First Selectman's Report: July 10, 2026

Budget Town Meeting - Wednesday, July 15
Referendum - Tuesday, July 28
A Special Town Meeting for the purpose of reviewing the revised Board of Selectmen (Town) and Board of Education (Schools) budgets will be held this Wednesday, July 15 at the WJJMS Cafeteria.

The revised proposal reduced the combined budgets by a total of $1.6 million.

In debating cuts, the Board of Finance agreed on bringing the proposed mill rate below the current rate of inflation. The proposed effective mill rate is 30.97 - an increase of 1.05 mills (3.5%). To the average residential homeowner, this represents an estimated monthly impact of about $18. The full Town budget book is available here.

The Town Meeting will adjourn to referendum scheduled for Tuesday, July 28 with all voting to take place at Town Hall from 6AM to 8PM. Absentee ballots will be available starting Thursday, July 16. Please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 860-537-7215 for more information or visit the office during normal business hours.

Colchester Celebrates America250
This week, the Town of Colchester joined towns all across the nation in celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On Saturday, July 4th, historic Colchester sites including the Nathaniel Foote House, Historic Bacon Academy, Colchester-Hayward Fire Museum, and the Colchester History Museum were open to the public to celebrate our town and our nation’s rich history.

On Wednesday, the celebrations continued with a ceremony on the Town Green to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence which took place on July 8, 1776. Towns, cities, and organizations across the country held simultaneous readings of the Declaration at 6:00 PM as part of a nationwide event organized by state America250 Commissions and the Sons of the American Revolution.

In Colchester, bells from Historic Bacon Academy and the Colchester Federated Church rang out to call people to gather just as bells rang out 250 years ago in places like Philadelphia to call people to hear the radical declaration that the 13 colonies had proclaimed themselves as free and independent states in rejection of the tyranny of King George's despotic rule. (Check out a video of the Bacon Academy bell ringing here)

We reflected on the long journey of our nation since that day 250 years ago and how the Declaration's principles guided our course toward a more just society valuing the right of all people to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." A rifle volley by Colchester veterans organizations, in the style of Washington's 1778 Feu de Joie (which marked the second anniversary of the signing) was performed by members of Colchester veterans organizations.

Following the rifle volley, we gathered to plant a new American elm tree on the Town Green to commemorate our nation's 250th anniversary. The tree also serves as a symbol of our enduring republic. This tree is small and it will take many years to grow but some future generation will walk or sit beneath its shade.

Fireworks at National Night Out - sponsored by Colchester Pizza|
America250 celebrations continue! Join us on Tuesday, August 4 at 6:00 PM at the Town RecPlex for National Night Out. This year’s National Night Out will conclude with an America250 fireworks display sponsored by Colchester Pizza! We hope to see you there!

Summer Concerts on the Green
Grab your lawn chairs, blankets, and a friend—summer evenings are made for music on the Town Green. The Town of Colchester Parks & Recreation Department invites residents and visitors to enjoy the annual Summer Concert Series, featuring free live performances in the heart of downtown.

This year's lineup features Sister Funk on Thursday July 16, the U.S. Coast Guard Band, on Thursday, July 23 and Colchester Continentals Fife and Drum corps on Thursday, July 30. All concerts are held from 6-8pm.

America250 Concert Participants Needed
Community members throughout Colchester and surrounding towns are invited to take part in a special patriotic community concert celebrating America250 and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Rehearsals will be held on Monday evenings beginning July 27 and will continue throughout the fall in preparation for the concert. The performance date is expected to be a Sunday afternoon in October. Registration is required; however, there is no fee to participate.

Please register today at https://colchesterctrec.recdesk.com/Community/Home. 

For more information community members are encouraged to contact Colchester Parks and Recreation at (860) 537-7297 or [email protected].

Speeding Advisory
Colchester Police are continuing speed enforcement patrols to deter dangerous speeding in our community on both state and local roads. Slow down or get pulled over.

This morning, Colchester police Officer Allard observed a vehicle traveling over 100 MPH on Route 85. The driver was pulled over and taken into custody.

Excessive speed is one of the leading contributing factors in serious and fatal motor vehicle crashes. At speeds over 100 MPH, drivers have significantly less time to react to changing road conditions, other vehicles, pedestrians, and unexpected hazards.

We remind all motorists to obey posted speed limits, eliminate distractions, and drive responsibly. Arriving safely is always more important than arriving quickly.

Our Officers will continue conducting traffic enforcement throughout town to help keep Colchester’s roadways safe for everyone.

Upcoming CTDOT Nighttime Closure
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing a nighttime closure of access to Route 11 at Exit 24, old Exit 19, on Route 2 southbound in Colchester. This closure is scheduled to occur on July 20 and will continue through August 15, 2026. The project 0028-0207 consists of shoulder reconstruction operations.

There will be a nighttime closure of access to Route 11 from Route 2 southbound at Exit 24, (Old Exit 19) from Monday, July 20 to Saturday, August 15, 2026 during the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., Monday-Friday. Traffic control signing patterns, State Troopers, and Changeable Message Boards will guide motorists through the work zone. Motorists should seek alternate routes or follow posted detour signs.

Farewell Phyllis!
Today, we wished a happy retirement and fond farewell to our friend Phyllis, our longtime Town Hall custodian. Phyllis has served the Town of Colchester since 1994 when she started at Colchester Public Schools. Since the early 2010s, Phyllis has been our lead custodian at Town Hall, serving under numerous First Selectmen and Superintendents. She has made sure our buildings stay clean and well-stocked, and has been there to lock-up after far too many late night meetings.

Phyllis' many friends at Town Hall and Colchester Public Schools gathered this afternoon to share our appreciation for all she has done for us over her many years of hard work. Former First Selectmen Art Shilosky and Stan Soby joined as well to congratulate Phyllis!

On behalf of the Town of Colchester, we wish Phyllis a very happy and much-deserved retirement!

Sincerely,
Bernie Dennler
First Selectman
Town of Colchester