- Presented fiscally conservative and responsible budgets that moved the town forward while aiming for a zero-tax increase.
- Looked for ways to utilize and invest in technology to reduce costs while modernizing efficiency across departments.
- Avoided massive new bonding projects and fiscal cliffs. Town is financially secure moving forward.
- Conducted a top to bottom review of departments to identify savings and areas to strategically invest in.
- Never advocated for an 8.24% town budget increase and a 5 % tax increase as my predecessor did.
- Reduced the salary of the First Selectman to $80,000 and froze it for two years.
Colchester Comeback
Colchester Comeback - My Achievements
Affordability
Transparency
- Secured UHY as an ARPA consulting firm to ensure that there is a strategy, continuous monitoring, and transparency planning when it comes to distributing ARPA dollars.
- Secured a state-of-the-art Hybrid Meeting Room that allows the community to have unparalleled access to town meetings while simultaneously meeting all FOI standards.
- Transparency software will be secured once the budget passes.
- Have completed a historic number of FOI requests.
- Ended illegal meetings and backroom deals in our local government.
- Held elected & appointed officials accountable.
- Removed the Sewer & Water Commission Chair for abusing the position.
Economic Development
- Led the initiative under the Colchester Comeback Grant Program to secure over 1M in ARPA funds for our small businesses and over $200K in local Non-profits. This historic $1M infusion shows the entire state of Connecticut that Colchester is top tier when it comes to supporting our small businesses and their success.
- Since taking office, applications for building permits have grown exponentially with the Town seeing a total of $14 million dollars in real estate growth. That’s a strong signal that people are investing in Colchester.
- Colchester has seen new businesses such as Fornarelli’s, Wagging Tails Pet Shop, Pokemoto, The Color House, Central K-9, Town & Country Early Learning Center, and Moran Restaurant make Colchester their home.
- The Town is also very close in securing Chipotle as the next major business in Town. ARK Distillery is also on the horizon.
- Notable businesses that have seen facility expansion and revitalization include InCord, Gano’s Power Equipment, Toyota of Colchester, and Shell Gas Station.
- I’m the only First Selectman in 15 years to make progress on Jack’s Chevrolet. The Granite Group will officially be expanding into that location.
- The Town has worked with Frontier Fiber to expand fiber optics throughout the entire Town.
- Collaborated with Eversource in their investment of $20 million into a natural gas project. Natural gas will also become available in the coming years as a result.
- Worked with S&S Worldwide to secure funding from corporate lenders to ensure that the business would survive, keep jobs in the community, and save my hometown from economic devastation.
- Embarked on business tours to highlight and promote our local businesses.
- Established an online permitting portal where all permits and licenses are available and may be submitted directly.
Tradition
- Re-established the Memorial Day Parade and increased its operating budget.
- Re-established 57th Fest as Celebrate Colchester.
- Preparing the Celebration of Colchester’s 325th Birthday Party.
- Established the yearly Colchester Turkey Pardon.
- Established the yearly Arbor Day Tree Planting tradition.
- Removed the Racism Public Health Crisis.
- Historic Investment in our Town’s History:
- Youth Center Roof (Old Town Hall) revitalization.
- Town Green Revitalization.
- Town Green Gazebo Revitalization in progress.
- Preserved all historical buildings and Monuments (no historical buildings were demolished and there were no historical name changes).
- Secured Historical Document Preservation funds to allow for the preservation and digitization of our community’s historic documents.
- Historic Investment in our Parks & Recreation:
- New playground.
- New pickleball courts.
- New basketball courts.
- New Signs.
- New Pavilion Roof at the Rec Plex.
- Secured monumental funding for Field Irrigation (as part of the Fields of Dreams initiative) with construction anticipated this summer.
- Secured a significant investment for grounds, maintenance, and fence repairs in this year’s proposed Town Budget (an increase of $31,400, for a grand total of $62,400).
- Invested in a strategic plan and a field feasibility study.
Public Safety
- Fire Department:
- Expedited the Fire Chief process and hired an excellent Fire Chief.
- Upgraded the UHF Portable Radios.
- Upgraded the 800Mhz Radio System
- Secured a new roof for Fire Company #2 Roof.
- Secured a new Off Road Utility Vehicle.
- Secured a new boat and trailer.
- Secured a new OHD Fit Tester.
- Entered the community into the Fire Marshal Mutual Aid Agreement.
- Secured over $100K in new apparatus equipment.
- Completed the construction for the Fire Headquarters parking lot located at 52 Old Hartford Road.
- Secured 24/7 coverage through the investment of 2 new Firefighters/EMS
- Secured new electronic emergency signs.
- Secured a new k9 unit for our police department.
- Conducted air quality tests and clean ups at the Youth Center, Town Hall, and Senior Center, something that hasn’t happened in decades.
- Town Hall Oil Tank replaced to avoid DEEP violations; Oil Tank situation ignored by the previous administration.
- Allocated more than $100K for Tree Removal (more than any administration) in year one and secured $135K in year two.
- Secured the installation of RRFBs (Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons) at town crosswalks in town which include Route 85 (South Main Street) near Pierce Lane, Route 149 (Westchester Road) near the Airline State Park Trail, and Route 616 (Norwich Colchester Turnpike) at Bacon Academy.
- Established a Public Safety Committee with the purpose to strengthen collaboration with the community, gather feedback & provide potential recommendations, increase transparency, and make public commendations.
Other Accomplishments
- Secured the contract for the Senior Center Project and presided over the groundbreaking.
- Entered the town into multiple National Opioid Settlements. The grand total allotted to Colchester will be $270,163.71 with periodic payments to continue until 2031. Funds could be utilized to address drug usage and provide awareness to residents. These settlements will be managed by the Colchester Youth Service’s Youth First Coalition.
- Secured the construction of Trail Head Parking Lot, Middletown/Rte. 16 (Sablitz Open Space Property).
- Saw the completion of the Affordable Housing Plan as required by the State.
- Approved Town participation in the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.
- Enhanced The Open Space Preservation Fund to protect our small-town charm.
- Successfully negotiated the Public Works Union Contract that was left over from the previous administration and avoided costly arbitration.
- Protected our freedom of choice by not implementing a mask mandate.
- Saved the Town a significant amount of money by settling a legal entanglement that was born under the previous administration.
- Defended the community against unsubstantiated racial slurs.
- Successfully secured over nearly 500K in sewer & water costs owed to Colchester by the Town of Hebron, while avoiding a potentially expensive legal engagement.
- Hired a Community Counselor and Case Manager to provide the level of follow up and case management that kids and families need to manage the challenges they are facing through ARPA funds.
- Replaced the Salt Shed Roof for Fleet Maintenance.
- Worked with the Fleet Maintenance Supervisor to develop a Vehicle Improvement Plan after years of neglect and complacency by previous First Selectmen.
- Secured the people’s right to vote by following the Charter and the Town’s legal opinion despite organized opposition from some of my opponents.
- Secured new parking lot lights for Town Hall.
- Secured over $140K for the Norton Park Project.
- Successfully negotiated the Library Union Contract
- Successfully negotiated the Fire Department Union Contract
