First Selectman's Report: March 13, 2026
On Tuesday, the proposed Town Budget and proposed Board of Education budgets were presented at a public hearing to the Board of Finance and town residents.
As First Selectman, my budget proposal for the Town focuses on maintaining stability and promoting public safety while we balance rising healthcare claim costs and other economic pressures.
Residents have been clear about prioritizing public safety, including fire, EMS, police, and road/traffic safety along with upkeep of buildings, parks, and grounds. Rather than focusing on new initiatives, the FY26/27 Town budget focuses on fulfilling previously approved plans for fire, police, and public work from previous budget cycles.
Key points include:
-- Completing firefighter minimum staffing plan — this will bring all Fire/EMS shifts to equalized staffing levels and was recommended to be completed in the upcoming fiscal year by the Board of Finance last year
-- Hiring a dedicatedtraffic officer effective after January 1, 2027 to respond to speeding and traffic safety concerns around Colchester — funding costs offset by DOJ COPS Grant and top-step employee retirements that will produce budgetary savings
-- Stable funding for pblic works programs such as road, building, and grounds maintenance, including the successful Recreation Complex fields natural grass management program
Budgets approved in 2024 and 2025 have delivered the progress voters asked for and I believe it is critical that we avoid going backwards in these areas.
I also recognize that this year’s budget process faces additional pressure from the higher-than-typical Board of Education budget proposal. That is why I directed Town departments not to pursue new programs or capital projects in the upcoming fiscal year. 2026-2027 capital projects will be funded under existing grants or programs.
We have also strategically identified acceptable budget reductions across departments and will reduce contributions to certain reserves without setting up fiscal cliffs.
Last year’s Town budget introduced a number of new cost-saving measures and utilization of other revenue sources to fund public programs such as those at the Colchester Senior Center and Colchester Youth Center. This year’s budget will continue last year’s successful cost-saving measures, such as regional animal control now provided through Montville ACO.
In the presentation, I discussed revenue expectations and how economic growth is driving increased revenue from building permits and expansion of our community’s tax base.
I also discussed the cost of these Town public services, because residents may not be aware what Town services actually represent in their tax bill.
The projected total cost for the average residential homeowner for Town services is about $153 per month (that’s the total, not increase) — this includes the costs for all public safety coverage (fire, EMS, and police) plus maintenance of our town roads, buildings, and grounds, and services like Cragin Memorial Library, Parks and Recreation, Senior Services, Youth and Social Services, and all of the other administrative functions of the Town. Compare that to what we pay per month for private services like homeowner’s insurance, phone, internet, or trash removal. I think Colchester provides a reasonable value for these public services that keep us safe and make our town an attractive place to live and do business.
The Board of Finance will host budget workshops on the Town Budget at 6:00 PM on Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 31.
The Board of Finance will host budget workshops regarding the Board of Education at 6:00 PM budget on Wednesday, March 25 and Monday, April 6.
Budget workshops include question and answer sessions for the public.
I encourage residents to view the Town Budget presentation and the Town Budget book, available at ColchesterCT.Gov/Budget2026. The
recording of the complete budget presentations (including both the Town and Board of Education proposals) is available here as well.
Colchester Celebrates America250
As our nation turns 250 years old, Colchester is joining the national celebrations with America250 events all year round. Various departments will be running America250-themed events throughout the year. Highlights include our second annual National Night Out event this August which will include celebratory fireworks!
A calendar of America250 events in Colchester can be found here: https://www.colchesterct.gov/recreation-department/pages/america-250
Rally Against Cancer 2026
March is Rally Against Cancer Month. Each year, Colchester Public Schools and the Town of Colchester join forces to help raise funds for the Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Throughout this month we will be working to fundraise to help strike out cancer by providing much needed funds for new research and for patient care throughout New England. Eighty five percent of all donations goes directly to research and patient care.
Please donate and share this year's team page link below.
http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/colchester2026
Colchester Choir & Orchestra Spring Concert
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 21st! Colchester Choir & Orchestra will be presenting their March Concert: Mozart to Modern next Saturday, March 21st at 6:30pm in the Bacon Academy Auditorium. This concert is sure to be fun for the whole family, with music from Disney’s Moana, The Greatest Showman, and several classical pieces, it’s an evening of music not to be missed!
Admission is free, but donations are much appreciated and help offset costs of purchasing new music each season. For more information visit colchesterct.gov/Colchester-choir-orchestra
Remembering Luna
Last week, we sadly said goodbye to a very special member of the Colchester Fire & EMS family, our beloved therapy dog, Luna.
After a courageous battle with cancer, Luna has crossed the rainbow bridge, leaving behind a legacy of comfort, compassion, and quiet strength that touched countless lives.
During her time with Colchester Fire & EMS, Luna served as more than just a therapy dog. She was a calming presence during difficult moments, a friendly face at the fire station, and a source of comfort for firefighters, EMS personnel, and members of our community. Luna was deployed to numerous towns to assist during challenging incidents, visited local schools to help students feel safe and supported, and welcomed everyone who walked through our station doors with a wagging tail and gentle spirit.
Thank you, Luna, for your service, your loyalty, and the comfort you gave so freely. You will always be a part of our department family. Our thoughts are also with her handler Assistant Chief Sean Shoemaker, and his family.
WJJMS PTO Comedy Show
The WJJMS PTO presents our 2nd Annual Comedy Show! Tickets are available to purchase now. Along with the Comedy show, there will be a Silent Auction, Gift Basket Giveaways, 50/50 and a cash bar. Come join us on Friday, March 13th at the St. Joseph’s Polish Club. Click here!
CASTLE Trivia Night 2026
CASTLE Childcare Center Presents…Castle Trivia Night and Silent Auction on Saturday, April 25 at the Polish Club!
Business Spotlight: The Plum Tomato
This week, I visited Brian and Cindy Thomas at The Plum Tomato to present them with a proclamation honoring 25 years of business in Colchester! Plum Tomato opened in 2000 and is now celebrating 25 years of serving their famous wood-fired brick oven pizza, amazing sandwiches, wings, and more. I enjoyed talking with Brian and Cindy, along with their longtime manager Erin, about the evolution of Plum Tomato over the last two and half decades and sharing some of our memories from around the tables. Plum Tomato is a fixture of the Colchester small business community and has been a frequent supporter of local causes. The Plum Tomato supports local youth sports teams, sponsored one of the annual holiday light arches on the Town Green, and is an annual sponsor for the Resolution Run 5K.
Congratulations to Brian, Cindy, and the entire staff at The Plum Tomato! Here’s to many more years of unique pizzas, appetizers, and
creamy garlic sauce!
Sincerely,
Bernie Dennler
First Selectman
Town of Colchester