Town/Govt

Vineyard special permit approved

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By Elaine Jones The application for a special permit to modify the existing permit for Lost Acres Vineyard was approved by a unanimous vote at the May 4 Planning and Zoning Commission regular meeting. Compromises were reached as Commission members debated the requests of Vineyard owners Michelle Niedermeyer and Kevin Riggott and the concerns of adjacent property owners Carol Day and John Jenkins. The most contentious concerns expressed at previous P&Z meetings included hours of operation, […]

Town/Govt

Racial profiling data determined to be flawed

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By Shirley Murtha At its April 20 meeting, the Board of Selectmen was asked by two residents (Gerald Ledger and Mark Migliaccio) to look into the Central Connecticut State University study indicating that Granby engaged in racial profiling in conducting traffic stops. Town Manager Bill Smith subsequently met with members of the university department who collected and evaluated the data, collected from October 2013 through October 2014. The discussion made it clear that some errors in compiling […]

Town/Govt

School District Faces Shortfall

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By Kim Becker Due to rising special needs costs, the district will need the town to forgive an estimated $129,000 for the current fiscal year. According to the statement of accounts presented to the Board of Education in March, the general fund forecast changed by $52,000 because of a revised special education cost forecast and a freeze in spending in substitutes, purchased services, conferences, supplies, books, and library books. The district also had several unanticipated expenses including […]

Town/Govt

P & Z – Vineyard Hearing

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Decision pending after second vineyard hearing  By Elaine Jones On April 14, the Planning and Zoning Commission continued the public hearing that began March 25, for the application by Michelle Niedermeyer and Kevin Riggott, owners of the Lost Acres Vineyard to modify and expand the existing Special Permit, issued by the P&Z on Dec. 9, 2008, for a farm store and the sale of wine under a farm-winery liquor permit. After listening to the comments of all residents in attendance, P& […]

Town/Govt

Republican of the year

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Paula Johnson named Republican of the year By Mark Neumann and Diane Hernsdorf Paula Johnson was recognized as Granby’s Republican of the Year at the 7th Senatorial District Lincoln Day Dinner on March 20. In her years of volunteer service to the citizens of Granby, Johnson has mentored 4-H Pony Club, been a director for the Community Fund, a member of the Commission on Aging, served as municipal Agent for the Elderly over a 10-year period, set up programs at the Senior Center, found r […]

Town/Govt

Registrar’s Office was busy place

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April was a busy month in the Registrars’ office preparing for the Town Budget Referendum, completing a High School Voter Registration Session, attending the Association’s spring conference, and finishing the Annual Canvass. Every year, registrars in each of Connecticut’s 169 municipalities are required by state statute to conduct a voter registration session in each of their public high schools. Granby registrars held their session on April 21 at GMHS. This is a wonderful opp […]

Town/Govt

Public Works

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Mattress Recycling ProgramEffective May 1, Granby will be part of the Connecticut Mattress Recycling Program. Recycling will be a seamless transition for residents of Granby. Mattresses and box springs will continue to be accepted at the Granby Transfer Station during hours of operation, be sent off for recycling just as they have been since July of 2012. The biggest change is that mattresses and box springs will be accepted free-of-charge. The state law now requires that a recycling fee be char […]

Town/Govt

Selectmen’s budget accepted by BOF

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Selectmen’s operating budget accepted by BOFby Shirley Murtha The Board of Finance accepted the $15.195 million municipal budget presented by the Board of Selectmen at the April 6 meeting. The budget was then officially adopted by the selectmen and presented to the April 13 public hearing. A total of $96,700 in reductions had been made to keep the increase at 2.5 percent. Funds were cut in administration, personal and property protection, library, recreation and social services, however public […]

Town/Govt

BOF sends budget to referendum

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By Shirley Murtha Approximately 60 residents attended the April 13 public hearing where the boards of selectmen and education presented their 2015–2016 budgets for questions and comments. Board of Finance Chairman Mike Guarco opened the meeting with an overview of the town charter that spells out the hearing and the subsequent voting procedure. First Selectman Scott Kuhnly and Board of Education Chairman Ron Walther presented details of their respective budgets. The BOS Municipal Services […]

Town/Govt

Town Board Volunteers

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The Town of Granby looks for volunteers to serve on town boards, commissions and committees to work with our full time staff who work on our behalf. There are more than 225 volunteers who currently serve the Town on 30 boards/commissions/committees.  Since the responsibility of filling the positions on boards and commissions is usually the job of the Democrat and Republican Town Committees, there was a joint venture to reach out to people at the Volunteer Fair on April 15. We had fact sheet […]