from 1-5pm at the Town Green. 

We invite all Colchester businesses and organizations to set up a booth to share more information about your business/organization.  There is no fee to set up a booth, we just ask that you donate one item or basket to be used in the silent drawing. The funds raised by the silent drawing will be used to continue offering community events such as the summer concerts. We will sell tickets for the silent drawings and winners will be picked at the end of the event. 

Donations are due in the Recreation Office by Sept. 6th. 

We will provide fun; community games and activities so let’s fill the Town Green and CELEBRATE COLCHESTER!

Booths may not have access to electricity. You will have to provide any booth requirements (tent, table, chairs, etc.).  

We welcome booths from Colchester political organizations, but we respectfully ask that there be no campaigning, and nothing that can be viewed as inappropriate or controversial at a family friendly event.

REGISTER ONLINE BY WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 6!

9. Patriot Day

On Monday, September 11th, 2023, at Colchester Fire & EMS Headquarters, located on 52 Old Hartford Road for 8:30 am. Join us in a morning of remembrance of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and to honor our military, veterans, and first responders who serve our community daily.

10. The Granite Group

On Thursday, I had the pleasure of speaking with Patrick Sheehan, branch manager of The Granite Group here in Colchester. It’s time to put all the speculation to rest. The Granite Group is officially moving from its current location behind Toyo and expanding into a newly revitalized building which was once the old Jack’s Chevrolet building. The building is currently progressing with both external and internal improvements. The Granite Group expects to open its doors as early as January 2024.

The Granite Group purchased The Shetucket Supply Company in 2007 and has been serving the town of Colchester since.  Headquartered in Concord, NH, The Granite Group distributes plumbing, heating, cooling, water and propane supplies to contractors and fuel dealers across New England through over 55 wholesale branches and their Online Store. The company also operates 15 retail showrooms under Sink & Spout name, offering an expertly trained staff to assist with product selection and an extensive array of decorative plumbing fixtures and accessories.  In 2016, The Granite Group launched their “Online Store,” a best-in-class E-Business portal built specifically for its core customers.

The Granite Group can trace its roots to the Central Supply Company, which originated in 1901 on Waldo Street in Worcester, Massachusetts as a distributor of gas and steam engines and water supplies. Chairman Kevin Condron, along with his father-in law-William Kennedy, purchased Central Supply in October of 1971.

With little experience in the industry and one branch that generated two million dollars in annual sales, the pair caught on quickly and began growing the company through key acquisitions in the early 1970s and 80s that brought on new customers and product lines. In 1998, the business merged with Capitol Plumbing & Heating Supply, moved its headquarters to Concord, New Hampshire and rebranded as “The Granite Group.”

Bill Condron, now President and CEO of The Granite Group, joined the family business in 2001 with a warehouse job, working his way up to managing a branch and then eventually the entire company.

Recent industry and workplace recognition include Mitsubishi’s 2019 Diamond Leader of The Year award (Electric Trane HVAC US Division); named one of the 2020 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in the nation by the National Association for Business Resources; and listed as a 2020 Best Company to Work For and a Top Family-Owned Business by Business NH Magazine. 

Andreas Bisbikos

First Selectman