A large number of residents attended the annual Budget Public Hearing on April 6 in the high school auditorium. After an introduction and explanation of the process by Board of Finance Chair Mike Guarco, First Selectman Mark Fiorentino and then-Board of Education Chair Monica Logan presented the municipal and education budgets, narrating slide presentations. Following the presentations, a number of residents spoke either in favor or against passing the budget at the referendum on April 20. The majority of those speaking were in favor (18) as opposed to those who were not (8).
Fiorentino made some personal remarks during his introduction to the municipal budget. He noted these budgets are a “snapshot in time; just the tip of the iceberg,” in facing challenges such as bringing fire and ambulance equipment up to date; making sure teachers have not just adequate salaries, but the materials they need to do their jobs; and that the town’s most vulnerable are protected.
To do that, Fiorentino said, requires boards and taxpayers to work together. “It cannot be an ‘us versus them’ situation. No matter the outcome of the vote on April 20, whether you voted for or against, are a Democrat or Republican, have conservative or liberal views, have kids in the school system or not, on April 21, Granby people must work together as neighbors to secure the best outcomes for our town.”