Michael Pelton - Portland First Selectman

09/07/2026

Middletown All County Parade today!!

09/07/2026

We had the pleasure of participating in the postponed 4th of July Middletown All County Parade to celebrate the 250th bday of our country! It was a perfect day and a perfect crowd and what a wonderful way to wind down the Labor Day weekend!!

A couple of shout outs are in order. The first shout out goes to the Portland 250 Committee that put together the float and created a number of wonderful activities this year and this was the last official one - the town appreciates all your help!!

Thank you to my friend John Derek Zvonek who saved the day by providing the truck we needed to pull the float just yesterday and his Stepdad Tom who rode along and helped set up and break down! You two rock!

Congratulations to the Portland Republican for having the 2nd best float on the parade! You'll get your trophy soon!

Our Portland Fire Department also participated and it was great to see (and hear!!) them make there way down Main Street!

And thank you to my fellow Selectman Vin Pitruzzello, Terry Grady and my lovely wife Mary DeAndrea Pelton for joining me on the float! We had a great time and I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend!!

Mike

PS - the reaction and enthusiasm of the spectators along the route was fantastic! Lots of waving, jazz hands, one cartwheel and a few waves!!

09/04/2026

Good morning Portland! So I just met with the contractor finishing up the Jersey Mike's next to Starbucks here in the Brainerd Place project - And he shared that they should be open by the middle of October - his bet was October 15th to 17th! Evidently they typically open up a Jersey Mike's on a Wednesday then work out the details for a week or so before they open big! I also learned that Jersey Mike's is one of the fastest growing chains in America and in almost all cases are built or opened near a Starbucks and Chipotle. Another thing I didn't know I didn't know.

I'll share additional details as I get them!

Mike

09/03/2026

Quick update on the new Bestway gas station on Rt 66 near the intersection with Rt 17. I spoke to the owner of the sign company and he tells me that his friend that owns the gas station is looking to open it sometime in November. You learn a lot by just walking around and talking to people! Lol

09/03/2026

Good afternoon Portland!

Just a few important updates that have or will have a direct impact on your lives starting with.....

CHARTER REVIEW Committee - The town is forming a Charter Review Committee and is seeking Portland residents that would be interested in serving. It's been almost 22 years since our last update and the Board of Selectmen feel a review is much needed. We've extended the application process until next Wednesday, September 9th, so if you're interested, please send a letter of interest, resume and indicate any other relevant information you think is helpful. Please send to: Michelle Ceppaglia at [email protected] or Michael Pelton at [email protected].

AMERICA 250th ALL COUNTY PARADE- Portland will be participating in the upcoming MIddletown Labor Day Parade Monday, September 7 starting at 10 am. so come on over and join us! There's a number of activities scheduled and it should be a fun time!

EMERGENCY EVENT SCENARIO - A huge shoutout to Don Gouin, our hardworking and longtime Emergency Management Director (EMD) and his CERT team for helping coordinate our annual Emergency Planning & Preparedness Initiate (EPPI) held earlier this week. Each year we simulate some sort of state-wide emergency, and this year we tested our response to a major snow event. We involved the entire town emergency staff as well as most departments during this day-long event as a way to test response times, equipment, procedures, search for strengths and weaknesses and much more. It was incredibly helpful and directly impacts every resident in town by helping make our town safer and more resilient. BTW - Fun Fact - Don is currently the 2nd longest active EMD in Connecticut with over 62 years on the job - only 2 years behind the leader AND he started when I was 2!

CONGRATS PORTLAND PD - I'm pleased to announce that our hardworking Portland CT Police Department recently earned a Tier 3 Accreditation from the Police Officers Standards and Training Council (POSTC), the highest level of state recognition a police department can achieve. It's based on an extensive review of policies, procedures, training, management administration and operational excellence. Congratulations Captain Scott Cunningham and his entire team for all they do for our town - well deserved!

That's it for now and as always, please reach out if you have any suggestions or ideas for making Portland a better town! And enjoy the upcoming Labor Day Weekend!

Mike
cell 860-833-8045

09/03/2026

Quick update for anyone that walks the Air Line Trail! Eversource is officially done with their most recent project near the trail and the temporary restrictions have been lifted. Get out and walk a few miles on our beautiful Air Line Trail!!

09/03/2026

Good morning Portland!! Attached is a collection of various events and activities in town - you may have seen some of these but in case you haven't seen all of them.... Check them out!

09/02/2026

Good afternoon Portland!

I just received this Press Release from Mayor Nocera regarding the rescheduled 4th of July Parade to help celebrate our countries 250th birthday! Portland will have a float in the parade and please join us for the parade and the festivities afterwards!!

Thank you to both the Portland and Middletown 250 Committees for all their work putting this together and I hope to see many of you this coming Monday right over the bridge!!

Mike
cell 860-833-8045


September 1, 2026
For Immediate Release
Contact: Mayor Eugene P. Nocera, 860-638-4801

America 250th All County Parade
Monday, September 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

The Middlesex County America 250 Parade will be held in Middletown on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. The community is invited to celebrate our history, traditions, and cultural legacy in a family-friendly event on Labor Day. This event will bring people together from throughout Middlesex County and beyond to continue to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial. The parade will start 10:00am in Middletown’s North End (near Spring Street & Rome Avenue), proceeding south along Main Street, and will end at Middletown’s South Green (Union Park).

The parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to last approximately one hour. Mayor Gene Nocera of Middletown and First Selectman Michael Pelton of Portland will give remarks at the South Green at the conclusion of the parade, with presentation of the Mayor’s Award. Members of the delegation, including Senator Lesser, Representative Belton, Representative Chafee, Jack Fazzino, and council representatives will also be in attendance.

The community is invited to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the South Green after the parade. Food trucks will be parked at the South Green with refreshments available for purchase. Support local businesses and enjoy a community picnic after the parade as we continue to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Please join us to make this day memorable!

The Middletown–Portland America 250 Committee is a collaboration of The City of Middletown and the Town of Portland. The committee organized Semiquincentennial events commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, honoring Middlesex County, and highlighting the shared cross-river history of the City of Middletown and the Town of Portland, anchored by the timeless Connecticut River and symbolized by the iconic Arrigoni Bridge.

Mayor Nocera commented, “We are very pleased that so many surrounding communities have signed up to join us. It promises to be an exciting event that will bring the community together. I am very grateful to everyone who worked very hard to coordinate this parade to honor our nation’s legacy. I wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!”

Portland’s First Selectman Michael Pelton remarked, “The 250th anniversary has given Portland and Middletown a wonderful opportunity not only to celebrate our nation’s history, but to celebrate the history and friendship our two communities share. Throughout this year, both 250th Committees have done an incredible job creating meaningful events that brought people together, and some of the most memorable moments have been the ones we’ve celebrated together. I can’t think of a better way to cap off this historic year than with the rescheduled Fourth of July Parade on Labor Day. Portland is proud to be part of it, and we’re especially excited to have our town float in the parade. I’m grateful to everyone from both communities who has worked so hard to make America’s 250th a celebration we’ll remember for many years to come.”

Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

09/01/2026

❤️❤️

🎟️ Skip the line and get right to the fun!

Tickets for the 2026 Portland Fair are available online! Purchase yours ahead of time and save yourself time at the gate. Just show up, have your ticket ready, and come on in! 🎡🎠

📲 Buy your tickets now at PortlandFair.com

📅 October 2–4, 2026
📍 1401 Main Street, Portland, CT

See you at the fair! ❤️🤍💙

09/01/2026

Please join us!!!

Twenty-five years have passed since the attacks of Sept 11th, a day that changed our nation forever. I invite you to join us as we come together-not just as one church, but as a wider community to remember the lives lost, honor the courage and compassion of so many, and find hope together. Please feel free to share this invitation. Pastor Judith Meyers