Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
Town Hall offices, the Public Works Department, and the Community & Senior Center and Food Pantry will be closed on Monday, January 19th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, January 20th. Curbside trash and recycling pickup will operate on a normal schedule next week.
Curbside pickup is a significant investment of our local tax dollars, comprising approximately 12% of the town’s operating budget. At this week’s Board of Selectmen meeting, we adopted a resolution encouraging residents not to store their trash and recycling bins on the curb. They should be brought to the curb to facilitate pickup on collection days (Thursdays/Fridays, or Fridays/Saturdays on designated holiday weeks). Bins should be stored off the street when not awaiting collection to assist with snow plowing and to reduce engagement with bears. Thank you for helping to optimize
the efficiency of our trash and recycling collection efforts.
Bulk waste pickup is available every week for items that will not fit in your bin. Please call 860.379.1662 by Thursday of each week for Friday morning pickup. Electronic items and building materials are not accepted for bulk pickup.
Electronic items may be left at the Town Garage (43 Sandy Brook Road), outside of the storage unit which sits to the right of the garage.
With snow in the forecast this weekend, sand mix is available at the Town Garage for Colebrook residents, by hand bucket. Limit two buckets, per household, per winter storm event. Please bring your own shovel.
Taxes were due January 1st, and are considered late if not paid by Tuesday, February 2nd, and subject to interest from the due date. During January, the Tax Collector’s office will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon, and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday, February 2nd. For any questions, please contact Tax Collector Laura
Bartlett at 860.379.3359, ext. 204, or at lbartlett@colebrooktownhall.org.
This week, Farmington Valley Health District (FVHD), the public health agency serving Colebrook and nine other towns in northwest Connecticut, hosted a workshop to discuss the growing challenge of food insecurity. Food insecurity is defined as a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to food. One in 10 people in
the Farmington Valley are food insecure and 22% of FVHD households struggle to make ends meet. For those who need help paying for groceries, a representative from Connecticut Foodshare can help households apply for SNAP benefits.
They can be reached at 860.856-HELP (4357).
Breakfast is available at the Community & Senior Center every Tuesday 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.
The Colebrook Associates food pantry, located in the vestibule of the Community & Senior Center, is open Monday Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Donations may be left at the pantry, or in the collection bin in the Post Office.
For energy assistance, contact Karen Odell to set up at appointment at kodell@colebrooktownhall.org, or call 860.379.3359, ext. 201.
The Colebrook Volunteer Fire Department is looking for new members to join their ranks and help our community. There are many ways to serve, everyone is welcome, and no prior training is needed. For more information, contact Todd Correll at 860.459.0292.
The Norbrook Coyotes fifth and sixth grade basketball team (a collaboration between Colebrook and Norfolk) has joined the Route 44 travel league this year. The team is off to a 2-0 start and is looking to keep the momentum going this weekend at Thomaston. Over the past two seasons, this group is 24 and 3, coming up just short in the finals two years
running. Good luck, Coyotes
Upcoming events
The Colebrook PTO presents its Annual Adults’ Night Out Bingo on Saturday, January 24th, at Little Red Barn in Winsted with Bingo games beginning at 6 p.m. Advance tickets are strongly encouraged. Click here for the flyer and to purchase tickets.
Also on Saturday, January 24th, Karaoke hosted by Tyler Rae will be held at the Community & Senior Center from 6:3 to 8:30 p.m. Original music is welcome. This is a free event.
The Colebrook Fire Department will host its annual ice skating party on Saturday, February 7th, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Colebrook Recreation Area (behind Town Hall). Come skate under the lights and enjoy hot cocoa, donuts and a warm fire.
Upcoming municipal board meetings
Inland Wetlands – Tuesday, January 20th, 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
