Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/29/?trk=public_profile_project-title)
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 Granby Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) Committee wants your input for Granby’s POCD update. The POCD Committee has scheduled its second public workshop for Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. in the Granby Senior Center. Please come and share your thoughts about Granby to help guide the growth and development for the next 10 years.
Pete Betsch visited the Granby Oak on Jan. 19 for this stunning photo.
After 56 years the Marquis of Granby Junior Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps, a cherished part of parades and celebrations for generations, may end. Falling recruitment and loss of adult volunteers have played a large part in board members considering dissolving the group.
The February issue is so chock full of great articles after the holiday break we are adding online Bonus Pages so you don’t miss a thing!
Two years ago in this paper, I introduced myself to the community of Granby. In that introduction, I offered up a host of financial metrics on the Town of Granby.
In this Drummer article, I’ll refresh some of those metrics as an introduction to the coming FY27 budget process.
In its 90th year of operation, Beman Hardware was honored by the Granby Board of Selectmen at its Nov. 17 meeting. A proclamation was read and delivered to Joan Beman Russell, Dianne Beman Myers and the new owner of the store, Vinnie Pagano. Also present were staff members Charles and Patricia George.
When it comes to making a charitable donation, sometimes the value of the needed item exceeds the amount of money one donor organization can afford. That’s exactly the case the Granby Ambulance Association (GAA) recently faced.
The Granby Memorial High School Robotics Team (Granby GRUNTS) celebrated the start of their FIRST Robotics competition season with “Kickoff” on Jan. 10.
PFLAG Granby is pleased to offer a conversation about parenting trans youth and some of the issues these families face. There will be a presentation by Melissa Combs, followed by Q&A.
At the Jan. 20 Three Board Meeting, members of the boards of selectmen, education and finance shared initial projections for what fiscal year 2027— running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027—may look like from their respective perspectives, and in aggregate.
Granby Town Hall is busy as we swing into 2026. Boards and commissions’ meeting agendas and minutes of meetings are available on the Town of Granby website. Many meetings may be attended remotely via Zoom.
End of an Era and Traffic cameras – a slippery slope
We may not always acknowledge it, but we survive only through formal and informal education to cope with the challenges of life. Because of cultural skepticism and fear of criticism toward religious education, I’d like to make a case for its importance.
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, Ritz/Saltines/Town House crackers, Coffee/tea, Cooking oil, Ketchup/mustard/mayo, Dishwashing soap, Toilet paper, Facial tissues
Highlights from the meetings held on November 17th, December 1st, and December 3rd, 2025
While the town boards annually prepare the fiscal year’s budget and operations plan, there is also a process of looking ahead at the capital needs of both buildings and infrastructure. Within the annual budget proposal are components that deal with the ongoing obligation to take care of what we have.
Trash and Recycling: Presidents’ Day (Feb. 16) is not a trash holiday. Trash and recycling must be out on your regularly scheduled day.
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Someday in February 2026 (Yet to Come)
