Letters to the Editor

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Unsigned editorials are the consensus opinion of the editorial staff and publisher.  Commentary pieces express the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of the Drummer.

Roundabout Project Objection
It seems to me that the state has the cart before the horse when it comes to the Five Corners roundabout project. A roundabout may turn out to be unnecessary if all that is needed is better visibility of oncoming traffic from the south side of Rte. 10/202. This suggests that the project be split into two parts. The first step would be to remove the hill on Rte. 10/202 and see if the accident rate drops off somewhat. If it doesn’t then maybe a roundabout might be considered.
Since the accident rate at the intersection of Rte. 10/202 and East Street and Notch Road is not excessive, three or four accidents per year with no fatalities, then it would appear that a small correction to the visibility is all that is necessary to fix a rather small problem. If the state were to put the roundabout in without removing the vision impairment of the hill first then I can see drivers heading north on Rte.10/202 coming over the hill and suddenly becoming aware of the upcoming obstruction of the roundabout. That would cause weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.
The project is very expensive, $3 to $4 million. That works out to about $1 million for each accident if we were to write the whole project off in one year. That is another reason to hold up on the roundabout until it is clear that it is needed.
Certainly most of us can think of another place in the Connecticut highway system that is more deserving of state attention than the roundabout at the Five Corners intersection. It appears the state and the feds have more of our money than they need.
Phil Haynes
Clarifying roundabout rules
This comment pertains to the May article: “DOT presents plans for Five Corners roundabout.”
You write: “Incoming drivers have the right-of-way and those already in the circle yield to the incoming.” This may be incorrect.
I did a search to confirm my comments at the Connecticut DOT website: “Modern roundabouts follow the “yield-at-entry” rule in which approaching vehicles must wait for a gap in the circulating flow before entering the circle.” “Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.” 
Kent Matlack
From William W. Britnell, Principal Engineer, Connecticut DOT: The reader is correct, the statement is incorrect. Drivers entering a roundabout yield to traffic already in the roundabout. However, this can be confusing to older drivers who may have been taught and driven through the old rotaries where (sometimes) the entering traffic had the right of way, due to the “yield to the right” rule. To help with this, modern roundabouts have “Yield” signs posted on each approach (typically on both the left and right sides for extra emphasis) to clarify who has the right of way.
Mystery Photo prizes prized
Last October I was the winner of the Mystery Photo Contest, and claimed my prize package of a Granby Drummer embossed glass mug, a key chain with an LED light and a multi-purpose tote, among other things.
Since then I relocated to Arizona and use the prize winnings all the time. They remind me of Granby and the many years participating in the community, raising a child through a good school system, belonging to an active church and enjoying the wonderful landscape Granby has to offer—bears included.
I feel fortunate to have spent well over 25 years in Granby and met lovely residents along the way. While I have basically moved across the nation, I will always have fond memories of my time in Granby, and have a key chain to remind me.
Thank you, Drummer, for being an integral part of the community culture.
Bonnie Quinlan
Firehouse remembered
An article, “Residents comment on two town-owned properties” in the May issue of the Drummer prompted some memories of the old firehouse. It is also known to some in town as the “old ambulance barn.”
As I understand its history, the Hayes family gave the land to the LAFD back in the days when fire apparatus was actually garaged well up on Lost Acres Road near Horace Clark’s house, Clark being the individual who gave Granby its first fire engine in 1936. It’s the one featured in the annual Memorial Day parades. The building was put up in the 1940s in an attempt to get response a bit closer to the action. Newton Lyons and family lived in the apartment upstairs and kept an eye on things.
In 1963, with the formation of the Granby Ambulance Association, the LAFD folks generously allowed the GAA to garage its first vehicle there, a 1954 low-top Cadillac that, to the uninitiated, looked much like a hearse. In 1965 the Hayeses again came through with land for the current North Granby fire house on North Granby road.
By the late 1960s, the LAFD had mostly moved out. I’m afraid that the GAA would have to plead guilty for the needed door replacement. In 1976, it graduated to a new large ambulance and needed the doors as wide as possible so they were “modified”. The GAA bought land, built a new facility (since expanded), and moved its operation out in 1981.
I’m not sure who has title now but I can attest to the fact that, while modest in size and facilities, it has “come in handy” on occasion. It’s reassuring to know that this building was constructed and occupied by volunteers and was well used by them.
Cal Heminway
Editor’s Note: The building (at 365 North Granby Road) is now owned by the Town of Granby.
Support for Granby farms
As the Chairperson of Granby’s Agricultural Commission, I often speak with people who express support for the agricultural nature of Granby and the many working farms we have in town. Not only do the working farms contribute to our sense of identity in Granby, they also pay taxes and are part of the vast open space that gives Granby its special feel. Residents of Granby have veggies, fruit, cow and goat dairy products and many different kinds meat, all produced right here in town using farming practices that not only produce healthy food but also sustain the environment.
Granby is special in that the community truly wants to support their local farms. But what is the best way to do this? Well, do you know that seven farms in town have farm stores? That’s right—Maple View Farm, The Garlic Farm, Holcomb Farm, Clark Farm at Bushy Hill, Lost Acres Vineyard, Lost Acres Orchard and Sweet Pea Cheese all have farm stores, many are open seasonally seven days a week with hours from early morning to evening. When I hear that it is not convenient to shop at our farms, I wonder if people realize that all these farm stores exist. Yes, you might have to go to two or three farms to get all your shopping done, but you can do so at your convenience. And if you shop strategically you can probably support many local farms with only one or two stops, as many farms carry products from their neighboring farms.
Social media is a great way to give your local farms and neighbors a shout out. Have you “liked” Granby Ag on Facebook? Most of the farms have Facebook pages you can follow too. Go to each page and give a review, like and share their posts and write your own comments about your experiences with that farm.
Another way to support your local farms is to participate in events such as Open Farm Day, Holcomb Farm’s Progressive Dinner, Maple View Farm’s Open Barn programs, Cabot Open Farm Day at House of Hayes at Sweet Pea Farm, just to name a few.
Want to get even more involved? Attend an Ag Commission meeting and volunteer. We would love to have some help on Open Farm Day, or someone to help with the Locally Grown column in the Granby Drummer, or someone to add content to the Granby Ag website.
In closing, let’s all work together to support our local farms businesses so Granby will continue to have such a vibrant farming community.
Michelle Niedermeyer
Gratitude for Granby
Green’s Gazebo

The American Legion extends their congratulations to the Granby Lions Club for its fine donation and installation of a traditional gazebo on our Town’s green. The Granby Lions Club, like the American Legion, consistently strives to improve and to better the quality of life in Granby for all our citizens.
James O. Hall, Adjutant
Shannon-Shattuck Post No. 182