NOVEMBER 3, 2025
Members present: Kevin Hobson, William Kennedy, Margaret Chapple, Heather Lombardo, Mark Neumann, David Peling. Also present: Treasurer John Adams, Superintendent of Schools Cheri Burke, First Selectman Mark Fiorentino, Board of Finance Chair Michael Guarco, Town Manager Mike Walsh.
Board of Education Presentation
Burke and Director of Facilities Christopher DeGray continued the overview of the current conditions at the middle school noting poor conditions, crowding and inadequate equipment in the kitchen, cafeteria, media center/library, classrooms and middle school lockers. Burke stressed that the BOE is struggling to maintain the level of repair needed for the building and now is the time to invest in the school to bring it up to code and to create a current-day learning environment.
Library Expansion
The town is proposing a capital project to expand, update and repair the Granby Public Library. Director of Library Services Amber Wyzik and the Library Board worked with architects and design professionals to explore options and preliminary cost estimates.
Wyzik presented an overview of the current space and condition of the library building, research that has been completed to date and potential plans for a future expansion. The presentation also included two conceptual designs and preliminary budget estimates. The following priorities were identified from the study: expanded children’s department with active play area, quiet areas and program room, dedicated teen room, large multipurpose program space, increased available study/meeting rooms, and increased storage.
Two options are: a $7 million project that would provide a significant improvement but would not meet the state recommended standards and a $10 million project that would meet state recommended standards. After careful consideration, the board of selectmen is recommending a $7 million expansion project for the voters to consider with $4 million from town bonding, $2 million from a capital campaign and $1 million in grants.
Public Comment
The following residents spoke in support of the library expansion project: Ellen Thomson, 250 Salmon Brook Street; Brynna Geiselmann, 11 Woodcliff Drive; Joan Russell, 12 Brookside Drive; Deborah Reelitz, 24 Silkey Road; Laurel Farrer, 212 Loomis Street; Dan Jachyn, 218 Salmon Brook Street.
November 24, 2025
Members present: Kevin Hobson, Margaret Chapple, John Adams, Heather Lombardo, Mark Neumann. David Peling. Also present: Superintendent of Schools Cheri Burke, Board of Finance Chair Michael Guarco, Board of Education Chair Monica Logan, Town Manager Mike Walsh.
Board of Education Presentation
Charles Warrington, Jr. and Scott Pellman from Colliers Engineering and Design provided a presentation on the middle school including an overview of the building, the grant process, the space standard calculation, state reimbursement and renovation status.
The consultants identified the following next steps for the project:
Create an educational specification for the middle school to be approved by the BOE as required for a future grant filing.
Complete a new enrollment study that will be the basis for establishing maximum projected enrollment.
Procure an architectural design team to perform a detailed Facility Condition Assessment along with compiling all required documents to determine renovation status and provide high level concept design on building modifications and additions to meet the educational specifications.
Parks and Recreation Study
Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board Anthony McGovern and Director of Community Services Sandra Yost presented the results of the comprehensive Park Study done by GZA Geoenvironmental.
The master plan addresses input from the public, concerns of stakeholders and the effective use of Town resources, examined both Salmon Brook Park and Ahrens Park, and provides strategies to balance usage across the two facilities. The recommendations are structured as a phased approach, guiding implementation over the course of several years to ensure sustainable and achievable progress. The P & R board prioritized the following projects, they believe would add the most value and address the biggest needs at the parks.
Upgrade the path to Route 20 parking lot from the soccer fields and expand ADA accessibility from the central parking lot to the soccer fields. A portion of this project will be funded by a STEAP grant.
Build four pickleball courts at the southern end of Salmon Brook Park.
Expand the utilities at the park and build a new restroom building between Fields 3 and 5 and the pickleball courts.
If approved, this would be a smaller bond initiative coming out of the special Parks and Recreation Fund and would not be part of the General Fund.
Sewer Pumps
Walsh and Director of Public Works Kirk Severance discussed the three sewer pumps that serve Granby center residential areas and the central business district. The town is asking CPPAC to consider a $1.5 million project to replace two of the pumps, one on Route 189 and one on Route 10, and to add the SCADA system to the newest station in Salmon Brook Park to improve monitoring and control of the system. The majority of the funds will be spent on the Route 10 station as it serves 90–95 percent of the sewer customers. It is important to note that this project is to maintain the current sewer system without expansion.
If approved, this bond initiative would come out of the special sewer fund and would be part of the General Fund.