Recent Stories

Recognition for Granby Police Department

For this Drummer segment, let’s talk about the Granby Police Department (GPD). In October 2023, Police Chief Scott Sansom was hired to lead the GPD. Before his arrival and especially today, the GPD is well run, and while calls for service are up, crime year-over-year is down.

Center Master Plan Workshop held on May 15

Over the past several months, the Granby Center Advisory Committee has been working with the consultant firm BFJ Planning to create a master plan for the Granby Center area. The goal of this study is to create a framework that supports a connected, healthy, vibrant and resilient center for businesses, residents and visitors that aligns with Granby’s Plan of Conservation and Development.

Grange garden getting ready for growing season

Granby Grange #5 has begun preparing its large community garden as part of its ongoing commitment to service and community engagement in this, its 150th anniversary year. With the help of dedicated volunteers, including Cliff Burrell and Mark Bishop, the soil was recently tilled and made ready for planting.

Town awarded excellence in financial reporting for 19th consecutive year

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Town of Granby for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. This is the 19th consecutive year that Granby has been so recognized by the GFOA.

Taking care of what we have

Like any household or business, the Town of Granby has its share of physical assets to protect and maintain. Whether it’s buildings at the Town Hall complex, plow trucks, schools or Salmon Brook Park, there are millions of dollars’ worth of physical plant, rolling stock and infrastructure that we as a town have the responsibility and obligation to manage and maintain.

Town Hall Happenings

It is the season to recognize the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in our Armed Forces.

Summer Safety Tips

According to the National Fire Protection Association the peak months for grill fires are June and July with 20 percent of these fires due to grills not being cleaned. Grill fires involve an average of 9,000 home fires per year resulting in an average of 22,000 patients treated in emergency rooms.

Drummer readers deserve a bonus!

We couldn’t do it without you! The Drummer thrives on the voices, images and happenings of our community, and this month we reaped a bountiful harvest!

Meet me at the Center — April 2025

Please visit granby-ct.gov/senior-services or check your Center Life Newsletter for a complete listing of health services, support groups, clubs and ongoing activities.

Kathleen Scranton fashions vintage books into one-of-a-kind purses

Kathleen Scranton, an artist from Coventry, fashions vintage hard-cover books into distinctive purses. As guest speaker at the Granby Woman’s Breakfast meeting in March, Scranton described the process she follows during the 10 to 15 hours required to bring about her unique form of magic: transforming old books into purses, purses that many would also consider pieces of fine art.

Finance sets guidelines to constrain mill rate growth

The Board of Finance set operating budget guidelines of 3.25 percent for the Board of Education and 2.4 percent for the Board of Selectmen at its Feb. 10 meeting, with the goal of keeping the mill rate change for FY26 in the 3 percent range.

Town Hall Happenings —March 2025

Although spring will soon be here there are many winter updates and spring announcements from various departments at Granby Town Hall.

Correction

In an article on the development proposals for Kearns School in the February Drummer, Town Manager Walsh is hopeful that a contract signing will be completed by summer’s end, not the end of June as stated in the article.

Town of Granby Meeting Calendar

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.

Granby Food Bank

We currently need: Taco dinner boxes, Canned chicken, Dinty Moore beef stew, Canned beets/white potatoes, Mayonnaise, Strawberry jam/jelly, Tissues

Budget Time

Now through April, the Granby Board of Education’s top priority is budgeting for the 2025 – 2026 school year.

Library completes renovations and focuses on the future

The Granby Public Library has completed a renovation project aimed at modernizing and revitalizing its space for the community. Updates included the removal and installation of new carpeting, the removal of outdated wallpaper, a fresh coat of paint and brighter more efficient lighting in the adult services area and staff workspace.