William Wesley

The commission discussed maintenance for the Cooper Trail, plant replacements for the pollinator garden, and ongoing regional Japanese knotweed removal projects. Planning for an upcoming cleanup day was reviewed, along with the organization of a guided walk for CT Trails Day. The commission addressed the Inland Wetlands Commission application regarding Pisgah Mountain Road, recruitment efforts for new members, and the strategic planning of knotweed removal efforts involving collaboration with the First Selectman and Public Works.

The board conducted ten individual appeal hearings regarding property tax assessments. Each hearing involved a review of property conditions, such as driveway status, structural improvements, market comparability, and concerns over specific site assessments like barns and dams. Following the hearings, the board deliberated on each case, resulting in nine unanimous decisions to maintain current assessment values and one decision to reduce the outbuilding assessment for a specific property.

The commission discussed updates to the complaint procedure, which is now available online, and received clarification regarding Freedom of Information requirements for web postings. Key business items included a text amendment proposal from a resident, the addition of state-mandated language for middle housing to regulations, and modifications to Village District public hearing requirements. The commission also scheduled a public hearing for an addition at 8 Centerbrook Road and reviewed new Land Use Reports.

The primary discussions focused on budget drafts for the upcoming fiscal year. The Region 7 Budget draft for 2026-2027 estimates Colebrook's assessment to be $2,361,698, a 1.54% reduction. The board also reviewed the Selectmen's draft budget and the Board of Education's draft budget, which included a proposed 4% wage increase for non-certified personnel. The Board of Finance expressed a preference to align this rate with Town employees at 3% and requested the Board of Education revise the proposed rate structure accordingly. Mill rate options were discussed, with a final determination pending further review related to assessment appeals.

The meeting commenced with the presentation of the Board of Selectmen 2025-26 Draft Budget by the First Selectman, indicating an overall two percent increase, with specific budgetary category changes detailed for General Government, Public Safety, Highway, Town Hall Expenditures, Community Senior Center, Health, Miscellaneous, and Refuse/Recycle. Additionally, the First Selectman presented the Revised Draft of the Town of Colebrook 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan for discussion, focusing on Fiscal Year 2026-2027 funding requests totaling $385,000. Unfinished business included discussion on the Budget Planning Worksheet (Version 2) incorporating revised CIP amounts and upcoming Region 7 Board of Education budget figures, alongside the fine-tuning of the Colebrook Board of Education budget request figures.