First Selectman's Report - December 8, 2023
Fire Apparatus Replacement Update: This week, Colchester Fire & EMS Personnel visited Pierce Manufacturing Facility in Appleton, Wisconsin to conduct final inspections on the replacement apparatus Engine 128, Engine 328, and Truck 128. This is the culmination of a long process over multiple administrations. These vehicles were approved for purchase by Colchester voters in Summer 2021 and are finally almost ready to enter service.
Fire Department Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Replacement: At the first regular meeting of the new Board of Selectmen, we brought forward a proposal to fund the replacement of our firefighters’ self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This critical, lifesaving equipment is what allows our firefighters to breathe safely in dangerous environments.
Colchester’s current SCBA system does not meet the National Fire Protection Association standards and is not interoperable with our mutual aid partners in area towns. The equipment is seeing increased issues requiring service including mask failures and broken O-rings. The vendor which produced the SCBA currently in service, no longer produces them which makes it difficult to replace units that are damaged. Mixing different SCBA systems is not recommended because of the need for emergency responders to react quickly and consistently in life-threatening situations.
The cost to replace the system is $466,359. The Town has $74,000 in reserves that were put aside for the eventual replacement of the system. The Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Company has offered to support the purchase with a contribution of $150,000 from the donation they received from the Bendas Estate. This leaves a balance of $242,359. Given that the quoted price is expected to increase after December 31 and that this is a critical need for the safety of Colchester’s firefighting personnel, the Board of Selectmen has voted to recommend that the Board of Finance approve this amount from the unassigned fund balance. I will request that the Board of Finance consider this request at their regular meeting next week.
Facility Maintenance: You may see some wet paint signs posted at the town hall. We are currently repainting our public restrooms. Our new Town Facility Maintainer, Doug Bennett, has already been making a positive impact on our town buildings. Many of our emergency exit signs needed backup batteries, he has installed at the senior center, window panes have been replaced, more than a dozen lights at the Youth Center were replaced, and sinks in multiple town buildings have been repaired. Please join me in thanking Doug for his hard work around our buildings!
Grounds Maintenance: The Grounds department has been continuing its work at Norton Park this week and has begun preparing the Bacon Academy daycare playscape area for a coming open house. This work includes removing leaves, trimming hedges/plants, and placing woodchips in the play area.
Fleet Department Equipment: We have received the third of the new Ford 550 plow trucks. The Fleet department is currently outfitting these vehicles with plows sander and dump bodies in preparation for snow removal this season. These smaller dump body trucks are a cost saving measure to the town. They allow our Facility maintainer to take on a route and for the town to hire an additional full-time employee in lieu of a plow contract. The additional drivers can more readily provide coverage for breakdowns or no-shows. The trucks are equipped with V-plows that are better suited for parking lots, intersections, and cul-de-sacs.
Winter Work and Training: The highway department is performing leaf removal on the town dirt roads this week. They have also been conducting snowplow route driver training, in preparation for keeping the public safe this winter.
It’s A Wonderful Life - Live Radio Play: Tonight, do not miss the Colchester Actors Theatre's inaugural production of It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at 7:30pm in the stage room of the Colchester Federated Church. Seating is limited but tickets are still available at the door. Colchester Actors Theatre is a Parks And Recreation Community Program.
Wreaths Across America: On Saturday, December 16, the Westchester Cemetery Association will host a Wreaths Across America ceremony to honor service members by laying wreaths at their graves. The ceremony takes place at noon. Please consider joining us as we honor those veterans laid to rest at the Westchester Cemetery.