Recent Stories

The budget—managing the beast

Board of finance members often hear, “why does the mill rate seem to always go up while in most years rates don’t change for federal and state income taxes? From the revenue perspective, this reflects that the income base to which state and federal tax rates apply generally increases annually as income levels and taxable population steadily rise.

Minutes for Town Meetings

This issue of the Drummer does not have Highlights of the various Granby board and  commission meetings.

For those interested in reading the full minutes, please visit the Granby town website, granby-ct.gov, and click on the green Agendas and Minutes button.

Granby Food Bank

We currently need: Jarred spaghetti sauce, Canned meat ravioli, Canned chicken/chili, Knorr rice/pasta sides, Brownie/cake/cookie mixes, Applesauce/pineapple, Progresso soups, Bar soap/dishwashing soap, Tea/coffee

Environmental policy deserves facts, not spin

Last month, an opinion piece criticized my record on environmental issues. I agree with the writer on one important point, protecting our environment is essential—future generations depend on it. But her piece misrepresented my voting record. Legislators should be scrutinized, but that scrutiny should be based on facts, not selective scoring or political spin.

Social Services — April 2025

The focus of the Social Services Department is to coordinate existing federal, state, regional and local services, to increase community awareness of these services and to develop new programs to meet the needs of Granby residents.

Sign up for plot in the Granby Community Garden

Granby residents have a fantastic opportunity to lease a 20×20-foot garden plot at the town’s community garden—for just $10! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner eager to learn, this is the perfect way to enjoy fresh, homegrown food while connecting with nature and your neighbors.

Music Series returns with concert and poetry

The Bruce Porter Memorial Music Series resumes after a five-year hiatus with a concert of music and the poetry of Ukraine on Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary on the South Campus of Granby Congregational Church, 242 Salmon Brook Street.

Emery and Hart families gift land to GLT

As author, planner and conservationist William H. Whyte said in a 1962 report to then Connecticut Governor Dempsey, “Saving the ridges would be an act of imagination, but what is at stake is close to Connecticut’s identity, and once gone is without price.”

Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce Spotlight

Lindsay Sanchez serves on the board of directors for the Granby-Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, where she has chaired multiple committees and led projects that included the Celebrate the Valley and Spooktacular community events.

Support the Drummer

The Granby Stop & Shop has again selected the Citizens for a Better Granby (publisher of The Granby Drummer) to benefit from the sales of reusable shopping bags at the Granby store.

Scents and salamanders, the early signs of spring

For me the scent-sational start of spring is the smell of the rich, damp forest floor awakening. It’s actually geosmin, a Greek word meaning earth and smell, a soil-based compound produced by bacteria and blue-green algae. I take deep breaths to revitalize my winter-weary senses.

Browse & Borrow — April 2025

Registration is required for library programs unless indicated. To register visit granby-ct.gov/Library, and click on “Register for a Program” or call the library at 860-844-5275. To learn more about upcoming programs, sign up for the library’s monthly eNewsletter. For the most updated information on dates and programs, refer to the library’s online calendar.

Pastor leaving Simsbury United Methodist Church

Members of Simsbury United Methodist Church (SUM) are preparing to bid a heartfelt farewell to their beloved pastor, Gene Ott, as he transitions to a new appointment on July 1. For nearly eight years, Ott has been a pillar of faith, guidance and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on the church and its members.