I hope that you’re finding this monthly column informative. It’s meant to highlight the good work that is being accomplished by our municipal employees and volunteers. It also lets folks know about important issues and activities in town. Great things are happening every day, and I hope to share some of them each month.
IBAC is back
The Board of Selectmen recently re-established the Intra-Board Advisory Committee (IBAC). In the past, IBAC was charged with researching matters of common interest and promoting efficiencies by having the BOS and BOE work together.
This newly-charged committee has a broader assignment. IBAC will examine topics of importance to Granby, as determined by the First Selectman. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, (federal stimulus monies) received by the Town of Granby is the first topic it will examine.
The ARPA was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021. It guaranteed direct relief to cities, towns, and villages in the United States (Sec. 9901: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds).
According to the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, Granby is entitled to $3,405,503.39. Funds will come to Granby in two payments from the state. The first payment of $1,702,751.69 was received on June 22, 2021, and the balance will be received in June 2022. Funds must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024 and expended by Dec. 31, 2026.
Over the next several months, IBAC will work to establish a priority list of projects for the ARPA funding. This is an exciting task as it is not every day such grant funding is received by the town, and there are more ideas for projects than available funding. It’s a good problem to have. We will be updating the public as we move forward in the process.
Strategic Goal Planning
The Board of Selectmen is developing a set of strategic goals for the community. Why establish strategic goals? Simply put, to identify strategic issues and agree on plans to address them. This will enhance organizational achievement for Granby. As Town Manager, it will help guide my actions and recommendations. My staff and I will have a road map for getting Granby to where we want to be in the future. Having a clear direction and sense of vision for Granby, with well-defined and desired outcomes will assist in our annual budget process. It will allow us to focus monetary and other resources around strategic goals.
We will develop a strategic plan and goals utilizing input from various sources, including staff, elected boards and commissions, and individual citizens. The plan will be used to coordinate the efforts of the boards and commissions, and to guide key decisions by the Board of Selectmen, including allocation of town resources. Proposed goals will be vetted in a series of public workshops held by the BOS where the public will be encouraged to participate and provide input. We will be publishing more information about the draft goals and public workshops in the coming months. I hope that many of you will participate in this important process.
Current news and information can always be found on the Granby web page, granby-ct.gov and you can also find us on Facebook, Town of Granby CT.