Town/Govt

First look at DOT’s plans for the town center

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​by Shirley MurthaIt has taken many years, but there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel regarding the re-configuration of the two main intersections in Granby center. Director of Community Development Fran Armentano noted that this is the result of the ongoing complaints by residents who utilize these roads during the rush hour commutes. Although there are other problems, it is the long lines of traffic during rush hours that are most annoying. During peak times, traffic on Rte. 1 […]

Town/Govt

Dates set for budget hearing and referendum

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Public Hearing is April 11; Referendum is April 25The annual Budget Public Hearing will be held on Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. in the GMHS auditorium.​Granby residents will vote on the Town Budget at the Budget Referendum on Monday, April 25, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Town Hall Meeting Room. Residents must bring a valid form of identification (photo ID preferred) to vote. If you are not registered to vote, but own property in Granby and are otherwise eligible to vote, you may receive a ballot […]

Town/Govt

Town manager presents “below reasonable” budget

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​Board Of Selectmen Report By Shirley MurthaTown Manager William Smith began his presentation of the proposed 2016-2017 budget by explaining the procedures and policies that are undertaken in developing the budget. These include computer modeling, audit reports, studies of debt management, internal controls and risk management, the town’s growth in economic development, and purchasing methods—especially with an eye to regional cost sharing.Smith showed a series of slides i […]

Town/Govt

BOE acquiesces to 1 percent budget cut; Superintendent disappointed

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By Kim BeckerThe Board of Education unanimously voted to cut two new certified teaching positions and the increased computer software assistance to meet the Board of Finance’s demand for a 1 percent decrease in the overall education budget.Superintendent of Granby Public Schools, Dr. Alan Addley, strenuously objected to the cut throughout the budget process. Addley originally gave BOE a budget with a .5 percent increase. He was told by the board to make the budget flat. The BOF then pushed […]

Town/Govt

Town manager feeling the pinch as budget presentation draws near

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by Shirley MurthaTown Manager Bill Smith will present the budget at the BOS meeting on March 7. He reported that it is becoming more and more difficult as the years go by to meet the Board of Finance guideline and still meet the goals and objectives of the Board of Selectmen to maintain the staffing and services that town residents expect. The BOF wants the BOS budget to come in at a 2.5 percent increase, which would result in a two percent increase in the mill rate, but to meet that guideline t […]

Town/Govt

Three-board meeting kicks off annual budget process

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By Shirley MurthaThe 2016-17 Granby budget process began with public reports by the boards of selectmen, education and finance at the annual three-board meeting, held on Jan. 25. After thanking the members and staffs of all the boards for their diligent efforts to try to keep increases at a minimum, First Selectman Scott Kuhnly introduced Ron Walther, chairman of the Board of Education, who presented that board’s preliminary budget.Walther said that after much deliberation, the board had s […]

Town/Govt

Superintendent spars with BOF and BOE on 2017 budget

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By Kim BeckerDeclaring a budget decrease of 1 percent for FY 2017 “disappointing”, superintendent Dr. Alan Addley, expressed concern to the Boards of Finance and Education that “maintaining the status quo is going backward.” He stated he had promised families that the school reconfiguration would not harm services or programs. He now feels that the 1 percent decrease “doesn’t keep the quality of the system.” Addley’s original budget called for a .5 […]

Town/Govt

Preparing the FY17 budget

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By Alan Addley, Ed. D.On March 2, I will present the FY17 Administrative Budget to the Board of Education. The budget is a spending plan that is responsive to the slow-recovering economy; savings realized from the closing of the F.M. Kearns Primary School; board-approved goals; and, the budget guideline (-1 percent) established by the Board of Finance. The FY17 Administrative Budget is in the final stages of development. As of press time, the Administrative Budget is level funded (zero percent) […]

Town/Govt

Fire department presents case for increase in budget

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By Shirley Murtha​Lost Acres Fire Department Chief John Horr, Jr. presented an in-depth explanation of the cost of running the town’s all volunteer fire service. The department is an independent corporation that receives quarterly payments from the Town of Granby. For many years, these payments have kept pace with the department’s expenses but that is no longer the case. In the past 15 years, there has been in increase of 52 percent in costs, while the town’s payments to the department h […]

Town/Govt

CT DOT sets information meetings to discuss major intersection improvements

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) will conduct a public informational meeting concerning the proposed major intersection improvements on Route 10/US 202 (Salmon Brook St.) at Route 20/189 (North Granby Rd./East Granby Rd.) and at Route 189 (Hartford Ave.) on Wednesday March 16, 2016, at 7 p.m. at the Granby Senior Center.The project is identified as Prospective State Project No. 55-TMP1.The purpose of this project is to reduce delays and queue lengths during peak travel periods […]