2 - Town of Colchester

Sampling & Variation
The sample size was 400
residents. Telephone
numbers were generated
through random-digit dialing
to ensure that each residential
telephone number had an
equal probability of selection.
Within each household one
adult was randomly selected
to complete the interview.
The sampling error for the
400 interviews in Colchester
is + 4.5 percentage points at
the 95 percent level of
confidence. The sampling
error is larger for sub-groups.
This means that there is less
than one chance in twenty
that the results of a survey of
this size and methodology
differs by more than five
percentage points in either
direction from the results
which would be obtained if
all adults in Colchester had
been interviewed.
Telephone Survey
As part of the process of preparing the Plan of Conservation and Development, a random sample telephone survey of
Colchester residents was conducted. The questions were designed to address issues identified as part of the planning
process and to generate responses that would help guide policy makers, both now and in the future.
• Residents Generally Satisfied - A majority of Colchester residents felt that the overall quality of life in town was
excellent (18%) or good (68%) and felt that the quality of life in Colchester had remained about the same (44%) or
had gotten better (36%) in the past few years.
• Want To Protect Character - Town residents said that Colchester’s rural setting (23%) and small town atmosphere
(21%) make it a special place to live. Most residents (53%) wanted the Town to do more to protect the rural setting,
small town setting, and other special characteristics.
• Education and Growth Are Main Issues - Residents felt that the most important issues facing Colchester were
education (34%), town growth (17%), taxes (6%), and the lack of business and industry in town (7%).
• Preserve Natural Features and Open Space - Colchester residents wanted the town’s natural resources and open
space protected and felt that the Town was doing enough (41%) or needed to do more (48%) in this area. Only a few
town residents (6%) felt the Town had done enough to acquire more land for parks and open space and most residents
(66%) were willing to see their taxes raised to pay for it.
• Attract More Business - Most residents (56%) thought that attracting more business and industry to town would
make Colchester a better place to live. Most residents (53%) also wanted the town to do more to expand tax revenues
from business and industry. While there was no clear consensus on whether the town should encourage business
growth in and near the town center and discourage it in outlying areas, a majority of town residents (72%) wanted
more retail development in Westchester.
• Community Facilities - Most Colchester residents gave the public schools high grades and were supportive of
education programs. A majority of residents favored building a community center (68%) and developing more
recreation fields (62%).
• Taxes Are Reasonable - Most Colchester residents (56%) believed that the amount they paid in taxes was about
right considering the level and quality of services they received from the town.
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