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
bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org