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Restoring Financial Stability and Delivering Savings

Protecting Taxpayers

As a former Board of Finance member, my number one goal as First Selectman was to restore stability to Colchester’s finances after years of turmoil and unpredictability and to deliver savings that protect taxpayers.Upon taking office, I put in place a temporary budget freeze and launched a restructuring of the Town finance department. Together, we balanced the Town budget which was facing a nearly million dollar shortfall due to underfunding of pension liabilities, employee benefits, and more. Over 18 months, we completed three audits - ending the overdue audit backlog mess - and secured an AA+ bond rating. Thanks to our efforts, the Town saved over $1.2 million when bonding the Senior Center and Fire Apparatus projects. Further, we resolved the long outstanding issues with the state grant for WJJMS construction, saving over $700,000 more.Under new leadership, we also ended the chronic turnover at Town Hall that had led to unfinished projects, escalating costs, and made sure your taxpayer dollars are delivering the services you expect from the Town.I’ve also used my experience in local government to make Colchester’s government more efficient, to get things done for less. We’ve leveraged state funding to clean up litter, fund Youth Services programming, and to launch Senior Center evening hours starting this summer. I negotiated a new regional partnership for Animal Control Services with the Town of Montville that costs less and keeps animals closer to Colchester. I consolidated Sewer and Water collection with the Tax Office, so residents have a centralized payment hub and so taxpayers and ratepayers aren’t paying for two departments to provide the same set of services.On top of that, we have aggressively pursued grant funding so that our state and federal tax dollars actually come home to help us here in Colchester.

When I took office, public works in Colchester had been paralyzed for years by wasteful turnover leading to deferred maintenance, deteriorating conditions, and rising repair costs.Today, Colchester’s public works department is fully staffed for the first time in years and back to meeting its targets for road maintenance like roadside mowing, crack sealing, and catch basin cleaning - basic services that are critical to perform.With your support, we have restarted the town’s annual road paving program for the first time since COVID.We are now in year two of the new Recreation Complex field maintenance program that I championed shortly after taking office. Under the new program, our RecPlex fields are being kept safe and playable for longer. We also launched a new building and grounds maintenance program so public spaces like the Town Green, sidewalks, and other parks remain safe, accessible, and attractive.As promised in my 2023 campaign, I put a stop to efforts to sell off Colchester’s public water system to a private company. Instead, I worked with town staff to secure state funding to make critical improvements to the water supply that residents and businesses depend on. Already, we’ve completed lead abatement at the Elmwood Heights water tower to make the entire neighborhood safer. With funds from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, we will also be making repairs to the Cabin Road filter plant to guarantee adequate water supply needed for future economic growth and to reduce the use of chemicals in our drinking water.

Having grown up in a family of firefighters, supporting public safety in Colchester has always been a priority for me - going back to my time when I served on the Board of Finance. As a BOF member, I pushed for the replacement of Colchester’s badly aged fleet of fire vehicles and served on the apparatus replacement subcommittee. I was proud to see the new fleet enter service as First Selectman and to work with the fire chiefs to resolve outstanding issues with delivery so that we were able to complete the fleet on-budget.One of my first actions in office was to work with the Hayward Volunteer Fire Company on a cost-sharing plan to replace the aging self-contained breathing apparatus equipment that our paid and volunteer firefighters rely on for oxygen in burning buildings. This year, I also agreed to a plan with our firefighters to enhance fire and EMS coverage with the hire of an additional firefighter starting January 1, 2026 as agreed by the Board of Finance. By 2027, I plan to bring on one more firefighter so that all Fire/EMS shifts will be staffed equally.In an emergency, every second counts and efficient communication is critical. That’s why I also led a restructuring to merge Emergency Management with Colchester Fire & EMS. This has been bolstered by a $50,000 Emergency Management Performance Grant to fully fund an emergency operations center at Fire HQ.At Colchester Police, we are also stepping up traffic enforcement to make rural roads safer thanks to $100,000 in grant funds to fight excessive speeding. I am also working with Colchester Police on a plan to renovate the former Senior Center building on Norwich Ave as a new shared space for Colchester Police and veteran’s hall by utilizing remaining ARPA funds and the generous donation from the Bendas Estate.

Protecting Colchester’s Environment and History

Colchester’s motto is “Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow.” That’s why I’ve been committed to preserving both our natural environment and our local history.I was born and raised in Colchester, and that’s given me a love for the outdoors in eastern Connecticut. Protecting our natural resources and helping more residents access them is one of my passions in public service.This summer, we will begin environmental remediation at the former Norton Paper Mill, completely funded by grants I helped secure as First Selectman. Construction on the future Norton Park began earlier this year. Norton Park will provide more passive outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and celebrate Colchester’s history. I am excited for residents to be able to enjoy this beautiful parcel at the intersection of the Jeremy River and Pine Brook.Residents can also enjoy the new Sablitz Preserve trail system that we opened in June 2025. This 70-acre parcel gives residents and visitors more access to Pine Brook, just past Cato Corner. Preserving this area of our town, which serves as an agricultural hub as well, is critical to maintaining our identity as a community “where tradition meets tomorrow.”I’ve also put in place a new town-wide litter clean-up program at no cost to taxpayers. By using funds from nip bottle deposits, we’ve launched a program through public works to get litter, including nip bottles, off the streets, sidewalks, and parks.The Board of Selectmen is also in ongoing negotiations with Silver Brook Solar to lease vacant land at the Town Transfer Station for a solar array that would help deliver clean energy to the grid and generate revenue that could offset future taxes.As First Selectman, I have also worked with the Bacon Academy Board of Trustees to help secure grants for the restoration of Historic Bacon Academy and with members of the Colchester Historical Society to install new monuments commemorating local sites on the Connecticut Freedom Trail - bringing Colchester statewide recognition. As part of our new Grounds maintenance program, I also worked with a local history group to perform monument restoration to the Civil War Monument and other Veterans monuments - to make sure our local history is preserved for generations to come.

Prior to serving as First Selectman, I also served as vice-chair of the Economic Development Committee, so promoting responsible, balanced growth has been one of my major goals.Growing a local economy where small businesses and farms can thrive often means making sure our town is attractive and marketable. That’s part of why I believe it is so important to have clean, safe streets and to take care of our roads and public buildings. In addition to upcoming improvements I’ve helped secure for improved and expanded water and sewer in our commercial district, I am encouraged by our successful efforts to revitalize Lebanon Avenue.Revitalizing Lebanon Avenue
For the last two decades, Lebanon Avenue had seen declining business activity - but today, the street is undergoing a transformation thanks to strategic investment and cooperation with the State of Connecticut.In December 2024, the new Colchester Senior Center opened, thanks in part to a $2.5 million grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The center marks the beginning of a new chapter for the street. After years of delays, I also worked with our state and regional partners to secure increased funding from CTDOT to complete a sidewalk network expansion to provide walkable access to the town’s commercial center for hundreds of residents in the neighborhoods of Northwoods, Four Seasons, and Highland Farms.In June 2025, Colchester was awarded $900,000 under the CT Small Town Economic Assistance Program for improvements to the Lebanon Ave airline trail spur entrance and Mill Street sidewalks. This project will repair the broken, aged section of sidewalks on Mill Street, create a safer intersection for pedestrians at Mill Street/Lebanon Ave, and a more welcoming airline trail spur to encourage trail users to visit Colchester’s commercial downtown restaurants and shops.With new amenities like the Senior Center, improvements to the airline trail spur, and expanded walkable access, businesses will continue to grow and help the new Lebanon Ave take shape. This spring, we were excited to welcome ARK Distillery to Lebanon Ave - this new business located across the street from the airline trail spur has received support under the Colchester Tax Incentive Program, demonstrating the Town’s commitment to the redevelopment of this area. Together, all of these elements form a strategic basis for a stronger local economy in Colchester center.New Businesses
Since 2023, Colchester is proud to have welcomed several major new and expanded businesses to Town including:

We have achieved so much together to move our community forward since November 2023, but there is still so much left to do. If re-elected, these are some of my priorities for November 2025 and beyond…Athletic Complex Building Project:
Renovation of the fields at Bacon Academy and replacement of tennis courts and pickleball courts at the Recreation Complex. A building committee and project scope was approved in January 2025 based on the findings of the 2024 Recreation Needs Committee. A project referendum is anticipated for late 2025.Youth Center Renovation:
Renovation of the Youth Center is underway now. In summer 2024, I requested an engineering report of this building and the former Senior Center on Norwich Ave. Following the report, I directed the Youth Center be temporarily closed due to structural deficiencies. In December 2024, the Board of Selectmen designated ARPA funds for the restoration of this historic building. Porch renovation was completed in spring 2025. Structural and other renovations are expected to begin this fall. This project is expected to be fully funded with ARPA and other on-hand funds, giving an updated, safer Youth Center for Colchester students at no cost to taxpayers.Police Department and Veteran’s Hall:
In summer 2024, I also requested an engineering report of the former Senior Center on Norwich Avenue. Right now, this space is the temporary home for Youth Services programming. The Board of Selectmen is currently awaiting a plan set from our engineers that would renovate this building to have an upgraded veteran’s hall for use by the American Legion and VFW - and for Colchester Police to relocate from their crammed space in Town Hall. Construction would begin after Youth Center renovations are complete. My goal is to utilize on-hand sources and to seek potential grants for this project that would enhance public safety.Food Bank Expansion:
When the police relocation is complete, I plan to utilize funds generously donated by the Estate of Stephen Bendas to the Colchester Food Bank to build out a new food pantry at Town Hall in that space. This would give expanded space for the food bank and provide more privacy for social services clients with a dedicated side entrance.Norton Park:
Construction on Norton Park is underway now. Thanks to new grants from DEEP and DECD, this project will be completed at no cost to taxpayers. Phase 1 construction was completed in spring 2025. Environmental remediation will begin this summer. Construction of the remaining park will follow the environmental clean-up and is expected to occur in late 2025/early 2026.Airline Trail and Sidewalk Improvements:
Construction on the Lebanon Ave airline trail improvements and sidewalk upgrades to Mill Street is expected to occur in 2026, funded by grants that I secured this year. I am also working on a number of other grant applications and opportunities to improve the sidewalk network. In my next term, I aim to secure funding to create an ADA-accessible route from schools to the downtown on Norwich Ave by replacing sections in disrepair and filling gaps in the existing network.Water and Sewer Infrastructure Upgrades:
Construction on repairs to the Cabin Road filter plant are expected to begin later this year with financial assistance from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, as approved at referendum in June 2025. Repairs to the 70 ft Highland Farms water tower and 60 ft Elmwood Heights water tower should follow in 2026 as part of our planned project.Charter Revision:
In 2027, Colchester will be due for its 10-year revision to the Town Charter. If re-elected, I will work with the Board of Selectmen to form a bipartisan Charter Revision Commission in early 2026 to develop common sense solutions to strengthen the Charter and avoid some of the chaos and instability we saw in recent years.

Bringing Colchester Together

I ran for First Selectman in 2023 because I had a vision to bring Colchester together after years of political infighting. I’m a fourth-generation Colchester resident. I graduated from Bacon Academy, and I chose to stay and build my own life here. My husband Jack and I live in a historic home on the Town Green that was once owned by my great-grandparents that we are (slowly) working to restore. I love our town, and I was heartbroken to see the chaos, division, and negative headlines that people were associating with our community.Two years later, I am encouraged to see a community that is back to focusing on goals that unite us. Since November 2023, the Board of Selectmen has shown real bipartisanship that has helped deliver progress to benefit residents of all ages. We have invested in spaces where our community can gather and come together like the Recreation Complex, Town Green, and Cragin Library, and Senior Center.Each week, I provide a newsletter report to residents - so you can see the progress we are making together. Open communication and an open door at Town Hall gives residents confidence. I am proud that under my watch Town budgets were approved by residents like you at referendum on the first vote and that this spring the Town budget was unanimously supported by both Democrats and Republicans on the Board of Finance.I hope that in November 2025 you will stick with me and cast your vote for me again as First Selectman of Colchester so that we can continue to work together for a stronger Colchester.Bernie Dennler
First Selectman

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