Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
With below zero temperatures expected this weekend, the Fire Department is postponing its ice skating party until Saturday, February 21st. Details below.
Our Public Works department reports that ice and snow events through last weekend have already exceeded annual totals seen the past three winters. To date, we’ve encountered 16 storms, with some spanning several days.
Given the number of weather events, and widespread snow and ice conditions across the country this winter, we’re also now seeing a road salt shortage here in New England. To stretch our supply in the near term, our Public Works team is blending salt and sand to be ready for whatever comes our way.
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.
We are pleased to announce that Sandy Taylor has accepted the position of Community & Senior Center Co-Director. A resident of Winsted, Sandy worked for 20+ years with the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging supporting their Meals-on-Wheels program and other initiatives. She has also worked for LARC, and has degrees in Child-Family Service and Hotel/Restaurant Management. Sandy will be responsible for Tuesday breakfasts, Thursday lunches, and support of the Labor Day and Holiday Fairs, in collaboration with our dedicated team of kitchen volunteers, and working closely with Center Co-Director Serena Brainard.
Breakfast is available at the 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. Breakfast is also cancelled when Region 7 and Colebrook School have a delayed opening on Tuesdays.
The Community & Senior Center is a designated warming center for the town and is open Monday- Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays.
Moving forward, the Grief Support Group at the Center will be meeting every other Wednesday at 6 p.m., and will next meet on Wednesday, February 18th.
Mid-year tax collection is complete. Thank you to Tax Collector Laura Bartlett and everyone who helped make the collection process a smooth one. Following the town-wide referendum in December 2025 ratifying a 20-year tax stabilization agreement with Wind Colebrook South (WCS), four payments totaling approximately $552,000 have now been made to the Town, and WCS remains current on its tax obligations.
Colebrook Consolidated School (CCS) Superintendent Bob Gilbert will present the Board of Education’s proposed FY 26/27 budget to the Board of Finance on Thursday, February 19th. The Board of Selectmen will present its proposed town operating budget to the Board of Finance on Thursday, February 26th.
Later today, the town Capital Improvement Program committee will hold its kickoff meeting for this budget cycle and revisit the town’s 5-year capital plan. Items in this year’s capital budget (some already complete) include: attic insulation and technology upgrades for Colebrook Consolidated School; gear, radios, tools and facility enhancements for our Fire Department; a new snow plow and grant matching funds for town paving projects; money towards a future, new Community & Senior Center van; and telephone and IT upgrades for Town Hall.
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.
This week, Town Building Inspector Bill Volovski and I had an opportunity to check out the progress being made with renovations of the Colebrook Store. The latest improvement is a beautiful tin ceiling. Along with the newly-leveled floors and southern exposure windows, the space is bright and welcoming. The Store is expected to re-open later during 2026.
Our Norbrook Coyotes fifth and sixth grade basketball team is on the road again this weekend playing at Shepaug at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 7th. Go Coyotes!
Upcoming events
As noted earlier, the Colebrook Fire Department’s annual ice skating party will be held on Saturday, February 21st, 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.
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 off and two special raffles are available for advance purchase.
Upcoming municipal board meetings
Capital Improvement Program Committee – Thursday, February 5th (today), at 5 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)
Board of Finance – Thursday, February 5th (today), at 6 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room)
Planning & Zoning – Monday, February 9th, at 6:30 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (Land Use office)
Board of Selectmen – Monday, February 9th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org, or call me at 860.379.3359, extension 202.
Stay warm,
Brad
Brad Bremer
Colebrook First Selectman
860.379.3359 ext. 202
bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org
