Town/Govt

2017 Granby revaluation underway

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By Susan Altieri, CCMA, IIAssessorThe Town of Granby is in the process of beginning state mandated revaluation for October 1. State law now requires all municipalities to conduct a revaluation every five years. Revaluation is the equalization of property values by estimating the current market value of all properties in town. Its purpose is to value all property by the same standards at the same point in time.The town has hired Vision Government Solutions to assist the Assessor’s office wi […]

Town/Govt

Town Manager highlights probable cuts in budget

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By Shirley MurthaAt the March 6 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager Bill Smith reiterated his concern that services will need to be cut to adhere to the Board of Finance’s directive for no increases in town operations for the upcoming fiscal year. In addition to a minimum of money expected from the state, the state is asking Granby to provide $1,514,998 to support the teachers retirement fund. This will have a serious impact on the budget. With other state revenue cuts, it would chang […]

Events

Civic Club

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The Civic Club will meet on Thursday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Civic Club member Alicia Unger will tell about her journey with cancer and how the Livestrong Program at the YMCA was a major part of her journey. In Alicia’s words, “A stake in the ground. A line in the sand. Taking back some of what cancer has taken.” This is what the Livestrong Program at the Farmington Valley YMCA is all about. The program is marketed as a free, 12-week fitness program for […]

Fun & Rec

Sign up for Community Gardens

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By Jim GlenneyIt’s time to sign up for a garden plot and enjoy all the benefits of growing your own vegetables and flowers. The gardens are located just north of Ahrens Park on Hungary Road and are divided into an organic section and a conventional one. A pump well provides a water supply. The cost is $5 for a 20 x 20 foot plot. No new 20 x 40 foot plots will be issued this year until all requests for plots have been met. Last year’s gardeners wishing to reserve the same plots need t […]

Fun & Rec

Granby Chamber presents annual awards

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By Tracy CavacutiThe Granby Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet and awards presentation on March 5, 2017, at Brignole Vineyards in East Granby. John French opened up the evening speaking about the previous and upcoming year. He touched on a bigger and better-than-ever Celebrate Granby event for 2017. President and CEO of Windsor Federal Savings George Hermann served as guest speaker. Herman gave an excellent and informative speech covering everything from the current and future lending r […]

Great Outdoors

What are the benefits of eating local?

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By Kate BogliYou know it’s “cool” to eat local—to call yourself a locavore, wear a man-bun and grind your own fair trade coffee. You feel good about yourself because your banana farmer in South America is getting paid a fair wage and you know the names of your local farmer’s kids. But really. What’s in it for you to shop local? I mean, it’s expensive and it’s time consuming, right? Maybe not so much when you consider the whole picture.TRUST. Do you […]

School & Sports

CBG offers grants

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Do you or your organization have a great idea for a project or activity to enrich life in Granby? Citizens for a Better Granby (CBG), publisher of the Granby Drummer, awards grants to support activities that provide the community with enrichment and educational opportunities not funded through the town budget or other funding sources.Grants of $150 to $1,000 support local guest speakers, authors; theatrical and musical productions by students, local groups and out-of-town professionals; the purc […]

The Arts

 Empty Bowls fundraiser is April 28

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By Tim Nolan, High School ReporterImagine Render is a nonprofit organization that strives to “create positive and lasting change through the arts, education and projects that build community.” Its main project is Empty Bowls. Empty Bowls has become an international effort to raise funds and awareness towards the fight against hunger. This spring will be the 27th edition of the event, and its outreach has continued to spread each year. Seven years ago, that outreach extended to Granby […]

Town/Govt

Ethics exploratory committee seeks input

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A group of citizens is seeking input from the community regarding establishing an ethics committee for the town of Granby. It has posted a survey on its website: www.granbytaxpayers.orgAn article in last month’s Drummer asked for participation, but there has been a relatively small response. The majority, 69 percent of respondents, answered “yes.” Comments included, “thank you for this” and “pleased if there were a forum to pose inquiries on legitimate topics […]