Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/2018/05/)
Town Manager John Ward received a letter on April 3 from resident Tom Vaughan withdrawing his proposal for an organic dairy farm to be developed at 107 East Street. He cited a lack of action from the Board of Selectmen and the fact that his family was being exposed to unpleasant comments and actions from town residents, both in person and on social media.
Walking out the door of the Building Department office in the town hall on April 13 was bittersweet for retiring Community Development Director Fran Armentano and all the staff who have interacted with him for the past 32 years. Right-hand man to the town manager, procurer of grants, integral advisor to the Planning and Zoning and Development Commissions and always willing and able to step in wherever help was needed, his absence will be greatly felt by many.
The 2018 Granby Road Race, presented by Murphy, Laudati, Kiel and Rattigan, LLC Attorneys at Law, celebrates its 47th year on Saturday, May 5, at 8:30 a.m. at Granby Memorial Middle School. Eight years ago, the Granby Road Race merged with the Farmington Valley YMCA as the organization’s premier fundraising event in memory of David Schupp, Jr.
The Granby Road Race offers both 5K and 10K races that are run on a combination of road and trails.
Granby Land Trust volunteers have been hard at work readying the GLT’s new Seth and Lucy Holcombe Preserve for its official opening to the public on Connecticut Trails Day (June 3). The 154-acre property was bequeathed to the GLT by Seth and Lucy Holcombe, two loyal and generous friends of the Land Trust who shared a love of nature, a passion for outdoor recreation and a commitment to land preservation.
The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services has announced the 2018 Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program that provides tax credits to businesses that make cash investments in qualifying community non-profit programs. Projects approved in the past have come from public service departments such as police, fire, ambulance, health service agencies, land trusts and more. Requests have included energy saving measures such as new windows, boiler replacement and fuel-efficient vehicles; programs for youth, parents and seniors.
A Granby resident is needed to fill a vacancy on the Park and Recreation Board. If you are interested in serving your town on this board, call the Democratic Town Committee Chairman Jim Lofink, 860-810-0274; Republican Town Committee Chairman Mark Neumann, 860-653-9668; or Town Manager John Ward, 860-844-5300.
I am angry and extremely disappointed with the actions of both the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen regarding the property at 107 East Street. Please note that this anger is not directed at either the Vaughan or the Hayes families, who have both been subject to false accusations and animosity.
There is only one way to move forward with respect to the broken RFP process regarding 107 East Street. The Board of Selectmen must invite Westmeadow Farm back to the RFP process and confirm that from this point on, the procedure will be governed by fairness. At that point, Westmeadow’s proposal should go to a Town vote.
As an “experienced” voter in Granby, I have consistently noted the lack of candidates for state office on our ballots. Amanda Webster plans to change that in November.
