Town of Colebrook, Connecticut

To All Colebrook Residents,
It has been my pleasure to serve as your First Selectman for the past two years and I have enjoyed my time here in the Town Hall. It has been an honor to work with all of the wonderful Town employees and I wish them all the best in their endeavors.
One last update, Sandy Brook and Creamery Road Bridges, they most likely will open to traffic next week. Let’s hope for the best!
Its 4:30, and in a few, minutes I’m slipping out the back door and it’s time to retire!
I wish everyone a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving and hope you all enjoy spending time relaxing with your friends and families!
Respectfully,
Chris Johnstone

Let the Traffic Roll….
The Pinney Street Bridge is officially open!

A large set of keys was found on Prock Hill Road. If you are missing keys or know someone who did, please contact the Selectman’s office. 860-379-3359 Ext 201

Hello Colebrook Residents:

In the past few weeks, there have been articles in the news and postings on Facebook about car break-ins and vandalism. I urge everyone to always remove your car keys, and lock your doors when parking your car. Even if this is just for a few minutes while you stop to pick something up at the store. When parking your car in your driveway, be extra vigilant, remove the keys, lock the car and keep your keys in a safe place in your house. If you can park your car or truck in a garage this is even better. Too many times I read in the newspaper or hear on the news, about someones car or truck that was stolen, and the keys were left in the car. Don’t be that person, Don’t be a victim.
FLU Season: This is just a reminder that the Farmington Valley Health District is holding a Flu Clinic on the 8th of November. More information about the clinic is available on the Town Website. If you need a ride to get a flu shot you can always call the Senior Center and schedule a ride on the Senior Center Bus, call 860 738-9521.
COVID – Please be aware that the Covid virus is rearing its ugly presence once again. Please take all the necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your loved ones. If you think you may be symptomatic, please take a test. Unfortunately the Town does not have test kits to pass out at this time. You may order up to four free test kits through COVIDTests.gov<link.edgepilot.com/s/ebfc2430/onh5apbePkO5g5P-V8_53A?u=http://covidtests.gov/>.
Bridges – The Pinney Street Bridge is being paved as I write this note. The project was delayed by a week or so due to some drainage issues that needed to be resolved before the roadway could be paved. Before the bridge can be opened to traffic, the guardrails need to be installed and a final inspection will need to be completed. I am anticipating a Bridge opening date for the week of November 13th.
Sandy Brook Road and Old Creamery Road Bridges are nearing completion. The Sandy Brook Road Bridge deck was poured last Friday and work has continued on the bridge walls and the approach ends of the Bridge. Same with Old Creamery Road, I anticipate a completion date for those two bridges to remain on or about the 25th of November. GM-2 and NJR have scheduled a project meeting for this coming Wednesday. Once I have an updated target date for opening the bridge(s) I will let you all know.
Enjoy the weekend and be safe….
Respectfully,
Chris Johnstone
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The Town Garage will no longer accept brush, tree limbs, tree trunks or any other residential yard waste. Please bear with us until we are able find a way to dispose of this waste.

Folks,
I received this information from our Eversource representative and I am passing it along for your perusal.

Regards,

Chris Johnstone

As it did last winter, the cost of energy supply is expected to once again increase when we transition from summer to winter rates on January 1. We’re encouraging customers to take control of their energy costs by shopping for a third-party supplier at EnergizeCT.com.<link.edgepilot.com/s/304d5f51/PfUB-jVJAkyXosOehJ0hhQ?u=https://energizect.com/>

We recognize the financial burden that high energy prices place on our customers, especially as the costs of other goods and services have increased. We’re reaching out to all our stakeholders to make them aware of the likely increase and encourage them to take action and help make their residents and constituents aware of the ways they can shop, sign up, and save.

We’ve launched an educational campaign to reach as many people as possible through digital advertising, media and social media, customer emails, billboards, and website messages to encourage customers to compare rates offered by third-party suppliers on EnergizeCT.com. Eversource customers who’ve never shopped before can find help navigating the process by going to Eversource.com/supplier<link.edgepilot.com/s/d85943bb/GvUVyh7JUESR1xKM6P840Q?u=http://www.eversource.com/supplier>.

As you know, Eversource does not produce electricity. We purchase power for our Standard Service rate on behalf of our customers on the open market and directly pass those costs on without any markup. International factors continue to affect the seasonal winter cost of natural gas, which is used to produce roughly half of New England’s electricity. While we do expect the electric supply price to rise this winter, it is not expected to increase as much as it did last winter. We’ll file proposed rates with PURA in mid-November, and the approved new rates will take effect January 1, 2024, for customers on Standard Service.

In addition to shopping for a third-party supplier, customers can visit Eversource.com/manage-cost<link.edgepilot.com/s/8fa5e590/F0Fz5PwGRUqXlu4WenLpLg?u=http://www.eversource.com/manage-cost> to learn about the other programs and services that are available, including:

* Our Budget Billing Plan helps avoid seasonal spikes on their energy bill by letting customers pay a fixed amount each month based on their average annual usage. * The Matching Payment Program can lower the amount customers owe on energy bills. For every dollar they pay and every dollar they receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, we will subtract a dollar from the amount owed. * The New Start Program forgives overdue balances for electric customers as on-time monthly budget payments are made. (For example, if your budget payment amount is set at $150 per month and your past due balance is $1,200, for every month you make your required $150 payment towards your bill, we will reduce your past-due balance by $100.) * Payment Plans are available to all customers to help pay their past-due balance over time. * A new Low-Income Discount Rate will take effect December 1, which can give customers with financial hardship either a 10% or 50% discount off their electric bill per month. Customers can qualify to receive the discount based on household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit. For example, if a customer has a $100 monthly bill, it would be $10 less if they receive a 10% discount or $50 less if they receive the 50% discount. * Residential customers are encouraged to take advantage of seasonal energy-saving tips, offers, programs and rebates to help reduce energy use leading up to and during this winter.
Attached to this email you will find a bill help fact sheet that can be also be shared with your residents.

Sandy Brook Road Bridge: NJR construction is continuing to make progress and they expect to begin the installation of the Steel beams on the 13th of September. For those of you who travel on Sandy Brook Road between Route 183 and the bridge construction site, you can expect some delays while the beams are being delivered and installed.

Old Creamery Road Bridge: NJR construction has made progress here as well, they have chiseled up the deteriorated bridge deck and are planning to begin the concrete repair and repoint of the masonry beginning the 14th of September. They are still on track to have both of these bridges completed by the end of November.