Town Hall organizational changes
With an eye toward fiscal austerity, town management continues to examine each position as we work toward an organization that is responsive to resident needs, that delivers services in the most economical manner and is resilient to changes and challenges. Position reductions through attrition in Public Works, Parks and Recreation and now in the Town Manager’s office, resulted in a 6 percent overall town workforce reduction compared to two years ago.
The 2026 spring budget process and future budget processes
The spring of 2026 saw two FY27 budget referendum defeats before the third referendum saw the budget approved by voters. This direct democracy delivers unmistakable messages, and the message succinctly delivered by voters was Board of Education and Town administrative operations must be uniform and transparent so that every dollar approved by the voters for education and service delivery can be easily understood.
To that end, an outside consultant with expertise in consolidating municipal administrative operations was brought on board and is examining the organization for efficiencies and possible budget savings. Overseeing the process is the Intra Board Advisory Committee including elected officials Toby Proctor, Heather Lombardo and Mark Fiorentino.
Five December bond questions for voters to consider
Please visit granby-ct.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=367 for more information on important Granby Capital Projects and December Bond Questions.
In FY26, the Town produced a single 10-year capital plan for the Town and Board of Education. This plan was used by the Capital Plan Priority Advisory Committee (CPPAC) to study the town’s capital needs to make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on capital improvements more than $250,000 where bonding is the funding source.
Using CPPAC’s recommendations, the Board of Selectmen has approved five bond questions including track and baseball/softball field work at the high school, middle school mechanical work that may lead to a future building renovation, sewer pump maintenance and repairs, pickleball courts and a year-round bathroom at Salmon Brook Park, and perhaps even a library expansion.
The BOS approved the five bond questions at its Aug. 3 meeting and referred those questions to the Board of Finance for consideration at its Sept. 28 meeting. Once approved, a town meeting will be held on Dec. 1. On Dec. 8, in another show of direct democracy, voters will have their say on the five questions in a referendum.
If one or more of the bond questions is approved by voters, a Public Building and Capital Project Committee (PBCPC) has been assembled to guide, shepherd and execute the work. The members of the PBCPC include six capable residents with project management, construction and capital project financing experience paired with three elected officials, one each from the boards of selectmen, education and finance to ensure voter dollars are spent wisely.
Emergency radio communications
The voter-approved $4.6 million emergency radio communications upgrade is expected to be online by the end of 2026. Renovations and radio and dispatch equipment upgrades were completed to the dispatch center located at the police department. A new radio tower on Mountain Road is under construction and when completed, will provide improved radio transmission coverage and state-of-the-art radio and transmission equipment for our police, fire, ambulance, public works, and CERT service providers.
Kearns School developing into senior and workforce housing
Negotiations with the preferred developer, 7-Summits, continues with the framework of a Development Terms Sheet in place to allow the developer to explore whether the project qualifies for Federal and State loans and grants to transform this concept into a housing reality. By its nature, all development is slow to unfold and transforming a town building into senior and workforce housing is exceptionally slow moving, but Granby will continue to work toward this much needed development.
Granby Ambulance Association town increased contribution
Because decreasing insurance reimbursements don’t cover the association’s rising cost of operations, a new operating agreement is under review by the town and the association’s board of directors. It will result in a higher town contribution to the association. This higher contribution was embedded into the FY27 budget to stabilize the financial condition of the association. The new agreement, once accepted and approved, will provide regular governance between the town and the association while the association concentrates its endowment and charitable contributions on long-term capital planning.
Building envelopes—explored for efficiency
With the help of the Conservation Commission and Granby resident Jim Szipszky, the town is working with Eversource and the Board of Education to conduct energy-use assessments of our buildings. Once the scope of the work is identified, we’ll work with the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities vendor Titan to issue a Request for Proposal to complete the efficiency work and concurrently secure grants and no-interest loans to offset the cost to the town.
Regional performance and inventive program grants
The Town of Granby is working cooperatively with the Town of East Granby to share (80 percent us/20 percent them) a Human Resources Director. The State of Connecticut encourages these types of “shared services” arrangements and, as a result, the Office of Policy Management is considering a grant to the Town of Granby to further offset the cost of this program.
Volunteers recognized through an Appreciation Gathering
The Town of Granby enjoys frequent and robust support from dozens of volunteers who help with things like election day administration, planning and executing a 250th community birthday celebration and raising money for the library from an annual book sale.
The list of residents who give their time, talents and treasures is long. In July, the Town formally recognized their contributions at the first Volunteer Appreciation Gathering. Nearly 100 people joined the festivities and shared some food, laughter and fellowship in a tribute to the long history of Granby residents giving back to the community they call home.
In closing, things are moving forward here in Granby. Granby is blessed with many elected officials, community volunteers and trusted employees who capably, honorably and professionally serve your interests on a day-to-day basis in a variety of ways.
Editor’s Note: Readers may also like to read a related article, “Town increases support for Granby Ambulance Association,” later in this month’s issue.