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When I woke up this morning I realized that summer is truly gone – it was still dark at 6:00 and, on fact, it was still pretty dark at 7:00. As you know, the days are getting shorter and shorter. The different location of the sun in the sky, as well as the increasing early morning and afternoon “dark hours,” create hazardous visual conditions for our many walkers and bicycle riders, as well as drivers. Colchester is blessed with sidewalks through much of our downtown area; however, pedestrians have to cross driveways and roads. Store
patrons are walking through parking lots. And, we have many, many outlying roads where children walk to and from school buses and residents of all ages walk, run, and bicycle. Please take a moment or two to drive a little slower and be more aware.
Hand-in-hand with cold comes the need for heat. Colchester Social Services and Senior Services are taking applications for those who qualify for one of the heating assistance programs. More information about the specific programs, as well as income guidelines, can be found on our website at www.colchesterct.gov or by calling Social Services at 537-7235 or Senior Services at 537-3911.
With winter approaching and more indoor activities beginning to happen, flu season also comes to mind. Your Public Health Department is on top of the issue and continues to provide information to residents about dealing with the flu and flu-issues. In spite of many providers facing difficulty in obtaining an adequate number of flu vaccines, this group of determined individuals is working diligently to provide clinics for residents again this year. For more information about the clinic or precautions to take, check our website or call 537-7214.
Not a snow bunny? Skiing, skating, and sledding aren't for you? Don't enjoy walking or running outside as your nose freezes? Does winter mean staying inside and boredom? Just as Colchester has innumerable opportunities for recreation during the warmer months, so do we for this season. Join a book club at Cragin Memorial Library, participate in one of their many programs, or curl up in a comfortable chair and go wherever you want to go with a recent bestseller or a favorite author. Check out the Parks & Recreation calendar for activities ranging from dealing with your finances to indoor sports for adults and children. Volunteer to read to children at a school or the library. Visit the Senior Center for Wednesday night soup and bingo. Get involved in a town board or commission.
Don't want to join one? Visit a commission or board meeting in areas in which you have an interest. Join the Garden Club or Historical Society for interesting and fun programs. Volunteer to help a scout troop with a specific badge or project. Run a food drive. There's lots to do in Colchester no matter the time of year!
Don't forget tonight! Town residents will come together for a Town Meeting to vote on four issues – (1) modify the leash ordinance to allow dogs to be off a leash in a dog park; (2) the Right-to-Farm ordinance; (3) purchase of 31-acres of open space on McDonald Road adjacent to the Ruby and Elizabeth Cohen Woodlands; and, (4) to return a parcel of open space to a developer who never exercised his permit to develop. The meeting will be at Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. I hope to see you there!
Previous Selectman Notes can be viewed at
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