Granby Drummer (https://granbydrummer.com/page/7/)
Effective Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, for safety reasons, the Town of Granby bans the use of e-bikes and non-medically required electric scooters within all Town parks. Such e-bikes and scooters can be parked at the entrance to the park in the designated areas.
Further, traditional bikes are prohibited from operating on the walking path within Salmon Brook Park.
A juvenile, solitary sandpiper is foraging along the banks of Kettle Pond within the McLean Game Refuge.
Residents who may need assistance are encouraged to contact the Town’s Social Services Office to learn about programs and supports available. Services may include assistance for older adults, families facing financial hardship, and residents experiencing temporary or unexpected challenges.
Seasons of the Granby Oak Art Show is a community art project organized by the Granby Artists as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations. Granby Artists invite the public to create artwork inspired by Granby’s beloved Dewey-Granby Oak to exhibit at the show. All ages, all levels of experience and all media are welcome.
Marie Catherine Klem, a beloved wife, mother, sister, and nana, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2026, at the age of 77.
You can’t be much more of a native than to be born in a town and to live there all your life, but that is the case for retiring Director of Public Works Kirk Severance. His childhood education, grades 1–12, was right here, as were many of his early jobs. For the rest of his education, he never got far from home, taking classes at the University of Connecticut Transportation Institute and engineering and management classes at the University of Hartford.
In the July Drummer update, I detailed the important work two recently reconstituted committees were undertaking. These are the IBAC, the Intra-Board Advisory Committee on shared services and the PBCPC, the Public Building and Capital Project Committee on the possible December bond questions.
The Friends of Granby Public Libraries thanks our town for another wonderful year of the Friends’ annual book sale. The 43rd annual sale in late July was a huge success, raising more than $13,612. The book sale is by far the Friends’ largest fundraiser of the year, and all proceeds go toward helping fund both of Granby’s libraries.
Municipalities now play a direct role in helping govern Aquarion through its Representative Policy Board. The board is comprised of appointees from every municipality within its service area and is responsible for approving water rates and overseeing other key aspects of the water authority’s governance.
During the summer months, many pet owners will start parasite preventative measures like topical repellents or oral medications. While the warmer months seem like the hot zone for the creepy crawlies, preventative measures are important during any time of year.
Katherine Elizabeth Brewer, 78, of Nashua, New Hampshire, passed away on July 24, 2026. Born on November 20, 1947, she was born in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in Granby, Connecticut, before later moving to New Hampshire.
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.
Democratic Primary, More to Come, Electioneering at a Polling Location, Poll workers are needed!, and Calendar Review
Baked apples are a simple way to enjoy the season’s apple bounty.
The library’s “Plant a Seed, Read” summer reading program ended on Aug. 10, with 459 library patrons registered for the program that kicked off with the Yo-Yo Guy on June 18. The library offered 70 programs this summer, and the children readers logged 133,440 minutes this summer. Thanks for the hard work of library staff and volunteers.
Peter Dinella’s photograph of the Barndoor Hills in autumn is a classic!
One of the oft-heard concerns throughout the budget process relates to the desire of many for the boards to work diligently and collaboratively to flatten out the rate of increase in the budget and, more importantly, the mill-rate change year to year. A key consideration in how the Granby Board of Finance looks at budgeting and the fiscal affairs of the town IS that stability in working towards a modest slope in the rate of increase in both.
At the June 1 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, two important actions occurred that “will move the Town of Granby forward.” The first action was the appointment of six town residents—Christopher LaVigne, Mark Gottlieb, Peter Anderson, Anne Adamson, Michael Lengvarsky and William Pascucci—to the Public Building and Capital Project Committee.
The hoedown has deep roots in farm country. The word hoedown originated in rural America, recalling the ritual end of harvest season when farm workers put down their farm tools to celebrate with a raucous community dance.
Friday, July 3: The Decker Bandits will perform 6–8 p.m. at the Salmon Brook Park Bandshell, followed by a bonfire 8–9 p.m.
Appreciation for Granby Library and Support for Bronin
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; Canned peaches/pineapple/fruit cocktail; Applesauce; Ketchup/mustard/mayo/pickles/relish; Taco dinner boxes; Dishwashing soap
Julien Tessier’s dream was to start an American bakery featuring scratch-made cinnamon rolls, muffins, donuts, cookies, biscuits and croissants. Tessier, a French-born and trained pastry chef, worked at high-end London restaurants and was employed as a private chef in New York City. In December 2025, he was named Pastry Chef of the Year by the Connecticut Restaurant association during its CRAZIES awards ceremony.
Granby Artists is celebrating 25 years as a community arts nonprofit organization. We invite you to our 25th Anniversary Showcase and Celebration, a two-part event on October 4, 2026 at Holcomb Farm.
With some primping and clowning, the seniors ready themselves for graduation.
Granby Public Schools has named Jessica Foskitt, music educator and orchestra instructor, as its 2026–27 Teacher of the Year, recognizing her dedication to music education and her instrumental role in building the district’s orchestra program.
