Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/author/shirley-murtha/page/19/)
Susan Regan presented a three-pronged appeal to the Board of Selectmen during the Public Session of its July 16 meeting. Each of the requests has been made at prior times, but no satisfactory replies or actions have been rendered.
As far as Director of Human Services Sandra Yost is aware, this is the first year Granby has participated in the program designed by The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) to provide tax credits to businesses that make investments in qualifying community nonprofit programs by furnishing financial assistance, labor, materials or technical advice to aid in the physical improvement or rehabilitation of any part of the community. A minimum of $250 is required; the maximum donation is $250,000.
Scores of Granby residents and town hall staff gathered at Holcomb Farm’s North Barn to help former Community Development Director Fran Armentano celebrate his retirement.
David Deskis was recently appointed Granby’s new Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Director.
Police, fire, ambulance—these are the resources we think of as first responders in the case of an accident, fire or other emergency.
At the May 10 Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager John Ward recapped the history of the Requests for Proposals on 107 East Street, noting that the information gathering stages were complete. At this time, the board could accept the Hayes proposal, in which case a series of steps pursuant to the Granby town charter and to state law would follow, or it could reject the proposal, or take no action.
Town Manager John Ward received a letter on April 3 from resident Tom Vaughan withdrawing his proposal for an organic dairy farm to be developed at 107 East Street. He cited a lack of action from the Board of Selectmen and the fact that his family was being exposed to unpleasant comments and actions from town residents, both in person and on social media.
Walking out the door of the Building Department office in the town hall on April 13 was bittersweet for retiring Community Development Director Fran Armentano and all the staff who have interacted with him for the past 32 years. Right-hand man to the town manager, procurer of grants, integral advisor to the Planning and Zoning and Development Commissions and always willing and able to step in wherever help was needed, his absence will be greatly felt by many.
Between 75 and 80 residents attended the Public Hearing on the 2018-2019 budget held at the Granby Memorial High School auditorium on April 9. The $45,254,588 budget represents a 2.78 percent increase in expenditures over the current budget, leading to a 1.98 percent increase in the mill rate.
At the March 5 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager John Ward gave an update on the status of the action regarding the use of the former Evonsion property. As reported in the last issue of the Drummer, three RFPs (Request for Proposal) had been submitted within the due date of January 31.