Residents recognized for service 

Print More
Residents recognized for service by Board of Selectmen 

By Shirley Murtha

Prior to conducting regular business at the June 15 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, First Selectman Scott Kuhnly recognized several Granby residents for their service to the town.

Before the annual Community Service Awards presentation, special awards were given to Russ St. John and Incy Muir.

St. John began serving the community in 1963 on the Development and Industrial Committee and went on to sit on Planning and Zoning from 1965–1989. From 1992 until this June, he has been Granby’s representative on the Greater Hartford Transit District, a 16-town committee that studies transportation issues.

A Granby native and life-long resident, Muir has had an outstanding career in the non-profit health care field. She has been with the Farmington Valley Visiting Nurse Association since 1981 and has served as its executive director since 1989.

The annual adult Community Service Awards were given to Sherri Litchfield for her work with the Granby Early Childhood Council, and John Kroinger for his work with Little League, basketball and Cub Scouts. Granby Memorial High School senior Rebecca Rising received the youth Community Service Award for her many activities including tutoring and working on the blood drive, for the food bank, and gardening at South Church for the Waste Not Want Not community garden.

Budget Operations

Fiscal Transfers

The especially difficult winter caused budget shortages in areas of equipment and infrastructure maintenance and required additional public works and police overtime. A transfer of $53,000 was made from Police Operations and Communications for salt and truck repair. An additional $10,000 was transferred from that account for the overtime needs.

Justice Assistance Grant

The board approved the police department’s application for an $18,000 grant from the Justice Assistance Program for Crime Prevention. The money will be used to purchase two patrol car video devices and accompanying server.

Income

Tax collections remain at 101 percent.

Tuition payments totaling $713,000 have been received from other towns. This is less than the $897,000 expected. It is hoped that additional payments will be received before the fiscal year ends.

Funding of $12,900 has been received from the state for senior citizen activities.

An error in the $112,565 special education grant the town received from the state necessitated the return $14,700. There were also shortfalls in town clerk fees, but additional building permit fees compensated for the shortfall.

Capital Project Activity Update

The generator that will be installed at the middle school has gone out to bid.

The design for the sidewalk from Stony Hill Village to Salmon Brook Park is almost complete. Property owners have been informed and discussions are being held on easement rights and other issues.

The patio at Granby Public Library is being installed during the summer.

The Holcomb Farm North Barn parking lot associated with the renovation will be completed this summer. The extended winter conditions caused a late start to the project.

Board of Finance member Gordon Bischoff requested that CPPAC (Capital Project Priority Advisory Committee) reconvene to discuss future projects such as additional work on bridges, a transfer station building, a communications systems update, and library assessment.

Resignations and Appointments

Jim Lofink has been appointed to the BOS seat vacated by Ron Desrosiers.

Patty Sansone has been appointed to the Commission on Aging seat vacated by Joanne Desrosiers.

Linda Spevacek has resigned from the Planning and Zoning Commission.