Sun File Photo
For the Week of July 28, 2025
Fiber Internet Expansion in Colchester
Burlington Telecom and Fidium Fiber have been working in neighborhoods around Town to expand broadband access in Colchester.
A few years ago, the Town was strongly encouraged to join a state and federally funded Communications Union District (CUD) to improve broadband access in the Town. However, CUD’s were NOT going to be funded at a level that would allow the construction of broadband services in Colchester and future funding was uncertain. Future funding did not arrive.
Due to the lack of funding, the Selectboard voted not to join a CUD in hopes of attracting private investments in broadband upgrades since companies here would not have to compete with government subsidized broadband as they would have if Colchester had joined a CUD.
We are now seeing Burlington Telecom (a private company) and Fidium Fiber (part of Consolidated Communications) expand broadband access in Colchester. You may have noticed them working in your neighborhood in the Town right-of-way. The Town is required to allow telecom companies to utilize the Town right-of-way. The Town right-of-way includes Town land and easements of private land the Town has the right to use for roads, paths, and sidewalks.
The Town is not allowed to regulate broadband as the State’s Public Service Board retains that authority. The Town has requested that Burlington Telecom and Fidium Fiber contact residents potentially impacted by this work in advance of the marking of property or right of way adjacent to their property and advance of any construction.
For information on how to subscribe to these services, contact the Customer Service lines or visit the links below:
For concerns about broadband construction being done in your neighborhood, please contact:
Moe Persons
Burlington Telecom
(802) 559-3999
Scott Brooks
Fidium Fiber
(802) 793-8288
Burlington Telecom also has a webpage regarding projects in Malletts Bay for interested residents: https://www.burlingtontelecom.com/mallettsbay/
For additional context on the Selectboard’s decision not to join a Communications Union District, read these supporting documents:
https://clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/Colchester-vt/210928_08f.pdf?clientSite=Colchester-vt
https://clerkshq.com/Content/Attachments/Colchester-vt/220412_5e.pdf?clientSite=Colchester-vt
Colchester Historical Society – You’re Invited!
Be sure to visit the Colchester Log Schoolhouse this summer and bring your family and friends. The Colchester Log Schoolhouse (circa 1815) is open to visitors Fridays – Mondays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. It’s located within Airport Park at 500 Colchester Point Road.
Kids can participate in crafting a vintage-era toy or a fun “find-it” game. Parking and admission are free, although donations are always appreciated.
Take this opportunity for a lovely step back in time to the days of one-room schoolhouses and simple learning equipment.
A fabulous volunteer host will give you a tour, but a few more are needed, and hours are very flexible. To learn more, please reach out to Carol Reichard at winchris65@comcast.net.
And, while you’re at Airport Park, you might want to check out some other local historical sites in that area, such as Colchester Bog and the Colchester Causeway. They are part of the Colchester Historical Society’s award-winning self-guided tour — no lines, no waiting, and everything is free. Bring your bicycles or comfortable walking shoes. Learn more at https://colchestervt.gov/3257/Driving-Tours.
For more information about the Colchester Historical Society, please visit:
https://colchestervt.gov/422/Colchester-Historical-Society, and be sure to follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ColchesterVermontHistoricalSociety.
Blood Drive Hosted by the Colchester-Milton Rotary Club
Thinking about donating blood? The Colchester-Milton Rotary Club is gearing up to host another blood drive.
Organizers are encouraging eligible donors to consider signing up to donate blood. The event aims to help provide local hospitals with an adequate blood supply to aid in emergency responses.
Appointments can be made at https://www.redcrossblood.org/. Donors will be entered to win a night at Sunset Drive-In.
The drive will take place August 12, 2025, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 784 Main Street
Department Updates
Department of Parks and Recreation
Summer Concert Series – Soulshine Revival
This week’s concert will feature music from Soulshine Revival.
Soulshine Revival is New England’s premier Allman Brothers tribute band. Join us for a night of Allman Brothers Band tunes this Thursday, July 31, at 6:30 PM.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic dinner to Lower Bayside Park for our concert series on Thursday evenings.
Admission is free and parking is available at Bayside Park.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Upcoming Town Meetings & Agendas
Selectboard Meeting:Tuesday, August 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Colchester Town Offices, 3rd Floor Outer Bay Conference Room, 781 Blakely Road.
Residents are welcome to attend the meeting. Alternatively, send a note, up to 1,000 words, to TownManager@colchestervt.gov with “Citizens to be Heard” in the Subject and your name. As with in-person Citizens to be Heard, we ask that you SHARE YOUR ADDRESS. The email will be shared with the entire Selectboard prior to the meeting and included in the information packet at the next meeting.
Planning Commission: Tuesday, September 2, 7:00 p.m. at the Colchester Town Offices, 3rd Floor Outer Bay Conference Room, 781 Blakely Road. Agenda: https://clerkshq.com/Colchester-vt?docid=PLANAGENDA
Recreation Advisory Board: Wednesday, August 13, 7:00 a.m. at the Colchester Recreation Center, 80 Dick Mazza Drive. Agenda: https://clerkshq.com/Colchester-vt?docId=RecAdv&path=BOARDS%2CRecAdv%2C
Development Review Board: Wednesday, August 13, 7:00 p.m. at the Colchester Town Offices, 3rd Floor Outer Bay Conference Room, 781 Blakely Road.
Residents are welcome to attend the meeting or public comments can be submitted prior to the hearing by email to zmaia@colchestervt.gov or by mail to Town of Colchester, c/o Development Review Board, 781 Blakely Road, Colchester, VT 05446. Agenda: https://clerkshq.com/Colchester-vt?docid=DRBAGENDA&path=DRB%2CDRB_Agendas%2CDRBAGENDA%2C
Library Board of Trustees: Thursday, August 21, 4:00 p.m., in the Burnham Room of the Burnham Memorial Library. Agenda: https://clerkshq.com/Colchester-vt?docId=LibBoard&path=BOARDS%2CLibBoard%2C
Colchester Conservation Commission: Sunday, August 17, 10:00 a.m.,
https://clerkshq.com/Content/Colchester-vt/Boards/ConservCommssn.htm#_CPA1
Subscribe to the Town Newsletter: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/jkMAO2v
For more information or to comment, call 802-264-5509 or email townmanager@colchestervt.gov