First Selectman's Report: July 2, 2026
Celebrate America 250!
This week, the United States of America celebrates our 250th anniversary since our nation’s founding and the signing of the Declaration of Independence!
Town buildings will be closed in observance of Independence Day on Friday, July 3. The Transfer Station will be closed on Saturday, July 4.
This weekend, the Colchester Historical Society will celebrate the 250th by opening several of the Town’s historic buildings on Saturday, July 4 from 11AM to 2PM. The Nathaniel Foote House, Colchester School for Colored Children, and Colchester History Museum will be open to the public.
On Wednesday, July 8, join us as we join towns and organizations across all 50 states with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, commemorating its first public reading on July 8, 1776. The nationwide simultaneous readings have been organized in collaboration with state America250 Commissions and the Sons of the American Revolution.
We will gather at the Gazebo at 5:45 PM with the reading to begin promptly at 6:00 PM EST.
After the reading, we will celebrate with the planting of a commemorative American elm tree on the Town Green as selected by the Colchester Historic District Commission.
America250 events will continue throughout the summer and the fall.
Join us on Tuesday, August 4th as Colchester celebrates National Night Out — sponsored by Colchester Pizza — with fireworks at the Town RecPlex.
Heat Advisory
Stay cool this week! Emergency hot weather protocols are in effect as we expect temperatures to approach 100 degrees starting today.
A cooling center Fire/EMS HQ is available 24/7 for those in need.
The Touch-A-Truck event on the Town Green, originally scheduled for tonight, has been postponed due to the heat.
RecPlex and Bacon Academy Project Updates
Progress is continuing quickly at the Town Recreation Complex and Bacon Academy. At the Bacon Academy stadium field, new drainage systems are being installed. Ground has also been broken on the baseball/multipurpose field. Concrete for tennis courts at Bacon and the RecPlex, pickleball courts at the RecPlex, and the new basketball court at the RecPlex have been poured and are currently curing.
Youth Center Project Update
Concrete was poured last week to replace the roof on the old vault/mechanical room at the Youth Center. The structural study and renovations to the historic Wheeler Block building built in 1872 have been funded under the ARPA grant program. This is one of the final major structural components to be rehabilitated before the building reopens this fall.
Chat with a Vet
Colchester veterans affairs coordinator Mary Gura hosted our first “Chat with a Vet” booth at last week’s farmers market alongside four other veterans to talk with attendees and connect veterans and families to resources for benefits and other services. Another “Chat with a Vet” booth will be at the July 26th Farmers Market. Keep an eye out for their booth!
The next Veterans’ Coffeehouse event will be on Saturday, July 18 from 10AM to noon at Cragin Library. All Colchester veterans are welcome to attend.
CTDOT Project Updates
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a centerline rumble strip installation project will be performed on various routes in Chaplin, Eastford, Clinton, Killingworth, Colchester, Hampton, Pomfret, Hebron, Killingly, Lisbon, Canterbury, Montville, New London, Waterford, Putnam and Thompson. This project is scheduled to occur on Monday evening, July 13 and be completed on Friday morning, July 24, 2026. In Colchester, the project will include Old Hartford Road from Route 2 to Broadway.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that replacement of speed limit signs will be performed on local rural roads in towns including Colchester starting July 1 2026 and through July 31, 2027. The project consists of replacing post-mounted sheet aluminum speed limit signs on local rural roads. All of the existing speed limit signs are to be replaced with new, retroreflective signs to ensure their proper placement and compliance with the current sign requirements.
Tax Bills - July 1, 2026
Tax bills using last year’s adopted mill rate have been mailed out for July 1 (last day to pay August 3, 2026) for all property types (first installment of real estate, motor vehicle, and personal property). In recent years, the Town has only sent out real estate bills before budget adoption but state OPM is now advising towns to bill all property types together unless a specific Charter provision authorizes the town to do separate billing. Supplemental bills will be mailed after budget adoption if necessary.
Business Spotlight: Champions Karate
Champions Karate has a new home in Colchester on Middletown Road next to Maria’s Pizza. Sensei Joshua Seals is a second degree black belt who has been teaching martial arts since 2006. Sensei Josh and his wife Amanda are excited about their new, expanded dojo location (previously Champions Karate was located on Old Hartford Road). This week, I visited the new dojo to see how Josh and Amanda have transformed the space since they opened their doors last month.
Champions Karate brings a family-centered approach and is always welcoming new members. Classes are available for ages 3 through adulthood with opportunities for all fitness levels.
To join, contact Sensei Josh Seals at 860-531-8746 or check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/championskarateCT/
Sincerely,
Bernie Dennler
First Selectman
Town of Colchester