Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
At this week’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting, members were appointed/reappointed to the following: Capital Improvement Program Committee; School Building Committee; Rec Board; and Community & Senior Center Advisory Committee.
Also at the December BOS meeting, the Board discussed an initiative proposed by Selectman AJ Ruwet to encourage compliance with posted speed limits on our roadways. Aligned with the flashing speed signs in place on Routes 8 and 183, and Prock Hill Road, the purpose of the “Slow Down, Colebrook, CT,” initiative will be to encourage safer driving on Colebrook roads through a positive, family-oriented community awareness campaign. The goal is to reduce speeding, protect pedestrians and cyclists, and promote a culture of courtesy and care in town. Details to follow.
The Planning & Zoning Commission elected a new chair, Todd Correll, at its November meeting.
At their organizational meeting this evening, the Board of Finance will elect its leadership for the next two years and consider a request from the Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Selectmen to increase our investment in Zoning Enforcement.
As we approach the midpoint of our fiscal year at the end of this month, we are pleased to report that the town has been able to cash flow its $1.7 million HVAC project at Colebrook Consolidated School through the Town’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). We were able to do so without borrowing from an outside lender, which had previously been authorized by the town at referendum, or transferring money from our General Fund reserve on a short-term basis. The Town’s share of the HVAC project total was approximately $925,000. Next month, the town is expected to take possession of our new snowplow truck and blade, also funded by our CIP budget.
Next Tuesday will be three months since our food scrap recycling initiative kicked off. We are currently collecting approximately 1,000 lbs. per month from roughly 60 households. USA Recycling reports that the material received has been very clean, and our weekly volume has been consistent. To date, our food scrap collection bins at Town Hall and the Forge Firehouse have proven to be bear-resistant. If you’d like to participate in our pilot food scrap recycling program, please let us know.
The annual Colebrook Holiday Fair will be held this Saturday, December 13th, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall and the Community & Senior Center featuring holiday vendors, crafts and food.
Cookies for Cookie Land may be dropped off at the Community & Senior Center tomorrow, Friday, December 12th, from 10 a.m. to noon, and Saturday, December 13th, before 8:30 a.m.
During the Fair, Breakfast with Santa will take place from 9-11 a.m. in the lower level of the Colebrook Congregational Church.
Forty children attended Colebrook’s Annual Children’s Christmas Party with Santa & Mrs. Claus last Saturday at the Colebrook Center Firehouse. Thanks to the Colebrook Center Ladies Auxiliary for hosting this event for 62 years.
On Sunday, the Colebrook Historical Society hosted a well-attended Holiday Open House, with Christmas carols led by students from Colebrook Consolidated School under the direction of music teacher Bethany Franklin. The event concluded with our annual town Tree Lighting.
Renovations continue at the Colebrook Store, with two new windows on the south side of the building, matching those on the front, and making the interior much brighter. Sub-flooring is complete, with the floor now all one level, and tin ceiling tiles have arrived and will go up within a couple of weeks. The Colebrook Preservation Society, the non-profit group which owns the building, is in conversation with prospective tenants, with the store expected to re-open during 2026.
Upcoming events
A ribbon cutting ceremony marking the completion of our CCS HVAC project will be held in conjunction with the school’s Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 16th, at 6:30 p.m.
Upcoming municipal board meetings
Board of Finance – Thursday, December 11th (tonight), at 6 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room)
Inland Wetlands – Tuesday, December 16th, at 6:30 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)
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
