Town of Colebrook, Connecticut

Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.

Personal property declarations have been mailed to all known businesses in town, as well as owners of known motor vehicles, including campers, that are not registered or registered outside the State of Connecticut, that in the normal course of operation, most frequently leave from and return to, or remain in, Colebrook.

Completed declarations are due in the Assessor’s Office by the end of business on, or postmarked by, November 3^rd, 2025. If you don’t file by November 3^rd, Connecticut State statute dictates that the Assessor must file for you and apply a 25% penalty. Any filing received after November 3rd is also subject to a 25% penalty according to State Statute Section 12-42.

Not receiving a declaration does not relieve you of the responsibility of filing if you have such taxable property. Forms may be obtained from the Assessor’s Office or the Town website on the Assessor’s Office page. Please contact the Assessor’s Office with any questions at assessor@colebrooktownhall.org, or 860-379-3359, ext. 206.

Our pilot food scrap recycling initiative kicks off next week. Bear-resistant collection stations will be delivered to Town Hall and the Forge Firehouse next Tuesday, September 16^th. Weekly pickups will begin on Tuesday, September 23^rd, and on Tuesdays thereafter. The collection stations will be open 24/7.

This past week, we distributed more than 50 food scrap recycling kits to town residents. With the generous support of transfer stations in Salisbury/Sharon and Newtown, we’ve been able to expand the number of free kits available for residents. Kits include: a countertop bin; an initial supply of BPI-certified biodegradable 3-gallon bags; and a storage/transportation 6-gallon bin. If you’d like one, please contact me at bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org.

As mentioned last week, and as part of our new curbside agreement with USA Recycling, beginning October 1^st, bear-resistant rollout carts will be available to Colebrook residents for $8.50/month (or $102/year). For residents who currently have bear carts, you will receive the new, lower rate when your current annual contract expires. Learn more about how these carts work here. Contact USA Recycling at 800.998.2984 to reserve one.

There have been a number of projects completed in the Center of town recently. Prior to the Fair, the iron fence on the Route 183 side of Town Hall was repaired following damage from a hit-and-run driver earlier this summer. Repair costs, minus deductible, are being covered by insurance. A new camera has been installed on that side of Town Hall to allow us to monitor there more closely.

Also prior to the Fair, our head lifeguard Joe Vasaturo stained the exterior of the snack shack at the ballfield a dark green color that looks great.

Finally, this past week, our Public Works team removed three overgrown pear trees that were between Town Hall and the Community & Senior Center. They also removed the overgrown Climbing Hydrangea from the Courtyard that was threatening the integrity of the stone wall there. Sadly, a falling stone damaged the stone bench in the Courtyard. It will be repaired and re-installed. Moving forward, we’ll be looking at landscaping options for this new, much brighter space.

This week, the Building Inspector and I had the opportunity to tour the under-renovation Colebrook Store. Great progress is being made in opening up the space, leveling the floors and preparing the store for a future tenant. This week, the Colebrook Historic District Commission approved adding windows to the south side of the building, consistent with those in place in the front, bringing more light to the interior. The Store is expected to reopen in 2026.

Next Tuesday, the Colebrook Fair Committee will be meeting to debrief on this year’s event and discuss how it can continue to evolve and thrive.

The Colebrook Associates Food Pantry, located in the vestibule of the Community & Senior Center, needs breakfast foods and hygiene products. Donations may be left at the pantry or in the collection bin in the post office.

The town is currently accepting applications for energy assistance. Please contact Karen Odell to set up an appointment, or for any questions, at kodell@colebrooktownhall.org.

Upcoming events

A long-standing tradition at Colebrook Consolidated School is raising funds to support their Sixth-Grade trip to Nature’s Classroom. Part of that tradition is the Fifth-Grade Class Pumpkin & Mum Sale, being held on Saturday, October 4^th, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Colebrook Consolidated School. Pumpkins, mums, food, bake sale items and raffles are included. Raffles will be drawn at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit the 2027 Nature’s Classroom trip.

On Thursday, October 9^th, from 9-11 a.m. at the Community & Senior Center, the Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County will be offering flu vaccines to people aged 18 and older.

On Friday, October 17^th, the Colebrook Historical Society will host their final Friday Night Gathering of the season. Museum Educator, Annie O’Brien, will share the harrowing story of witches in colonial New England. Refreshments and mingling at 7 p.m. at the Historical Society, program at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

Upcoming municipal board meetings

Board of Finance – Thursday, September 11^th (today), at 6 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)

Town/School Building Committee – Tuesday, September 16^th, at 6:30 p.m. at Colebrook Consolidated School (School Library)

Inland Wetlands – Tuesday, September 16^th, at 6:30 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)

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

bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org

The Town Pond is now closed for the season.

Effective immediately hours for the Tax Collector Office have changed to Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 1:00.

NOTICE
TOWN OF COLEBROOK

Notice is hereby given that a signed copy of the Contract of Employment between the Colebrook Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools for the period of July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028; is on file at the Town Clerk’s Office for public inspection during regular office hours.

Dated at Colebrook, Connecticut, this 3rd day of July, 2025.

Debra L. McKeon
Town Clerk

NOTICE

TOWN OF COLEBROOK

Notice is hereby given that a signed copy of the Professional Agreement between the Colebrook Board of Education and the Principal for the period of July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, is on file at the Town Clerk’s Office for public inspection during regular office hours.

Dated at Colebrook, Connecticut, this 6^th day of May, 2025.

Debra L. McKeon, CCTC

(Legal notice per 10-153d of the CGS, Agreement received 05/23/17 30 days up on 06/23/17.)

2025 Town Budget

Colebrook Town budget vote passed: 119 Yes; 38 No

Region 7 budget vote passed Colebrook: 111 Yes; 46 No

Region 7 budget vote passed in district.

Notice of Decision

NOTICE

TOWN OF COLEBROOK

Notice is hereby given that the audit of the Annual Financial Statements and the Federal Single Audit of the Town of Colebrook for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 16^th day of April, 2025.

Debra L. McKeon, MCTC