Flat budget with slight tax increase for FY17

By Michael B. Guarco,Chair, Board of Finance​Each year as the spring budget process commences, the selectmen convene a meeting of the three Boards—Education, Finance, and Selectmen—for an open discussion on what the next year looks like in each board’s perspective. This helps the boards get a sense of what the operating boards are looking at, and what the fiscal ramifications and limitations are from the BOF perspective.In the aftermath of the Great Recession, the boards […]

Are you eligible to vote in the April 26 primary?

By Laura Wolf & Paul Willis,RegistrarsTo vote in the Democratic or Republican primary in April you must be a member of that party. In the past, many voters came to a primary only to be told that unaffiliated and minor party members can not vote in the primary. Residents who are currently unaffiliated have until noon the day before the primary to enroll. Same day registration does not apply to primaries, it must be done prior to the primary. To be eligible to vote in the presidential primary […]

Connecticut DOT designing roundabout for East Street/Rte. 10/202 intersection

By Shirley MurthaTown Manager Smith and Community Development Director Fran Armentano reported on the status of the proposals having to do with the roadwork at the “Five Points” intersection and the intersection in the center of town. Fifteen years ago, the town proposed a four-way stop at the intersection of East Street, Notch Road, Quarry Road and Rte. 10/202, for which the re-configuration of Notch and Quarry was undertaken by the town. The state eventually rejected that proposal and in turn, […]

​Lost Acres Volunteer Fire Department lists December Responses

By Tim RickisLAFD responded to 22 calls between Dec. 8 and Jan. 11: six smoke detector activations; six carbon monoxide incidents; two dispatch & cancels; two mutual aid fire calls; two hazmat/chemical spills; one furnace fire; one brush fire; one power line down; one odor of propane. LAFD wants you to be aware of carbon monoxide (CO) dangers. CO can come from furnaces, heaters, water heaters, generators, cars and grills. CO is of particular concern during cold weather when doors and wind […]

Focus On Education

​Maintaining our educational investment while realizing savingsBy Alan Addley, Ed. DNow that the holiday season is over, the school budget season is in full swing. The economic challenges faced by the town and school district over the past several years have been significant. While the economy has shown some recent signs of improving, it is still a slow process. As always, the board of education (BOE) has been committed to the wise stewardship of funds and the realization of a high re […]

Board of Ed debates 

Plus-One budget planBy Kim BeckerDr. Alan Addley, Superintendent of Granby schools, presented the annual Plus One Budget to the Board of Education. This document provides a five-year outlook at the priorities the administration wants to implement, sustain or expand, as well as estimates of annual budget increases to support the schools, students and staff.Although all the board members agreed that the budget priorities align with the goals they set for the administration, strong disagreement sur […]

Deadlines to Register for the Presidential Preference 2016 Primary are coming!

To be eligible to vote in the presidential primary on Tuesday, April 26, you must be a registered member of the party you wish to vote for. State law prohibits cross voting in another political party’s primary. You can check your party affiliation 24/7 online at: voterregistration.ct.gov/ The majority of Granby voters are currently unaffiliated. To gain party affiliation, unaffiliated voters can go online to fill out a voter registration card and check the box marked party enrollment chang […]

​Decision point 2015  

By Michael B Guarco Jr.Chair, Board of FinanceThe boards of selectmen, education and finance have forwarded a proposal to town meeting that recognizes the current and long-lasting decline of Granby school enrollment. Board members believe it provides the rationale to close one of the town’s three elementary schools. Doing this will cost some upfront money for building modifications and moving between the schools, but will create projected savings of approximately $1 million dollars in oper […]

Winter Hints

Following these town ordinances, safety rules and suggestions will help ensure a safe winter season. Please check the Public Works page at www.granby-ct.gov for more information.Trash Barrels: During a winter storm, it is imperative that trash and recycling barrels are placed at the end of the driveway – not in the street! Barrels in the street pose a danger for drivers and do not allow safe snow removal operations. Paine’s rarely cancels trash services due to inclement weather so pl […]

District studies achievement gap 

By Kim Becker ​In  response  to  a  Board  of  Education  query  earlier  this  calendar  year,  district  administrators  presented raw  data  relating  to  the  systems  achievement  gap. The  data  focused  on  problem  areas  for  students  with special  needs  and  those  from  the  Open  Choice  progra […]