Karen Odell

Key discussions included the approval of November 2025 minutes and finances from November and December. Under old business, the board agreed on an 8-week session structure for Karate at $65, approved funding for a Basketball pizza party, and decided to provide coaches with printed Sportsmanship Agreements for signing at the first practice. For new business, updates covered obtaining field quotes and planning a February pitching clinic for Baseball, discussions regarding Summer Soccer Clinics setup, and tabling further discussion on overall Summer plans. The board decided to discontinue the Zeffy discount code for check/cash payments unless payments are made in person at the town hall, though financial support requests will still be considered individually. The board also discussed potentially utilizing a donated bicycle as a raffle prize and looked into the Lego League Robotics program for K-8 students.

Key discussion points included the registration status and potential fee adjustments for the Karate session. For Basketball, funding for a portable scoreboard was requested, and the need for new volunteers for K-2 clinics and training for referees for home games was noted. The board plans to inquire about hosting a winter snow tubing event at Camp Jewell. Baseball discussions focused on sending out billboard update letters and planning for Snack Shack staffing, with a suggestion to offer more substantial food items. Details for Summer Soccer Clinics are still being finalized by coaches. New business items involved setting the date for the Fishing Derby, planning summer events such as popsicles at the pond and a potential movie night, and an analysis of registration fees versus uniform costs. The possibility of offering Lego League to Colebrook, Norfolk, and other Region 7 towns was also discussed.

The primary focus of the meeting was the presentation of the Colebrook Board of Education 2026-2027 Proposed Budget by the Superintendent. The proposed budget reflected an overall increase of $262,247, or 11.6%, totaling $2,516,488. This included a $103,834 increase in General Operating Expenses (largely due to medical insurance) and a $158,413 increase in Special Education Expenses. The board also reviewed correspondence regarding recent audit information from King & King. Furthermore, it was reported that the Capital Improvement Plan Committee is scheduled to meet to finalize the Capital Improvement Plan figure for the next fiscal year, and a board member was tasked with contacting the Town Clerk concerning technological enhancements for the Board of Finance.

Key discussions included the review of the Selectman Budget Worksheet for the 2026-27 year, confirming no requested funding changes. The board decided to withdraw a $20,000 Legal Fees line item from the 2025-2026 Budget Planning Worksheet for the upcoming year. The receipt of the 2024-2025 annual audit was noted. The board suggested a presentation from the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding future financial implications. The agenda also covered the election of officers, resulting in T. McKeon being named Chairman and M. Masslon as Vice-Chairman. New business involved reviewing the 2025 Grand List due to the town-wide re-evaluation, and reviewing the Year-to-Date budgets for the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education. Upcoming budget presentations were noted for the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen.

The meeting began with the introduction and unanimous approval of Jeremy DeCarli from Tyche Planning and Policy Group to serve as the new Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO). Under Old Business, it was reported that the property at 76 Fritz Road was in compliance and had paid its outstanding fine. A Cease and Desist letter was noted for a setback issue at 1 Center Brook Road. Follow-up on operating a business without a Special Use Permit at 139 Bunnell Street was assigned to the new ZEO. The commission unanimously approved a motion to accept the new complaint procedure. New Business involved encouragement for the commission to review Zoning Regulations and a reminder regarding the four-hour education requirement for commissioners, including one hour dedicated to affordable housing.