First Selectman's Report - December 30, 2023

Happy New Year, Colchester! I hope you are enjoying a safe and happy holiday season in town as we wrap up 2023 and set our sights on 2024!

Please note, Colchester Town Hall is closed on Monday, January 1st in observation of New Year's Day.

Resolution Run

Get your New Year’s Resolutions off to the right start by joining Colchester Youth and Social Services for the annual Resolution Run! This 5K which starts at Town Hall is CYSS’s biggest fundraiser of the year, benefiting the Youth Services’ scholarship fund and Colchester Youth Center. You can pre-register online for $30 at RaceRoster.com.

Same-day registration is also available for $40. Bib pick-up begins at 8:30 AM at Town Hall. The first 200 registered will also receive performance tees! Come join us for a healthy start to 2024 and support a great cause in our community!

New Fire Apparatus On-Site

This week, the new Engine 328 arrived at Colchester Fire & EMS Headquarters for the first time. This is one of several pieces of new equipment scheduled to enter service in early 2024. E328’s visit to HQ this week allowed our crews to help determine the final layout of equipment to be mounted on the new engine before it enters service.

Joint Board of Selectmen/Board of Finance Meeting

A joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance is being scheduled for Thursday, January 4 at 7:00 PM to meet with department heads and discuss the standing of their budgets at this halfway point in the fiscal year.

I continue to be concerned about the trajectory of some department budgets due to maintenance costs, legal bills, and other contractual expenses that were not included in the budget but which have incurred expenses in the first two quarters of the fiscal year. I believe this meeting is necessary to begin assessing whether we will need to impose mitigation strategies, including a possible spending freeze.

Taxes Due Reminder

Taxes for the 2nd real estate installment and motor vehicle supplemental bills become due on January 1st. The last day to pay without interest is February 1st.

Per the Tax Collector's Legal Notice:

'Taxes not paid in full on or before February 1, 2024 become delinquent and are subject to interest at the rate of 1 ½% per month or 18% annum, from the due date of the tax, as required by Conn. Gen. Stat. 12-130,145 and 146.  Mail postmarked (US Postal Service postmark only) on or before February 1, 2024 will be considered as having been paid on time.  Payments dropped in the town hall’s drop box after 4:30pm. on February 1, 2024, will be considered as having been made on the following business day and will be deemed as paid late.

Failure to receive a tax bill does not invalidate the tax or any interest charged should the tax become delinquent.  If you did not receive a bill and think you should please contact the office immediately. Conn Gen Stat. 12-130'"

Wishing you a happy and safe New Year's Eve and a wonderful 2024!

Bernie Dennler
First Selectman
Town of Colchester