Would you like to receive reminders of delays in trash pick up due to holidays?
Would you like to receive notifications of road closures in town due to construction?
Would you like to receive information regarding community events?
Emails are sent out from the 1st Selectman’s office with this type of information and more as appropriate. If you would like to be on the list to receive these emails, contact Karen Odell at 860-379-3359 x 201 or kodell@colebrooktownhall.org.
Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
In November of 2022, the Town voted at referendum to fund—with State matching money—a new HVAC system for Colebrook Consolidated School. In 2023, we received approval for a grant from the State for approximately 47% of the projected $1,746,549.00 million cost to replace our end-of-useful life boilers, upgrade the electrical system and improve ventilation at the school. To date, we’ve invested approximately $75,000 on design and engineering support for the project. Recently, we have been negotiating with low bidder Sav-Mor Cooling and Heating in Southington.
On Monday, the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen will be holding a joint meeting at Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. The purpose is to learn from the Board of Ed how the scope of the HVAC project has evolved since the 2022 referendum, and the total investment required, as well as discuss the project timeline and anticipated cashflow. The public is invited to attend, and provide any and all opinions they have about the project.
Following last week’s Town Budget Hearing, tonight the Board of Finance will consider a 3.6% reduction in the Mill rate to 32.00. On Monday, the Board of Selectmen will vote to take the proposed FY 2024/25 budget to referendum on Tuesday, May 7th. Voting hours will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
At our meeting with Earthlight Technologies last week, they determined that municipal buildings in the Center would not be suitable for solar panels (although the Town Garage and Colebrook Consolidated School may be candidates). We learned that 20-30% savings on our municipal electric expense would be possible. The optimum solution would be ground-mounted solar panels on 2-4 acres of land in close proximity to 3-phase power access. The Board of Selectmen will continue to explore, and we’ll keep you apprised.
Earlier this week, the Inland Wetlands Commission approved the Town’s applications to install supplemental drainage at the Post Office and Community & Senior Center. Work will take place in the coming weeks.
The Community & Senior Center is looking for volunteers to call Bingo on Tuesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. I had the opportunity to be the caller this week and really enjoyed it. We have an enthusiastic group of 15-20 participants. You can sign up here, or contact the Center at seniordirector@colebrooktownhall.org.
As noted earlier, the Colebrook Associates have established a food pantry in the foyer of the Community & Senior Center. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Donations can be left at the pantry, or in the lobby of the Post Office.
Upcoming Town events:
The Colebrook Historical Society (CHS) will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, April 21st, at 3 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room. Following a brief business meeting, historical consultant Anne Hall will give a special presentation previewing this year’s CHS exhibit—“Rediscovering Colebrook River, the Town that Disappeared.” Refreshments will be served following the presentation. Learn more here.
The Colebrook Conservation Commission will be hosting Colebrook Clean Up Day on Saturday, April 27th. Pick up large garbage bags at Colebrook Town Hall, second floor Meeting Room from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign up to clean a road that morning, or you can sign up in advance by emailing kodell@colebrooktownhall.org, or by calling 860.379.3359, ext. 202. Filled garbage bags will be picked up along Town roads by our Department of Public Works on Monday, April 29th. Volunteers may pick up complementary sunflower seed packets in the Town Clerk’s office.
Upcoming municipal board meetings:
Board of Selectmen – Monday, April 22nd, at Town Hall at 6:15 p.m. (Selectmen’s Meeting Room) – to vote on May referendum language
Board of Finance/Board of Selectmen – Monday, April 22nd, at Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. (Upstairs Meeting Room) – for a Board of Ed update on the CCS HVAC project
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org, or call me at 860.379.3359, extension 202.
Cordially,
Brad
Brad Bremer
Colebrook First Selectman
860.379.3359 ext. 202
LEGAL NOTICE
Party-Selected Delegated to Conventions
A certified list of party-selected candidates for the Republican Party in the Town of Colebrook for participation as DELEGATES to the convention(s) of said Party specified below is on file in the Town Clerk office at 562 Colebrook Road, Colebrook, Connecticut and copies are available for public distribution.
CONVENTION(S)
April 1, 2024
Debra L. McKeon, CCTC
Colebrook Town Clerk
LEGAL NOTICE
Party-Selected Delegated to Conventions
A certified list of party-selected candidates for the Democratic Party in the Town of Colebrook for participation as DELEGATES to the convention(s) of said Party specified below is on file in the Town Clerk office at 562 Colebrook Road, Colebrook, Connecticut and copies are available for public distribution.
CONVENTION(S)
April 1, 2024
Debra L. McKeon, CCTC
Colebrook Town Clerk
On March 11, 2024 the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Town of Colebrook passed the Site Plan #24-001 (4 yes, 1 abstain), with conditions. Applicant Evergreen Construction, Will Sweeney, 3 Robertsville Road. For construction of 1 story addition, 78 x 55, to existing structure at 3 Robertsville Road, Colebrook, CT. Plans available in the Land Use Office.
Martha Neal, Chairman, P&Z.
Town of Colebrook Launches Fraud Alert to Notify Property Owners of New
Transactions
Through IQS, the Colebrook Town Clerk is providing a free new tool to help property owners protect one of their most valuable assets.
With Fraud Alert, you can sign up to receive alerts whenever a document, such as a
deed or mortgage, is recorded under your name. Documents can be viewed online or at
the Clerk’s Office.
“This is an easy way for homeowners to have peace of mind,” said Town Clerk, Debra
McKeon.
You can sign up now at https://searchiqs.com/fraudalert/?CC=CTCOL.
Please note there may be other property owners in the town that share the same name.
NOTICE
TOWN OF COLEBROOK
Notice is hereby given that the audited Financial Statements for Regional School District No. 7 for the year ending June 30, 2023, as prepared by King, King & Associates, PC, are on file at the Town Clerk’s office and available for public inspection during regular office hours.
Dated at Colebrook, Connecticut, this 8th day of January, 2024.
Debra L. McKeon, Town Clerk
Regards,
Chris Johnstone
As it did last winter, the cost of energy supply is expected to once again increase when we transition from summer to winter rates on January 1. We’re encouraging customers to take control of their energy costs by shopping for a third-party supplier at EnergizeCT.com.<link.edgepilot.com/s/304d5f51/PfUB-jVJAkyXosOehJ0hhQ?u=https://energizect.com/>
We recognize the financial burden that high energy prices place on our customers, especially as the costs of other goods and services have increased. We’re reaching out to all our stakeholders to make them aware of the likely increase and encourage them to take action and help make their residents and constituents aware of the ways they can shop, sign up, and save.
We’ve launched an educational campaign to reach as many people as possible through digital advertising, media and social media, customer emails, billboards, and website messages to encourage customers to compare rates offered by third-party suppliers on EnergizeCT.com. Eversource customers who’ve never shopped before can find help navigating the process by going to Eversource.com/supplier<link.edgepilot.com/s/d85943bb/GvUVyh7JUESR1xKM6P840Q?u=http://www.eversource.com/supplier>.
As you know, Eversource does not produce electricity. We purchase power for our Standard Service rate on behalf of our customers on the open market and directly pass those costs on without any markup. International factors continue to affect the seasonal winter cost of natural gas, which is used to produce roughly half of New England’s electricity. While we do expect the electric supply price to rise this winter, it is not expected to increase as much as it did last winter. We’ll file proposed rates with PURA in mid-November, and the approved new rates will take effect January 1, 2024, for customers on Standard Service.
In addition to shopping for a third-party supplier, customers can visit Eversource.com/manage-cost<link.edgepilot.com/s/8fa5e590/F0Fz5PwGRUqXlu4WenLpLg?u=http://www.eversource.com/manage-cost> to learn about the other programs and services that are available, including:
* Our Budget Billing Plan helps avoid seasonal spikes on their energy bill by letting customers pay a fixed amount each month based on their average annual usage. * The Matching Payment Program can lower the amount customers owe on energy bills. For every dollar they pay and every dollar they receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, we will subtract a dollar from the amount owed. * The New Start Program forgives overdue balances for electric customers as on-time monthly budget payments are made. (For example, if your budget payment amount is set at $150 per month and your past due balance is $1,200, for every month you make your required $150 payment towards your bill, we will reduce your past-due balance by $100.) * Payment Plans are available to all customers to help pay their past-due balance over time. * A new Low-Income Discount Rate will take effect December 1, which can give customers with financial hardship either a 10% or 50% discount off their electric bill per month. Customers can qualify to receive the discount based on household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit. For example, if a customer has a $100 monthly bill, it would be $10 less if they receive a 10% discount or $50 less if they receive the 50% discount. * Residential customers are encouraged to take advantage of seasonal energy-saving tips, offers, programs and rebates to help reduce energy use leading up to and during this winter.
Attached to this email you will find a bill help fact sheet that can be also be shared with your residents.
bill-help-fact-sheet-2023-2024.pdf