Town of Colebrook, Connecticut

Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.

Last week, the Board of Selectmen submitted its Fiscal Year 26/27 operating and capital budget requests to the Board of Finance.

For operating expenses next year, the Board of Selectmen is requesting an approximate 2% increase. This includes a cost-of-living adjustment for town employees, increases our investment in Zoning Enforcement, supports ongoing programming at the Community & Senior Center, and curbside trash and recycling pickup, and funds requested needs from Town Hall Departments, Public Works, and our volunteer Fire Department.

For capital projects next year, the town Capital Improvement Program Committee has recommended a proposed budget of $385,000, an approximate 7% decrease from last year. This budget is comprised of $350,000 from the town and $35,000 from the state’s Local Capital Improvement Program, and includes the following projects:

Colebrook Consolidated School: a new phone system, security enhancements, information technology investments, a lavatory upgrade, and ongoing air conditioning expansion

Colebrook Fire Department: Center Firehouse heating system upgrade; a breathing air compressor, high-band radios, turnout gear, and tools and equipment

Department of Public Works: a mini excavator

Community & Senior Center: money towards a new, handicapped accessible van

Town Hall: funds for minor building improvements

Representatives from Region 7 will be in town on Wednesday, March 18^th, at 6 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall for their annual budget presentation to town residents. Our Region 7 middle and high school budget assessment for next fiscal year is expected to decline by approximately 1.5% (or $37,000), based on our proportion of their budget and the number of students we’ll be sending to Region 7 in the fall.

The town will host its annual budget hearing on Thursday, April 9^th, at 7 p.m. The referendum on Colebrook and Region 7 budgets will be held on Tuesday, May 5^th.

Despite another weather-related cancellation this week, breakfast is available at the Community & Senior Center every Tuesday (weather permitting) 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. Breakfast is also cancelled when Region 7 and Colebrook School have a delayed opening on Tuesdays, but Bingo is still generally held at 1 p.m. (on delayed school opening days).  For weather related updates and other news from the Center, follow them on Facebook.

If you’d like to participate in our pilot food scrap recycling program, please reach out to me. We still have collection bins available. To date, we’ve collected approximately four tons of food waste at the Town Hall and Forge Firehouse collection stations.

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.

Last weekend, our Norbrook Coyotes third and fourth grade and fifth and sixth grade basketball teams concluded their regular seasons. Our fifth and sixth grade team begins their playoff run this Sunday, March 8^th, when they host Prospect at Botelle School in Norfolk at 3:30 p.m. Congratulations to both teams on a great season, and good luck in the playoffs. Go Coyotes!

Upcoming events

On Saturday, March 7^th, the Colebrook Associates will host its “Winter Warmer” from 2-4 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall. Admission is free. Enjoy tea, coffee, hot chocolate, light snacks and great conversation. Gift baskets will be raffled, and two special raffles are available for advance purchase via the attached flyer.

The Community & Senior Center’s next Karaoke Night hosted by Tyler Rae will be held on Saturday, March 14^th, from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Original music is welcome. This is a free event.

Upcoming municipal board meetings

Board of Finance – Thursday, March 5^th (tonight), at 6 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room)

Planning & Zoning – Monday, March 9^th, at 6:30 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room)

Board of Selectmen – Monday, March 9^th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)

Board of Finance – Thursday, March 12^th, at 6 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room)

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

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, 2025, 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 17^th day of January, 2026.

Debra L. McKeon, Town Clerk

TOWN OF COLEBROOK

Board of Assessment Appeals

Notice is hereby given that all persons claiming to be aggrieved by the doings of the Assessor with regard to the October 1, 2025 Grand List must file an Application for Assessment Appeal with the Board of Assessment Appeals on or before February 20, 2026. Applications are available from the Assessor’s Office, Town Clerk office, or through the Town website at www.townofcolebrook.org under Board of Assessment Appeals. Hearings will be held at Town Hall on March 11, 2026 beginning at 5:00.

Dated this 15^th day of January, 2026 at Colebrook, CT

BAA Application

Tax Relief Program Summary 2026

TOWN OF COLEBROOK

Notice is hereby given that a signed copy of the Agreement between Regional School District No. 7 Board of Education and Northwestern Teachers’ Association of Regional School District No. 7 2026 – 2029 has been filed with the Town Clerk and is available for public inspection during regular office hours.

Notice is also hereby given that a signed copy of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Northwestern Administrators’ Association and The Board of Education of Regional School District No. 7 dated July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 has been filed with the Town Clerk and is available for public inspection during regular office hours.

Dated at Colebrook, Connecticut this 22nd day of December, 2025.

Debra L. McKeon, MCTC

NOTICE

TOWN OF COLEBROOK

 Notice is hereby given that a signed copy of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Colebrook Board of Education and the Colebrook Teachers’ Association for the period of July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029, is on file at the Town Clerk’s Office for public inspection during regular office hours.

Dated at Colebrook, Connecticut, this 25th day of November, 2025.

Debra L. McKeon

Town Clerk