Greetings from Colebrook Town Hall.
Last week, we learned that we are receiving a $412,000 state grant to repave the Center Firehouse parking lot, and 2.5 miles of Deer Hill, Gaylord, Millbrook and Phelps Roads. Weather permitting, paving will take place the week of August 25th. Notably, thanks to this state grant, we’re able to repave Deer Hill Road for the first time in more than 30 years.
This past week, a public informational meeting was held to consider a 2022 recommendation from the Connecticut Transportation Institute’s T2 Center to continue to prohibit motor vehicle access on Pisgah Mountain Road, a 1-mile-long dirt roadway that has been closed for the past two years following storm damage in July 2023.The Board of
Selectmen will further consider the proposal at their September meeting, and adjacent property owners will receive legal notification of the proposal. If the proposal moves forward, it will be included on the agenda for a town-wide vote at our
October Town Meeting.
The T2 Center at UConn provides training and technical assistance to municipalities across the state regarding road and bridge maintenance. They were also responsible for providing to us, at no cost, the speed monitors on Routes 8 and 183.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be held on Saturday, June 21st, at the Falls Village Public Works Garage (100 Railroad St.) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Contact Karen at Town Hall (kodell@colebrooktownhall.org) by noon on Thursday, June 12th, for a ticket to participate. You can find a list of eligible/ineligible items here.
Recently, our Composting Advisory Committee toured USA Recycling’s All American Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Berlin, Conn., which sorts and processes recyclable material from across Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. The Berlin facility has been recognized as the number one recycling facility in the country—and produces hundreds of tons of sorted and baled material each day for re-use right here in New England.
Colebrook generates approximately 11 tons of single stream recycling (metal, plastic, glass, paper & cardboard) each month that is sent to the Berlin facility. Learn more here about what can and can’t be included in our blue bins each week. Beyond recyclables, Colebrook generates 500+ tons of garbage each year. The current cost to have our garbage transported out of state to landfills in Ohio and Pennsylvania is $131 per ton. It is estimated that almost a quarter of our garbage is food scraps with an associated annual disposal cost of approximately $17,000. Later this summer, we will pilot a program to divert food scraps from the waste stream. If you are interested in participating in our proposed pilot food scrap recycling program, and have not already signed up, please do so here. If the link to our signup sheet doesn’t work for you, please contact Karen at
kodell@colebrooktownhall.org. As kickoff this summer draws closer, we will email details to everyone who has signed up.
The Colebrook Pond will open for the season on Saturday, June 14th. Lifeguards will be on duty on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the gate will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no lifeguard on duty.
June is Dog License Month. All dogs over the age of six months are required by Connecticut law to be licensed. Dog license renewal is available online on the town website at (www.townofcolebrook.org/town-clerk/) for dogs previously licensed in Colebrook with a current rabies certificate on file. In-person licensing is available at the Town Clerk’s office during regular business hours. To renew by mail, please include a check and a self-addressed, stamped, return envelope. Please make checks payable to the “Colebrook Town Clerk.” Please contact the Town Clerk’s office (860) 379-3359, extension 203, with any questions.
The Colebrook Associates is requesting baking ingredients (e.g., cake mix, frosting, etc.) and canned fruit for their food pantry in the foyer of the Community & Senior Center. Items can be left in the pantry or at the Post Office.
Upcoming events
This Saturday (June 7th) from 1-2:30 p.m., the Conservation Commission and US Army Corps of Engineers are sponsoring a 1-mile walk at the Corps’ scenic 388-acre Colebrook River Lake property on Rt. 8. This event is part of CT Trails Day weekend. Leaders for this walk along the Beaver Pond trail will be Joyce Hemingson, from the Conservation
Commission, and James Jylkka, with the US Army Corps of Engineers. The group will meet at 426A Colebrook River Road in Colebrook.
On Sunday (June 8th) from 2-5 p.m., Camp Jewell is hosting a family Community Day. Featured activities include archery, boating and climbing. Camp Jewell is celebrating its 70th anniversary in Colebrook this year.
Everyone is invited to enjoy pancakes, sausage and eggs at the Colebrook Lions Club annual Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, June 15th, from 8-11 a.m. The breakfast will be held at the Colebrook Community & Senior Center. Prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children and is payable at the door. Proceeds fund scholarships and
other initiatives.
Upcoming municipal board meetings
Board of Finance – Thursday, June 5th, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall (second floor meeting room)
Board of Selectmen – Monday, June 9th, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall (second floor meeting room
Board of Recreation – Tuesday, June 10th, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall (Land Use office)
Planning & Zoning Commission – Monday, June 16th, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall (Land Use office)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at bremer@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
