There is so much important and helpful information in The Granby Drummer. As your new Town Manager, I will be writing a monthly article for the Drummer that I hope you find informative. It is meant to highlight the good work of our municipal employees and volunteers. Great things are happening, and I hope to keep you up to date each month.
Granby Center Project
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has cleared trees in Granby Center in preparation for the intersection work. Over the winter, it is expected the utility companies will work on shifting the utility poles. Roadwork is scheduled to start in the spring when the weather improves, and the asphalt plants reopen. The town will be working closely with DOT during the project and will communicate project updates as they become available. Project plans, including a landscaping plan, are posted on the Community Development Department webpage under ‘News and Announcements’ for those interested in viewing them.
Affordable Housing Plan Committee update
The Affordable Housing Plan Committee continues work on the creation of an Affordable Housing Plan for Granby.Recently, the committee was fortunate to have a presentation by a housing developer, Reggie Kronstadt, who provided insights into the development process. The committee also heard from Don Poland, PhD, with Goman+York, on the economics and financial feasibility of affordable housing. These presentations will help inform the committee’s recommendations and strategies to increase affordable housing in Granby. Agendas for upcoming meetings are posted on the town’s website. granby-ct.gov/affordable-housing-plan-committee
Police department staffing update
There have been some staffing changes in the police department; congratulations to those who have retired or have been promoted. If you see one of our new officers, please give them a warm Granby welcome!
Captain William Tyler, a 40-year police veteran, is leaving the department this month. Tyler spent the last decade as the Captain of the Granby Police Department.
Detective Christina DelTatto left the Granby Police Department after eight years of service. DelTatto, a 30-year police veteran, served in Avon prior to her time as a Granby officer.
Promotions
Sergeant Kurt LaFlamme has been selected to be the Granby Police Captain. LaFlamme’s promotion was effective Jan. 21. LaFlamme has been a supervisor for 16 of his 20 years of service with the GPD. He leads the North Central Regional Crisis Negotiation Team. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy–254th Session and the FBI Law Enforcement Command Development Leadership Institute.
New Officers
Nichole Abalan started her career as a Granby Police Officer on Jan. 10. Abalan was a three-year veteran of the Torrington Police Department before coming to Granby.
Addison Kupchik started his career with the Granby Police Department in October 2021. Kupchik was a Waterbury Police Officer for four years before joining the GPD.
Library newsflash
To better serve patrons, the main branch of the Granby Public Library will be open on Sunday afternoons through March 31. This decision, made in collaboration with the Library Board, will allow citizens to use the library in-person seven days a week in addition to the “always available” services provided through the library website.
The Friends of F.H. Cossitt Library have been awarded a $28,000 grant to begin the historic restoration of the Cossitt branch. This grant, which will support the first phase of the exterior repairs of the building, will be managed by the Cossitt Project Committee made up of Friends members, the Library Board Chair, and town staff.
Upcoming new virtual programs—Plan B book club, a Writers group, a Health and Wellness program, a Garden Planning Session, and more! Check out these great new programs on the Library page at granby-ct.gov/granby-public-library-system
Discover Granby!
We invite residents to Discover Granby. Look for the town’s new Program Guide to all things Granby on your doorstep as an insert in the February Drummer. The Program Guide features activities and events from the Granby Senior Center, Youth Services, Social Services, Library and Parks and Recreation.
Do you hunt or fish?
The magazine-style guides for hunting and fishing that were published in previous years are being replaced with limited copies of text-only guides with no color images or advertisements. Outdoor users are encouraged to find the guides on the DEEP website as e-books or downloadable PDFs. For those that do not use computers or mobile devices to obtain information, a limited supply of guides will be available at the Town Clerk’s office and other license vendor locations.
Current news and information can always be found on the Granby web page: granby-ct.gov
You can also find us on Facebook: Town of Granby CT