Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
On Monday, May 4th, we will hold our Annual Budget Meeting at 8 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room at Town Hall. At the conclusion of this brief gathering, we’ll adjourn to referendum on Tuesday, May 5th, when taxpayers will have the opportunity to vote on town and Region 7 budgets for fiscal year 2026/27.
The two questions on the ballot read as follows:
“Shall the general budget of the Town of Colebrook for the fiscal year from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $7,523,524 and the Town’s Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures (Town’s Capital Improvement Projects) budget in the amount of $350,000 be approved as recommended by the Board of Finance?”
“Shall the Regional School District No. 7 Annual Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026 be accepted?”
Polls will be open on Tuesday, May 5th, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any Colebrook property owner with $1,000 in assessed value is eligible to vote in this referendum.
Absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-noon on Friday, May 1st, and 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4th). Requests must be made in person and will only be issued for the individual making the request, except in the case of illness rendering the applicant unable to appear. Details are available through the Town Clerk’s office.
The Annual Budget Meeting adjourning to referendum is a statutory requirement and does not allow for public discussion of (or a vote on) the referendum questions. On Monday, May 4th, however, we will consider two ordinances. One is to accept the Town of Colebrook Code, as presented. The other ordinance being considered is to authorize the town to join the Northwest Regional Recovery Authority.
Last Sunday, on the 251st anniversary of the “shot heard ’round the world” marking the beginning of the American Revolution, a packed house at Town Hall learned about the roots of revolutionary sentiment in Connecticut through a presentation sponsored by the Colebrook Historical Society. The Historical Society kicks off its 2026 season on Sunday, June 7th. This year’s featured exhibit will be, “Honoring Colebrook Veterans.”
The Colebrook Conservation Commission is looking for volunteers to be regular and alternate members. Meetings are held quarterly on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. If you’re interested in being appointed to the Commission by the Board of Selectmen, please contact me at bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto:bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org>.
Last year, the Conservation Commission and volunteers mapped and flagged approximately 30 locations in town where the invasive plant, Japanese knotweed, is growing along local and state roads. Left unchecked, knotweed can quickly take over an entire area.
Knotweed can also block road signs, guardrails and shoulders, limiting motorist visibility. To mitigate this threat, our Public Works team is once again collaborating with the Conservation Commission to identify and control knotweed on town road rights-of-way.
This spring, the Conservation Commission will also be reaching out to local residents to assist them with knotweed patches on properties adjacent to local roads. To learn more, or to volunteer to help the Commission with knotweed control efforts, contact Commission Chair Joyce Hemingson at jhem1022@gmail.com<mailto:jhem1022@gmail.com>.
Colebrook Associates scholarship applications are available at Town Hall (and attached to this newsletter) and are due next Thursday, April 30th.
Applications for the Colebrook Associates Small Business Start-Up Grant program will also be accepted through April 30th, and the grant recipient will be announced by June 30th. Learn more in the attached application.
As noted last week, with bears out, participation in our food scrap recycling program is one way to make your garbage less attractive. Food scrap recycling kits are free and available at Town Hall, with approximately 60 households participating.
Recently, we heard from one of our food scrap recyclers who told us, “We are shocked at how much compostable material we generate and how light our trash bags for curbside have become. Plus, a lot less scent to attract Yogi and BooBoo. It’s a great idea and I hope others join in.”
At Colebrook Field next week, the Norbrook Yard Goats host the Barkhamsted Giants on Tuesday, April 28th, at 5:30 p.m. Go Yard Goats!
Upcoming events
This Saturday, April 25th, the Colebrook Conservation Commission is hosting its annual Colebrook Earth Day Cleanup. Trash bags will be available from 9 a.m. to noon outside the Town Hall second floor meeting room. To sign up in advance for a specific road (or portion of a road) contact Karen Odell at kodell@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto:kodell@colebrooktownhall.org>. The Colebrook Department of Public Works will pick up filled trash bags along town roads on Monday, April 27th.
On Saturday, May 2nd, the Community & Senior Center is hosting a Kentucky-Derby-themed Spring Tea. Cost to attend is $15. RSVP by contacting the Center at 860.738.9521, ext. 400.
On Saturday, May 9th, the Center is sponsoring a Fabric & Craft Supplies Sale. To purchase a table to sell your fabric/craft supplies, please contact them at 860.738.9521, ext. 400, or email seniordirector@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto:seniordirector@colebrooktownhall.org>. Tables can be purchased for $15.
Next month, our annual Kids Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Colebrook Recreation Board, will be held on Sunday, May 17th, at the Colebrook Pond. Details to follow.
Upcoming meetings
Annual Budget Meeting – Monday, May 4th, at 8 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room) Board of Education – Wednesday, May 6th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Consolidated School
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
On Monday, May 4th, we will hold our Annual Budget Meeting at 8 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room at Town Hall. At the conclusion of this brief gathering, we’ll adjourn to referendum on Tuesday, May 5th, when taxpayers will have the opportunity to vote on town and Region 7 budgets for fiscal year 2026/27.
The two questions on the ballot read as follows:
“Shall the general budget of the Town of Colebrook for the fiscal year from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $7,523,524 and the Town’s Reserve Fund for Capital and Non-recurring Expenditures (Town’s Capital Improvement Projects) budget in the amount of $350,000 be approved as recommended by the Board of Finance?”
“Shall the Regional School District No. 7 Annual Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026 be accepted?”
Polls will be open on Tuesday, May 5th, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any Colebrook property owner with $1,000 in assessed value is eligible to vote in this referendum.
Absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-noon on Friday, May 1st, and 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4th). Requests must be made in person and will only be issued for the individual making the request, except in the case of illness rendering the applicant unable to appear. Details are available through the Town Clerk’s office.
The Annual Budget Meeting adjourning to referendum is a statutory requirement and does not allow for public discussion of (or a vote on) the referendum questions. On Monday, May 4th, however, we will consider two ordinances. One is to accept the Town of Colebrook Code, as presented. The other ordinance being considered is to authorize the town to join the Northwest Regional Recovery Authority.
Last Sunday, on the 251st anniversary of the “shot heard ’round the world” marking the beginning of the American Revolution, a packed house at Town Hall learned about the roots of revolutionary sentiment in Connecticut through a presentation sponsored by the Colebrook Historical Society. The Historical Society kicks off its 2026 season on Sunday, June 7th. This year’s featured exhibit will be, “Honoring Colebrook Veterans.”
The Colebrook Conservation Commission is looking for volunteers to be regular and alternate members. Meetings are held quarterly on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. If you’re interested in being appointed to the Commission by the Board of Selectmen, please contact me at bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto:bbremer@colebrooktownhall.org>.
Last year, the Conservation Commission and volunteers mapped and flagged approximately 30 locations in town where the invasive plant, Japanese knotweed, is growing along local and state roads. Left unchecked, knotweed can quickly take over an entire area.
Knotweed can also block road signs, guardrails and shoulders, limiting motorist visibility. To mitigate this threat, our Public Works team is once again collaborating with the Conservation Commission to identify and control knotweed on town road rights-of-way.
This spring, the Conservation Commission will also be reaching out to local residents to assist them with knotweed patches on properties adjacent to local roads. To learn more, or to volunteer to help the Commission with knotweed control efforts, contact Commission Chair Joyce Hemingson at jhem1022@gmail.com<mailto:jhem1022@gmail.com>.
Colebrook Associates scholarship applications are available at Town Hall (and attached to this newsletter) and are due next Thursday, April 30th.
Applications for the Colebrook Associates Small Business Start-Up Grant program will also be accepted through April 30th, and the grant recipient will be announced by June 30th. Learn more in the attached application.
As noted last week, with bears out, participation in our food scrap recycling program is one way to make your garbage less attractive. Food scrap recycling kits are free and available at Town Hall, with approximately 60 households participating.
Recently, we heard from one of our food scrap recyclers who told us, “We are shocked at how much compostable material we generate and how light our trash bags for curbside have become. Plus, a lot less scent to attract Yogi and BooBoo. It’s a great idea and I hope others join in.”
At Colebrook Field next week, the Norbrook Yard Goats host the Barkhamsted Giants on Tuesday, April 28th, at 5:30 p.m. Go Yard Goats!
Upcoming events
This Saturday, April 25th, the Colebrook Conservation Commission is hosting its annual Colebrook Earth Day Cleanup. Trash bags will be available from 9 a.m. to noon outside the Town Hall second floor meeting room. To sign up in advance for a specific road (or portion of a road) contact Karen Odell at kodell@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto:kodell@colebrooktownhall.org>. The Colebrook Department of Public Works will pick up filled trash bags along town roads on Monday, April 27th.
On Saturday, May 2nd, the Community & Senior Center is hosting a Kentucky-Derby-themed Spring Tea. Cost to attend is $15. RSVP by contacting the Center at 860.738.9521, ext. 400.
On Saturday, May 9th, the Center is sponsoring a Fabric & Craft Supplies Sale. To purchase a table to sell your fabric/craft supplies, please contact them at 860.738.9521, ext. 400, or email seniordirector@colebrooktownhall.org<mailto:seniordirector@colebrooktownhall.org>. Tables can be purchased for $15.
Next month, our annual Kids Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Colebrook Recreation Board, will be held on Sunday, May 17th, at the Colebrook Pond. Details to follow.
Upcoming meetings
Annual Budget Meeting – Monday, May 4th, at 8 p.m. at Colebrook Town Hall (second floor meeting room) Board of Education – Wednesday, May 6th, at 7 p.m. at Colebrook Consolidated School
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
Colebrook-Associates_2026-Scholarship-Application.pdf
