Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) reports that Riverton Road in Colebrook will be closed from the Barkhamsted/Colebrook line to Old Forge Road for tree work next Monday, January 12th, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
During the winter months, DPW strives to keep our 40 miles of town roadways passable (with the state responsible for Route 8, 44, 182, 182A and 183 in Colebrook). We ask you to please refrain from blowing, plowing or shoveling snow into the street, especially after it has been plowed. These areas re-freeze and the snow blown into the road creates a
hazard for those traveling on the roads. When driving, please extend courtesy to our plow drivers. Their hours are long and visibility can be challenging. The hazards have been escalated this year due to more frequent snow squalls.
Sand mix is available at the Town Garage (43 Sandy Brook Road) for Colebrook residents, by hand bucket. Limit 2 buckets, per household, per winter storm event. Please bring your own shovel.
Jeremy DeCarli, our new Zoning Enforcement Officer (subject to formal approval at the January 12th Planning & Zoning Commission meeting) has begun working for us. Jeremy’s office hours in the Town Hall Land Use office are from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, the same day our Building Inspector, Bill Volovski, is in Town Hall and out on inspections. Jeremy is available to answer your questions regarding zoning compliance—and can be reached at 860.379.3359, extension 209, or at zoningofficer@colebrooktownhall.org.
Bill Volovski reports that we issued 155 building permits last year. When your project is complete, please contact Karen Odell at 860.379.3359 or kodell@colebrooktownhall.org to schedule a final inspection.
The kickoff meeting of our newly-formed “Slow Down, Colebrook” Committee was held at the end of December. The mission is to encourage safer driving on Colebrook roads through a positive, family-oriented community awareness campaign that will be rolled out this spring. The goal is to reduce speeding, protect pedestrians and cyclists, and promote
a culture of courtesy and care in our town.
Next week will mark four months of food scrap recycling through our pilot program with USA Recycling. Scraps are transported weekly to an anaerobic digestion facility in Massachusetts where they are turned into renewable energy, a soil amendment, and animal bedding. To date, we’ve collected almost two tons of compostable scraps.
Bulk waste pickup is available every week for items that will not fit in your bin. Please call 860.379.1662 by Thursday of each week for Friday morning pickup. Electronic items and building materials are not accepted.
Electronic items may be left at the Town Garage, outside of the storage unit which sits to the right of the garage.
Accepted items include:
• Computers/Monitors/Modems/Printers/Keyboards/Mice
• TVs/VCRs/DVD Players/Video Game Players
• Copiers/Scanners/Fax Machines
• iPods/Personal digital assistants
• Stereos
• Telephones/Cell phones
• Tablets/E-readers
• Microwaves
• Other small appliances
Items NOT accepted include:
• Smoke detectors
• Hazardous materials (lighter fluid/liquids/paint/oils)
This month, the Board of Selectmen is reaching out to all Town boards and Commissions to kick off the FY 2026/27 budget process. We’ll provide updates as we move closer to our annual budget referendum in May.
Taxes were due January 1st, and are considered late if not paid by Tuesday, February 2nd, and subject to interest from the due date. During January, the Tax Collector’s office will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon, and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday, February 2nd. For any questions, please contact Tax Collector Laura
Bartlett at 860.379.3359, ext. 204, or at lbartlett@colebrooktownhall.org.
Breakfast is available at the Community & Senior Center every Tuesday from 8-9:15 a.m. for $6. Lunch is served every Thursday at noon for $7 (advance registration required for lunch). When Region 7 and Colebrook School are closed due to inclement weather, the Center is also closed.
The Colebrook Associates food pantry, located in the vestibule of the Community & Senior Center, is open Monday Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Donations may be left at the pantry, or in the collection bin in the Post Office.
We are continuing to accept appointments for energy assistance applications. Please contact Karen Odell to set up at appointment at kodell@colebrooktownhall.org, or call 860.379.3359, ext. 201.
Regional School District 7 (RSD7) is seeking to fill several open coaching positions, including High School Girls Tennis Coach and Middle School Softball Coach. To express interest, or learn more, contact Shea Moriarty, RSD7 Athletic Director at smoriarty@nwr7.org.
Upcoming events
Karaoke, hosted by Tyler Rae, will be held on Saturday, January 24th, at the Community & Senior Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Come have fun and sing. Original music is welcome, too. This is a free event.
The Colebrook Fire Department will host its annual ice skating party on Saturday, February 7th, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Colebrook Recreation Area (behind Town Hall). Come skate under the lights and enjoy hot cocoa, donuts and a warm fire.
Upcoming municipal board meetings
Planning & Zoning – Monday, January 12th, at 6:30 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)
Board of Selectmen – Monday, January 12th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room)
Pisgah Mountain Road Advisory Committee – Tuesday, January 13th, at 5:30 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room)
Conservation Commission – Tuesday, January 13th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)
Inland Wetlands – Tuesday, January 20th, 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
