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!

Southwick launches a new land trust

Southwick landowners seeking to preserve their property have a new option. The Southwick Land Trust, a non-profit, non-governmental organization of community volunteers, was formed in 2024 to conserve important ecological, scenic, historic and agricultural land.

Tree Trail honors Arbor Day

On April 27, Holcomb Farm Tree Trail members and master gardeners Barry Avery and Eric Lukingbeal led a group of interested folks on a walk that culminated with the planting of a tree in honor of Arbor Day 2024.

Granby Libraries Book Sale July 26-28, Donations start late June

This year, Friends of the Granby Public Libraries (FOGPL) 41st annual Used Book Sale will be held at Holcomb Farm, 113 Simsbury Road, West Granby. Preview Night is on Friday, July 28 5–8 p.m. with a $10 entrance fee. The regular sale is on Saturday, July 29 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Last chance sale is on Sunday, July 30 from 11 a.m.– 2:30 p.m. with $10 per bag or donation.

Woodworker’s solar kiln featured in Fine Woodworking magazine

While some of us learned how to make sourdough bread or became Wordle aficionados during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brenon Plourde and his family built a solar kiln. The construction of the kiln was recently featured in a lengthy spread in Fine Woodworking magazine, which Brenon describes as “like being in Rolling Stone.”

Budget referendum passed

On April 15 the Town Budget Referendum was held at Granby Town Hall, with 1,112 residents casting in-person ballots and 28 voting with absentee ballots.
The result was 658 “yes” and 482 “no.”

Building relationships toward better municipal cooperation

Connecticut has 169 towns that all provide municipal services like assessment, tax collection, land records recording, building inspection services, public works services like trash collection, road maintenance and snow plowing, first responder services like police and fire protection, and, of course, education for the town’s children and young adults.

Safe Grad announces art contest winners

Granby Parents for a Safe Graduation (GPSG) announced the winners of its annual Senior Art Contest on April 16. Thank you to all the students who submitted an entry with this year’s theme, Adventure Awaits! in mind.

Police Chief warns of scammers

The April presenter at the Granby Men’s Breakfast was Police Chief Scott Sansom, who informed us what to do and NOT to do when confronted by a potential scammer.