Town/Govt

Amendments made to LAFD tax abatement program

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by Shirley MurthaThe Lost Acres Fire Department recently was granted an update to the rules that enable firefighters to attain tax abatement, a program that has been in effect in Granby since 2008. Chief John Horr presented the reasons for requesting the amendments to the Board of Selectmen, who consequently approved the proposal.A town ordinance allows firefighters with 20 or more years of service to retire and receive the tax abatement as long as they own property in the town and meet all the […]

Town/Govt

BOE kicks off school year with blow to budget

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By Kim BeckerThe Granby Board of Education faces a $115,000 reduction in Open Choice funding from the state as its budget woes continue to trickle down to the local level. Once thought an untouchable funding source, the administration received word in mid-September that state cuts would immediately impact funds earmarked for students from Hartford. This funding is put into Granby’s Quality and Diversity budget, which funds initiatives such as full-day kindergarten and summer school. The bo […]

Town/Govt

Update on the plans for the Holcomb Farm arboretum

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By Eric LukingbealAs was noted in the most recent issue of the Drummer, the notion of an arboretum at Holcomb Farm is now under study. This is not a new idea. Rather it was the idea of Tudor and Laura Holcomb as expressed in the terms of the deed by which they gave their farmland to the University of Connecticut. They stated that an arboretum would be among the uses that they approved. Now, the town owns the land without restrictions.The idea of an arboretum captured the interest of several resi […]

Town/Govt

Residents recognized for service to the town

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by Shirley MurthaPrior to the Board of Selectmen meeting on June 6, several Granby residents were recognized for outstanding service to the town. First up were the Community Service Awards, which are based on nominations by residents and selected by a committee of representatives from the Drummer, GCTV and Selectman Mark Neumann.This year, there were two outstanding individuals who received the award. Cheryl Wickham was recognized for her contributions as a hospice volunteer for the Farmington V […]

Town/Govt

Plan of Development latest draft presented to residents

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By Shirley MurthaUnder the co-chairmanship of Paula Johnson and Eric Lukingbeal, the Plan of Conservation and Development Subcommittee presented its first draft of the 2015 plan to Granby residents on April 21. First developed in 1993 and updated in 2005, the plan is designed “to provide guidance and information to all of the town’s boards, commissions, public officials and residents.” It contains policies, goals and standards for physical and economic development and recommend […]

Town/Govt

BOE, town watch state budget woes closely

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By Kim BeckerThe Hartford Courant reported that the state legislature and the governor have reached agreement over the state’s budget and response to a nearly $1 billion fiscal shortfall. This is necessitating across-the-board cuts, and as many as 2,500 state workers will likely lose their jobs. Of greatest immediate concern to towns and cities across the state are proposed cuts to municipal grants, education cost-sharing grants, and assistance with transportation and special education cos […]

Town/Govt

​Town to continue recycling and waste reduction efforts

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By Shirley MurthaTo continue encouraging residents to recycle and reduce landfill waste, the Board of Selectmen approved the Town Manager’s request to appropriate $18,722 from the Solid Waste Fund to be used in four major areas.1. Hazardous Waste Collection: Granby manages this initiative independently. It was previously managed in collaboration with the Metropolitan District Commission and the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority.2. Compost Bins: Encourages residents to reduce the town’ […]

Town/Govt

DOT presents plan for Five Corners roundabout

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By Shirley MurthaPrincipal engineer for the design unit of the state Department of Transportation, William Britnell, presented an informative view of the DOT’s plan for alleviating the accident situation at the intersection of Rtes. 10/202, East Street and Notch Road. A large turnout of interested residents packed the Senior Center on March 25 to learn about this project.As with the previous DOT presentation on plans to re-design the center intersections, this meeting was held to inform an […]

Town/Govt

Registering to vote

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​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 on Tuesday, April 26, you must be a U.S. Citizen, registered to vote and affiliated as a Democrat or Republican by noon on Monday, April 25. Voters are encouraged to check their party affiliation online at www.sots.state.gov The site is available 24/7. In Connecticut citizens currently 17 years old but who will turn 18 by Nov. 8, can participate in th […]

Town/Govt

Presidential Preference Primary is Tuesday, April 26

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Voting in Granby for the Presidential Preference Primary will take place Tuesday, April 26,  from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Community Gym at Granby Memorial High School.On primary day, the high school and middle school will be in normal session. Students will not use the high school parking lot to ensure ample parking for voters. Voters and parents will use the North Granby Road entrance to the high school, so please try to avoid the opening and closing of school—7 to 8 am and 2:15 to 3 […]