Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
Last week, the Board of Finance reviewed and discussed comments and issues concerning the 2025-26 Budget from the April 10th public meeting and the Budget Exhibit that had been presented. The Board voted unanimously to take the Colebrook Board of Education, Colebrook Board of Selectmen, and the Colebrook Capital Improvement Program budgets, as presented at the public meeting, to a town vote.
The town and Region 7 budgets will be voted on at referendum on Tuesday, May 6th, in the upstairs meeting room at Colebrook Town Hall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Based on the budgets presented, the proposed mill rate for Fiscal Year 25/26 is 33.7, 0.5 mill higher than two years ago, and 1.7 mills higher than this past year. In Colebrook, the current median home assessment is $175,400. A 1.7 mill increase equates to a $298/year increase for the median home.
Parents and residents/community members are invited to meet Mr. William Wesley, the newly hired Principal of Colebrook Consolidated School, at an informal “meet and greet” on Tuesday, April 29th, from 2:45-4:15 p.m. in the school library. Mr. Wesley will assume the role of Principal for the 2025-2026 school year.
In Colebrook, we annually dispose of more than 500 tons of solid waste. Nationally, food scraps comprise approximately 24% of the municipal solid waste stream. In FY 25/26 the cost of solid waste disposal, also known as the tip fee, will be $136/ton. The tip fee will continue to increase as the cost to transport solid waste to landfills out of state (currently in Ohio and Pennsylvania) increases.
An informational meeting was held last week to provide interested residents with details regarding a proposed, voluntary food composting pilot program to help divert food scarps from our solid waste stream. USA Recycling, our waste hauler, has offered to pick up food scraps from two collection points in town. This service will be free for the first year. The town is exploring grant opportunities to provide interested residents with home kits to assist in gathering food scraps. The presentation from last week’s meeting is here. If you are interested in participating, and have not already signed up, please do so here. A one-page handout summarizing the proposed program can be found here. Pending interest from Colebrook residents and grant funding for home kits, the program is expected to roll out later this summer.
As a follow-up to last week’s food scraps recycling informational meeting, and as an enrichment program for Earth Week, our Composting Advisory Committee facilitated a school-wide assembly at Colebrook Consolidated School earlier this week. Our representative from USA Recycling was impressed by how well behaved the students were during the assembly and how much they already knew about recycling and composting.
The Colebrook Associates award scholarships to Colebrook residents annually. Applicants may be either new or continuing students at accredited 4-year, 2-year, or certificate-granting institutions. Applications are available at Town Hall. The deadline for submission is April 30th.
A recent food drive at Colebrook Consolidated School brought 180 items for the Colebrook Associates food bank in the foyer of the Community & Senior Center. Personal care products are currently needed, and can be left in the pantry, or at the post office.
This year will mark the 80th anniversary of the Colebrook Fair. The Fair is held annually on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Planning for this year’s Fair began last week.
Upcoming events and fundraisers
The Colebrook Conservation Commission will be hosting Colebrook Clean Up Day this Saturday (April 26th). Pick up garbage bags at Colebrook Town Hall, second floor meeting room, from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign up for a particular road that morning, or in advance by emailing Karen Odell, kodell@colebrooktownhall.org, or by calling 860.379.3359, ext. 202. The filled garbage bags will be picked up along town roads by our Department of Public Works on Monday, April 28th.
The Community & Senior Center is hosting a Spring Tea on Sunday, May 4th (Kentucky Derby weekend) from 9-11 a.m. Enjoy tea, sandwiches and sweets, with proceeds benefiting Pinney Stables. The cost is $15/person. RSVP by April 28th at 860.738.9521, or at seniordirector@colebrooktownhall.org. Learn more here.
The Colebrook Historical Society (CHS) will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, May 4th, at 3 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room. Following a brief business meeting, the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History will make a special presentation, “Hoopskirts to Flappers: Connecticut Fashion 1860s – 1930s.” Refreshments will be served. That day, the Historical Society will also preview its summer exhibit, “Clothes of the Past.”
The annual Kids Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Colebrook Recreation Board, will be held on Sunday, May 18th, from 9-11 a.m. at the Colebrook Pond. Learn more here. Register here.
Upcoming municipal board meetings
Board of Selectmen – Monday, May 5th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)
Board of Education – Wednesday, May 7th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Consolidated School
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
