The mission of the Town of Colebrook is to serve our residents with integrity, transparency, and dedication – preserving the rich heritage of our rural community while fostering growth, environmental stewardship, and civic participation. We strive to ensure a high quality of life for all by maintaining essential services, supporting local traditions and businesses, and planning thoughtfully for the future of our town.

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Proposed General Code Ordinance Project ~ Vote at Town Meeting on May 4, 2026

Town Clerk Debi McKeon updated the Board of Selectmen on the progress of the General Code Ordinance Project. Alyssa Correll moved that the proposed ordinance be considered at the Annual Town Budget Meeting in May to accept the Town of Colebrook Code as presented. AJ Ruwet seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

For more information, a copy of the proposed ordinance is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office and may be reviewed during regular business hours or on the town website  www.townofcolebrook.org

Proposed Code Town of Colebrook

Proposed General Code Ordinance Project

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Absentee Ballots for May 5th Budget Referendum Available Now through May 4th

As a correction to last week’s Town Hall newsletter, absentee ballots are available, in accordance with state statute, during regular Town Hall hours now through next Monday, May 4th, at the Town Clerk’s office. Town Hall hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and 8:30 a.m. until noon on Friday. For more information, please contact Town Clerk Debi McKeon at 860.379.3359, ext. 203.
Brad
Brad Bremer Colebrook First Selectman 860.379.3359 ext. 202 bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org
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Referendum ~ May 5, 2026 ~ 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

LEGAL NOTICE

TOWN OF COLEBROOK

TOWN BUDGET FY 2025 – 2026

and

REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7

REFERENDUM VOTE

 

Pursuant to Sections 7-7 and 10-51 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revised notice is hereby given to the electors and citizens qualified to vote in town meetings of the Town of Colebrook that a referendum will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 for the purpose of voting for the approval or disapproval of the following questions:

“Shall the general budget of the Town of Colebrook for the fiscal year from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $7,523,524 and the Town’s Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures (Town’s Capital Improvement Projects) budget in the amount of $350,000 be approved as recommended by the Board of Finance?”

“Shall the Regional School District No. 7 Annual Budget for the fiscal year                             commencing July 1, 2026 be accepted?”

Polling place tabulators will be used.  A vote of “YES” being a vote for approval, and a vote of “NO” being a vote for disapproval.  Absentee Ballots will be available at the Office of the Town Clerk as provided by law.

Voting will take place at the Colebrook Town Hall, Meeting Room (2nd floor) 562 Colebrook Road, Colebrook from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Dated at Colebrook, Connecticut, this 22nd day of April, 2026.

Debra L. McKeon

Town Clerk

 

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News from Colebrook Town Hall

Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
On Monday, May 4th, we will hold our Annual Budget Meeting at 8 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room at Town Hall. At the conclusion of this brief gathering, we’ll adjourn to referendum on Tuesday, May 5th, when taxpayers will have the opportunity to vote on town and Region 7 budgets for fiscal year 2026/27.
The two questions on the ballot read as follows:
“Shall the general budget of the Town of Colebrook for the fiscal year from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $7,523,524 and the Town’s Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures (Town’s Capital Improvement Projects) budget in the amount of $350,000 be approved as recommended by the Board of Finance?”
“Shall the Regional School District No. 7 Annual Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026 be accepted?”
Polls will be open on Tuesday, May 5th, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any Colebrook property owner with $1,000 in assessed value is eligible to vote in this referendum.
Absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-noon on Friday, May 1st, and 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4th). Requests must be made in person and will only be issued for the individual making the request, except in the case of illness rendering the applicant unable to appear. Details are available through the Town Clerk’s office.
The Annual Budget Meeting adjourning to referendum is a statutory requirement and does not allow for public discussion of (or a vote on) the referendum questions. On Monday, May 4th, however, we will consider two ordinances. One is to accept the Town of Colebrook Code, as presented. The other ordinance being considered is to authorize the town to join the Northwest Regional Recovery Authority.
Last Sunday, on the 251st anniversary of the “shot heard ’round the world” marking the beginning of the American Revolution, a packed house at Town Hall learned about the roots of revolutionary sentiment in Connecticut through a presentation sponsored by the Colebrook Historical Society. The Historical Society kicks off its 2026 season on Sunday, June 7th. This year’s featured exhibit will be, “Honoring Colebrook Veterans.”
The Colebrook Conservation Commission is looking for volunteers to be regular and alternate members. Meetings are held quarterly on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. If you’re interested in being appointed to the Commission by the Board of Selectmen, please contact me at bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto:bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org>.
Last year, the Conservation Commission and volunteers mapped and flagged approximately 30 locations in town where the invasive plant, Japanese knotweed, is growing along local and state roads. Left unchecked, knotweed can quickly take over an entire area.
Knotweed can also block road signs, guardrails and shoulders, limiting motorist visibility. To mitigate this threat, our Public Works team is once again collaborating with the Conservation Commission to identify and control knotweed on town road rights-of-way.
This spring, the Conservation Commission will also be reaching out to local residents to assist them with knotweed patches on properties adjacent to local roads. To learn more, or to volunteer to help the Commission with knotweed control efforts, contact Commission Chair Joyce Hemingson at jhem1022@gmail.com<mailto:jhem1022@gmail.com>.
Colebrook Associates scholarship applications are available at Town Hall (and attached to this newsletter) and are due next Thursday, April 30th.
Applications for the Colebrook Associates Small Business Start-Up Grant program will also be accepted through April 30th, and the grant recipient will be announced by June 30th. Learn more in the attached application.
As noted last week, with bears out, participation in our food scrap recycling program is one way to make your garbage less attractive. Food scrap recycling kits are free and available at Town Hall, with approximately 60 households participating.
Recently, we heard from one of our food scrap recyclers who told us, “We are shocked at how much compostable material we generate and how light our trash bags for curbside have become. Plus, a lot less scent to attract Yogi and BooBoo. It’s a great idea and I hope others join in.”
At Colebrook Field next week, the Norbrook Yard Goats host the Barkhamsted Giants on Tuesday, April 28th, at 5:30 p.m. Go Yard Goats!
Upcoming events
This Saturday, April 25th, the Colebrook Conservation Commission is hosting its annual Colebrook Earth Day Cleanup. Trash bags will be available from 9 a.m. to noon outside the Town Hall second floor meeting room. To sign up in advance for a specific road (or portion of a road) contact Karen Odell at kodell@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto:kodell@colebrooktownhall.org>. The Colebrook Department of Public Works will pick up filled trash bags along town roads on Monday, April 27th.
On Saturday, May 2nd, the Community & Senior Center is hosting a Kentucky-Derby-themed Spring Tea. Cost to attend is $15. RSVP by contacting the Center at 860.738.9521, ext. 400.
On Saturday, May 9th, the Center is sponsoring a Fabric & Craft Supplies Sale. To purchase a table to sell your fabric/craft supplies, please contact them at 860.738.9521, ext. 400, or email seniordirector@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto:seniordirector@colebrooktownhall.org>. Tables can be purchased for $15.
Next month, our annual Kids Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Colebrook Recreation Board, will be held on Sunday, May 17th, at the Colebrook Pond. Details to follow.
Upcoming meetings
Annual Budget Meeting – Monday, May 4th, at 8 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room) Board of Education – Wednesday, May 6th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Consolidated School
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto: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

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Beech Hill Road (Dirt Portion) Reopened for Season

The dirt portion of Beech Hill Road has been reopened for the season.
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Colebrook Associates Scholarships and Small Business Grant

Scholarship Application

Small Business Grant Application

Colebrook Associates Launches Small Business Start-Up Grant for Local Youth
Entrepreneurs

Colebrook Associates, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of its annual Small
Business Start-Up Grant, designed to support graduating high school seniors and local
youth ages 17–21 who plan to pursue entrepreneurship after high school.

Each year, Colebrook Associates will award one $2,500 grant to a young Colebrook
resident who is launching a small business and does not plan to attend college or
university in the fall. The program is intended to encourage business ownership as a
primary post-graduation path while supporting creative ideas that contribute to the future
and vitality of Colebrook.

Applicants must submit a completed application, business plan, high school transcript,
and a letter of recommendation. Applications are accepted through April 30, and the
grant recipient will be announced by June 30.

Before funds are released, the selected recipient must provide proof of official business
formation, either through Town registration or formation of an LLC.

“This grant reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of
Colebrook residents,”. “We are excited to encourage young entrepreneurs who are ready to invest their ideas, energy, and ambition in our community.”

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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 17th day of January, 2026.

Debra L. McKeon, Town Clerk

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US Postmark Rule Change

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Tax Relief Programs

Tax Relief Program Summary 2026

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