Town of Colebrook, Connecticut

Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
Due to Monday’s winter storm, curbside trash & recycling pickups has been delayed this week. Today’s (Thursday) pickups will take place tomorrow (on Friday). Tomorrow’s (Friday) pickups will occur on Saturday.
As one of the snowiest winters in recent memory continues, our Public Works team, like others around the state, continues to deal with a nationwide salt shortage. Despite shortages and visibility issues (especially during Blizzard Calvin this past week) our 4-man team has been working tirelessly around the clock to keep our approximately 40 miles of town roads open (with the exception of state Routes 8, 44, 182, 182A and 183).
We remind you to please refrain from blowing, plowing or shoveling snow into the street, especially after it has been plowed. These areas re-freeze and snow blown into the road creates a hazard for motorists. When driving, please extend courtesy to our plow drivers.
We understand that snow piles are creating visibility issues at intersections around town, and we are monitoring and dealing with them on a case-by-case basis. Roadway safety remains our top concern.
With more snow possible next week, the Great Mountain Forest (GMF) Weather Station in Norfolk reports season-to-date snowfall at 71.8 inches, 6.7 inches ahead of the 94-year average (for Norfolk). Colebrook resident, Russell Russ, has been recording data at the GMF station for the past 24 years.
Sand mix is available at the Town Garage (43 Sandy Brook Road) for Colebrook residents by hand bucket. Limit two buckets, per household, per winter storm event. Please bring your own shovel.
At this week’s Board of Selectmen meeting, the Board finalized its Fiscal Year 26/27 budget request. The Board is requesting $2,323,648-a 2% increase from this year’s town operating budget of $2,277,392.
The proposed Selectmen’s budget 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.
The proposed budget includes additional money for road crew winter overtime (based on recent years’ experience), and increased funding for Public Works equipment maintenance.
The Selectmen’s budget also reflects savings in legal expenses (a 90% reduction compared with average costs over the past three years), and reductions in other town operating costs. The Board will present its FY 26/27 request at this evening’s Board of Finance meeting at 6 p.m.
Last week, Superintendent Bob Gilbert presented the Board of Education’s (BOE) recommended budget for Colebrook Consolidated School for FY 26/27 to the Board of Finance. The average BOE budget increase over the past 10 years has been 1.9%. This year, driven largely by legally-mandated Special Education costs and rising health insurance premiums, the Board of Education is currently looking at an approximate 11% increase, while seeking to reduce that where possible.
Our Northwest Regional 7 middle and high school budget assessment for next fiscal year is expected to decline by 1.5% (or $37,000), based on our share of the student population (and budget). Representatives from Region 7 will be in town on Wednesday, March 18th, at 6 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall for their annual budget presentation. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Despite recent weather challenges and resulting cancellations, 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<www.facebook.com/ColebrookSeniorandCommunityCenter/>.
On Saturday, our Norbrook Coyotes fifth and sixth grade basketball team concludes their regular season by hosting Nonnewaug at Botelle Elementary School in Norfolk at 10 a.m. Later that day, at 2:30 p.m., our third and fourth graders travel to Housatonic. Congratulations to both teams and good luck in the playoffs. Go Coyotes!
Upcoming events
On Saturday, March 7th, 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 14th, from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Original music is welcome. This is a free event.
Upcoming municipal board meetings
Board of Education – Wednesday, March 4th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Consolidated School Planning & Zoning – Monday, March 9th, at 6:30 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room) Board of Selectmen – Monday, March 9th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)
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

Due to the winter storm, curbside trash & recycling pickups will be delayed this week. Thursday pickups will take place on Friday. Friday pickups will occur on Saturday.