March 17, 2025
Members present: Mark Fiorentino, Mark Neumann, Margaret Chapple, Frederick Moffa, Kelly Rome and Student Liaison Zainab Zafar. Also present: Town Manager Mike Walsh and Board of Finance Chair Mike Guarco.
Barn Door Hills Road—Farming/Herbicide Application Update
Several neighbors along Barn Door Hills expressed concern about the farmer’s operations in the town-owned field during the last growing season. Their concerns were related to trash in the area and proper application and signage related to fertilizers being applied to the fields. Walsh worked closely with the residents and the farmer to solve the immediate concerns and identify longer term considerations. The farmer has committed to 1) cease using the herbicide Command, 2) post notices around the perimeter of the crop area whenever herbicide is applied, 3) provide a complete copy of application records for everything applied during the season, 4) provide and maintain bathroom facilities at the site, 5) provide an eye and hand wash station, 6) install trash receptacles.
The town is also going to install a sign indicating where the town-owned farming land ends to discourage farm workers from entering adjacent private property. Longer term, a member of the Granby Conservation Commission has requested the town include more substantive provisions in the leases regarding these issues especially around the application of chemicals. Since such changes may have potential impacts on all agricultural land in town, Fiorentino has asked the conservation commission to work with the agricultural commission to draft language for the BOS to consider.
83 Salmon Brook Street Lease
The town has been negotiating the sale or lease of the property at 83 Salmon Brook Street (formerly Freshie’s Café) since last fall. The interested party provided the town with three written proposals including various options to lease or buy the property. After careful consideration of all proposals, an offer to sell the building was made by the town in early March. The town has not heard back from the interested party at this date and considers the deal rejected.
April 21, 2025
Members present: Mark Fiorentino, Mark Neumann, Margaret Chapple, Frederick Moffa, Kelly Rome and Student Liaison Ben Lavigne. Absent: Student Liaison Zainab Zafar.
Also present: Town Manager Mike Walsh and Director of Finance Kimi Cheng.
Granby Public Library
The Granby Library Association and the Friends of the Granby Public Libraries agreed to provide $5,722.50 for a summer internship at the Granby Public Library. The BOS approved and forwarded to the Board of Finance.
The library was awarded a $7,344.28 PEGPETIA grant to purchase two interactive displays for the Fox meeting room and the children’s program room. The BOS approved and forwarded to the Board of Finance.
Ramp at SBP
The board accepted a $15,000 donation from Valley Brook Community Church to add a handicapped accessible ramp to the bandshell stage at Salmon Brook Park.
Waste Contract
The board approved the contract extension with Paine’s/USA Waste and Recycling for the next eight years with a 1.5 percent increase beginning on July 1.
Public Session
Stephanie Harper, 48 Barn Door Hills Road, Lee Shaw, One Barn Door Hills Road, and Danielle Johnston, 42 Barn Door Hills Road expressed continued concerns with the farming operation in the area and had several questions for the board about the issue.
Maureen Eberly, Silkey Road, commented on several topics including the library expansion, large vehicles using the Route 20 parking lot, changes to state funding and the tax implications on residents and the status of the town-owned property on East Street.