As required by the Granby Town Charter, the annual Three Board Meeting was held on January 21. This meeting brings together the boards of Education, Finance and Selectmen to present their initial components of the town’s Plus-1 budget.
Education and Selectmen explain what they feel is necessary to deliver the best education and the best town operation. The board of finance explains what the town’s financial situation is and how the proposed expenditures of the BOS and BOE fit into that parameter.
In his opening remarks, First Selectman Mark Fiorentino announced that the town proposes to hire a new police officer, separate and distinct from the school resource officer that the board of education recommends hiring. This decision was driven partly by population growth, and also for the safety of the current officers, who are “wearing out” covering more shifts than optimum. Chief Scott Sansom occasionally responds to daily calls when both officers on a shift are already occupied. Fiorentino praised the chief for fostering positivity and awareness of the department’s increased public activities.
For the BOS, Town Manager Mike Walsh prefaced the budget numbers with his assessment of the town’s current financial status. He noted that the fund balance indicates the town has saved adequately for a rainy day despite having a relatively small grand list and minimal help from the State. The town makes its annual actuarial required contribution, has a very conservative earnings rate set for its trust funds, and comparatively low bonded debt.
In presenting the town operations proposed budget, Walsh noted a few things to which residents can relate. For example, Granby Ambulance, in particular, suffers higher costs post-covid along with reduced insurance reimbursements. A new ambulance is needed approximately every four years. A dwindling endowment requires that the town address these issues soon. The sale of Paine’s to USA Waste and Recycling has not resulted in any changes in trash and recycling pick-ups, but the cost to the town has increased since refuse is now shipped to Ohio or Kentucky.
Walsh finished his presentation with the description of some improvements in the budget process. The town now uses ClearGov software and will display a personnel services report of employees’ salaries by position in the published budget book that will be more easily understood and transparent. A detailed budget workbook for the BOS and BOF members will include a narrative of statutory responsibilities, goals and objectives by department and a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the activities of each department.
The proposed budget and associated documents can be viewed on the town’s website after March 3.