SPECIAL MEETING: FEBRUARY 17, 2026
Members present: Mark Fiorentino, Margaret Chapple, Mark Neumann, Kimberly Becker, Frederick Moffa. Also present: Director of Community Development Abby Kenyon, Development Commission Chair Martin Schwager.
Kearns School Senior Housing Update
The town has been working with developers Seven Summits and Good Samaritan to design a 120-unit development on the Kearns School property. The proposal is for 80 senior-restricted units with about 25 percent at market rate and 75 percent at income adjusted rent. The remaining 40 units would be workforce housing with roughly the same split. These units would not meet the state standards for affordable housing.
Good Samaritan recently withdrew from the project. Because of the phase the project is at, town negotiators agreed to allow Seven Summits to seek a new partner. The project’s terms sheet has been submitted to the Town attorney to develop a memorandum of understanding to go to the BOS within the next 30 days.
REGULAR MEETING: February 17, 2026
Members present: Mark Fiorentino, Margaret Chapple, Kimberly Becker, Mark Neumann, and Frederick Moffa. Also present: Director of Finance Kimi Cheng.
Sidewalk Grant Application Approval
A grant application of $1.4 million is proposed for two sidewalk projects. The first, on the north side of East Granby Road from 4 East Granby Road to 26 East Granby Road and the DOT crosswalk. The second is proposed for the south side of West Granby Road, from the Salmon Brook Park auxiliary parking lot at 53 West Granby Road running east to the Town Hall Complex.
The board approved the grant application.
Public Session
Peggy Lareau, 17R Reed Hill Road, commented on the importance of continuing detailed meeting minutes to keep residents informed.
Robert Flanigan, 24 Woodcliff Drive, asked about the proposed sidewalk projects.
Jean Donihee-Perron, 25 Archie Lane thanked Kim Becker for her service on the Commission on Aging.
Toni Flanigan, 24 Woodcliff Drive, commented on the proposed sidewalk project.
BUDGET WORKSHOP I: March 5, 2026
Members present: Mark Fiorentino, Margaret Chapple, Kimberly Becker, Frederick Moffa and Mark Neumann. Also present: Director of Finance Kimi Cheng, Board of Finance Chair Michael Guarco, David Demchak and Kent McCord from the BOF, Town Manager Mike Walsh.
Departmental Budget Presentations
Lost Acres Fire Department
Chief Tim Weber presented an overview of the Lost Acres Fire Department including the following highlights for 2025:
The department had a tremendous upswing in volunteer firefighters, and the membership is higher than it has been in over 20 years at 39 members.
LAFD has been actively involved in the Town’s ongoing Radio System project that will significantly improve the communications between the firefighters, dispatch and mutual aid towns.
A UTV acquired as part of the radio project is in service, will be used to access the new tower site and to expand other capabilities in town.
LAFD purchased 26 new Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and a rapid intervention pack. Of the $248,000 cost, 95 percent was covered by a grant from FEMA.
Service calls over the past three–four years have increased from about 220 calls to 280 last year. Contributing factors include the new apartment complexes in town, working out the tweaks in a new alarm system at the elderly housing complex at 247 Salmon Brook Street, and increased calls for mutual aid and regional task force activation.
LAFD logged approximately 10,000 hours of service time including 6,800 man-hours at calls and 3,200 hours for training and other activities.
The town budget allocation is used for annual operating expenses and capital reserves. Due to higher expenses related to the increased call volume, only about 22 percent has been put aside for capital.
The fire department requested an increase of $15,000 in the town allocation to cover increased medical costs and to fully fund the reimbursement program. Future capital needs will include apparatus replacement and station updates and enhancements.
Granby Ambulance Association
Walsh provided an overview of the Granby Ambulance Association current financial situation. In late 2025, the town prepared a report on GAA ongoing operations to support a change in the operating agreement to increase the budget allocation from the Town.
Currently GAA annually operates at a loss due to imbalance between service charges and insurance reimbursements, as well as bad debt. The town is recommending an increase in its contribution to GAA from $20,000 to $80,000 to stabilize operations and preserve endowment funds and contributions for capital replacement. The additional $60,000 would come from the Fox Fund. Further discussion will be required to come to an agreement between the Town of Granby and the Granby Ambulance Association to support long-term financial sustainability.
Farmington Valley Health Department
Stephanie Johnson, Health Director of the Farmington Valley Health District (FVHD), which serves as the municipal health department for the Town of Granby, presented an overview of the organization and the services delivered to the town. The FVHD provides highly skilled, experienced health professionals to prevent disease, promote health and protect against public health threats. The Town supports the FVHD through a municipal per capita charge of $7.73 for a total FY 2026-27 contribution of $90,835.
Community Development
Director of Community Development Abigail Kenyon presented an overview of the Community Development department including Building Inspection, Fire Prevention and Emergency Management.
Year in Review
This year, 1,148 building permits and seven new house permits were issued with a construction value of $21,308,303. Permit fees collected totaled $355,970 and 1,111 inspections were conducted.
CERT held five meetings and was activated for various activities in Town including the Granby Road Race, Holcomb Farm Hoedown and Granby Volunteer Day.
The Fire Marshal issued 37 Burn Permits, conducted 146 fire code inspections and eight fire investigations.
Thirty-two smoke alarms were installed and 15 were inspected as part of the Smoke Alarm Program through the Fire Marshal’s office.
Looking Ahead
Update the Plan of Conservation and Development for adoption in September 2026.
Review zoning regulations and incorporate recommendations from the Granby Center Study.
Review all land use and building permit forms and revise as needed.
Create new handouts for the public based on current building code requirements and zoning regulations and post updates on the Building Department webpage.
Reorganize all files by property address and digitize when possible.
Monitor and provide plan review on anticipated projects including the Kearns School housing development and the Broadleaf Solar project.
Assess the Emergency Operations Center to determine needed upgrades and coordinate training for mass notification system.
Oversee CERT training and increase outreach and recruitment efforts.
Police Department Administration, Operations and Communications
Chief Scott Sansom presented an overview of the Police Department organization and budget, highlighting the following.
Noteworthy 2025 Accomplishments
Created School Resource Officer (SRO) program in the school system and appointed SRO.
Awarded State Accreditation Tiers 1-3.
Reviewed and updated critical policies.
Held 3rd annual First Responder Camp.
Completed capital improvement projects including the installation of a new evidence and property organization system, security cameras, animal shelter improvements and general office improvements.
Renovated the Dispatch Center and installed a temporary dispatch center during the project.
Procured and trained with new pistols with red dot sights and security holsters.
Continued community outreach programs.
FY27 Goals and Objectives
Complete the State accreditation Tier 1 compliance audit.
Stay current with laws, mandates and policies through professional development.
Implement investigative software tools.
Build department Wellness Program.
Train with new less-lethal Taser 10’s.
Promote roadway safety through education and enforcement.
Complete radio system project.
FY27 Budget Changes
Contractual increases for administrative and operational Uniform Allowance as well as Uniform Cleaning.
Increase to Phone and Data Service to install FirstNet line in cruiser.
CAD/RMS System Maintenance to purchase AXON complete bundle of services and annual licenses.
Requesting one additional officer to increase coverage on day and evenings shifts.
Increase to regional teams’ dues to North Central Emergency Services consortium for services such as SWAT, Accident Reconstruction, Drone and Negotiators Team.
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