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As I was driving home from class on some of CT’s most beautiful back roads and looking at the trees changing color (way too early!), I happened to notice that some of them had been extensively trimmed. At one time I would have commented about how “ugly” they were and how “badly” trimmed. Now, I understand why they were trimmed as they were. As I drove further I noticed how nicely mowed were the sides of the road and along the very long town-owned sidewalk … and later on, a newly painted crosswalk, a repaired road, and a
mulched garden. In all of this, what I never saw – not once – were the people doing the work. But, we know it didn’t happen by itself.
Have you ever thought about the people doing the work? Those folks who are out in rain and shine? Those who are behind the scenes making things happen, as well as those you see and talk to regularly? They’re just like you – they have young families, aging parents for whom they’re caring, growing families, no families; they’re newlyweds, long wedded, divorced, and widowed; they have kids in daycare, preschool, K-12, and college. Several are working multiple jobs and some are enrolled in college themselves. However, the one thing every Town employee has in common is dedication and commitment to being the best possible at their job.
Our employees repeatedly win awards in their fields; they’re elected as officers and presidents of their professional associations; and, they are enthusiastic about learning and gaining increased knowledge in their field. In the end, everyone is a winner – employee and the Town.
The latest in a long line of “winners” are three of our mostly “invisible” workers. Out at 6:00 a.m. in the summer and 7:00 a.m. on a normal winter day, they are also part of the crew that works during those winter storms at 2 a.m. and ‘round the clock if needed. While the number of miles of Colchester’s roads has grown over the years and the number of staff maintaining those roads and vehicles has not, the knowledge and skill of our staff gets the job done.
A Technology Transfer Expo is held annually at the University of Connecticut. During this expo, our public works employees participate in the Dr. Jack Stephens Memorial Safety Challenge. Participants must demonstrate high levels of proficiency in skills such as work zone safety, flagger techniques, trenching and excavation, personal protective equipment, sweeper operation, and backhoe operation. It was a great day for the Town of Colchester – we didn’t win third place … not second place … nor first place – our staff won all three!!
A huge congratulations to Ray Sikorski, Patrick Clark, and Chuck Zingle!
Previous Selectman Notes can be viewed at
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