Change is coming to the center of town! As you know, one of the areas on which we've been focusing is the areas from Linwood Avenue to the old Chevrolet dealer. Thanks to the work of many, many individuals throughout the community and in town hall, projects are beginning to move forward.
Colchester Federated Church and its members have spent more than a year looking at the property and what renovations might be possible – not an easy task when balancing the needs and desires of the congregation with being a main focal point of the Town. However, through perseverance on all sides, a plan was approved and work has begun.
Bacon Academy Trustees continue their efforts, through a grant received earlier this year and with the assistance of an architect with expertise in historical buildings, in evaluating the Old Bacon Academy site and building to determine best uses of both, as well as needs to implement and maintain those uses.
As you undoubtedly have seen, renovations of the Old Firehouse are well underway. This is the culmination of many years of work begun under past First Selectman Jenny Contois. During her time, plans were drawn up and Town funds reserved for the renovation. Thanks to Stacy Fernandez, one of our interns, the Town received a matching grant to the town's funds earlier this year so we were able to move forward on this project. This is not a complete renovation however. The plans and funds were solely to renovate the building's exterior to make it weather proof and to improve the visual appearance of our downtown area. At some point, further work will need to be done to the interior.
When the Chevrolet dealer left Colchester, Jean Smith reminded us that the area between the sidewalk and the road was not part of the parcel and that the previous owner had a lease with the State Department of Transportation to pave and utilize that area to display cars. In checking with the DOT, we found that lease had expired several years ago. This was the perfect time to reclaim another very focal part of our community. Adam Turner (town planner), Mark Decker (public works director), and Sal Tassone (town engineer) began immediately working with the DOT to explore possible options. The DOT is requiring the owner to remove the large signs from that area; at the same time, they have given the Town permission to remove the asphalt and to replace it with grass – much as the Town did about ten years ago with the
area between the Chevrolet dealer and the Old Firehouse. Town crews will do the work with materials already in stock – remove the asphalt, fill with loam, and seed. Because of the timing of growing season and the need to have the signs removed before we can begin work, the actual replacement of asphalt with grass with probably not happen until spring – we don't want to remove the asphalt now and have the area a mud puddle throughout winter! But work has begun to make it happen. A quick note – we've met with several parties interested in that parcel of land and they're very happy with our plans.
Through the efforts of many individuals and organizations, the visual appeal and charm of our downtown area will be greatly enhanced.
Previous Selectman Notes can be viewed at
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