First Selectman's Report - March 23, 2024
Field Maintenance Planning
On Thursday, the Board of Selectmen agreed to implement the findings of the most recent field sustainability study as part of our FY 24-25 budget request to the Board of Finance. This includes regular seeding and fertilization of the fields at the Recreation Complex plus additional part-time seasonal labor for the complex. All Board of Selectmen members agreed on the importance of providing the necessary materials and labor to ensure that Colchester’s RecPlex sports fields are maintained appropriately. This is a matter of both town pride and safety.
The RecPlex is used by thousands of Colchester families annually. As a municipality, we owe it to all residents to be good stewards of this facility and to ensure these public fields are safe to use.
More information on the Public Works proposal can be found here:
https://www.colchesterct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4286/f/agendas/24-25_pu...
The full budget presentation for all Town departments for FY24-25 will be shown at a public hearing on April 3.
Police Camera Proposal
At Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Colchester Police presented a proposal to purchase three license-plate reading cameras that would be used for investigation of major crimes and missing persons.
Residents who spoke in citizens comments before and after the presentation expressed concerns about privacy and civil liberties. Several other residents also provided written correspondence sharing similar concerns. The Board members stated they would need more information about how the system would be used and how data is stored before moving forward.
However, the consensus among residents who spoke up appeared to be uniformly opposed to the proposal. Based on this bipartisan feedback from the community, I have informed the Colchester Police that we will not be pursuing the proposal.
Police Camera Proposal
At Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Colchester Police presented a proposal to purchase three license-plate reading cameras that would be used for investigation of major crimes and missing persons.
Residents who spoke in citizens comments before and after the presentation expressed concerns about privacy and civil liberties. Several other residents also provided written correspondence sharing similar concerns. The Board members stated they would need more information about how the system would be used and how data is stored before moving forward.
However, the consensus among residents who spoke up appeared to be uniformly opposed to the proposal. Based on this bipartisan feedback from the community, I have informed the Colchester Police that we will not be pursuing the proposal.
Tanker Truck Update
The Board of Selectmen also voted on Thursday to authorize a revised contract for the purchase of a tanker truck as voted on at the 2021 fire apparatus referendum. Under the revised agreement, the new tanker will be delivered in yellow to match the rest of the fleet at no additional cost! Originally, the vehicle was set to be delivered in red.
That night, the BOS and members of the public were shown a demonstration in the Town Hall parking lot of the other four new vehicles in the fire fleet that entered service this winter. The tanker will enter service this summer, completing the replacement of the fire fleet.
Budget Survey
The Board of Finance budget survey is still open and available to view at this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ColchesterCTBudget2024
In addition to citizens' comments, correspondence, and public hearings, the survey is one tool used to gather public feedback as part of the budget development process.
Sewer & Water Budget
Following public hearing, the Sewer & Water Commission’s budget for the current fiscal year was finally adopted. The new budget and associated rates would typically have gone into effect all the way back in July - but the commission struggled to make quorum for many months. In February, the Board of Selectmen appointed several new members to the commission to help resolve the quorum issue.
The new budget and rates will be in effect for the April billing cycle. Information can be found here:
https://www.colchesterct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4286/f/agendas/public_h...
Firefighter Air Packs
The new SCOTT air-packs arrived at Colchester Fire & EMS Headquarters and were programmed/tested by MES representatives. Purchase of these replacement breathing units were approved by the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen in December.
These Air-Pak X3 Pro SCBA enhance our interoperability with neighboring fire departments also aligning with the current technology available. These new units meet the current 2018 NFPA standard with added safety features to include additional accountability of personnel operating on the fire ground. Over the next couple of weeks all equipment will be inventoried, personnel will complete in-service training, personnel will be fit tested to the new SCOTT masks and then the final step of placing them in service on our apparatus.
Youth Services April Break Trip
The first Youth Services April Break trip is to United Skates in RI! It will be a packed day of laser tag, roller skating or blading, rock wall climbing, arcade and pizza! Sign up today on ColchesterCT.Gov/YSS.
Be Well at Bacon Academy
Youth Services had the opportunity to partner with Bacon Academy today for Be Well Day! Sophomores got to spend the day engaging in several fun activities and made the pledge to be drug free. We also had wellness booths including one called “Common Thread”. It’s always so fun to see how much we all have in common and know we aren’t alone. Check it out.
Veteran’s Coffee House
Last Saturday, we hosted our first Veteran’s Coffee House event organized by our Veterans’ Affairs coordinator Mary Emerling. Speakers discussed state legislation that may affect veterans, VA benefit enrollment, and local issues for vets in Colchester. These new monthly gatherings are being organized to connect those who served their country with the armed forces. Guest speakers will continue to provide information around beneficial veteran programs and services as well as health and well-being.
The monthly Coffee Houses will be held the third Saturday of each month from 10:15 - 12:00 at Cragin Memorial Library. Coffee and light snacks will be provided.
For questions and/or suggestions, please call Mary Emerling at (860) 537-2921. We hope to see you there!
Fire Prevention Poster Winners
On Thursday, Chief Steve Hoffmann, Assistant Chief/Fire Marshal Sean Shoemaker and Firefighter/EMT Ray Wheeler had the opportunity to provide a ride to school on Rescue 128 for our two fire prevention posters winners in Colchester. The students were picked up and driven to school where their fellow classmates were waiting to cheer for them. Lights flashing and sirens blaring, our local fire prevention poster winners received a first-class ride into school. Congratulations!
Bernie Dennler
First Selectman
Town of Colchester