Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/14/)
In my column for the October issue of the Drummer, I explained how Granby practices direct democracy. This means you, the voters through the ballot box, choose your elected officials, approve the town’s annual budget, and periodically are asked to go to the polls to approve spending and funding for large capital projects. The process where voters approve spending and funding for large capital projects is called “bonding.”
The 2026-27 budget, which starts on July 1, PASSED by a vote of 1,425 to 1,026. The 2,531 voters who participated in the machine vote on May 18 were 30.4 percent of registered Granby citizens.
Many thanks to all who volunteered their time and talents to hold three 12-hour referendum sessions for the Town of Granby!
Like many towns across Connecticut, Granby held three budget referendum votes before passing it on the third try: 1,425 approving and 1,026 rejecting—58 percent to 42 percent. The first budget vote was rejected with nearly the reverse percentages, while the second referendum had a closer tally but still a No.
Senior pitcher Amanda Bristol added another remarkable achievement to her high school softball career on May 11, recording her 700th strikeout in a dominant performance against Rockville High School.
Granby Grange No. 5 held its Fourth Annual Duck Race on May 2, and organizers are calling the event another tremendous success for both the community and the preservation of the Grange’s historic hall.
On May 18, Amanda Bristol pitched a complete game for Granby Memorial versus the Ellington Knights. In the impressive outing, Amanda added eight strikeouts, yielding only two earned runs (and two unearned) in the 4-2 loss. Amanda has logged 149 strikeouts this season, which ranks 17th among high school pitchers in Connecticut in 2026.
Before summer gets into full swing, it is a great time to visit with our friends and family by going out for ice cream, taking a walk on the rail trail or meeting up at the park.
Highlights from the meeting held on April 16th, 2026
The Town Clerk’s Office reminds veterans of an important upcoming deadline. If you have not yet filed your DD-214 Military Discharge Form, please stop by the Town Clerk’s Office before Sept. 30. Filing ensures veterans can receive the Veteran’s Exemption discount on the assessed value of real or personal property for the Town of Granby’s October 1 Grand List.
At the April 20 Board of Selectmen meeting, First Selectman Mark Fiorentino presented Granby’s long-time and much beloved UPS driver, Ray Haack, with a plaque honoring his 24 years of service to the people of Granby.
The speaker at the April 1 Granby Women’s Breakfast was Reverend Jane Willan, mystery writer and pastor. She discussed her mystery novel Widow’s Walk, which blends her love of storytelling and faith into a story that is filled with warmth and suspense.
There are lots of flowering trees on the Holcomb Tree Trail that will be blooming in May, including this red horse chestnut located near the pond.
Bees of all kinds feasted on cherry blossoms April 15 during a spring heat wave that was followed a few days later with a frost.
A large number of residents attended the annual Budget Public Hearing on April 6 in the high school auditorium. After an introduction and explanation of the process by Board of Finance Chair Mike Guarco, First Selectman Mark Fiorentino and then-Board of Education Chair Monica Logan presented the municipal and education budgets, narrating slide presentations.
On occasion I hear back and forth banter about who “owns” the money from this or that revenue stream received by the town. The simple answer in most cases is—whether generated on the municipal side or education—it flows into the General Fund of the Town of Granby.
If it’s April, then the FY27 budget vote is right around the corner. That vote will occur on Monday, April 20, and you can vote in town hall between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are also available from the town clerk.
To everyone in Granby, especially those I have had the pleasure to deliver to, it is with bittersweet emotions that I am announcing my retirement from UPS. I started driving for the company in 1988 and have been delivering in Granby for the past 24 years.
Spring will once again bring scores of sneakers hitting the pavement and cheers echoing down Salmon Brook Street as runners from near and far gather for the 2026 Granby Road Race on Saturday, May 2. The event, one of Connecticut’s oldest and most treasured road races, has become a cherished Granby tradition that celebrates fitness, fellowship and community pride.
The Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series will host a concert in memory of Brazilian Pianist Luiz de Moura Castro on Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m., at the South Campus of Granby Congregational Church, 242 Salmon Brook St. The concert marks the first anniversary of his death.
Enjoying the longer daylight hours and spending time outdoors is easy to do in Granby. Read on for information about activities in and around town.
Highlights from the Special Meeting and Regular Meetings held on February 17th, and the Budget Workshop held on March 5th, 2026
As a 20+ year resident of Granby, I urge you all to read this article before you rubber stamp the School Budget in the April vote.
Granby’s America250 Committee is seeking donations to support the activities surrounding the Granby America250 Celebration in 2026.
In March’s article about the Drummer Puzzle Slam, Squadron Capital LLC was incorrectly identified as Squadron Line Capital. We apologize for the error.
Check Town of Granby website or call Town Manager’s office to verify date, time, location, and get information on how to participate on Zoom, if needed.
We currently need: Dinty Moore beef stew; Assorted crackers: Ritz, Saltines, Town House; Coffee/tea; Cooking oil; Ketchup/mustard/mayo; Toilet paper, facial tissues; Dishwashing soap
I want to give a shout out to the GMHS cast and crew for their fabulous production of The Little Mermaid. They packed the GMHS auditorium on March 12, 13, 14 and 15. What talent we have in Granby! This musical highlighted our talented singers, dancers and set crew students and volunteers. As Director Erin Bakken stated, “This production has truly been a labor of love.”
Inserted in this month’s Drummer you will find the Friends of Granby Public Library’s membership form for this year’s fund drive. We are reaching out to those who would like to be a new member and those renewing their current membership.
In neighborhoods, sticks once lifeless and devoid of leaves and buried in deep snow,
now overflow with the rich yellow of the forsythia.
Upcoming Events; April Vacation Camps; Summer Camp Registration; Summer Jobs Available; Summer camps, clinics and more