First Selectman's Report: February 13, 2026
Freezin’ for a Reason
Freezin’ for a Reason fundraiser is underway now! After an especially cold and snowy few weeks, Greg Cordova, Rob Suchecki, and Fred Brown are back again this year on the Colchester Town Green to raise money for the Colchester Fuel Bank. The guys will be on the Green from 2:00 PM on Friday, February 13th to noon on Sunday, February 15th. Donations can be made in-person or online at paypal.com using [email protected]. Please consider supporting Freezin' for a Reason and the Colchester Fuel Bank this year.
Referendum - Athletic Facilities and Bacon Roof
This week, a Special Town Meeting was held to discuss the athletic facilities and Bacon roof projects. The projects will now advance to a referendum to be held on Tuesday, February 24 from 6AM to 8PM at Colchester Town Hall to consider bonding for improvements for athletic facilities at Bacon Academy and the Town RecPlex. A second ballot question will consider bonding for the replacement of the Bacon Academy roof.
Absentee ballots are now available via the Town Clerk’s office. Call 860-537-7215.
For more information on the proposed projects, visit ColchesterCT.Gov/AthleticComplexProject.
Road Work Safety Ordinance
On Tuesday, residents also voted at a Special Town Meeting to adopt a road work safety ordinance that will allow Colchester Police to intervene when contractors create unsafe conditions on public roads. The ordinance will require contractors to hire police or flaggers when the Resident State Trooper determines activity in the roadway is creating a hazard. The ordinance is intended to combat traffic issues caused by major
construction projects.
Budget Forums and Process
This is the last weekend to complete the Board of Finance’s FY26/27 budget survey, available here.
The first pre-budget forum was held Wednesday night. The Board of Finance also held a mid-year check-in with the Resident State Trooper ahead of the presentation of department budget requests in March. That presentation can be viewed here.
Last week, the new Joint Insurance Subcommittee (formed in the fall with representatives from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Board of Education) met with our new health insurance broker to discuss year-to-date claims and the upcoming renewal figures for both the Town and Board of Education budgets. Significantly increased health care claim costs are expected to impact both budgets in FY26/27 as employers face rising healthcare costs for employees throughout Connecticut. Town Department heads will meet next week so that I can review their initial budget requests, and so we can consider options to mitigate rising healthcare costs without jeopardizing public services or public safety.
This week, the superintendent distributed the attached letter regarding his upcoming proposal to the BOE and the impact of health insurance costs on top of historical underfunding of the BOE’s health insurance budget. The Board of Education expects to view the Superintendent’s proposed budget at a presentation on February 18 and to hold workshops on February 23 and 26. After the workshops, the BOE will recommend a budget that will then be presented to the Board of Finance.
The Town’s proposed budget, alongside the BOE’s recommended budget, will be presented in March.
Closed for Presidents Day
Town buildings will be closed on Monday, February 16 in observation of Presidents Day.
CCT Presents: Sister Act
This weekend only, Colchester Community Theatre (CCT) proudly presents Sister Act through special arrangements with Music Theatre International.
Performance dates begin tonight, Friday February 13 at 7:00 pm, Saturday February 14 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm, and Sunday, February 15 at 2:00 pm at Bacon Academy High School Auditorium, 611 Norwich Avenue in Colchester, CT. Ticket prices are $18.00 for Adults and $14.00 for Seniors (65+) and Children (age 12 and under). Premium seating tickets are available for $28.00 each.
Tickets for this production are now on sale through the “Buy Tickets” page on CCT’s website at www.colchestercommunitytheatre.com. New this year, audience members are able to select seats when placing an order. No need to get in line early to get your favorite seats!
Bacon Academy Scholarship Fundraiser at Mel’s
On Monday, February 23, please join me at Mel's Downtown Creamery Colchester for a special fundraiser for the Bacon Academy Scholarship Fund. 20% of proceeds that night will benefit scholarships for graduating seniors.
My first job was as an ice cream scooper as a Bacon senior. That job helped me save money I needed for college, so now I am picking up the ice cream scoop again to help support our upcoming BA graduates! So come down to Mel's on the 23rd where I'll be putting my old ice cream
scooping skills back to work for this great cause. Hope to see you there!
Remembering Rob Brown
On Saturday, February 7th, former Colchester Fire Chief Rob Brown was laid to rest following a memorial service at Colchester Fire & EMS HQ. Colchester Fire & EMS, the Salem Volunteer Fire Company, and members of the Colchester Hayward Volunteer Fire Company came together alongside Colchester and Connecticut State Police, mutual aid partners, and residents to honor Rob’s legacy.
On a very snowy morning, a procession traveled from Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home to the Salem Volunteer Fire Company and returned to Colchester Fire & EMS HQ where speakers shared fond memories of Rob’s life and the many ways he taught and inspired his friends, family, and community members.
Thank you to all who took part in Saturday’s memorial service.
Chief Rob Brown represented the very best of Colchester, a tireless volunteer and good Samaritan, who lived his life helping others even through his final days.
Sincerely,
Bernie Dennler
First Selectman
Town of Colchester