Granby Drummer | December 2020

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Volume LI, No. 4 • December 2020

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2020 still setting records

I hope you and yours found a way to enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving. We could all use a little more happy in our lives, always. Let’s strive for that together in the coming year.

Granby officials thank everyone who worked on the election. First Selectman Scott Kuhnly, Town Manager John Ward and the Board of Selectmen (BOS) own expressed their appreciation to the all Registrars of Voters, Town Clerk, Town alk Moderator, and the

by Jim Lofink many other staffers and army of volunteers who worked on the election. By all reports, in-person voters were handled safely and efficiently, and all ballots were processed accurately and promptly.

Results were posted Nov. 5 on the town website, showing a turnout of 88.4 percent of registered voters. Democracy thrives in Granby!

BOE and Teachers reach a three-year agreement. The Board of Education (BOE) and Granby Education Association (GEA) have concluded negotiations and reached agreement on a contract for fiscal years 2021-2023. In a Nov. 16 presentation to the BOS, reportedly all parties worked together to make changes that met the needs of the teachers, students and taxpayers. According to Board of Finance (BOF) chair Mike Guarco, this contract will help the town reach its second straight year of no increase in the tax mill rate. General wage increases of

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1.5 percent to 1.75 percent, changes in the step increase system, adjustments to the health care plan and other changes helped to meet those shared goals.

Bear feeding issues continue to be discussed. The BOS received input from Chief of Police Carl Rosensweig and Animal Control Officer (ACO) Jennifer Abalan, following last month’s presentation by DEEP wildlife biologist Jason Hawley. The discussion focused on the impacts that a proposed ordinance on intentional bear feeding would have on the town.

They reported there are 3–5 intentional feeders in Granby and that the current process is for the ACO to contact them and provide education on the harmful effects on bears when humans intentionally feed them, or as Abalan put it, “a fed bear is a dead bear.”

Abalan reported that most people cease the practice after several of these educational discussions. But not all cease the intentional feeding, and those that continue may “not stop until they move away.” Meanwhile, the bears habituate to human feeding, altering their behaviors and living in closer proximity to humans.

At times these habituated bears have caused traffic accidents, attempted to live under porches, and even ransacked a home. These bears rely on humans to feed them, lose their ability to survive in the wild, and so seek to be closer to humans. This leads to bad outcomes for the bears and for humans.

There are currently no legal remedies to pursue in Granby, unlike some other

Town Talk cont’d. on p. 5

Granby Election results for Nov. 3 * Winners

Presidential Electors For: Biden/Harris* 4,029 Trump/Pence 3,166 Jorgenson/Cohen 138 Hawkins/Walker 35 DeLaFuente/Richardson 1 Howard/Howard 1 West/Tidball 3 U.S. Rep. in Congress: CT State Senator 8th District: John Larson* Melissa Osborne 3,781 210 Mary Fay 3,295 Kevin Witkos* 290 Thomas McCormick 106 Keith McConnell 11 th nd CT State Senator 7 District: CT State Rep. 62 District: Frederick Moffa 3,533 Audrey Lampert 3,563 John Kissel* 3,205 Mark Anderson* 3,659 Granby Registrar of Voters: Note: although Moffa received more votes in Granby, Kissel received more votes throughout Laura Wolfe* 3,669 the district Sonja Smith* 3,409

Boys varsity soccer team – NCCC West Champions!

Despite the global pandemic, the boys’ varsity soccer team at Granby Memorial High School was able to complete a full 12-game schedule plus two tournament games. Final Record 11-2-1 (NCCC West Champions) Granby’s varsity soccer team: (in front) Grady Kelly; (kneeling, from l.) Aidan Kaczka, Sean Dowd, Eli Dehner, Brayden Millbrandt, Will Caley, Mark McWhirter, Logan Tanguay, Trevor Hazard; (standing, from l.) assistant coach Taylor Lipinski, head coach Michael Dombrowski, John Platti, Carter Frith, Jordan Rijske, Jack Degray, Liam Heinze, Colby Milbrandt, Frederic Baker, Zach Brewer, Zachary Orluk, Steve Peterson, Noah Kroninger, managers Chase McGee, Tess Bajek, Seth Mowry and Teddy Richmond-Godard. Photo by Doreen McWhirter Story on p. 11

Board of Ed chair steps down

Granby Board of Education chair submitted the following letter to the Drummer: I am stepping down as chairman of the Granby Board of Education effective Dec. 2, 2020. I loved serving in this role, and will continue my service on the board as a member.

In 2019, my career took a turn back to the private sector with substantially increased hours, responsibilities and opportunities. I planned to step down as chairman, but the time was never quite right. Dr. Addley told me he was leaving Granby for the Darien Public Schools. The Granby Public Schools found itself searching for a superintendent for the first time in recent memory.

The work was fast and furious, onboarding our new superintendent Jordan Grossman, budget number crunching, introduction to the Granby community, helping to support new administrator hires, and then COVID-19. In 2020, a new challenge for the board and our administration presented itself almost every week. I know our community understands the challenges that have faced every school district adjusting to delivering an educational experience in the middle of a public health crisis.

The role of chairman in normal times is a full-time job. Representing the BOE at town meetings and hearings, subcommittee and regular board meetings, budget workshops, negotiating contracts with our unions, advocating at the Capitol to keep and increase funding for the Granby Public Schools, and beyond. The best part about being board chair? Our students!

While I step down from a leadership role on the board, I look forward to remaining a part of it. “To everything there is a season.” It has been an honor to lead this Board of Education—thank you. —Melissa Migliaccio

Do you decorate your home or business every year?

Enter Granby’s Holiday Decorating Contest!

Why not enter the contest to get rewarded for your hard work and creativity? Join the Granby Recreation Department for our first decorating event to spread some holiday cheer throughout our town. Register by 4 p.m., Monday, Dec. 14; judging will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 5–9 p.m. This free event is for Granby residents only. For more information, see page 26.

The Granby Drummer

Wishes Kindness & Good Health To All! Photo by Peter Dinella

Page 2 The Granby Drummer December 2020

GRANBY BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2020

OCTOBER 19, 2020

Present: B. Scott Kuhnly, Glenn Ballard, Sally King, Edward Ohannessian, and John D. Ward, Town Manager The Board of Selectmen called for a Public Hearing to hear public comment regarding the ordinance amending ARTICLE III Exemption for Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Personnel [Adopted 10-1-2020].

The maximum benefit will increase from $1,000 of assessed value to $1,500 effective with taxes due on the October 1, 2020 grand list and to $2,000 effective with taxes due on the grand list October 1, 2021 grand list.

Ward said no comments had been received, written or oral, on the Public Hearing.

Chief Coupe of the Granby Ambulance Association (GAA) addressed the board with background information of the GAA over the last 57 years. She noted the dedication of staff members is outstanding.

She hopes all board members allow for the increase in the benefit. Kuhnly thanked Coupe and her team for their outstanding job.

Chief Horr of the Lost Acres Fire Department spoke of the importance of passing this amendment. The tax abatement helps these volunteer workers. They are an active service group and every little bit helps.

He supports the amendment 100 percent. He noted Ward has been very supportive. Kuhnly thanked Horr and all of the members of the LAFD. No other public addressed the Public Hearing.

On A Motion by Ohannessian, seconded by King, the board voted (3-0-0) to close the Public Hearing at 6:57 p.m.

Present: B. Scott Kuhnly, Glenn Ballard, Sally King, Mark Neumann, Edward Ohannessian, John D. Ward, Town Manager

Public Session

Presentation Regarding Bears Jason Hawley from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) was invited to provide insight regarding bears. Hawley is a wildlife biologist involved in research and management.

The biggest draw for bears is bird seed and garbage, which are the two most readily available food sources.

There has been no success on the state level to ban bear feeding. The most bear-populated section of Connecticut is the northwest corner and the population appears to be moving south and taking hold more in urban areas. He estimated that in 2005 there were approximately 300 bears in Connecticut and it is currently estimated at 1,500. He noted that sightings and conflicts with humans are increasing and most feeding of bears is unintentional. It is the intentional feeding that makes bears become habituated and food conditioned. They will continue to visit that site to feed and that is how they eventually associate food with people, which puts people at a greater risk of conflict.

In addition, the bears have no fear of people. He believes if this doesn’t change, a bear versus human fatality in towns like Granby are inevitable.

Hawley believes an ordinance against the intentional feeding of bears is important. Currently, the nearby towns of Simsbury, Barkhamsted, Hartland and Colebrook have such an ordinance. It was also mentioned that Granby has bear proof garbage cans at a cost of $230. The Department of Public Works

has sold 41 so far and has more in stock.

Ballard asked for clarification of Hawley’s comments regarding how unintentional feeding in Granby due to bird feeders and trash cans is irrelevant. Hawley felt it is a relevant issue but the actual number is irrelevant because most people don’t report conflicts with bears when they get into their trash or birdfeeders.

The number of bears that destroy birdfeeders and/or trash cans is probably ten times higher. In regard to the bear proof trash cans, there is a lot of resistance to requiring people to have a bear proof trash can.

Neumann commented the state has a regulation against feeding bears on state land. Hawley noted a town ordinance would just extend that to private property. In additional, intentional feeding of bears changes their social structure. One person feeding bears habituates and food conditions 10 to 20 bears in their backyard.

Ohannessian questioned if the DEEP promotes having a state-wide ordinance and a hunt. What is holding the legislature back? Hawley responded it is not on his level to deal with the legislature. Currently, it is not a problem in the majority of towns in the state so it is not an issue for the legislators in those towns. They are not hearing from their constituents. Hawley has explained to residents who feed the bears that what they are doing is dangerous and selfish.

Kuhnly thanked Hawley for a presentation with a lot of useful information.

Report on Road Overlay Program Director of Public Works Kirk Severance reviewed his DPW road overlay report for this year. He believes that the town roads are a reflection of the quality of our town.

Every three years, a company is hired to put together a report on the condition of our town roads. The report is downloaded into DPW computers and it enables staff to prioritize the overlay program based on road conditions and volume of traffic, as well as other factors. From there, budget numbers are put together to determine what can be done and in what year. The program is called “pavement preservation.” The main objective is to get to a road before the cost factor gets out of control. After finishing the project late this summer, they came in under budget by 22 percent.

The process begins with notifying residents on the effected road and replacing or rebuilding basin tops as needed. Lost Acres, Harvey, Donahue, Crest and Elizabeth roads were first shimmed with bituminous asphalt to level them out. Then all of the roads included in the plan were chip sealed so that the cracks are filled in with an emulsion and stone. As a final step, a microchip was applied to all of the roads which creates a protective barrier. After final applications were completed, driveway aprons were installed and curbs were back-filled with either a fill or top soil, followed by seed. An outside contractor was hired to linestripe the roads when the overlay program was complete. This year, Crest, Lost Acres, Harvey, Donahue, Heather, Nestor, Elizabeth, and Acorn were the roads included, for a total of 5.3 miles.

By finishing the overlay program early this year, the crew was able to replace or repair basins where structures had been found to be in poor condition.

Currently, there are 12 being rebuilt and some include culvert pipes.

Introduction of Granby Building Official Ward introduced Joel Skilton as Granby’s new Building Official. He comes to us from Watertown with many years of experience in the field. Kuhnly welcomed him on behalf of the Board of Selectmen.

Minutes On A Motion by King, seconded by Neumann, the board voted (5-0-0) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 21, with the correction

by Ohannessian: V.I. paragraph two, second sentence to read: The Board of Selectmen’s budget is 30 percent of the town budget of which 25 percent is for Capitol and Debt. An additional sentence was added after the word purposes: If we decide to go with an outside third-party consultant firm, I believe the cost would be between $250,000 and $300,000 and we should consider putting it in our budget for next year.

Unfinished Or Tabled Business

Consideration of Ordinance Banning the Feeding of Bears Town Hall has received numerous complaints concerning bears being attracted to residences due to being fed. Ward provided a revised ordinance for the purpose of discussion and suggestions. He indicated the first offence would be a warning. The second offence would be a penalty of $50 a day, lowered from $250 in the original ordinance.

King indicated it is a good clean ordinance that is plain and fair. Ohannessian felt the board is going through the right process. It was suggested to have the ACO (Animal Control Officer) and the Chief of Police talk to the board. Kuhnly inquired about the reduction of the fine from $250 to $50. Ward responded it would be $50 a day if the violation continues, as you don’t want to amass fines that you cannot collect. Ballard said this ordinance probably wouldn’t stop the one or two people who are intentionally feeding bears.

What are we willing to do? Are we willing to go to court and put a lien on a house? The vast majority of feeding bears is unintentional. He questions whether this ordinance would do what we are looking for and how far do we want to go. He felt prevention may be a better way to go.

After discussion amongst the Selectmen, the board agreed they would like more information and would like to talk with the Chief of Police and the ACO before making any decisions. Ward will contact them.

Consideration of Selectmen’s Retreat/Workshop to Set Goals Ward reported it is possible David O’Brien would be available to moderate the retreat on Nov. 2, which would be in lieu of the regular meeting. This would be an in-person meeting to discuss and develop goals. It will be a working meeting so there will not be a public session, although the meeting will be available to the public via Zoom. Kuhnly requested the meeting be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Holcomb Farm.

Business

Resignations and Appointments to be Considered Vacancies: Conservation Commission (2); Library Board (1) Consideration of Amendment to the Exemption for Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Personnel Ordinance This amendment is proposed in order to align the ordinance with Public Act 36, An Act Increasing the Property Tax Abatement for Certain First Responders.

On A Motion by Neumann, seconded by King, the board voted (5-0-0) to approve the amendment to the ordinance Exemption for Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Personnel [Adopted 10-1-2020].

BOS Minutes cont’d. on p. 3

December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 3

GRANBY BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES BOS Minutes cont’d. from p 2 Kuhnly thanked Chief Horr of the Lost Acres Fire Department and Chief Coupe from the Granby Ambulance Association for all they do.

Consideration of RFP for Brokerage Services for the Property at 5 Canton Road The board previously authorized Ward to issue a Request for Proposal for broker services for Kearns School. One response was received from Goman and York (“Goman”), a well-regarded firm out of East Hartford, Conn. Goman offered the following services: Develop a market feasibility plan Prepare a strategic marketing campaign Prepare an implementation plan Develop conceptual design alternatives and pro forma financial model There were two fee options in the proposal. The first option is a broker fee of five percent of the sale price with a minimum fee of $50,000, which will be credited against any eventual sales commission. The second option is an hourly rate, with an estimated 30 hours per month.

The hourly rate under this proposal varies depending on the staff that will be required for the various tasks.

Currently the town budgets $25,000 per year to maintain Kearns. The last four years the town has spent an average of $29,500 per year at Kearns. The town will have to spend $8,000 this month to install a new boiler at Kearns.

Goman, a resident of Simsbury, indicated this to be an unusual real-estate asset. It is a quiet market but it can be done inside of a year. It is not a typical brokerage process. First you need a market story, a market area and a market demand. A market analysis is done, as well as financial feasibility. Also, a well thought out redevelopment plan is needed. Pricing is all over the map.

Ward recommends going with the five percent brokerage fee. Kenyon agreed to that as well. Ward will have the Town Attorney draft a contract.

On A Motion by Neumann, seconded by King, the board voted (5-0-0) to authorize the Town Manager to contract with Goman and York for brokerage services upon the terms discussed, which were: a fee of five percent of the sale price with a minimum fee of $50,000, paid as a $3,000/month retainer, which will be credited against any eventual sales commission, and authorizes him to execute any and all necessary paperwork.

Consideration of Funding Household Hazardous Waste Collection from Solid Waste Sanitation Fund Since 2013, the Town of Granby has partnered with the towns of Simsbury, Avon and Canton to collect household hazardous waste from residents. In 2016, the Town of Farmington joined the coalition and the Town of Suffield joined in 2019. As a group, three collections per year are held. A new contract for hazardous waste removal has been negotiated this past year and funding is now required for the three collections to be held in fiscal year 2021. Collection dates are October 17, 2020, April 2021 and June 2021. An appropriation of $15,000 to cover disposal of the hazardous waste collection is requested. That amount includes advertising costs to notify the residents of the events.

On A Motion by King, seconded by Neumann, the board voted (5-0-0) to authorize an additional appropriation of $15,000 from Solid Waste Sanitation Fund balance to fund the household hazardous waste collection and forward this request to the Board of Finance to approve.

Consideration of Acquisition of Property for Major Intersection Improvements on US 202/Route 10 and Route 20 and Route 189 The State of Connecticut is acquiring property in order for the intersection improvements at US 202/Route 10 at Route 10 and Route 189 to be completed. Two town-owned properties will be affected by the project.

The first property is 4 North Granby Road, known as the small green. It is currently .38 acres or 16,553 square feet. The state proposes to acquire 1,227 square feet and has offered $5,700.

The second property is 3 East Granby Road, the Town Green. It is currently 1.1 acres or 47,916 square feet.

The state proposes to acquire 3,487 square feet and has offered $9,500. It should be noted in addition to the property acquisition, the state also proposes a traffic easement and drainage right of way on this property, which have been factored into the $9,500 offer.

These acquisitions will essentially make room to widen lanes and add a turning lane.

There were two maps presented showing the portion of the two properties that will be acquired. It was noted that the drainage right of way is adjacent to the portion of the property that will be acquired. The traffic easement is located on the southern end of the property. Also noted is that the trees that are affected will be replaced and the current garden will be moved back.

To accept the state’s offer, the Board of Selectmen, then the Board of Finance and lastly, the attendants at a Town Meeting must approve of the sale. In addition, the issue needs to be referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. 8-24 and a public hearing before the Board of Selectmen.

On A Motion by King, seconded by Neumann, the board moves that a Public Hearing on the proposed sale of portions of the properties known and 4 North Granby Road and 3 East Granby Road be held on Nov. 16.

On A Motion by King, seconded by Neumann, the board moves the forwarding of the proposed sales of portions of the parcels referred to as 4 North Granby Road and 3 East Granby Road to the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. 8-24.

Consideration of Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund Police and Administration Vehicles Account Budget Amendment CIRMA (the town’s insurance carrier) has issued the town two checks totaling $18,089.60 for a total loss cruiser that was involved in an accident. The check was received in September 2020. The insurance settlement will be used to purchase a new cruiser for replacement.

The purchase of a replacement cruiser will increase the expenditure line item in the Capital Equipment/ Improvement Fund, which was not budgeted in the current 2020-21 fiscal year adopted budget. According to the Town Charter, a budget amendment is required.

The insurance settlement check will increase the Miscellaneous Revenue line item in Capital Equipment/ Improvement fund by $18,089.60 and will increase the Police and Administration Vehicles Expenditure line item in Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund by the same amount, $18,089.60 On A Motion by King, seconded by Neumann, the board voted (5-0-0) to approve increases of Miscellaneous Revenue and Police and Administration Vehicles line items in Capital Equipment/Improvement fund budget by $18,089.60 and forwards this request to the Board of Finance to approve.

Consideration of Memorandum of Agreement with CRCOG regarding State Homeland Security Grant The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) has requested Granby to enter into an agreement with the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management of Homeland Security Grant to allow the purchase of specialized equipment by CRCOG. This equipment will be available for use within Region 3 of the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. CRCOG also uses the funding to staff the Capitol Region Emergency Planning Council. The Region 3 share for the FY 2020 grant is approximately $350,000 On A Motion by Kuhnly, seconded by King, the board voted (5-0-0) to approve the following resolution.

Proposed Resolution: RESOLVED, that the Town of Granby may enter into with and deliver to the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Home land Security any and all documents which it deems to be necessary or appropriate; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that John D. Ward, as Town Manager of the Town of Granby, is authorized and directed to execute and deliver any and all documents on behalf of the Town of Granby and to do and perform all acts and things which he deems to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the terms of such documents, including, but not limited to, executing and delivering all agreements and documents contemplated by such documents.

Town Manager Reports Ward reported to date the Town Clerk’s Office has issued 2,589 absentee ballots and has received back 1,522.

Budget Operations Ward reported current year collections to be at 56

percent, which is typical. The balance of Special Ed/ Excess payments will be received in October or later.

The statutory fee collections for the Town Clerk’s department is at 52 percent. Expenses are on track.

Capital Project Update The state roundabout project on Route 10/202 is near completion. Expected completion date is early November.

The state project major intersection improvements at US 202/Route 10 at Route 20 and Route 189 is moving forward with design and engineering.

On A Motion by King, seconded by Neumann, the board voted (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m.

NOV. 2, 2020 RETREAT Present: B. Scott Kuhnly, Glenn Ballard, Sally King, Mark Neumann, Edward Ohannessian, John D. Ward, Town Manager. Guest/Facilitator: David A. O’Brien Program Kick-Off: First Selectman Kuhnly welcomed everyone and explained the purpose of the retreat.

Ward introduced the facilitator, David O’Brien, president of WorkChoice Solutions, Inc. O’Brien has over 30 years consulting experience in Human Resources and Organizational Development within a variety industries.

O’Brien spoke briefly about the theme of tonight’s meeting: Building a Foundation of Leadership Excellence. He explained leadership is a choice, and leaders should be role models of the behavior they want to see in others. Leadership also requires taking the time to think.

The first group discussion explored the role of the Board of Selectmen; citizen’s expectations of board members; barriers between the board’s role and citizen’s expectations; and leadership solutions between citizen’s expectations and the realities of town government.

The board is a legislative board not an operating board and it should provide a vision for the town.

The board’s role is to do what is best for Granby; to be fiscally responsible, to provide safety (fire and police); to be creative; to provide recreational and senior services; and be responsive in a timely manner.

Honesty and openness are the leadership characteristics that should guide the board.

Residents do not always understand the process and get frustrated with how long it takes to get things done.

This is difficult as issues can only be discussed in public meetings and cannot be discussed in private. Education on how town government works, including its nuances and complexities, could be helpful.

The board will invite the Long-Term Recovery Committee to a board meeting to present the results of their survey and how they will proceed.

The second group discussion explored the goals that have changed or evolved over the past 12 months, what the board is doing well to meet those goals and what the board could do better to meet those goals.

Goals changed as a result of COVID. The way things are done has also changed, as the town is forced to be more efficient with less money and is striving for a 0 percent tax increase.

Zoom meetings created a different environment yet the board came together without being together.

Some suggestions regarding how to do things better included sharing goals and priorities, identifying what could be done better and looking for more collaboration.

The third group discussion centered on identifying the top three attainable goals in the next 30 to 90 days and the next 90 to 180 days.

Goals for the next 30 to 90 days: Budget Mission/Vision Statement — guiding principal of how to move forward as a board CPPAC — radio system Goals for the next 180 days: Budget Capital Projects Kearns School Community Involvement — innovative ways to make information more readily available.

Follow up with POCD (Plan of Conservation and Development) and invite it to present to the board Actions to ensure goals are met: Ask for input Inform community of progress Town Manager Report at BOS Have Department Heads present at BOS meeting John D. Ward, Town Manager

Testing the voting equipment

Moderators Patti Sansone and Diane Hernsdorf with Registrar Laura Wolfe testing the optical scanner voting machines with a test deck in the Granby Town Hall Meeting Room on Oct. 20, while Machine Tenders Anthony King and Wally Oliver observe.

Page 4 The Granby Drummer December 2020

Drumbeat Letters to the Editor Mutual respect needed My wife and I are proud Democrats and, each election season, we display signs on our lawn supporting our party’s nominees. Four years ago, our lawn signs in support of Hillary Clinton were stolen three times. To prevent a similar occurrence this election season, we have been careful to take our Biden signs inside at night. This year, however, we have twice received ugly, hateful flyers attached to our mailbox. We have reported these to the Granby Police Department.

Frankly, we are disgusted by these expressions intended only to intimidate us. This should not happen in Granby or anywhere in America.

David Evans Katz

Mutual respect and civility My wife Marty and I have had the good fortune to live in Granby since 1972.

We were attracted to Granby because of its wide-open spaces, small town community and a place where we wanted to raise our children. Over the years we have made many friends and shared experiences that we shall forever treasure.

This divisive election that we have, and are going through, has reinforced why we chose to live in Granby. While several of my Trump-supporting friends in other towns have had their signs vandalized, we were never worried about that happening to us. We live on a street that has signs supporting both parties but there was mutual respect that we can differ in our political beliefs without the ugly side of this election. It reinforced again why we moved to Granby and know that we can have differences of opinion yet maintain our friendships.

In closing, I had the privilege of being moderator for the Town of Granby for a number of years. I will always reflect on how the voting public could feel free to express themselves and present opposing points of view, always with civility.

Thank you Granby!

Don Wilmot

Grateful for historical stroll On a radiant fall afternoon, we took the historical stroll up and down Salmon Brook Street. To all you homeowners, we stomped on your lawns and we stared at your houses. It gave us great joy to read the descriptions while standing in front of each house, studying the architecture and imagining the earlier occupants living there. Thank you for sharing them with us. We got such an immersion in early Granby.

Also, kudos and thanks to the Salmon Brook Historical Society for sponsoring the stroll. The descriptions were informative and entertaining. All the times we’ve traversed that portion of Salmon Brook St. have been at 35 mph. We never realized how significant to Granby it is.

Nancy Dyer and Stephen Fields

Priorities challenged In my o pinion, s ome folks in Granby are far more concerned with their image than with the reality.

Wasting money on political signs and advertising, similar to the “my church’s steeple is higher so god loves my church more than yours” is not a harmonious way to live.

Money spent on signage and ads would have put a lot of money for fuel assistance.

editorials, commentary & letters to the editor Unsigned editorials are the consensus opinion of the editorial staff and publisher. Commentary pieces express the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of the Drummer.

Money wasted on a lawyer that wants to force the senior housing to let him put a driveway across the lawn, while apartment dwellers suffer from mold is crass. Management claims there is no money for proper maintenance, while wasting money on lawyers. The health of the tenants should be the priority.

Get real Granby.

Wi l l i a m S h a k e s p e a r e w r o t e to kill all the lawyers, and I think he may have had a valid point.

Separation of church and state is blurred here.

Fran Devevo

Cultured meat research support I was excited to learn Singapore is funding cultured-meat research in a robust manner. For readers who don’t know, cultured meat is grown from cells, without slaughtering animals. Singapore’s government, which represents five million people, plans to invest $100 million into development of cultured meat, microbial protein and urban agriculture.

Congress should make a proportional investment in cultured-meat research.

Besides the obvious improvement to animal welfare, cultured meat will benefit human health and the environment. We’re currently living through a global crisis caused by a zoonotic virus known as COVID-19. In recent years, we’ve seen a number of diseases make the leap from animals to humans. You might know some of them as bird flu or swine flu. Cultured meat removes such risk from food production.

The greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater and land required to produce cultured meat are a tiny fraction of those necessary to raise livestock. Meanwhile, since cultured meat is produced in a closed system, there is no runoff of agricultural waste into rivers and oceans.

For the sake of animal welfare, human health and the environment, we need federal investment in this revolutionary technology, commensurate with funding provided by Singapore.

Jon Hochschartner

Elections have consequences The results of the Nov. 3 election says a lot about the direction that Granby and the state is headed.

President Trump lost by 12 percent to Joe Biden; longtime State Senator John Kissel, and good friend to Granby, lost in Granby to Democrat Fred Moffa by

GRANBY FOOD BANK We currently need: White or chunk lite Tuna Canned chicken breast Corned beef hash/Spam

Egg noodles Paper towels Bar soap/Dish soap, Apple/cranberry juices Dry/wet cat food such as Friskies/Purina/Meow Mix

Donations can be dropped off at the VNA office on Salmon Brook Street

10 percent; and State Rep. Candidate Mark Anderson had a narrow victory over Audrey Lampert. The overall move Left is troubling.

Connecticut is burdened by 40 years of Democrat tax and spend, which shows no waning. The new federal administration promises free state college tuition, student loan forgiveness and “no tax increase for those under the income of $400,000/year.” However, they promise to repeal Trump’s tax cuts—which is a tax increase.

Connecticut is poised to legalize marijuana, implement tolls and sports betting because of Democrat “super majority” in both the Senate and House. We are in for more government intervention in our lives because they “know what’s good for us.”

We have been told for four years that the Republicans are racist, homophobic and other divisive descriptions and it appears that a majority of voters believe it. No one has done more for minority communities in order to provide a way forward for improving their lives than President Trump with economic development zones, criminal justice reform and permanent funding of Historical Black Colleges.

Letters

cont’d. on p. 5

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CBG Board Kathy Norris, President David Tolli, Vice President Roger Hayes, Treasurer Becky Mikus, Secretary Flo Bischoff, Carol Bressor, Karen Cleary, Sam Mikus, Lew Noble Staff Rita Isaacson, Managing Editor Chris Levandowski, Copy Editor Amanda Lindberg, Special Pages Andrea Leshinskie, Photo Editor Dave Tolli, Photo Editor Mindy Borrego, Carolyn Carter, Karen Cleary, Nancy Dudenhofer, Patricia Kovaleski, Eileen Longhi, Lew Noble, Donna Schedinger, Faith Tyldsley Reporters & Contributors Lori Blackburn, Jennifer Benson, AnnMarie Cox, Marisa DeLuca, Mark Fiorentino, Bernadette Gentry, Mike Guarco, Jay Harder, Carol Laun, Jim Lofink, Joanne Mayornick, Amy McCue, Shirley Murtha John R. Nieb, Camden Robertson, Lisa Salazar, Pam Sherrer, Jessica Tsaptsinos, Faith Tyldsley, Kristine Vincent, John Violette, Laura Wolfe, Merle Yoder, Sandy Yost Advertising Team Jen Bell, Carol Bressor, Daneika Janski Deborah Kulwich, Beth Rathey, Subscriptions & Delivery Sam & Becky Mikus

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Town of Granby Meeting Calendar Check Town of Granby website or call Town Manager’s office to verify date and time, and get information on how to participate on Zoom, if needed.

Board of Selectmen, 7:30 p.m., Mondays, December 7 and 21 Board of Finance, 7:30 p.m., Monday, December 28 Board of Education, 7 p.m., Wednesdays, December 2 and 16 Planning & Zoning, 7 p.m., Tuesdays, December 8 and 22 Inland Wetlands & Watercourses, 7 p.m., Wednesday, December 9 Development Commission, No meetings until further notice.

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December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 5 Op-Ed

Connecticut, the land of steady habits secured his demise by the Clanton gang.

I noted two recent articles: One, Oct. 28, online in the CT Mirror by Bob Stefanowski (R) who lost the 2018 gubernatorial race to Ned Lamont. The other was by Toni Boucher (R), former Connecticut state senator in her onlinepublished newsletter, CT Insights. Both centered on Connecticut’s abysmal fiscal status and dismal economic future. Certainly, we’ve received some population influx from those fleeing the urban centered cities due to the COVID-19 crisis creating a false sense of a real-estate boom and rising property values. But that can reverse itself once the virus crisis is in our rearview mirror.

The Tax Foundation ranks Connecticut 47th for business tax climate in 2020.

While Republican 2018-primarywinner Stefanowski should have won walking backwards through the finish line after Malloy’s eight-year fiasco reign, he lacked charisma and avoided inperson media scrutiny. Now he’s playing Monday morning quarterback with commentary on the current administration on local radio show interviews.

Is this his strategy for another run at the State Capital in 2022? Will he develop a charming demeanor with the roughly 42 percent independent voters between now and then? Parties like candidates who

By Susan Patricelli Regan When it first appeared widely in print in the early 1800s, the term “The Land of Steady Habits” was associated with Connecticut’s ancient tradition of assuring political stability through repeatedly electing the same officials to high office.

The question today is—are you, as a taxpayer, happy with Connecticut’s State of Affairs?

A CT Boom online article of April 12, 2018, stated, “The nation finally woke up and realized what we knew all along.

Governor Malloy is, indeed, the worst governor in America. CT News Junkie reports that the latest Morning Consult Poll confirmed it. With a 21 percent approval rating, Malloy sinks even further than Brownback ever did.”

The latter comment does not necessarily mean that the most-liked governors are always the best governors for their respective states, as it depends on whether one cares about fiscal accountability or a likable personality. Affability can lead to being victimized. Remember the line from the movie Wyatt Earp starring Kevin Costner, where his character (Wyatt Earp) stated to his deputy, Ed Masterson: “You’re not a deliberate man, Ed, I don’t sense that about you. You’re too affable.”

Ed Masterson was too trusting, which

Letters

cont’d. from p. 4

FIND US

Democrats constantly promise that they will look out for all of us, yet they are only concerned about re-election and their control has only gotten stronger during the COVID pandemic. The arbitrary application of limits on gatherings, including houses of worship, sports and school openings has had deleterious effects on the population.

For 40 years in Connecticut, there has been no discernible improvement in inner-city school performance or the reduction on government dependence.

Democrats want to eliminate school choice, which is the only way out for some minority students. Democrats passed the police accountability bill with no bipartisan support and want to defund the police upon who we depend. So, the next time you need 911 assistance, let us

hope they arrive in a timely manner or arrive at all.

Now, we have to listen to the “woke” mob about how we are systemically racist and have to apologize and get with their program or face violent backlash.

Our Constitution is under attack—pick an Amendment and it has to be repealed or replaced. Our rights are being diminished, from freedom of speech and assembly to religious expression and our right to bear arms.

The violence has not ended and there is no end in sight. The anarchists have hijacked the narrative and we all are at risk.

While “we are all in this together,” we have to work for solutions that do the most for everyone, not solely for any specific segment of the population.

Bill Regan

are self-funded, such as Stefanowski, because it reduces the need for major fundraising efforts.

What about Themis Klarides? Is she stepping down from her House minority leader post to be a challenger in the 2022 gubernatorial race? Given her recent marriage to Greg Butler, a senior vice president of Eversource, do the optics pose a conflict of interest? Consider Connecticut’s serious issues with Eversource’s massive rate hikes and unjustifiably poor emergency service to state residents.

What about her newly established federally-registered Republican PAC geared to party building? Under campaign finance laws, a federal PAC offers the most flexible way to raise and spend money for general party-building activities, while limiting direct candidate contributions to federal campaigns. However, this does help Klarides maintain her public political profile. Under her House leadership, Republicans lost at least seven seats in

the recent state elections, giving the Blue party a veto-proof majority.

Speaking of potential candidates— what about Governor Lamont? He said he only wanted his post for four years to get Connecticut economically back on track. While folks were unimpressed with his initial foray in the capitol, his handling of the COVID crisis seems to have bolstered his rating, but our fiscal house is sliding into an abyss.

Does this mean we have to remain the land of steady habits to assure political stability by repeatedly electing the same officials to high office?

What if we could draw a candidate with global corporate marketing experience, Washington D.C. interface with both party’s administration officials, fiscally conservative, media savvy, a non-profit veteran, a champion for administration transparency with taxpayers, and like Mr. Earp, a fierce defender of law and order? Stay-tuned.

Town Hall Talk cont’d. from p. 1 towns that recently passed ordinances that impose fines. It’s apparently too soon to know how those fines will impact behavior. One Hartland offender has been racking up fines, and been issued a Cease and Desist order, but the case has not yet made it to court.

Abalan said that an ordinance would in some ways make her job easier as it shows clear consequences; however it would take time and resources to prove the offense.

When asked if he was concerned about officers responding to an alleged bear feeding call not being available for a medical emergency or accident, Rosensweig said that a police officer would “leave the bear call and go on to the more serious call right away; it wouldn’t even be a thought.”

John Ward said that enforcing an ordinance could cause a spike in administrative workload with time spent processing fines, noticing hearings, court preparation and in-court presence. The BOS will continue to review the ordinance proposal at future meetings.

Hoping that you all have safe winter holidays, and that you bring in the New Year with cheer and continued goodwill towards your fellow neighbors. —Jim Lofink

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Page 6 The Granby Drummer December 2020

OCTOBER 7, 2020

GRANBY BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES

Present: Jenny Emery, Mark Fiorentino, Melissa Migliaccio, David Peling, Sarah Thrall, Brandon Webster, and Jacob Scotto, Dr. Jordan Grossman, Jennifer Parsons. Absent: Rosemarie Weber and Jack DeGray.

Superintendent’s Announcements Grossman thanked the public in-person and online for attending the meeting tonight and said a special welcome to Mindy Shilansky and a student representative who are here to present for Schools in the Spotlight tonight.

The first three weeks of school have gone extremely well: 96.3 percent of students for in-person learning are attending and for remote learners is 95.7 percent attendance. Students, staff and administrators are doing an incredible job. Grossman has visited many classes and can see that students feel very comfortable in the classrooms.

Grossman reminded everyone that Granby Public Schools are depending on the metrics that will indicate if/when GPS goes into a remote/hybrid situation.

The federally funded food service program providing free breakfast and lunch for all students under the age of 18 is going well. Totals for breakfast: Monday 81, Tuesday 104 and Wednesday 118. Previous to this, we had 40 each week for breakfast. We have already exceeded our count and are above average compared to last year. Totals for lunch: Monday 474, Tuesday 537 and Wednesday 648. The average lunch count last year was 280.

Grossman thanked the board for meeting on Sept. 30 to discuss board goals, equity and their self-evaluation.

Please give Powell any changes by the end of the day on Monday.

Administrators have received their FY22 budget worksheets. Meetings will begin in November.

On Monday, Kelly Lane Primary School celebrated “National Be Kind Day” by wearing blue.

The Building Committee continues to meet on the high school commons and media center. Grossman thanked student representative Scotto for attending these meetings.

There will be no school on Oct. 12 and on Oct. 13 professional development will focus on sexual harassment, equity and social/emotional learning.

Migliaccio commented on the error from Governor Lamont’s office stating the statewide positivity rate for COVID cases is .7 percent not 1.5 percent as reported.

Grossman gave an update per the Farmington Valley Health District (FVHD). The Farmington Valley is at 2.6 percent; Hartford County at 5.6 percent; and, Granby is currently at 1.3 percent. Grossman stated Granby is still well within the guidelines to conduct full in-person learning. If the numbers creep up in the Farmington Valley and Hartford, the FVHD will give Granby a recommendation relative to full in-person, remote or hybrid.

Student Representative Report Scotto stated all students have been cooperating with wearing masks.

Plans for Coffeehouse/drama are being explored as virtual events.

Sports records: Girls’ soccer 2-0, Boys; Soccer 2-0-1 with next game on Friday at Windsor Locks; Field Hockey 1-1 and they are playing Avon tonight.

The CIAC is creating a fourth sports season in between winter and spring for football.

Schools in the Spotlight Mindy Shilansky, high school music teacher, and Nick Boyd, grade 12, presented on GMHS music instruction in the time of COVID. Shilansky stated she is pleased to report that music is still being made at the high school and that the students have been amazing. Shilansky said she spent the summer following studies regarding a return to the classroom stating she wanted to make music and still be safe.

The State of Connecticut is following a 12-foot spacing guideline for singing. Rehearsals are limited to 30 minutes indoors and then students proceed outdoors.

It is very rewarding to see the students making music again. Performances this fall and winter will be virtual.

Nick stated the students have been working tirelessly.

A Zoom concert was done during the spring last year.

The entire student body is looking forward to some of the performances this year. Migliaccio inquired if Nick feels any equipment is needed. Nick said any easily acquired technology would be great. Peling inquired how Shilansky was able to get 30 students on the screen. Shilansky stated students sang separately with a sound track and all the tracks were sent to her and synched together.

Thrall inquired if there were any remote learners for chorus this fall. Shilansky stated, yes, and that she has a portable amplifier as well as a sensitive microphone attached to her computer for remote learners. Remote students are following along and learning the music with the class.

Secondary School Improvement Plans Michael Dunn, high school principal, and Taylor Wrye, middle school principal, presented their respective School Improvement Plans for the 2020-21 school year. Dunn reviewed the school improvement plan goals with the board as follows: Vision, Mission, and District Achievement Goal to continue to improve

systems and practices to maximize equitable opportunities for all students; Student Achievement Goal for all students to meet GMHS Learning Expectations as measured by departmental and standardized assessments; and; Instructional Goal to refine the use of formative assessments of clear learning targets to adjust instruction, including through an online platform. Dunn stated the high school needs to continue to be really clear with what we want our students to be able to do.

He also informed the board the high school will continue to work with the Connecticut Center for School Change around equity; focus on social/ emotional learning for our students; and, work on the two-year NEAS&C progress report. Webster inquired if there can be more specificity in the School Improvement Plan as opposed to “on-going” (i.e., quarterly, annually, etc.).

Wrye said he is loving being the new principal but knows there is a lot of work ahead. Wrye reviewed the goals for the middle school as follows: Vision, Mission, District Achievement Goal to strengthen school climate and promote positive school culture through Restorative Practices (creating relationships with each other and students to understand why something happened and create a sense of connectedness within the community); Student Achievement Goal – Goal 1 to improve students’ academic performance by creating and implementing a new schedule that provides a comprehensive middle school experience for all students and Goal 2 to improve overall student academic performance by increasing the Student Growth Percentile in the areas of ELA and Math; and Instruction Goal to expand the knowledge and use of learning technologies of the middle school staff.

Minutes A motion was made by Thrall and Emery to adopt the consent agenda. This motion passed unanimously at 7:56 p.m.

Old Business

Second Reading and Approval of Policy 6172.3 – Homeschooling The Curriculum/Policy/Technology/Communications recommended Policy 6172.3, Homeschooling, as amended, to the board for a second reading and approval. A motion was made by Migliaccio and seconded by Peling that the Granby Board of Education adopt Policy 6172.3, Homeschooling, as recommended by the Curriculum/Policy/Technology/ Communications Subcommittee. Emery stated she is surprised the policy does not speak about access to other school programs and inquired if the policy is strong enough if problems are raised. Parsons stated homeschooling is when a parent withdraws their student from the Granby Public Schools and the last line in the policy reads that a homeschool student is not part of the Granby Public Schools.

Grossman agreed that the policy is fine as written. This motion passed unanimously at 8:02 p.m.

Second Reading and Approval of Revised Policy 4118.237/4218.237/5141.8, Face Masks/Coverings T h e C u r r i c u l u m / P o l i c y / Te c h n o l o g y / Communications Subcommittee recommended Policy 4118.237/4218.237/5141.8 Face Masks/ Coverings, as amended, to the board for a second reading and approval. A revision was made to this policy to reflect masks are needed for all students and staff members to enter a building in lieu of the term “individual”. A motion was made by Migliaccio and seconded by Emery that the Granby Board of Education adopt Policy 4118.237/ 4218.237/5141.8 Face Masks/Coverings, as amended, and as recommended by the Curriculum/ Policy/Technology/ Communications Subcommittee. This motion passed unanimously at 8:04 p.m.

Update on Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Plan Jennifer Parsons, assistant superintendent, updated the board on the work of the Granby Equity Team (GET) and presented the Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Action Plan. The GET has been formed over the past two years. Parsons stated the prior assistant superintendent did a great job working with the committee. The work moving forward is very important especially in the current climate.

Some common language you will see throughout the plan is Consciousness (increase awareness and understanding on the impact of racism); Responsiveness (ability to act on what we know and what we have learned); and Advocacy (increasing agency and action to actively address issues of racism and equity). The GET is representative of teachers, parents, administrators, and Board members who meet monthly in the evening for two hours.

The three buckets of work: to monitor the implementation of this plan; build consciousness between E3 activities; and to develop common language. Working to drive the equity team is the steering committee who will work with the CCSC to develop a progression and through line for the entire year. She reviewed the action steps for building consciousness, responsiveness and advocacy.

Actions to Build Consciousness: The Connecticut Center for School Change will work directly with staff to build consciousness; working with BOE; information will be gathered from surveys in relation to bias and racism; continue ongoing data review to identify

trends and gaps; build the mindset and tools of staff to review lesson development and curricular units to view with an equity lens; and the library media center will offer a book club in January, “Waking up White”

by Debby Irving.

Actions to Build Responsiveness: The district is looking for our school-based staff, principals and administration to build protected time and space for regular equity conversations; building an equity focus into the school improvement plans and the leadership capacity of our administrative team; looking at data and what the implications are of that data and what adjustments need to be made based on the data; imbeding culturally responsive texts into existing curriculum units; developing comprehensive supports for Open Choice students; adding a community book club in the spring; and, exploring partnership with CREC for minority teacher in-residence program.

Actions to Build Advocacy: Develop the district’s vision of the graduate with equity and social emotional learning embedded; partner with Equity challenge; Teaching Tolerance Social Justice Standards, conduct a curriculum audit with an equity lens; hold open sessions to provide forums to have dialogue around race and bias; and create a plan to expand the Bridges program.

Parsons stated this is a high-level view of the plan and entertained questions. Fiorentino thanked everyone for their work on this plan and appreciated actionable items to follow progress on. Regarding Open Choice students, he would like to set a goal around the BOE’s and administration’s presence in their communities. Migliaccio inquired if the district is looking for a community partner and Parsons stated the district is looking for a partner/agency that would reach an additional audience in the community.

Fiorentino suggested the Chamber of Commerce.

Emery inquired if monthly updates on equity can be put into The Granby Drummer and the Vision for full transparency regarding the work of the GET. Webster inquired if a “goals” column be added to know if/when the goal was achieved. Parsons stated, yes, both of these items can be accomplished

Board Standing Committee Reports

Finance/Personnel/Facilities Emery reported this subcommittee had a special meeting last week to discuss the lunch program. It is impossible in the current climate to sell lunches so the district took advantage of the extension of the Federal program which will run until Dec. 31. This gives an opportunity to increase the numbers. She stated it is

great to get the early reviews of the success and to spread the word.

OCTOBER 21, 2020 Present: Jenny Emery, Mark Fiorentino, Melissa Migliaccio, David Peling, Sarah Thrall, Rosemarie Weber, Brandon Webster, Jack DeGray, Jacob Scotto, Dr. Jordan Grossman, Jennifer Parsons, Anna Robbins.

Administrative Reports Migliaccio shared opening remarks and thanked the technology team, Jon Lambert and John Kroninger, for their efforts in broadcasting these meetings.

She also thanked all staff members for their work in reopening schools.

Superintendent’s Announcements Granby is in its fifth full week of school and the attendance average is consistently in the mid-90 percent range for both in-person and remote learning.

The food service program is doing very well because of a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. Children under the age of 18 receive free breakfast and lunch. The district is working on free breakfast at the high school.

Awaiting word from the Commissioner of Education regarding inclement weather days and giving local decisions to superintendents to have remote learning on these days.

Attendance at athletic events has been increased from 100 to 150 outside. Students are also able to attend games if they have a pass from a player.

A tentative schedule for winter sports would begin in late November. Awaiting guidelines.

Congratulations to Luke McFarland, senior, who is a semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program as well as a 2020-21 Hispanic Scholar for excellence in academic achievement. Additionally, Aidan Goodrow, Chase McGee and Colby Milbrandt, seniors, were recognized with a Letter of Commendation for outstanding performance on the PSAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in 2019.

Emery inquired about police coverage for the Route 189 high school entrance. Grossman reported that the town engineer looked at the situation and we are awaiting his recommendation. As a tentative solution, the GPD officers have been directing traffic in the morning and afternoon.

Peling inquired about the predetermined COVID cases rate for the Farmington Valley. Grossman said that we are now looking at a 14-day average as well as the threshold of over 10 cases per 100,000. Last week the

BOE cont’d. on p. 7

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December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 7

GRANBY BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES BOE cont’d. from p 6 average was a little bit higher than 2.6 percent. The Farmington Valley will make a recommendation if we need to pivot into a different learning model.

Webster inquired if another letter will be sent to the public with an overview of what learning model would be enacted and when. Grossman said the district will give as much notification as possible to families. Thrall inquired if, almost five weeks in, there are any changes in the number of students requesting to come back.

Assistant Superintendent’s Report Parsons provided updates and stated that to date there are zero cases of Covid-19 in Granby Public Schools.

Parsons stated, as Grossman mentioned that he has no less than three meetings a week with the FVHD and is on the phone with them multiple times a day.

The FVHD has a multitude of information and knowhow and if they start to see more community spread, they will inform us. The rise in cases in the Hartford County is related to specific towns. She provided an update on remote learners and stated 16 percent of students are learning remotely. Elementary is coming up to the end of the first trimester and 12 students are coming back. A minimum of two-weeks’ notice is required to re-enter.

Emery inquired how the district will manage space if everyone comes back. Parsons said the district can handle it; that is what was planned for initially.

However, if necessary, classes will be moved to larger spaces. Peling inquired if the 2.7 percent positivity rate is based on people getting tested or the population.

Parsons stated it is the percentage of positive cases; the Farmington Valley is in a good place at this time.

Student Representative Report Applications for the National Honors Society opened this week for all qualified juniors and seniors, and are due tomorrow and for review in November.

Seniors have finished intake meetings for the first two college deadlines and met with Guidance Counselors for recommendations, essays, resumes, etc.

All seniors who took the SAT received their scores this past Friday. Five Granby students received a perfect score in Math.

Juniors and sophomores took the PSAT two weeks ago and should get their scores back by next week.

Drama auditions for the fall play, It’s a Wonderful Life, were on Monday with the first rehearsal this evening.

Migliaccio inquired about the play and how that is going to work. Jacob said the Drama Club is going to try to offer a radio show where the characters will converse with a talk show host on stage and instead of a stage set will work on sound effects. Migliaccio inquired if this will be available via Zoom. Jacob said yes for the play as well as Coffeehouse.

Business Manager’s Report Robbins presented the September statement of accounts stating it reflects a comprehensive forecast of the cost of reopening schools. The forecast projects the cost of the reopening including two grants. Before the application of the grant funds the forecast was negative $723K. Regular education is over-budget $640K and special education is over-budget $83K. The major line items that cause the over-budget conditions are Custodial and Maintenance Salaries, Bus Monitors and General Supplies for Maintenance.

The CRF grant allows expenditures up to Dec. 30, 2020 but due to this date constraint, the general fund continues with a negative forecast of $124K. In Quality & Diversity, forecast expenses are lower than budgeted due to the summer school program; however, the fund is projected to be favorable $10K. The projection for revenue to the town continues to reflect additional revenue from regular education tuition from other towns and the excess cost funding from the state is projected to be lower than budgeted.

Rental and pay-for- participation fees are uncertain at this time; however, fall pay-for-participation fees are anticipated to be $20K. Overall projection of revenue to the town continues to be unfavorable. Emery stated the Finance Subcommittee reviewed the statement of accounts in detail this evening and administration is being prudently conservative in forecasting the cost to keep the schools open all year, which we hope we can do. Because of the great work done in securing the large grant, even if we are over budget, the amount is much less due to this grant.

Schools in the Spotlight Leanne Sullivan, eight grade science teacher, and eighth grade students, Jasmine Burnham, Ava Gallinelli, Hailey Mills, and Isabella Therion presented how the garden grant is used during academic enrichment and science. Sullivan stated she is very proud of the students and their efforts in the classroom.

She stated academic enrichment focused on creating a native habitat and that there is much potential for future cluster endeavors. Bella spoke about composting and weeding and stated students enjoy working with their hands. Hailey informed the board that she never had a class like this before and hopes the Granby 4H group can get involved in the garden.

Ava stated this is a weird year and being able to go outside is refreshing and an escape. It helps students in science and all classes including art. Jasmine spoke about what she has learned about monarch butterflies.

Minutes A motion was made by Webster and seconded by Peling that the Granby Board of Education adopt the consent agenda. This motion passed with one abstention (Rosemarie Weber) at 7:59 p.m.

New Business

Draft Revised Board of Education Goals The board discussed the draft of revised Board of Education goals. A motion was made by Emery and was seconded by Peling that the Granby Board of Education adopt the revised Board of Education goals as presented. Grossman reviewed the categories of the goals: Student Learning and Achievement; Community Engagement; Safety and Social Emotional Well-Being; Budget Development and Fiscal Management; Embracing Diversity; and Professional Learning.

Migliaccio stated she is pleased with these goals but inquired if there could be clarification to innovative investments, which will be changed to “innovative educational investments.” This motion passed unanimously at 8:06 p.m.

Board Committee Reports

Finance/Personnel/Facilities Emery reported this Subcommittee met this evening and discussed the finances; food service program

– the numbers are very good but need to see what the dollars are compared to reimbursement from the federal government; Nursing services through Farmington Valley VNA contract will be coming up for renewal; earlier planning at the end of each year to put a schedule together.

CREC/CABE Fiorentino reported CREC met today. Very brief legislative report – CABE is starting to message the next legislative session to basically leave us alone.

Calendar of Events The calendar of events is as presented. Jack DeGray clarified that each student gets four sports passes for parents, siblings, or students. It was originally two passes but was bumped up to four. Webster inquired about the sports being live streamed. Jack answered, yes, soccer games are livestreamed on the GMHS Boosters channel on YouTube. The link is available under the athletics section on the website.

Respectfully submitted, Rosemarie Weber, Board Secretary

First in line for Election Day Registration

Christine Serafin (l.) was the first voter at Election Day Registration Nov. 3, with Tammy Tanner. Photos by Stephanie McGuire

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Page 8 The Granby Drummer

Focus on Education Jordan E. Grossman, Ed.D

Giving thanks to the Granby community

I hope this message finds you and your family well. I want to take this time to thank the entire Granby Public Schools’ community for its support this year and wish the entire community all the best from my family to yours during the holiday season.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize our students and staff who have been actively honoring our veterans on Veterans Day, engaging in food and clothing drives and many other service projects that make a difference in our community. The Granby community should feel proud that both students and staff are working selflessly to make our community better.

I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work the Granby Public Schools’ Equity Team has put forth the last several months. The team of over 30 members includes participants that have made at least a two-year commitment to developing and monitoring a plan, as well as building their own consciousness.

The membership includes teachers, administrators, parents, students, Board of Education representation and community members at large.

The mission of the Granby Public Schools’ Equity Team is to lead the district in creating and holding all stakeholders accountable for an Anti-Bias/ Anti-Racism Action Plan that increases consciousness, responsiveness and ad-

vocacy around critical race and equity issues.

The administration is diligently preparing the Fiscal Year 2021-22 (FY22) budget. The FY22 Superintendent’s Plus One Budget will be presented to the Granby Board of Education on Jan. 6. As we move forward with the budget process, I encourage everyone to be involved. Granby Public Schools are built on strong community support and involvement. Below are key dates for the community to take part in the budget process: Jan. 6: FY22 Plus One Budget, Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.

March 3: FY22 Administrative Budget, Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.

March 10: FY22 Budget Workshop, 7 p.m.

March 17: FY22 Budget Approval, Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.

March 22: Board of Finance Meeting, 7 p.m.

April 11: Public Hearing, 7 p.m.

April 26: Town Vote I want to thank the entire Granby community for continuing to support our work. It is a privilege and honor to serve Granby as your Superintendent of Schools. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 860-844-5260 and follow me on Twitter @GranbySuper.

December 2020

View Granby sports from the comfort of your home Two industrious GHMS seniors did not let the pandemic put a damper on the fall and winter sport seasons. Recognizing the need for parents, families and students to feel connected to the various sporting events during a season with limited spectator- Bears Broadcast members (l to r): Jacob Shine, Cooper Boyd, Nick ship, Nick Boyd and Boyd, Owen Danke Owen Danke took granted $2,600 to the Bears Broadcast matters into their own hands.

Club and this amount was matched by a Perhaps you’ve been able to enjoy the donation from the Granby Boosters Club. live stream of home GMHS field hockey The current student broadcasters will siand soccer games this season on their multaneously educate and train incoming website: granbybears.live or youtube. members in using the new equipment, com/c/GMHSSportsLive while providing the high school with Nick and Owen, co-founders of the the ability to live stream sports, student GMHS Bears Broadcast Club, initially events, concerts, coffeehouses and drama approached principal Michael Dunn and productions. athletic director Brian Maltese with a Although the impetus was COVIDsuggestion to broadcast games and other driven, the club plans to make live school events as a way for the commustreaming of GMHS events a staple nity to view its students in action. When going forward. Nick and Owen noted asked about the club’s origin, Nick said, “the excitement over the live broadcasts “We knew we couldn’t replace ‘packing could also stir up interest for a studentthe den’ but we wanted to find a way to run morning newscast at GMHS, which make the school year feel more normal.” would be a great thing.”

The boys received the school’s support The GEF is a 501(c)(3) charitable and ran with it, initially using some of organization and entirely staffed by voltheir own equipment. After the positive unteers who freely give their time, energy reviews began to pour in from Bears and creativity. The GEF’s commitment to fans literally all over the country, the our community keeps our board members boys decided to take their project to the energized and on the lookout for new and next level and seek upgrades for their engaging programs for all ages. The GEF equipment. board always needs friends to help with Nick and Owen submitted a grant events, fundraising and creative thinkproposal to the Granby Education Founing. Email us for opportunities to help, dation requesting funds for the purchase including serving on the board, at info@ of new camera equipment, microphones granbyeducationfoundation.org and computer hardware. The GEF

Broadcasters live-stream the girls soccer NCCCWest Championship game on a cold and rainy afternoon. Photos

by Kathy Boyd

“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”

Join us for Sunday Worship Services @ 10 a.m.

Remote viewing option on FaceBook Live or firstchurchgranby.org.

Service is also recorded for later viewing.

Sermon Series: “I BELIEVE….”

See our website for all Advent and Christmas events and services.

219 North Granby Road, Granby, CT 06035 Telephone: (860) 653-4537 www.firstchurchgranby.org

December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 9

Preserving his heritage Mushrooms and wet antipasto in pantry. Photo by Anna Guarco

Michael Guarco in the kitchen

By Faith Tyldsley Michael Guarco is widely recognized in his role (since 1989) as chairman of Granby’s Board of Finance. In his position as chair, and as a regular contributor to the Drummer, he advises and explains best practices for the town’s financial success.

We know people only in fractional ways, so here is a pleasing revelation: Not only is Guarco good with numbers but he is also a star when it comes to traditional Italian cuisine. Given his humble demeanor about this facet of his life, who would guess that each year he—along with family members—produces wine, makes salami and sausage, prepares mushrooms in four ways and assembles up to 60 quarts of wet antipasto in a day?

A passion to honor his culture, while specifically memorializing his grandparents, propels his culinary ventures. When he is preparing his specialties, he is living a tradition. “I often feel the presence of my grandparents. It is a melancholy kind of comfort,” reflects Guarco.

Family Sunday dinner, October 11 “At 11 a.m. I started dinner. I prepped the pork roast with salt, pepper and rosemary and inserted bits of garlic into it via little slits. The meat was then spread with a mixture of pesto and anchovy creme. Potatoes, carrots and onions were added to the roasting pan. The tomato salad was made with finocchio (fennel), and dressed with oil and vinegar. Last I started my risotto with the mushrooms.

Once it was almost done, saffron and parmigiana cheese were added. The meal was all on the table at 3:00, with a side dish of my pickled mushrooms and our wine.”

In this manner Mike Guarco describes his preparation of a meal—one his grandmother frequently served—for a recent fall afternoon’s dinner, a family gathering that is often held on Sundays at his and wife Judy’s home in West Granby.

Deep roots in the community Four generations of Guarcos have made Granby their home. The family’s striking entrepreneurial spirit manifested itself from the beginning. Doro Guarco (1896-1998) and his father immigrated to America from Italy in 1914. Doro, Mike Guarco’s grandfather, achieved success in several endeavors. After finding his way to Granby, he earned a living providing firewood for brick kilns and making railroad ties, later buying land and transitioning to crop and dairy farming on Notch Road. He also owned Doro’s Tavern on State Street in Hartford for 24 years.

Members of the younger generations continue to demonstrate a marked ability to start and maintain thriving businesses, including an oil company, a propane company and a construction operation.

Growing up in Granby Guarco and his four siblings grew up on the family farm on Notch Road. He recalls how, at the age of 7, he was “driving tractor raking hay.” Large vegetable gardens provided food for the table throughout the year and everyone shared the tasks of planting, weeding, harvesting and meal preparation.

Graduating in 1976 from Granby Memorial High School as class salutatorian, Guarco was one of three graduates who were accepted to Ivy League schools. He spent four years in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, receiving a bachelor

and left at 5:00 with a packed lunch of homemade salami sandwiches. We had to get there early as so many other folks of European extraction would be arriving to get into the woods for the same reason.”

These days Guarco finds his mushrooms in Granby. He has his special spots, but he also has a number of friends who will call to let him know when they see mushrooms on their property or elsewhere in the area. The best time to pick is a narrow window at the end of August into September. He notes that “a good rain storm helps the mushrooms to form.” This year he picked 10 pounds.

He points out that this is not the small amount it may seem since “they are light-weight,” but he also notes that the drought “absolutely” affected the yield this year.

His preferred mushroom is the porcini, prized in Italian and French cuisine for both its nutty, earthy flavor and its tender, meaty texture. Brown-capped, with thick white stalks, porcini require no initial preparation other than a quick clean. He stresses that they must be prepared “in a timely fashion,” which pretty much means immediately. Four possibilities follow: they can be dried, pickled, breaded like eggplant, or sautéed with onion, garlic, rosemary and tomato.

of science degree in economics, then returning home to Granby to work in the family business.

Guarco and his wife, the former Judith Cook, were in the same catechism class in first grade, but Judy says they did not really know each other until they became classmates in 5th grade at Kelly Lane.

While Guarco went to Philadelphia, she attended the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. They married at St. Therese Church in 1982 and have four children.

Summer’s bounty: Wet antipasto Wet antipasto includes onions, peppers, celery, carrots, cauliflower, and green and yellow string beans. Guarco’s 1,000-foot garden provides a portion of these, but some must be bought given the large quantity to be prepared. The recipe also incorporates mushrooms, tuna, anchovies, and canned or stewed tomatoes. The resulting flavorful blend is enjoyed as an accompaniment to meat dishes. One day’s work may result in as many as 60 quarts of antipasto. Relatives come to help, forming an assembly line of washing, chopping, and keeping a watch on two large pots of simmering vegetables and then filling heated jars at the right moment.

Family and lucky friends share the resulting jars, which will keep for more than a year—but are usually consumed well before 12 months have passed.

Mushroom memories “When I was about 6- or 7-years-old, during the months of July and August, I used to go up to Windsor State Forest, near Pittsfield, Mass., with my grandfather (who was born in 1896 so would have been in his 60s) to gather mushrooms,” reminisces Guarco. “They grew in great abundance in the forest there, though dependent on rainfall and phase of the moon. We got up at 4:30 a.m.

Preserving his heritage cont’d. on p. 10

Mushrooms ready to pick.

Photo by Mike Guarco

Mike Guarco in mushroom mode.

Photo by Faith Tyldsley

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Family dinner: l. to r. Mike Guarco, Sr. (father), Judy Guarco, Mike Guarco, Eileen Guarco (mother), Alan Guarco (brother). Photo by Anna Guarco

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Page 10 The Granby Drummer

December 2020

Preserving his heritage cont’d. from p. 8

Wine in October: filling the demijohns The arrival of Columbus Day signals that it is time to buy grapes and make wine. Guarco’s brother purchases two varieties of grapes (Syrah and Grenache) from the regional food market in Hartford. The grapes, shipped from California, are sold by the crate, each holding 36 pounds. Forty crates were purchased for wine-making this year for a grand total of 1,440 pounds of grapes.

The grapes are placed into four big barrels where they are crushed through electrical power. This begins the process of fermentation when the mass of grapes will begin bubbling and then rising on its own. When the level of the mass drops, the resulting juice is ready to be poured into demijohns, over-sized bottles with short narrow necks. Each demijohn contains the equivalent of 70 bottles of wine.

The demijohns are kept in a room that Guarco refers to as a “cantina.” Thus, another cultural tradition lives on in Granby: A cantina is an integral part of a traditional Italian home. It is a room below ground level with a dirt floor where wine and other products such as salami are stored.

When asked how strong his wine is, Guarco replies, “Strong enough to cure what ails you.”

November is salami-making time Guarco estimates that his father, two brothers, Judy and he make 100 pounds of hard salami and sausage a season. His salami is “made of ground pork (both meat and fat), and flavored with spices, garlic and a bit of wine.”

Ingredients are placed into the meat grinder which his grandfather used over

100 years ago. It is a prized possession.

With the date of 1913 stamped on its venerable iron body, it serves as a tactile conduit to his grandfather. The mixture is stuffed into “casings” and the resulting “strings” are hung from the cantina’s ceiling. Guarco describes his variety as tender in texture and “great sliced for sandwiches.”

Going home to Salogni Every summer in August, a pilgrimage of sorts is made when the Guarcos return to their ancestral home in Salogni, Italy, for a two-week stay. Guarco first visited in 1972 when he was 13, and has been to Italy 25 times since.

Salogni is a tiny town in the Piedmont region, high in the Apennine Mountains overlooking the Po Valley, between Genoa and Milan. The population for centuries was 400 but today is closer to 15. The remaining permanent inhabitants are mostly elderly people, some of whom knew his grandparents. The village comes alive in summer as family clusters convene to spend summer days in the homes of their ancestors.

The Guarco family home was “fixed up” in 1971, modernized just enough to make it comfortable. Rooms are small and Guarco must duck to go through doorways. There is also a great uncle’s home—still owned by the family— where cousins who live in Italy come to stay. Once again, on homeland soil, Guarcos dance and eat together, celebrating the warmth and endurance of family.

When it is time to leave, the Guarcos are surrounded by well-wishers and by cousins who are staying longer. Each year, two elderly ladies in their 90s ask Guarco, “Are you coming home next

Alan and Judy stuff the casings. Photo by Mike Guarco

Why We Should Be Your

View from Salogni, Italy. Photo by Mike Guarco

year?”

Toast to tradition This year there was no trip to Salogni.

But the mushrooms were picked; the jars of wet antipasto sit 4-deep on pantry shelves; the wine, salami and sausage keep company in the cantina. Even as winter comes on, Guarco can feel the Mediterranean sun and see the old ladies he’ll return to next summer.

Salami and demijohns in cantina.

Photo by Mike Guarco

Mike and Judy Guarco toast each other with their own wine. Saluti!

Photo by Faith Tyldsley

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December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 11

Holiday gift sale at GPL

By Brian Tomasino

For the month of December, the Friends of Granby Public Library will have books and DVDs available to purchase for gift giving this holiday season. There will be a number of items for children and adults with a variety of different areas of interest, such as gently used Holiday CDs, DVDs, and books, coffee table books, and other items great for stocking stuffers. Many of the items will be wrapped in holiday ribbon ready for gift giving at reasonable prices.

All sale items are available when the library is open. Sale begins Tuesday, Dec. 8 at the Granby Public Library and will continue throughout the month during regular hours when open to the public.

While we all like to shop locally, you can still support the Friends of Granby Public Library when shopping through Amazon Smile. You can easily set up an account by going to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone. Sign in and at the top navigation select the option to search and select your charity.

Make sure to select “Friends of Granby Public Library, Inc Granby, CT.” For every order that you place on the Smile Amazon site, a portion is donated to the library at no extra cost to you.

The Friends are also looking for a volunteer to handle and create posts for our Friends of Granby Public Library Facebook page. If you are interested, please send an email to Friends.gpl@gmail.com Have a wonderful holiday season!

The book table at the library will be stocked with a great selection of holiday gifts.

Submitted photo

GMHS boys varsity soccer team wins NCCC West championship

By Michael Dombrowski Thank you to the Board of Education, Granby Public Schools Administration, parents, players and townspeople for doing everything in your power to have a fall sports season for our student-athletes.

While it is great to celebrate a boys soccer championship and give a positive memory the boys can cherish and reminisce on for the rest of their lives, the greater accomplishment is how every single player associated with the program changed their personal habits, routines, and rearranged family calendars to keep the season from being interrupted by COVID. In a world that is dominated by negative media and constant fear, let’s acknowledge and focus on these positives: • In the midst of a global pandemic, the boys’ varsity soccer team at Granby Memorial High School was able to complete a full 12-game schedule plus two tournament games, and two JV teams were able to complete their full 10-game schedule. Final Record 11-2-1 (NCCC West Champions)

• Parents were only able to attend home games, and, for many, this would be the first time they would have to miss their kids’ games. But the Granby Boosters and the athletic and technology department members acted quickly to purchase live streaming video equipment so everyone, including those family members who were in different states, former players, coaches and coaches’ families who still wanted to be associated with the program and parents, could watch and actively support every second of every game.

• Graduating seniors (on this team there are 12) and every player on the team were able to have some normalcy for the first time since March 13. Even though this new normal was different from what they were accustomed to—wearing masks to and from games, shorter practices, not being able to use the locker room, etc.— they persevered and recognized that these small changes would allow their season to take place.

• While the State of Connecticut rolling weekly COVID-19 average was continuing to increase during the month of October and into November, the town of Granby has been able to stay well below the state average. Our season would not be possible without the community of Granby following science and doing everything in their power to keep each other safe.

• Parents of the players on the team came up with new ways to celebrate the team’s success because they couldn’t be

in person to celebrate. They honked from their cars while the bus rolled into the school parking lot during the tournament.

These moments were appreciated by the players and brought smiles to their faces.

Lastly, thank you to the Granby Rovers coaches (you know who you are) and Dave Emery, retired varsity head coach, for developing highly skilled players who have a passion for the game and display the highest amount of sportsmanship and class.

With grateful hearts, we wish you a 2021 filled with PEACE, PROSPERITY, HEALTH, KINDNESS, HAPPINESS, and most of all, JOY!

The Piano Concert

Robin, Melanie, Cyndie, Jill and Roland Dowd Realty Group

The house lights dimmed. The mother returned to her seat and discovered her child was missing. The curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

At that moment, the great piano master came in and whispered in the boy’s ear, “Don’t quit.” “Keep playing.” With his left hand, Padereswki began filling in a bass part. Next his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, they transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.

Perhaps that’s the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren’t always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life’s work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear a voice whispering in your ear, “Don’t quit.” “Keep playing.”

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Page 12 The Granby Drummer

Girl Scouts build a library in Salmon Brook Park

By Whitney Sanzo On Election Day, as crowds of Granby residents made their way to the polls, Girl Scout Troop 66192 made its way to Salmon Brook Park to complete the installation of a little library.

Little libraries are small booksharing boxes where community members take or leave books.

These charming vessels are popping up in communities and offer access to books in a simple self-serve manner. Now Granby residents have access to this library at the park.

Troop 66192 is a second-year junior troop with 10 Granby girls. The little library was the troop’s take action project idea to complete the Think Like an Engineer Journey.

Before COVID, the troop came up with the idea at a meeting and brainstormed where they One of the first customers for the new little library thought it should go in Granby. at Salmon Brook Park. Photo by Whitney Sanzo Most of the girls had seen little libraries in other towns. During COVID, criteria, using troop funds raised selling they designed the little library at a Zoom Girl Scout Cookies the previous year. meeting. The girls came together and ofThe girls were split into two small fered up their ideas and shared inspiration groups and built the kit in an open garage. with images of other little libraries. From One girl could not attend so the kit was there they agreed on color and overall dropped off for her to help. Another girl design, including locking mechanism. was quarantined, and the kit was dropped During this time the troop also reached off for her help. Each member of the out to Program Specialist Terri Ziemnicki troop found a way to help and donated at Salmon Brook Park who asked her children’s books to fill the library. manager who liked the idea. UnfortuThe little library was installed and nately, everything was shut down so opened for business on Nov. 3. It is while it was approved it was not possible located between the administrative and to install right away. pond buildings for all to use and enjoy.

As they awaited the opening of the Granby Girl Scouts are proud members park, the troop got to work. This was of the Granby Community Fund. The not their first building project. Last year girls look forward to their local commuthey built bat houses for their animal nity enjoying the little library for years to habitat badge and donated one to Wells come and in turn greatly appreciate your Road School. However, building a little support by contributing to the Granby library was a bit more complex. Troop Community Fund or by buying delicious leader Marie Hutchinson researched kits Girl Scout Cookies. Cookie Season is and decided to go with LittleLibrary. coming! org and selected a kit that met the girls’

November 2020

The Little Christmas Tree I think back in my memories to my first Christmas as a wife and young mother.

Our income was just above the poverty level (by ten dollars), but we were blessed by the church with a big turkey with all the trimmings, and a basket full of canned goods and basic staples to last quite a while.

My husband insisted we have a Christmas tree, and a friend brought a small white pine seedling from the woods nearby. We had no money for decorations, so I hung the cards we had received from family and friends on it. I thought it was beautiful with the religious pictures of the manger, shepherds, angels, and winter scenes of Santas and snowmen, and all the love the cards expressed.

The day after Christmas my husband bought some half-price miniature gold and green balls to add to the tree and make it complete.

There were other Christmases with much bigger trees with lights, and lots of colored balls, tinsel, and decorations made by the children. Sadly, my husband lived to share only fourteen more Christmases with us, when he passed away suddenly leaving us brokenhearted.

I still have those tiny gold and green balls and maybe a few of those long-ago cards, too. I look at them and remember the love from family and friends and for each other. Love, that’s what that little Christmas tree still means to me.

—Bernadette R. Gentry

Granby Horse Council Scholarship The Granby Horse Council Scholarship Committee is accepting applications for 2021. The scholarship is for $500 and is intended for college tuition, books or fees.

The award goes to a senior student in high school. Students must have been in their high school program for at least two years and be a member of the Granby Horse Council at the time the scholarship application is submitted.

The recipient must plan to attend a university, college or junior college for at least a two-year program in the field of animal studies. The accepted fields include, but are not limited to, preveterinary school, veterinary technician or assistant, equine studies, stable management, animal husbandry, or equine assisted therapy.

Students may contact Granby Horse Scholarship Committee member Peggy Lareau for directions on submission at 860-653-4464 (land line) or peggy@ lareaufamily.com Return completed applications to the Granby Horse Council Scholarship Committee, Peggy Lareau, Scholarship Chair, Granby Horse Council, P.O. Box 162, Granby, CT 06035. Applications must be received by March 31, 2021.

If the student is not already a member of Granby Horse Council, the scholarship application can be accompanied by an application for membership and the $15 fee. Application for membership for the Granby Horse Council is on the website granbyhorsecouncilct.com under “Links and Forms.”

Scholarship Committee Members: Peggy Lareau, Holly Ely, Elizabeth Fazzino

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November 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 13

What’s for Supper?

Taco Slaw Skillet

Generosity fills Granby’s Food Bank

By Pamela Scherrer I adapted this month’s recipe from one I found on Peaceloveandlowcarb.com— it’s super easy and a one-pan wonder, my favorite thing. It is also fantastic as a leftover as the cabbage stays crunchy, as long as you don’t overcook it. I hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Avis Cherichetti selling her pottery at First Church food drive. Photo by Don Shaw Jr.

By Don Shaw, Jr. No one should go hungry in Granby, or anywhere. In response to a growing need to provide adequate access to food and household essentials for Granbyarea families in need, Granby residents once again generously supported First Congregational Church’s monthly food drive and helped it achieve new heights in support of the Granby Food Bank— this time in collaboration with Granby potter Avis Cherichetti.

On Nov. 7, the food drive netted a pickup truck full of food and necessities, and more than $1,700 in donations from Cherichetti’s pottery sales. First Congregational Church and Cherichetti believe community collaborations lead to community solutions. We thank all who answered the call to donate.

First Church’s upcoming Granby food drives will be Saturdays, Dec. 5, and Jan. 2, from 9 – 11 a.m. at 219 North Granby Road.

Ingredients 1 lb. ground turkey or beef 4 Tablespoons taco seasoning 10 oz can diced tomatoes with juices 4 oz can diced green chiles (I used mild) 16 oz bag of coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrots) ½ cup sliced black or kalamata olives ½ can black beans (rinsed and drained) 1 avocado, sliced for garnish 2 green onions, diced ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese sour cream for topping Directions In large skillet, cook meat with 2 Tablespoons of the taco seasoning over medium heat until browned. If using ground turkey, you can add a little water so the meat doesn’t dry out.

Add the can of tomatoes and green chilis with their juices to the skillet along with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of seasoning. Stir and add the bag of coleslaw mix and the black beans.

Continue cooking on medium heat until the cabbage is just tender, about 5-7 minutes.

Stir in the olives and cook another 1-2 minutes.

Remove from heat and sprinkle with shredded cheese, let melt.

Top with avocado slices, green onions, cilantro and sour cream as desired.

Buon Appetito!

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Page 14 The Granby Drummer

December 2020

Waypoints

By Mark Fiorentino

Letter to Santa, 2020 Dear Santa: Wow. What a year, huh? I bet more people than ever, especially those involved in politics, have really tested the line between naughty and nice. You must be especially busy evaluating behavior and preparing your lists.

Speaking of that, let me address the unfortunate business of last year’s empty cookie plate. It was neither an indication of our faith you would come, nor any statement on our concern for your BMI. For what it’s worth, people are apparently now saying that the BMI is just a hoax and not a reliable measure of one’s health.

But that’s not my point. My point is this: especially during the holidays, I have insufficient self-restraint. So, we

made you cookies, but I ate them all.

Which puts me, I hope you will agree, in the neutral position on the naughtynice spectrum. I’m thinking: one point for being thoughtful enough to make the cookies, and minus one for eating them.

Anyway, that was last year. This year we will have a full plate of your favorites waiting for you. I’ll have Ellie help me.

She must be solidly on the nice side of the scale. That, as always, will rub off on me and will, hopefully, be enough to warrant some consideration of my wish list.

Just in case, here it is: 1. A bigger boat for my friend Dave. I know. He already has a great boat that is big enough to safely and comfortably fish the Long Island Sound, which he does all summer long. He’s pretty good

McLean named top nursing home

U.S. News and World Report, the global authority in health care rankings, recently identified the top nursing homes for 202021 and released its new Nursing Home Finder. McLean was again among the list of top nursing homes that earned a highperformance ranking for both Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation.

More than 15,000 nursing homes were evaluated nationwide, in every state and nearly 100 major metropolitan areas, with separate ratings for Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation.

U.S. News and World Report states on its website unveiling this year’s report, “As nursing homes and facilities across the nation cope with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. News remains committed to providing data-driven information and guidance to help patients, families and caregivers understand their long-term and short-term care options. This year, to accompany the new ratings, nursing home profile pages were updated to include a patient safety summary that reflects COVID-19 data alongside other measurements of safety and related advice on choosing a home or facility amidst the pandemic. The U.S. News Best Nursing Homes combines comprehensive information about care, health inspections and staffing with COVID-19 outbreaks, flu and pneumonia vaccination rates, and infection control

violations listed on the patient safety summary.”

All measures in both ratings were developed from publicly available data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as of August 2020. Out of the 13,433 nursing homes that received a Long-Term Care rating, McLean was among the 1,130 with a high-quality rating. Out of a total of 14,126 Short-Term facilities, only 2,362 were designated as high quality.

McLean’s 24-hour person-centered care is provided by dedicated professional staff members who play an integral role in the success and care of you and your family member by working with you to create a unique and effective care plan.

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McLean’s Long-Term Care and ShortTerm Rehabilitation are offered on the McLean campus in Simsbury. McLean is a not-for-profit senior living community, offering a continuum of care which also includes independent living, assisted living, enhanced assisted living and memory care, an adult day program, outpatient rehabilitation and wellness, home care and hospice.

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about inviting me to fish with him at least a couple of times a year. This year, I went more than ever, and forgive the pun, but I’m hooked. I caught my first bluefish, my first tautog and lots of porgies and sea bass that I learned to fillet and cook.

So, to be frank, I’m looking for more opportunities to fish in saltwater, and Dave is my best hope. I figure if he gets the bigger boat he wants, he’ll feel pressured to use it. And, if he knows I put in a good word with you, how can he not invite me to join him?

Please consider (according to Dave): a 28-foot Steiger Craft, a Parker 2820 XLD or a Boston Whaler Conquest.

2. A classic sports car for my friend Gerry. Something cool, like a Porsche 911. Gerry actually wants a diesel truck big enough to tow his boat to and from Mystic where he docks it for the summer (and, yes, fishes the Sound). But, if you get him a truck, he won’t need to borrow mine. Gerry is a great guy, and I’m sure he would still invite me to fish the Sound with him, but why take the chance?

3. A new saltwater rod and reel for my friend Mark. There’s actually nothing wrong with the ancient, scarred gear Mark has now, but maybe a new combo will change his luck. I’m tired of him always out-fishing us.

4. A winning lottery ticket for my friend John. John was my most reliable fishing buddy, but he moved to South Carolina this summer. I miss his company and his

sense of humor. Please make the jackpot big enough that he can afford to retire, get a second place up here and come fishing whenever he wants.

Although, come to think of it, you could just give me the ticket and I’ll spend some time fishing in South Carolina.

There are lots of saltwater options down there.

5. More time to write. This is really for Rita and the hard-working staff at the Drummer, who I’m sure are getting tired of me pushing up against, and blowing through, deadlines. But let’s be clear: more writing time CANNOT come at the expense of fishing time.

6. The opportunity to chase bucket-list fish in a few more states with Gage and/ or Ellie. Our quest to fish in every state has really slowed down of late. Trips for giant snakeheads in Virginia, blue catfish in Missouri and sturgeon in Idaho would all be excellent choices.

7. Whatever Kristal wants. You know what they say: “Happy wife, happy life.”

Not to be presumptuous, but with more saltwater fishing, visits to South Carolina and snakeheads, blue catfish and sturgeon on my horizon, I’m going to need her to be really happy.

Respectfully submitted, Mark Fiorentino P.S. The cookie plate will have at least one of my famous Brownie Toffee Cookies. They are to die for!

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December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 15

The store that George Guay built

By Todd Vibert Each time I drive by the house at 28 Copper Hill Road, I think of George Guay. Guay lived in that house while running his grocery store for nearly half a century. I had the good fortune to work for Guay in the 1970s as a teenager, one of hundreds of teenagers from Granby and East Granby.

In 1935, George moved from Willimantic to Granby and opened a small grocery store specializing in meats with his partner, Ray Hannah, located where Beman’s hardware store is today. As the business grew, they needed more space

George Guay on the right with a shovel, on the left is Willard Kellogg.

In the center is Julian Leavitt, vice president of Springfield Sugar Company that made Sweet Life Products sold in the store.

Courtesy of Salmon Brook Historical Society

and they rented the old Loomis store at the corner of Hartford Ave. and Rt. 202/10 in 1940. In 1944, they remodeled the store. Hannah and Guay continued to sell special cuts of meat, produce and other groceries and made deliveries as well. In 1945, Hannah and Guay officially purchased the property from James Lee Loomis. Two years later, Ray Hannah retired and George Guay found a new partner, Willard Kellogg.

After the Second World War, Granby’s population was rapidly growing. In 1940, the population was 1,540; by 1950, it had increased to nearly 2,700 and in 1960, Granby’s population was close to

Funding available for home repairs

The Town of Granby has funding available for a Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program that provides funding to income-eligible property owners for housing related repairs.

Property owners must meet income guidelines based on household size to participate. Additional requirements include eligibility of proposed repairs, sufficient equity, and paid real estate taxes. Income limits are based on gross income for all household members age 18 and older that are not fulltime students. Household income limits are as follows: one person–$54,950; two people–$62,800; three people–$70,650; four people–$78,500; five people–$84,800; six people–$91,100.

Eligible repairs include, but not limited to: roofing, siding, doors and window replacement, plumbing, electrical and heating upgrades, insulation and weather proofing. Additional improvements such as water and sewer connections, life safety and code compliance are also eligible.

Funding is provided as a zero-interest, deferred payment loan, to owner-occupied residents. Low interest loans are available to investors provided certain requirements are met. Deferred payment loans require no monthly payments and accrue no interest. Payment is due upon transfer of title, sale of property, refinance, if the property is no longer their primary residence or upon the owner’s demise.

Applications are addressed on a first-come first-serve basis and funding is limited.

To apply, contact the Community Development Office, Abigail St. Peter Kenyon at 860-844-5319 or akenyon@granby-ct.gov

5,000 people. As the town grew, Guay and Kellogg again needed more space, so they built a new store three times as big as the Old Loomis Store on Bank Street. Construction started in 1961 and the grand opening was on April 12, 1962.

At the new store, Guay and Kellogg’s house brand was Sweet Life Products from Springfield, Mass. With the purchase of groceries, you would receive S & H Green Stamps and on Wednesdays, customers got double stamps. After collecting books of stamps, a trip to a S & H redemption center to exchange the books rewarded you with household goods or small appliances.

I always believed that George Guay’s success as a grocer was because of service. I remember him teaching us about bagging groceries, saying the bag is

square and should always remain that way. He stressed that meats and produce should always go in plastic bags and to always offer to help customers with their groceries by taking them to their car. Willard Kellogg died in 1969 at the age of 61 and George Guay continued to work well into his 70s. His son, Ted, and son-in-law, Bill Narkon, helped run the store after Willard Kellogg died. George Guay died in 1984 at the age of 79. The next year, Geissler’s bought Guay and Kellogg and is still serving the town.

Want to learn more about George Guay, Willard Kellogg or the many businesses Granby is home to? Join the Salmon Brook Historical Society by calling 860-653-9713 or visiting salmonbrookhistoricalsociety.com

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Page 16 The Granby Drummer

December 2020

The Other Cossitt Library

By Ken Kuhl The first Memphis public library opened in 1893. The benefactor was none other than Frederick H. Cossitt, the former Granby resident and philanthropist. At the time of Cossitt’s death, Memphis was just a fledgling Tennessee city without any library. Even though Cossitt did not provide for the library in his will, he did leave a list of three Memphis businessmen who were to manage the endowment funds and see that a proper library was constructed.

The city agreed to provide the building lot, the working expenses and awarded Atlanta architect L.B. Wheeler the contract for the building. Trying to work within a modest budget, Wheeler created a small but impressive Romanesque monument like nothing else the city of Memphis had ever seen. It was a masterpiece, with its red sandstone turret towering above the skyline—almost shouting, “Culture has arrived!”

But that didn’t quite happen. After its dedication, the new library actually stood empty for a year because there wasn’t enough money left to buy any books. The city newspapers began a campaign asking the public to help. And the shelves began to fill up. When the library finally did open, in addition to books, it also housed the city’s first museum collection. Culture had now indeed arrived!

The citizens of Memphis fell in love with the grand building. During the next 25 years it became a major landmark and the most photographed building in the city, appearing on more postcards than any

remember what it replaced. The original Cossitt Library was a stunning red sandstone castle, with a sweeping flight of steps that led up to a triple-arched entrance, and a round tower that provided visitors with magnificent views of the Mississippi River… In a flash of insanity, the city of Memphis, arguing that the old building had somehow become unstable, tore down the castle and replaced it with this. Some people might try to 1950s renovation of the Cossitt Library in Memphis. Submitted photo call the new building ‘International space and turn the building Style.’ We call it a hideous blue box that into more of a community doesn’t even attempt to match the rear center, a gathering place with sandstone addition. This whole project is a a cafe, meeting rooms for disgrace. The original Cossitt Library was locals, yoga on the exterior one of the most beautiful public buildings patio and rooms for teaching in Memphis. This is one of the ugliest.” dance and the arts. In addiAll that remained of Old Cossitt Library tion to the new programming, was the cornerstone that is still displayed Library Director Shamichael in the front lobby.

Hallman assured that the By the 2000s the Cossitt was still home library will still have “quite to the city’s public library, though it was a few” books. only considered a branch and no longer A Grand Re-opening was used very much in the digital age. The planned for the spring of historic back half of the library is virtually 2019, but cost overruns abandoned, and closed off to the public. pushed the renovations closer There are large empty rooms with incredto $6,000,000 and the proible views of the Mississippi River. Some jected date of September rooms are simply storage areas, and oth2020 has come and gone. ers are filled with myriad rows of metal As the Town of Granby bookshelves and used as stacks, a place and The Friends of Cossitt where old books and publications go to continue our restoration projwither and decay. ect, it is with a sense of pride In 2011 a group of locals formed a conthat our community, with cerned-citizens organization that lobbied generous gifts from our own for an exact replica of the original Cossitt residents have put our little Ladies on the steps of the Memphis Cossitt Library.

Library. Their view library on the path to remain- Submitted photo was that a new Cossitt ing an important part of the building would make fabric and life of Granby. a very appropriate and grand Library/Museum that could lead the way in library design Volunteer opportunity across the country.

This dream however was never to be.

Epilog: 2020 Do you like to write?

After years of The Drummer is looking for a few writers to cover stories decline and underutiabout Granby and its residents. Email us at lization, the Cossitt Library was closed editor@granbydrummer.org or leave a message at in January 2018. The 860-653-9222. dream of a replica of the historic structure The was never considered. After receiving a Federal grant along with other cities like Your hometown volunteer newspaper.

Detroit and Chicago, $3,000,000 was awarded to Memphis to re-invent the

Writers needed

other landmark. But like all libraries, there was never enough space. Almost from the beginning, the library began the rather new concept of renting space around town and opening “branches.” By the turn of the century it became obvious that more space was going to be needed and a small addition was added, expanding the library’s infrastructure by adding shelf space and a reading room overlooking the Mississippi River in 1906.

A larger addition was designed with new space that doubled the size of the original and the library continued as a showplace of the city that the locals assumed would always be there.

But by the 1950s the space began to be a problem once more and the library began thinking in terms of “modernization.”

That of course meant a new building and the library commission began a campaign of talking about the building as being unstable. They talked so much about it that of course it became a fact. Thus, it was decided that the beautiful old Romanesque building should be demolished after standing like a rock for 65 years. To convince the folks of Memphis this was a “renovation,” the rear 1920s section was kept and a poorly conceived mid-century modern was added to the front where the proud old structure once stood.

This so-called renovation was not well received; a critic wrote of the 1958 renovation, “To fully appreciate the absolute ugliness of this building, you have to

Drummer

December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 17

A Tale of Two Buses from New Britain to Nigeria The Granby Drummer has featured stories of building projects in several regions of Nigeria through the nonprofit group Africa Education Partnership.

Board member and retired Granby teacher, Elaine Chagnon, along with husband Bob, a retired DATTCO, Inc. controller, have been working on sending school buses to Kafanchan, Nigeria.

The birth of an idea In fall of 2018, Bishop Markus Dogo and his wife visited here and were guests at the Chagnon house. Bishop discussed the need for buses to transport children to school. There is no school transportation provided to students, who must often walk far distances to attend.

Often, parents cannot provide rides to school. There is limited access to town buses and schools are not on the routes, meaning that students must still walk a distance from the stop. Often, students arrive late, tired, or not at all.

Bishop pondered how he could obtain several buses to help and said he would begin to raise the funds to purchase them.

Next steps Bob began the search through his former employer at DATTCO, Inc. of New Britain. The search took over a year.

Finally, two mini-buses were located in excellent condition. They passed inspection with flying colors and were approved. Bishop Dogo wired the funds to DATTCO and made the purchase of the two vehicles. The buses arrived at the Chagnon’s house while shipping arrangements were completed.

Packing barrels Thanks to the generosity of fellow teachers and friends, Elaine had collected approximately 40 boxes of books and school supplies. Now that the buses were secured, shipping barrels were ordered and paid for by Africa Education Partnership. A safe packing party was held and nine barrels of supplies labeled for various schools were safely strapped

into the rear of the buses. Two barrels of medical supplies were included for the hospital on school grounds.

In the meantime, a Facebook fundraiser was posted to pay the $7,700 needed to ship both buses and barrels.

Thanks to the outpouring of support, funds were raised over and above the shipping costs. Those funds paid for two barrels of bus parts, purchased at cost from DATTCO, Inc. to help with maintenance.

From the Bronx, New York to Lagos, Nigeria A Nigerian pastor-friend in the Bronx arranged the actual shipping itinerary from the port. On a mid-August Friday afternoon, two DATTCO bus drivers made the trip, followed by the Chagnons, to the drop-off point. The buses were secured in a parking lot for the weekend and were picked up on the following Monday and driven to the port.

It took about a month for the ship to sail from the port since no vessels sail until fully loaded.

After a six-week journey at sea, the ship arrived in the harbor of Lagos, Nigeria on Oct. 20, and the ship was able to dock on Oct. 29. Due to unrest in the city, the buses could not be collected until Nov. 10.

Celebration!

The buses arrived in Kafanchan on Nov. 10—cause for great joy! Traffic was stopped by the road safety corps so that the community and school students could all come out to see the procession.

The boys’ brigade provided drums and bugles for dancing. It is just amazing to see the reaction that two used buses can bring, and what a support they will be to this community of school students.

Many thanks to the community of supporters that made this possible. It truly takes a village. For further information, please contact Elaine Chagnon at africaedupartnership@gmail.com or visit africaep.org

Bus drivers and NY contact in the Bronx, with send-off for loaded buses.

School staff and administration welcome the two buses to Kafanchan. Photos submitted.

In Memory of . . .

Wagner, Joyce Isabelle (Howe), 89, wife of the late James Edward Wagner, September 13 Burnham, Gary R., 65, September 16 Cabral, Wayne J., 53, husband of Kimberly (Viviano) Cabral, September 30 Barrett, Richard N., Jr., 92, husband of the late Marge Barrett, October 10 Childs, Blair, 93, partner of Peggy Robards and husband of the late Carolyn Hatheway Alcorn Childs, October 27 Hobbs, Elizabeth “Betty” Joyce, 90, wife of Ernest “Joe” John Hobbs, November 5 Folan, Thomas K., 94, husband of Sheila (Sheridan) Folan, November 6 Holloway, Taft Patrick, 66, husband of Joanne Sacher, November 15

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Page 18 The Granby Drummer

December 2020

Granby Land Trust GLT bestows its highest honor on Jamie Gamble The Granby Land Trust has awarded the 2020 Mary Edwards Friend of the Land Trust Award, the GLT’s highest honor, to Jamie Gamble for his vision, commitment to Granby, love of nature, and generosity. Gamble donated two incredible parcels to the land trust in 2020: the 210-acre Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve located at 253 Loomis Street, as well as a 30-acre agricultural parcel located at 107 Loomis Street.

In presenting the award, GLT board member Put Brown said, regarding Gamble’s gift of the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve in particular, “Jamie wanted this to be a ‘wildlife preserve,’ named after a watercourse on the land. It isn’t to bear his name at all, because it is the land, and not Jamie himself, that is to be honored. But such humility honors him even more, as all true humility honors those rare individuals who have it.”

GLT president Rick Orluk presented Gamble with the award and an original oil painting

by Gamble’s friend, local artist Bill Simpson, in a board meeting on the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve. Pictured with Orluk (in green vest) and Gamble (in yellow flannel) are GLT board members, from left to right: Dave Emery, Eric Lukingbeal, Jen Plourde, Shirley Murtha, Dave Russell, Mark Wetzel, Leslie Judge, Put Brown, Dave Schupp, Stacey Kroninger and John Weeks. Photo by Don Shaw

Showing appreciation for Dave Emery

New website launched

Dave Emery at work in his sawmill. Photo by Rick Orluk Check out the Granby Land Trust’s new website at granbylandtrust.org, where you will find: beautiful photos of GLT properties, trail maps for each of our six trail systems, a link to Avenza maps—an app with which you can track your GLT adventures via GPS, an events calendar showcasing upcoming GLT events, an interactive map where you can view all of the properties the GLT owns or upon which the GLT owns conservation easements, suggestions for other trails to explore in the area, and the latest news from the GLT. Submitted photo

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The Ann Pelka Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes an individual who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of the Granby Land Trust, was awarded at the GLT Annual Meeting to GLT vice president Dave Emery. His efforts surpass expectations every year, but especially this year, as he spent hundreds of volunteer hours planning, supervising and making property improvements at the Dismal Brook Wildlife Preserve.

Emery supervised the construction of new bridges, fencing, birding/wildlife platforms, and a new parking lot, and oversaw improvements to the dam, cabin and trails. His attention to detail knew no bounds: he even sawed the wood for the bridge railings himself, at his Emery Farm sawmill.

The GLT Board thanks Dave Emery for his positive energy and infectious enthusiasm; his generosity, vision, and commitment to quality; and his unwavering dedication to preserving Granby’s natural heritage.

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December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 19

In Town Focus Camera Club

The Granby Camera Club is not able to use the Senior Center for its meetings at this time, but that does not keep us from sharing, communicating and enjoying photography with monthly Zoom meetings. The next Zoom meeting will be on Monday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Ed Hodgson will share his experiences with aerial photography from commercial flights.

The Scavenger Hunt Words for November are: black and white, reflection and favorite.

The Granby Camera Club Facebook page is an easy way for members to share scavenger hunt pictures as well as other photos. To learn more about the club visit GranbyCameraClub.com

Bottle/Can Fundraiser

Please consider donating your bottles and cans to the Granby 4-H Robotics program on Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at South Congregational Church.

With COVID-19 restrictions, this program can’t undertake its traditional fundraising efforts. Every nickel makes a difference in sustaining this program for kids. Thank you.

MS Support Group

The Granby Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will resume when the Granby Senior Center reopens. Meetings are at 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. For more information, please contact Meaghan at 860-4282463.

Men’s Breakfast

The next Granby Men’s Breakfast will be on Friday, Dec. 11. As the Drummer went to press, the program was uncertain but there will be a meeting via Zoom.

The eGroup invitation will have the speaker information. To be included in the eGroup invitation, send your contact info to gmensbkfst@gmail.com Due to the need to meet remotely there is no group breakfast. The GMB e-Group meetings start at 9 a.m. with time for members to virtually chat and catch up on local news; our speaker begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. Men (of any age) interested in joining the Granby Men’s Breakfast e-Group should send their contact information to gmensbkfst@gmail.com and we will add you to the invite list for the next e-Group Zoom meeting.

Granby Living Calendar

The Granby Living Facebook group calendar for 2021 will be available at Beman’s Hardware and Rte 10 Tire from the last week in November. Many thanks to Joan Beman and Roger Fecteau for helping us with this worthy fundraiser.

The calendar features pictures of beautiful Granby by some of the town’s talented residents and is available for a donation of $15. All profits will be shared between the Waste Not Want Not Community Kitchen and the Granby Food Bank. Hurry down and gets yours now before they all go.

Out of Town

Cookies by-the-Pound

Although it will look different than other years, the Christmas season will be upon us shortly. Get in the spirit and order delicious homemade cookies from the Cookies by-the-Pound event at South Congregational Church.

We will only take orders in advance, to be picked up at a drive-through event on Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m.–noon.

Sorry, no day-of sales. Order beautifully decorated, homemade cookies in $10, $15 and $20 boxes; approximately $12/lb.

To pre-order, contact the South Church office with your name, phone number and the number and size box(es) you would like to order. 860-653-7289 or southchurch242@gmail.com Proceeds from the cookie sale support the mission of the church, including local, regional, national and international projects.

Volunteers Needed

Mary’s Kitty Korner, Granby’s no-kill cat shelter, is looking for volunteers to help care for its kitties until they find their fur-ever homes. If you love cats and have some time to spare on a weekday morning or evening or on a weekend morning or afternoon, the shelter would love to hear from you.

Call 860-379-4141 or visit the website to find out more: maryskittykorner.org

Women’s Breakfast

The Granby Women’s Breakfast group will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 3. The speaker will be author Janet Barrett. Please meet the author on p. 27.

The presentation starts at 10 a.m. Those who wish to attend should send email contact information to gwomensbkfst@ gmail.com to be included in the Zoom meeting.

The Drummer welcomes announcements of upcoming events sponsored by Granby organizations.

Announcements may not exceed 120 words.

@

by e-mail:

by post: The Granby Drummer P. O. Box 165 Granby, CT 06035-0165

editor@granbydrummer.org

TOOTH TALK by Michael Ungerleider D.M.D

DO-IT-YOURSELF DENISTRY…DON’T!

Do-it-yourself (DIY) trends that claim a few simple steps will lead to a dramatic impact may work well for some home improvement projects, but what about DIY when it comes to your dental health?

People may seek DIY services for dental treatments like teeth straightening because they feel they can’t fit office visits into their schedule or think that it will cost less than in-person treatment.

Before you start any DIY dental treatment, it is important to speak with your dentist about potential risks and benefits. Your local dentist can examine your mouth and offer suggestions. Often the dentist can actually offer more options for your unique situation. Alternative treatment plans and options that address budgetary concerns are more easily developed.

Visiting a dentist can also catch issues beforehand and ensure treatment doesn’t cause more problems than it cures. So be sure to come on in for an exam or consultation At the Granby Dental Center, we also offer “Smile Vision,” which allows us to take a photograph of your current smile and then alter the photo on the computer to show you what you could look like with whiter, straighter teeth! Are you curious?

Come in and ask us about SMILE VISION! CALL THIS SUMMER AND ASK FOR A FREE SMILE VISION IMAGING The doctors and staff of the Granby Dental Center invite you to see all of the new and exciting advances in modern dentistry at our office. Computerized Dental Radiography allows us to lower radiation doses to our patients by 50-90%! At the Granby Dental Center, we offer CEREC, an amazing technology that allows us to fabricate porcelain crowns in just one visit! This revolutionary CAD CAM unit allows us to preserve more natural tooth structure and restore the tooth to 100% of its original strength!

We also offer Cone Beam CT technology, allowing us to see 3-D images instantly. This aids in diagnosis and is essential for planning guided surgery for Implants.

If you would like a 2nd opinion or have a question you would like answered, or would just like a tour of our modern office to view our sterilization procedures and to meet our friendly, caring staff, please contact us, or visit our website: www.granbydentalcenter.com Follow us on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/GranbyDentalCenter/

Santa and updated “sleigh.” Submitted photo

Santa visits NEAM

The New England Air Museum gets a visit from Jolly Saint Nick on Saturday, Dec. 12. Santa will be here for the final day of the Toys for Tots Drive. Bring your new unwrapped toys in to support those who need a little extra holiday spirit, then make your way to Santa’s helicopter and get a socially distant selfie with Santa. You will be able to safely talk with Santa and make those special holiday memories from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The New England Air Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $16 for ages 15 and up, $14 for seniors 65 and up and $10 for ages 4 to 14. New England Air Museum members and children under 3 are admitted free. Free admission is available for veterans thanks to our partnership with KeyBank. For more information and directions to the museum, please visit neam.org or call 860-623-3305.

Scan the QR code below to find out more about our practice:

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Page 20 The Granby Drummer

OCTOBER 13, 2020

November 2020

GRANBY PLANNING & ZONING MINUTES

Present: Mark Lockwood, Margaret Chapple, Jonathan Boardman, Christine Chinni, Eric Lukingbeal, Eric Myers, and Brennan Sheahan. Also, Abigail Kenyon, Director of Community Development.

Call to Order Chairman Lockwood called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Per Executive Order this meeting shall be held remotely; commission members who speak shall introduce themselves each time they speak; members of the public who wish to speak shall introduce themselves and state their address.

Public Hearing Application seeking to modify a Special Permit for a FRD re-subdivision under Zoning Regulations Section 8.20 to change limits of approved tree clearing for property located at 33 Cider Mill Heights, R2A Zone.

File Z-21-20 T.J. Barresi, Barresi and Associates, 50 Hayden Station Road, Windsor, representing the applicant Mark Batorski addressed the Commission. He stated Batorski recently purchased 33 Cider Mill Heights. The property has previously approved limits for land clearing. He would like to construct a barn and clear an additional 1.8 acres outside the approved limits to create a pasture for horses. The total cleared area would be 3.9 acres. Barresi noted in 2017 the commission approved a Special Permit application for the six lot FRD resubdivision application with the clearing conditions. This proposed pasture is outside the approved clearing limits. He stated town staff has reviewed the plans.

Comments from the Town Engineer pertain to erosion and sediment control; the notes may require slight revisions.

Barresi stated the plans can be revised to comply with all staff comments.

Batorski, property owner 33 Cider Mill Heights, addressed the commission. The proposed additional clearing will be for pasture for two to four horses maximum. He stated they are trying to keep the majority of the existing property forested to provide continuous buffer and screening of the pasture from neighbors.

There was no public comment.

The public hearing closed at 7:22 p.m. The commission has 65 days to render its decision plus any extension as granted by Executive Order.

Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 8.6.14 and 8.16.10 for an illuminated building sign, expansion of seasonal outdoor dining area and outdoor entertainment, for property located at 18R Hartford Avenue, COCE Zone.

File Z-22-20.

The applicant, Dante Boffi, 33 Silver Brook Lane, North Granby, addressed the commission. He proposes to install a building sign that will be 12 square feet with backlit letters. The sign complies with the allowed area but requires approval for the proposed illumination. Examples of the proposed illumination were provided. He stated the illumination is similar to the illuminated signs at Grassroots and Deep Roots Restaurant in town.

Boffi stated he would also like to expand the seasonal outdoor dining area and include outdoor music. He stated that when constructing the patio, additional pavers were installed between the patio as shown on the previously approved site plan and the building to correct drainage issues. He is proposing to locate four additional tables in this area, which would bring the total number of outdoor tables to eight.

The mechanical units originally shown on the site plan in this area were relocated to the side of the building. In response to questions from the commission, Boffi stated there are currently additional tables outside that are intended for temporary dining under the Executive Order.

This includes two additional picnic tables adjacent to the patio, tables in the parking lot, and tables and chairs in the lawn to the north of the parking lot. Boffi explained he obtained permission from the property owner and health department for these areas and they are a temporary necessity to comply with social distancing practices and to prevent people hovering in the parking lot.

Kenyon noted the applicant was informed a temporary outdoor dining permit is required; this has not yet been submitted for staff approval. Furthermore, the temporary seating must be removed when the Executive Order expires. After discussion, Boffi stated he may come back and finish that application for temporary dining.

Boffi went on to explain his request for outdoor music. He is proposing to have outdoor entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and 2 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Entertainment would be limited to the patio area. The tables on the patio immediately adjacent to the building would be moved so that area could be used for performers to set up. He stated most performers will be one or two people. Should there be a special event that would require additional parking, the owners will work with the town to craft a sensible solution. Kenyon reminded the commission that Four Dads is a restaurant and entertainment is an accessory use to the restaurant. Any additional entertainment or events that may be proposed in the future will have to be presented to the commission for review.

Answering commission member’s questions, Boffi stated much time has been spent working on music volume decibels to be respectful of neighbors; that music would consist of one- or two-piece acoustic bands; there would be no stage; the adherence of 50 decibels at the property line would be followed.

Myers raised a concern of trash in the parking area. Boffi stated he will work something out to ensure trash is taken care of completely. There was a comment that the dumpster

is currently not in the approved dumpster enclosure. Boffi stated there is an issue accessing the dumpster and they are working on a solution.

The commission discussed the overall site and proposed use, noting it is a relatively small space. Concerns regarding overcrowding and the potential for people to congregate in the parking lot were discussed. To address this, it was noted the capacity should be set at the number of tables and chairs available in the restaurant, including both indoor and outdoor seating. The commission also discussed the months outdoor dining may be permitted. It was noted this is not a music venue and is a restaurant with music as an accessory use.

There was no public comment.

It is noted for the record that 13 emails in support of this application were received.

The public hearing closed at 8:08 p.m. The commission has 65 days to render its decision plus any extension as granted by Executive Order.

Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 9 to excavate and remove earth materials for property located at 100 Wells Road, R30 Zone. File Z-23-20 Hal Pierce, of Pierce Builders, 522 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, agent for the applicant Stephen Janeski, addressed the commission. He explained Janeski purchased 531R Salmon Brook Street and combined the property with the adjoining 100 Wells Road property. He then took out a building permit to construct a barn in the area. In order to prepare the area for the barn and expand pasture for cows, they are proposing to excavate 37,000 yards of material. The material will be brought across the street to Tilcon. All topsoil will stay on the site. Answering commission questions, Pierce stated work will be done Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and no work will be done on federal holidays, and noise reduction equipment is already in place. Excavation should take 30 to 60 days.

Pierce stated tarps and water trucks will be used for dust control. The proposed work area is more than 600 feet from wetlands.

At 8:18 p.m. the public hearing opened for comment.

John Dallen, 11 Fern Hollow Drive, addressed the commission. Dallen is opposed to this application and has submitted detailed email correspondence for the commission’s consideration. He emphasized Pierce has already begun excavating work without a permit and believes the property owner has violated previous conditions of approval. He noted environmental concerns with the proposal and the impact it will have on people working from home.

Tim McDonald, 45 Meadow Brook Road is in favor of this application and stated his house does not shake from the equipment.

There were no further comments. The public hearing closed at 8:30 p.m.

Lukingbeal asked Kenyon if the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission reviewed the application.

Kenyon stated the work is located outside the regulated area, therefore it has not been reviewed by them. She noted she and the Town Engineer visited the site and met with Pierce and Janeski to review the area. The plans have been reviewed and comply with the Zoning Regulations. She noted when considering this application, the commission is to understand the excavation activity is temporary and should base their decision on the condition of the property in its completed state, which will be pasture.

The public hearing closed at 8:33 p.m. The commission has 65 days to render its decision plus any extension as granted by Executive Order.

Receive applications and set public hearings Application seeking a Special permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 3.5.2.2 and 8.21.4.8 for a commercial recreational service (gym) within the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone, for property located at 10 Mill Pond Drive, C2 Zone. File Z-24-20.

Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.16.10 for outdoor entertainment for property located at 17R East Granby Road, @ the Barn, COCE Zone. File Z-25-20.

Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.16 for a seasonal outdoor dining area and both indoor and outdoor entertainment, for property located at 9 Bank Street, La Figata, COCE Zone. File Z-26-20.

The above applications are set for public hearing on Oct. 27.

Application seeking to modify a Special Permit for a FRD re-subdivision under Zoning Regulations Section 8.20 to change limits of approved tree clearing for property located at 33 Cider Mill Heights, R2A Zone.

File Z-21-20 On A Motion by Myers and seconded by Boardman the commission voted to approve (7-0-0) an application seeking to modify a Special Permit for a FRD re-subdivision under Zoning Regulations Section 8.20 to change limits of approved tree clearing for property located at 33 Cider Mill Heights, R2A Zone, subject to addressing all staff comments as noted in the file. File Z-21-20 Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 8.6.14 and 8.16.10 for an illuminated building sign, expansion of seasonal outdoor dining area and outdoor entertainment, for property located at 18R Hartford Avenue, COCE Zone.

File Z-22-20.

The Commission agreed to motion parts of this Special Permit separately.

On A Motion by Chinni and seconded by Chapple the commission voted to approve (7-0-0) an application

seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 8.6.14 for an illuminated building sign for property located at 18R Hartford Avenue, COCE Zone, as presented. File Z-22-20.

On A Motion by Myers and seconded by Boardman the commission voted to approve (7-0-0) an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 8.16.10 for expansion of seasonal outdoor dining area and outdoor entertainment, for property located at 18R Hartford Avenue, COCE Zone with the following conditions: expansion of outdoor dining area is limited to the submitted plan, live outdoor entertainment is an accessory use to the operation of the restaurant, live entertainment is limited to the designated area shown on the plan, live outdoor entertainment shall be limited to 50 dB measured at the property line, outdoor entertainment is permitted Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m., all outdoor furniture to be stored off site during winter season, which is defined as from Dec. 1 through March 1, maximum seating capacity for combined indoor and outdoor space is 54 seats, and dumpster enclosure to be modified to fit the larger dumpster. File Z-22-20.

Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 9 to excavate and remove earth materials for property located at 100 Wells Road, R30 Zone. File Z-23-20 Commission members were concerned the applicant had not obtained a Special Permit prior to commencing this project. The commission suggested a bond be set to ensure completion of the project. Kenyon noted the Town Engineer and herself have visited the site and have no issues with the plans presented; the plan complies with Section 9 of the Zoning Regulations. The commission recommended Kenyon draft a list of conditions for this application. It was agreed to continue this discussion at the next Planning & Zoning meeting to be held on Oct. 27.

Sidewalks at Salmon Brook Park Kenyon addressed the commission. She explained the Community Connectivity Grant program was developed to provide funding to municipalities for infrastructure improvements to improve accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians. Funding ranges between $125,000 and $600,000 and can be used for construction activities only.

The town will be submitting a grant application to fund a walking path in Salmon Brook Park around the fields and will connect to the sidewalk. The path will also provide access to the fields used by Granby Rovers. She stated if the commission is in agreement, it is requested the commission vote to draft a letter in support of the grant application.

On A Motion by Lukingbeal and seconded by Chapple the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve the drafting of a letter in support of the Community Connectivity Grant program application.

Commissioner Reports and Correspondence Myers noted there has been digging and test pipes situated at the property of 76 West Granby Road. Kenyon stated no application has been received for the property.

On another matter, Kenyon will follow up with Maple View Farm’s owner regarding special events and a recent musical event held at this property.

OCTOBER 27, 2020

Present: Mark Lockwood, Margaret Chapple, Jonathan Boardman, Christine Chinni, Eric Lukingbeal, Eric Myers, Brennan Sheahan. Also, Abigail Kenyon, Director of Community Development.

Public Hearing Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 3.5.2.2 and 8.21.4.8 for a commercial recreational service (gym) within the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone, for property located at 10 Mill Pond Drive, C2 Zone. File Z-24-20.

In addressing the commission, Rob Olson, applicant, stated he plans to move an exercise business, ResoluteFIT, to 10 Mill Pond Drive. He stated the business is open weekdays, starting at 4:45 a.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, classes run from 6 a.m. to noon and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon. There are three full time employees and six part-time employees and approximately 150 members.

He stated with current COVID-19 restrictions, classes are limited to 12 people. Once restrictions are lifted, he anticipates class size increasing to 20 people.

Lockwood asked if the number of parking spaces on site is enough to accommodate staff and attendees. Olson stated there are currently three parking spaces in front and nine in the rear, additional spaces may be needed.

Kenyon stated although the current number of parking spaces complies with required parking count based on the Zoning Regulations, she asked the applicant to show on a site plan the additional parking spaces. The commission discussed noise level of outdoor activities and outdoor equipment usage and storage, noting concerns with large tires that are visible from the road at the Simsbury location.

Olson stated tires can be stored to the north of the building so they are not visible from the road and no music is played during the classes. The commission also raised safety issue concerns for participants who run outdoors. Olson noted that running is short in duration; he will check on traffic volume on Mill Pond Drive.

There was no public comment.

The public hearing closed at 7:17 p.m. The commission has 65 days to render its decision plus any extension as granted by Executive Order.

Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.16.10 for outdoor entertainment for property located at 17R East Granby Road, @ the Barn, COCE Zone. File Z-25-20.

James Chen, owner of @ The Barn, and Kristen Garcia, general manager, addressed the commission. Garcia stated Special Permit approval in 1995 allowed for indoor live entertainment at 17R East Granby Road. They are now seeking a Special Permit to allow outdoor entertainment on the patio area. She stated there will be no electric guitars and no drums, performers will primarily be one- or twoperson acoustic groups, and performers will use speakers and amplifiers.

Boardman stated the commission recently granted approval for outdoor music for another restaurant with a 50 dB sound level at property line. Garcia stated she is fine with that. The commission raised several questions to Kenyon specifically who and how are noise levels enforced and conducted. They also recommended a clear definition of the term ‘acoustic’ should be crafted. Kenyon stated she is currently discussing procedures to measure and document any noise violations with the town Zoning Enforcement Officer and the Chief of Police. She is also looking into the purchase of a sound level monitoring device. It was noted the procedure of enforcement will be discussed later in the evening. It was also stated outdoor entertainment is an accessory use.

The hearing was opened for public comment.

Mark Higby, 25 Oakridge Drive, lives 200 yards from @ the Barn. He supports this application. Paula Johnson, 289 Simsbury Road, is concerned how noise level violations will be enforced.

Kenyon noted there were three letters from the public for this application. Chinni added for the record she is not comfortable lending credibility to letters whose author remains anonymous.

The Public Hearing closed at 7:35 p.m. The commission has 65 days to render its decision plus any extension as granted by Executive Order.

Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.16 for a seasonal outdoor dining area and both indoor and outdoor entertainment, for property located at 9 Bank Street, La Figata, COCE Zone. File Z-26-20.

James Chen, owner of La Figata, and Kristen Garcia, general manager, addressed the commission. Chen stated they plan to construct a deck on the east side of the building with 13 tables. The elevated deck and pergola will be 16 feet by 64 feet and will be located 24 feet from the first parking spaces to the east. Patio furniture will be stored offsite. Umbrellas will replace the current tents that are on site once the operation returns to normal. Lockwood expressed a safety concern, stating the deck location is an active driveway with tractor trailers. Chen stated there will be a fence barrier in place. Lockwood suggested that a visual barrier be added as well along the southern end of the patio, such as plantings. The applicant went on to describe plans for outdoor entertainment, requesting entertainment Tuesday through Friday from 12 to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. Outdoor music will run March 1 through Dec. 1. The front corner of the patio will be set up for music, and tables relocated. Lighting will be installed on deck columns and face downward. The indoor music will be in the location shown on the layout provided.

The hearing was opened for public comment.

Lockwood noted there were three letters from the public for this application.

Kenyon asked Garcia and Chen about timing of indoor music. Garcia stated indoor music will follow the same timing as outdoor music. Lockwood concluded the indoor area devoted to indoor music complies with the square footage outlined in the Zoning Regulations.

The Public Hearing closed at 7:52 p.m. The commission has 65 days to render its decision plus any extension as granted by Executive Order.

Receive applications and set public hearings Kenyon stated an application was submitted for an attached accessory apartment for the property of 10 Fawn Drive.

The above application is set for public hearing on Nov. 10.

Consideration of an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 9 to excavate and remove earth materials for property located at 100 Wells Road, R30 Zone. File Z-23-20. (Public hearing closed Oct. 13) Kenyon gave a summary stating the applicant purchased 531R Salmon Brook Street and combined it with 100 Wells Road and submitted a building permit to construct a barn in the area that was formerly 531R Salmon Brook Street. In preparing the area for construction of the barn, it became clear the amount of material to be excavated exceeded what was permitted with building permit approval. The applicant was notified and all work stopped. A Special Permit was submitted for the commission’s review.

The applicant proposes to excavate and remove approximately 37,000 yards of material from approximately 3 acres of this site. Material will be removed from the site via an existing gravel driveway out to Salmon Brook Street and delivered to Tilcon located at 536 Salmon Brook Street.

The proposed hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday through Friday, no work will take place on federal holidays. Water will be used for dust control and trucks will use covers. There will be no screening or processing of material on the site. Once excavation is completed, topsoil will be brought in and the area will be seeded to match the surrounding pasture.

During commission discussion on Oct. 13 it was requested town staff prepare a list of conditions for the commission’s consideration. Chinni noted as the applicant started this project without a permit, conditions should be explicit about limitations and requirements.

Kenyon stated bond has been set at $30,000. Lockwood

November 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 21

GRANBY PLANNING & ZONING MINUTES P&Z Minutes cont’d. from p 10 commented that many people are working from home, therefore consideration of start time, end time and truck noise should be addressed. Sheahan calculated the truck load traffic, estimating 27 loads per day moving in and out of site. Commission members discussed start and finish times. Final grading should be done by May 1, 2021 and restoration finished by Sept. 1, 2021. Morning start time in consideration of those who work at home should begin at 8 a.m., not 7 a.m. The commission discussed the list of conditions outlined in the Oct. 22 staff memo and amended several points. Kenyon added this application is in conformance with Sections 9 and 8.2 of the Zoning Regulations. Approval of the application is in conformance with the objectives of the Zoning Regulations and the goals of the Plan of Conservation and Development primarily as they relate to the support of farming and agriculture.

On A Motion by Myers, and seconded by Boardman, the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 9 to excavate and remove earth materials for property located at 100 Wells Road, R30 Zone, File Z-23-20, subject to all conditions outlined by the Office of Community Development and modifications made by the commission, as follows: The application is as described in the applicant’s narrative and as further described by the site plan entitled, “Grading Plan Prepared for Stephen Janeski, 100 Wells Road, Granby, Connecticut, Scale: 1” = 100’, date” 9/17/20, Sheets 1-3, Revised, 10/07/20, Denno Land Surveying and Consulting, LLC.” The operation shall not deviate from the plan as specifically outlined in the applicant’s narrative, except as noted herein. The conditions outlined below and the limitations outlined within the applicant’s narrative are in addition to the requirements set forth within Section 9 of the Zoning Regulations and provide additional restrictions beyond those specified within Section 9. In regards to the restriction outlined in Section 9.12.o, which states that “no operations are permitted on….established federal holidays” shall include all State of Connecticut and Federal Government legal holidays.

The operation shall be overseen by the Granby Town Engineer. The Town Engineer shall visit the site to assure that the operation is proceeding in accordance with this approval. The Town Engineer may require updated surveys and grade stakes on the property. The Town Engineer shall be entitled to review all truck weight slips and any other information necessary to ascertain the number of yards of material leaving the site. The applicant shall reimburse the Town of Granby for all payments made to the Town Engineer for overseeing this project at a rate of $110 per hour. The applicant shall deposit with the Town of Granby the sum of $3,000 to be applied to the costs as described herein. Should the costs exceed this amount, the applicant will be billed for the difference. Any funds not used for the project will be remitted to the applicant at the conclusion of the project. As used in these conditions the term Town Engineer includes any person or firm so designated by the Town Engineer or the Director of Community Development.

The Town Engineer shall visually monitor the site for dust and, should conditions dictate, may require the applicant to retain an environmental consulting firm to perform dust monitoring using split two real time area dust monitors or similar devices. The results of the monitoring, if any, shall be compared to appropriate State and Federal Standards and the operation must take all necessary actions to be in compliance with said standards. All costs associated with the monitoring, if any, shall be paid by the applicant.

The Office of Community Development shall be notified when excavation activities are to start. All excavation must cease 60 business days from the start date and no later than April 1, 2021.

All material leaving the site shall be delivered to property located at 536 Salmon Brook Street as proposed by the applicant.

The operating hours for excavation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. No machinery (trucks, excavators, graders, loaders, etc.) will be started before 8 a.m. and no machinery will remain running after 4 p.m. within the site.

Following completion of the excavation, the applicant shall promptly begin the final grading and restoration phase of the project. The final grading shall proceed with all the earth material remaining on the site, whether or not the applicant removed from the site the desired and approved quantity of earth material. Final grading shall be completed

by May 1, 2021. The restoration should be completed by Sept. 1, 2021.

The applicant shall file with the Town of Granby a $30,000 cash bond to assure that the proposed excavation and removal will be undertaken as approved and to assure that the site will be fully and promptly restored as outlined within the plans.

Prior to finalizing the mylars, the plans shall be revised to note the following: Actual total disturbed area is approximately 4.5 acres.

Correct on plan set.

Add the following note to sheet 3 of the plans regarding site inspection, “At least once a week, and within 24 hours of the end of storms having a total rainfall that equals or exceeds 0.5 inches, the applicant shall inspect, at a minimum the following: disturbed areas of the construction activity that have not been fully stabilized; all erosion and sedimentation control measures; all structural control measures; soil stockpile areas; and locations where vehicles enter or exit the site. Where sites have been temporarily of finally stabilized, such inspection shall be conducted at least once every month for three months. A copy of the Sediment and Erosion Control Checklist on sheet 3 of the plans shall be

completed after each inspection and kept available for review by town staff.”

To control dust, trucks shall use covers and water shall be used on site.

Noise from truck alarms shall be minimized.

Mylar copies of the complete map documents shall be signed by the Commission and filed in the Office of the Granby Town Clerk prior to the removal of any material from the site.

Any violation of these conditions of approval may be grounds for an immediate halt to the operation.

Consideration of above applications, where the commission has concluded the public hearing.

Application seeking a Special permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 3.5.2.2 and 8.21.4.8 for a commercial recreational service (gym) within the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone, for property located at 10 Mill Pond Drive, C2 Zone. File Z-24-20.

On A Motion by Myers, and seconded by Chinni, the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 3.5.2.2 and 8.21.4.8 for a commercial recreational service (gym) within the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone, for property located at 10 Mill Pond Drive, C2 Zone. File Z-24-20, subject to the following: the applicant shall show additional parking spaces and an area for equipment storage on a site plan to be reviewed and approved by staff; outdoor music is not permitted; hours of operation are from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week.

Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.16.10 for outdoor entertainment for property located at 17R East Granby Road, @ the Barn, COCE Zone. File Z-25-20.

On A Motion by Myers, and seconded by Boardman, the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.16.10 for outdoor entertainment for property located at 17R East Granby Road, @ the Barn, COCE Zone. File Z-25-20, subject to the following: Outdoor entertainment is an accessory use to the operation of the restaurant; hours of outdoor entertainment are Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 9 p.m.; live outdoor entertainment shall be limited to 50 dB measured at the property line; live outdoor entertainment is limited to the designated area shown on the site plan.

Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.16 for a seasonal outdoor dining area and both indoor and outdoor entertainment, for property located at 9 Bank Street, La Figata, COCE Zone. File Z-26-20.

On A Motion by Chapple, and seconded by Chinni, the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.16 for indoor entertainment, for property located at 9 Bank Street, La Figata, COCE Zone. File Z-26- 20, subject to the following condition: indoor entertainment is permitted until 11 p.m.

On A Motion by Myers, and seconded by Chapple, the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.16 for a seasonal outdoor dining area and outdoor entertainment, for property located at 9 Bank Street, La Figata, COCE Zone, File Z-26-20, subject to the following conditions: the applicant shall submit a site plan to be reviewed and approved by staff showing a barrier in the southeastern corner of the outdoor dining area; the outdoor dining season shall be from March 1 to Dec. 1; live outdoor entertainment is an accessory use to the operation of the restaurant; hours of outdoor entertainment are Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 9 p.m.; live outdoor entertainment shall be limited to 50 dB measured at the property line; live outdoor entertainment is limited to the designated area shown on the site plan; outdoor furniture shall be removed and stored off site at the end of the outdoor dining season; lighting shall be turned off at the end of each day.

CGS Section 8-24 Referral, DOT Acquisition of Property for Major Intersection Improvements on US 202/Route 10 and Route 20 and Route 189 Kenyon addressed the commission. The State of Connecticut is acquiring property as part of the intersection improvement project at U.S. 202/Route 10 at Route 10 and Route 189. Two town-owned properties will be affected by the project when the road is widened. The first property is 4 North Granby Road. The state proposes to acquire 1,227 square feet.

The second property is 3 East Granby Road, the Town Green. The state proposes to acquire 3,487 square feet.

She stated under Connecticut General Statutes Section 8-24, prior to the sale of any town property, it must be referred to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a report.

The Board of Selectmen referred this to the commission at its meeting on Oct. 19. Answering Lukingbeal’s question, Kenyon stated some trees will be removed as part of the project; however, the DOT will plant new trees and the town will work with DOT on the landscaping plan. Lockwood stated the plan overall benefits the town and the intersection improvement is consistent with the Plan of Conservation and Development.

On A Motion by Chinni, and seconded by Boardman, the commission voted (7-0-0) to move that the Planning & Zoning Commission, pursuant to the provisions of Section 8-24 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, recommend approval of the 4 North Granby Road and 3 East Granby Road property acquisition by DOT for the intersection improvement project.

Staff Report and Correspondence Kenyon announced Joel Skilton is the new Building Official and Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Commissioner Reports and Correspondence Lockwood and Kenyon completed the letter in support of the grant application for the Community Connectivity Grant program for infrastructure improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Kenyon spoke with Maple View Farm’s owner regarding music and special events. Kenyon reminded the owner per the Special Permit approval town staff must be contacted if a large crowd is anticipated to attend a special event and there is a limit to the number of special events permitted each year. The owner stated she was aware of these conditions.

NOVEMBER 10, 2020

Present: Mark Lockwood, Margaret Chapple, Jonathan Boardman, Paula Johnson, Eric Myers, Matthew Peters, Brennan Sheahan. Also, Abigail Kenyon, Director of Community Development.

Seating of Alternates Johnson and Peters were seated for Christine Chinni and Eric Lukingbeal.

Minutes On A Motion by Chapple, seconded by Myers, the commission voted (5-0-2) to approve the minutes of Oct. 27 with a grammatical correction, on the third page, first paragraph, the sentence should read, “The elevated deck and pergola will be 16 feet..” Johnson and Peters abstained.

Public Hearing Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.5 for an accessory apartment for property located at 10 Fawn Drive, R30 Zone. File Z-27-20.

Nicholas and Coreen Faraco, parents of the owner of 10 Fawn Drive, were present to address the commission.

Faraco is applying for a Special Permit for an attached accessory apartment at 10 Fawn Drive. He proposes to construct an addition to the west side of the house for the accessory apartment. Kenyon noted the addition will be 1,600 square feet total, including a garage, porch, and 945 square foot apartment. The apartment will have a kitchen, living room, bedroom and one bathroom. She added the plot plan submitted meets setback requirements.

Answering commission members’ questions, Faraco stated there is ample parking, there is access to the main house from the proposed apartment, the main entrance is through a screen porch located to the front of the house, and there is an egress to the backyard. No deck is proposed. The applicant acknowledged the property owner will live on the premises. The commission agreed this application is straight forward and complies with the Zoning Regulations.

The hearing was opened for public comment at 7:10 p.m.

Steve Lynch, 12 Fawn Drive, asked if side property setback is 20 or 25 feet. Kenyon answered the side yard setback is 20 feet.

The public hearing closed at 7:12 p.m. The commission has 65 days to render its decision plus any extension as granted by Executive Order.

Receive applications and set public hearings Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 3.12.1 for a multi-family use, apartments, for property located at 17 Hartford Avenue, COCE Zone. File Z-28-20 Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 3.5.2.1 and 8.21 for expansion of a restaurant in the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone, for property located at 9 Mill Pond Drive, Tiger Belly, C2 Zone. File Z-29-20.

The above applications are set for public hearing on Nov. 24.

Consideration of above applications, where the commission has concluded the public hearing Application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.5 for an accessory apartment for property located at 10 Fawn Drive, R30 Zone. File Z-27-20.

On A Motion by Myers, seconded by Johnson, the commission voted (7-0-0) to approve an application seeking a Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Section 8.5 for an accessory apartment for property located at 10 Fawn Drive, R30 Zone, as proposed.

Staff Report and Correspondence Kenyon stated excavation work has begun at 100 Wells Road. The applicant has 60 days to finish the work. Staff will monitor the progress. She also stated tree clearing and grading has started for the proposed self-storage facility at 508 and 514 Salmon Brook Street. The work will continue through the winter.

Myers asked Kenyon if there have been noise complaints regarding the outdoor entertainment the commission recently approved in Granby Center. Kenyon stated since the last meeting there has been one complaint. She is working with the Police Department to create a process to measure sound levels.

Kenyon will schedule a meeting with the committee to examine the Farm Store Zoning Regulations.

Commissioner Reports and Correspondence Lockwood noted the Governor has extended the Executive Order for outdoor dining. Kenyon added the Fire Marshal is working with restaurants to ensure if they decide to use tents to extend the outdoor dining season, the tents on site are properly permitted. He also sent updated restaurant guidelines he received from the State of Connecticut to all impacted establishments. Kenyon concluded a few restaurants need to update the town if they will be using tents or outdoor heating.

Respectfully submitted, Patricia Tappenden,Recording Secretary

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Page 22 The Granby Drummer

Animal Talk Dr. John Violette, DVM

Heartworm disease is alive and well in Connecticut

Last week at our hospital we treated two dogs for heartworm disease. It seems like this year we treat a dog every other week for heartworms. This is a big jump—we used to treat one or two cases a year. So, I took a look back in our records to see what the actual numbers are for heartworm treatment at our practice.

We heartworm test about 3,000 dogs a year with a blood sample for the adult worms. Here are the results, for positive tests: In 2016, 4 dogs; in 2017, 8 dogs; in 2018, 7 dogs; in 2019, 15 dogs; so far in 2020, 23 dogs. That is a significant upward trend in our area. What accounts for the tripling of cases in just a few years?

A few basics about heartworm disease.

Mosquitoes transmit the disease from dog to dog (also fox and coyote). The mosquito bites the dog with the infective larvae (microfilaria) and takes in these baby worms with the blood meal. The microfilaria then develop into the infective stage within the mosquito. When the infected mosquito bites another dog, the microfilaria are injected into this dog. In about six months the microfilariae will develop into adult worms and live in the heart. They can grow to be a foot long and live for five to seven years. Because these worms live so long there can be many different ages and stages living in one dog. This is especially the case in the southern states where mosquitoes are very active all year long.

Severity of the illness depends on how many worms are in the heart and associated blood vessels. Dogs can have mild infections if there are just a few worms. Heartworm positive dogs can also have severe respiratory distress, lethargy and a chronic cough. It is recommended that all dogs have a blood test for adult heartworms annually and that owners give a monthly prescription medication to prevent the disease.

It is estimated by the American Heartworm Society that there are about 1 million dogs that are positive for heartworm in the U.S. The hotspots are in the south, especially Mississippi where 10 percent of the dogs test positive. After hurricane Katrina, 250,000 dogs were adopted and shipped all over the United States. A large number of them were infected with heartworms. This was the beginning of the migration north of heartworm disease. Climate change is also contributing to the increased incidence of heartworm in our area. Mosquitoes can be blown great distances from the high winds of tropical storms. The mosquitos themselves are also adapting to colder climates in the north and can survive indoors.

Most of the cases we diagnose in Granby are from newly adopted dogs from the south. How are these puppies and dogs sneaking in here with heartworms? It appears that most rescue

groups blood test for heartworm before shipping them north. The tricky part is that it is important to test twice. Once in the shelter and again six months later to be sure the pet is truly negative. This is because it takes six months for the worms to mature into adults. We have diagnosed many heartworm positive dogs from the south because the second test never happened. It makes sense that heartworm disease is more endemic in Granby with warmer winters, more foxes and coyotes among us and lots of rescue dogs.

Treatment for heartworm is a big deal. First, it is important to confirm the disease and have a medical workup to decide if the disease process is advanced. Then there is a protocol to follow that includes antibiotics, steroids, and strong, sometimes painful, intramuscular injections. Exercise restriction is very important because the dying parasites shower into the lungs and cause further pathology. It takes nine months

December 2020 to complete the treatment when a final test is done to confirm that the worms have been eliminated. Then it is back to administering the preventatives each month.

Some may ask why test annually if you give the heartworm medication each month. These medications are highly effective but nothing is 100 percent. You and I can easily skip a dose or give it late.

The dog may vomit up the medication outside. It is very important to test every year to be sure not to miss a positive dog and have the disease progress. Most veterinarians will not prescribe the monthly preventatives without a negative test.

The most important things to remember is to test your rescue dog from the south by following your veterinarian’s recommendation. Also, heartworm test your dog each year and give the preventive medication all year long. Just because we are coming into winter is no reason to discontinue the medication..

Stop & Shop has grand re-opening Stop & Shop, a neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, celebrated the grand reopening of its Granby store on Nov. 13.

The store features a prepared foods hot bar, providing easy solutions for meals on the go, with items like gour-

met flatbread pizzas and freshly made sushi. The deli department now offers new varieties of meats, cheeses and salads, the produce department features locally sourced fruit and vegetables, and the beer section was expanded to include more local craft brews.

Happy autumn from the Friends of Cossitt Library Many thanks for your continued interest and support of The Friends of the Cossitt Library.

The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed progress on some Friends projects, but we have still accomplished quite a lot in the past few months.

The Survey and Planning Grant linked to the Cossitt building should be completed by the end of December. This project was made possible by funds provided by the Pomeroy-Brace Fund Grant available through the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and Friends membership dues and public donations. The Grant Report will give the Friends and the Town of Granby valuable information about the Cossitt Library building’s existing condition and a prioritized list of what can be done to fix current problems and prevent future ones.

The Friends’ Annual Membership Meeting was Oct. 20 on Zoom. The newly updated bylaws introduced staggered terms to ensure future turnover of Trustees. Trustees elected are Pat Bossler, Carol Bressor, Harry Werner, Judy Guarco, Ken Kuhl, Virgil Paggen, Susan Werner, Bruce Sullivan and Winnie Sumner.

Our NEW mailing address is: The Friends of the Cossitt Library, Inc. c/o Granby Public Library, 15 North Granby Road, Granby CT 06035. Please direct all correspondence and donations to this address. You may also reach us at friendsofcossittlibrary@gmail.com Although Cossitt Library remains closed due to the pandemic, the Friends support of library services and programs has and will continue. Visit the Granby Public Library System website for the latest information on library services.

To further celebrate Stop & Shop’s commitment to the community, the store also donated $1,000 and an additional $500 in product and turkeys to the Farmington Valley VNA Food Pantry for the Thanksgiving holiday. The donation will support the VNA in its continued efforts to combat food insecurity and hunger across the Granby community.

Submitted photo

Drumrolls Goodwin University named LeAnne Budek and Darice Clark, both of Granby, and Jacob Fett, of West Granby, to the dean’s list for the spring semester.

Goodwin University named the following students to the president’s list for the spring semester: Irene Kahn, of Granby, and Sigrid Tantillo, of East Hartland.

Michael Main earned a master of science degree in atmospheric science from SUNY Albany, and has accepted a meteorologist position at the National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y. Elizabeth Fetzner, of West Granby, earned the spring dean’s award with distinction from Colgate University.

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December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 23

Browse & Borrow IN-PERSON PROGRAMS Write a letter to the North Pole: Dec. 1 – 19.

Would you like to write a letter to the North Pole?

We’ll supply the note paper and the “stamped” envelopes. Just put your letter into our new red mailbox outside the library and we’ll make sure it gets to the North Pole in plenty of time for the holidays. All ages. No registration needed.

Make a mini Gingerbread House: Saturday, Dec. 12 (Snow date Dec. 19) Choose either 10–11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., at the Granby Senior Center. For ages 7 and up, with an adult. Create your own mini gingerbread house to take home with frosting, candy and other fun ingredients. All materials will be provided. Please wear a mask and follow safety protocols. We will hold two sessions of this popular program to ensure distancing guidelines are followed – please register for just one. Generously sponsored by the Friends of Cossitt Library in memory of Bobbie Sullivan.

Take and Make Crafts: Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12, 19, Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30. 10 a.m. – 12 noon. The popular Take and Make craft program continues.

Stop by the main library’s curbside pickup area to select a kit from the Craft Box placed outside. No registration or reservation needed. An assortment of crafts for all levels of ability will be available.

One craft kit per child, please. All materials and instruction will be provided. First come, first served, supplies are limited. Note: some crafts may contain small pieces that could be a choking hazard to children age 3 and under.

Story Time with Miss Joan: Tuesdays, Dec. 1, 8, 15 and Jan. 5, 12, 19 at 10:30 a.m. at main branch. For ages 3–5, with caregiver. Have you been missing Story Time as much as we have?

Miss Joan invites her preschool friends and their caregivers to join her for a very special sociallydistanced Story Time. Everyone over the age of two must wear a mask and use hand sanitizer when entering the building. Please bring a blanket or towel for your family to sit on. Advance registration is required, as space is limited.

VIRTUAL PROGRAMS, VIA ZOOM Plan “B” Book Group: Tuesdays, Dec. 1, Jan. 5, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Connect online through reading, conversation, and good books. In December, Doug Soucier and Beth Morrill lead a virtual book discussion featuring award-winning sci-fi author John Scalzi’s Redshirts. The Star Trek parody piece took the 2013 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel as well as the Hugo Award for Best New Fiction. The January book discussion choice is a bestselling collection of essays, Me Talk Pretty One Day, by American humorist David Sedaris.

Reading ahead? In February, we’ll be discussing The City We Became, by N.K. Jemisin.

Use your library card to borrow a copy of these books in any format. Register for the book group’s Zoom link on the Library’s website.

Wreath Making: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Learn to make an evergreen wreath from fresh greens and treasures found in nature. Nan Butler, from Lyric Hill Farm, offers a seasonal tutorial featuring construction techniques, a materials list with sourcing options, and suggested embellishments. There will be ample opportunity for questions. This wreath-making demonstration is part of the Granby Grows series featuring local agricultural experts. Register online to receive the program Zoom ink and other details. Sponsored

GRANBY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

Library website: granby-ct.gov/library Library phone: 860-844-5275 Library email address: GranbyLibrary@granby-ct.gov Visiting the Library In Person Main Branch Open Hours Tuesday and Thursday, 12–3 p.m. and 4–7 p.m. (closed 3-4 p.m. for cleaning) Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Children’s room by appointment during open hours (call to schedule) Curbside Library Pickup For maximum social distancing and safe, convenient library access, Curbside Library Pickup continues to be a great option. Library materials can be reserved online through the catalog or by telephone, and then patrons can schedule a pickup appointment—no need to come inside.

by Granby Public Library and Granby Agricultural Commission.

EFT Tapping: Monday, Dec. 7, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Need a moment of calm in an anxious world? Try Emotional Freedom Technique, a powerful procedure used by tens of thousands of practitioners around the world. Commonly known as Tapping, the technique helps people overcome anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, traumatic memories, grief, and emotional and physical pain.

Certified instructor and Life Coach Cris Jacobs leads the monthly session. Registration required to receive Zoom access.

Writers Group: Tuesdays, Dec. 8, Jan. 12 and 26, 5–6:30 p.m. Adult fiction writers are invited to attend biweekly workshops to hone skills using a variety of creative writing exercises and prompts.

Giving and receiving writing critiques is also an option. The group meets only once in December, and resumes biweekly sessions in January.

Register online to obtain the program Zoom link.

A Visit with Connecticut’s State Historian: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Connecticut State Historian Walter Woodward helps us understand how people and events in Connecticut’s past played crucial roles in forming the culture and character of Connecticut today.

A gifted storyteller, the author of Creating Connecticut: Critical Moments That Shaped a Great State, brings to life the history we thought we knew. From the nearly forgotten early presence of the Dutch, to the time when Connecticut was New England’s fiercest prosecutor of witches, the decades when Nutmeggers were rapidly leaving the state, and the years when Irish immigrants were hurrying into it, Woodward will leave you thinking about our state in a whole new way.

Register online to obtain the program Zoom link.

Weather Watch with Sam Sampieri: Monday, Dec. 14, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Weather watchers, storm chasers and flurry fanatics are invited to a program devoted entirely to weather. You are likely to recognize the familiar voice of meteorologist Sam Sampieri during the virtual program. As a longtime resident and meteorologist for local radio and television stations and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Sampieri will share information about general weather patterns, climate concerns and the winter weather outlook. Register online to obtain the program Zoom link.

Cooking with Katie: Tuesday, Dec. 29, 11:30 a.m. For ages 7 and up, with an adult. What’s better than the smell of hot Cinnamon Sugar Rolls on a cold winter morning? Learn how to make them at home with Katie, a registered dietitian from Food Explorers. This yeast-free dough uses Greek yogurt to make them extra fluffy. You’ll need these

ingredients: butter, sugar, baking powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla Greek yogurt, flour, salt and vanilla extract. Please register to obtain the Zoom link.

Owls of New England: Thursday, Jan. 14, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Enjoy a captivating presentation by professional wildlife photographer Peter Christoph.

View stunning photographs and hear stories that educate and inspire bird lovers, photographers and anyone with an appreciation of nature.

Christoph will share how he finds and photographs owls in their natural habitat and display amazing photographs of eight New England owl species.

Register online to obtain the program Zoom link.

Sponsored by Friends of Cossitt Library in memory of Bobbie Sullivan and Granby Land Trust.

Programs to Watch When You’re Ready

Recorded and posted on the GPL Facebook page and on YouTube First Chapter Fridays: Fridays, Dec. 4, 11, 18 and Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29. Pour yourself a hot cup of cocoa, get comfy and listen to the beginnings of some favorite—or soon-to-be favorite—books for ages 8 and up. There will be a new video posted each Friday. No registration needed. Dec. 4 is Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater; Dec. 12 is Front Desk by Kelly Yang; Dec. 19 is The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.

Please check the GPL online calendar for book titles in January.

The Night Before Christmas: Beginning Dec. 23. Gather the family and join Miss Joan for a special reading of this holiday classic by Clement Moore. No registration needed.

More Opportunities To Use Your Library Downloadable eBooks and eAudio Books: OverDrive offers library patrons access to thousands of eBook, eAudio Book, eVideo, and eMagazine titles, including family favorites, new best-sellers, and holiday classics. They can be

borrowed using your Granby library card, either through the OverDrive website or through the free OverDrive and Libby Apps on your mobile device.

Both the Libby and Overdrive Apps access the same collection, which includes a wide range of titles from across Connecticut as well as some titles exclusive to Granby residents. New titles for all ages are added on a weekly basis, so check back often and place a hold if a title you want is already checked out.

Family Puzzle Packs: Shorter days and cooler nights mean longer evenings inside at home.

It’s the perfect time for puzzles. The library will be handing out free paper puzzle packs with crosswords, word games, mazes, dot-to-dots and coloring sheets for children of all ages. Packages will be available in the Children’s Room for inperson pickup or they can be included in curbside bags—just ask. Give your family a screen time break and relax with a puzzle or two.

Holiday-Inspired Online Learning: Looking to make your own gifts this season? Want to edit your photos before uploading them into a photo calendar? Ready to spend your winter break learning to knit a scarf, make your own soap, or paint a painting? The Library offers free online classes in all of these (and more) through the Online Learning page of the Library website. Use your library card to register for Universal Class to begin your maker journey in time for the holiday season.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten: It’s never too early to start reading to your child! Studies show that children who have been read to are more likely to do better in school, and in later life, than children who have not had exposure to books and reading when they were young. Granby Public Library’s popular program, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, is an easy and fun way to encourage literacy while spending time reading together.

Call the library to register, then schedule a time to stop by to pick up your program information and supplies. As you and your child reach 100-book milestones on your way to 1,000 books, your child will receive small toy prizes and books to stay motivated. A very special personalized gift is presented to your child when they reach the goal of 1000 books. To get started, call the library: 860-844-5275 (main desk) or 860-844-5285 for the Children’s Librarian.

Need Help Choosing Books for Your Children?

Miss Joan, the Children’s Librarian, is happy to help. Reserve a time to stop by in person or call her direct line: 860-844-5285. Leave a message with a callback number and she will respond as quickly as possible.

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SPECIAL EVENTS Coffee and Conversation: Thursday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. Connecticut native, film producer Andrew Gernhard has produced movies for the Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, SyFy and Telemundo. Learn what it is like on the set, behind the scenes, what a producer actually does and what is in his future.

Register by Nov. 25.

Santa’s Elves Drive-Thru Event: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1–2 p.m. Stop by and see Santa’s Elves as they give out special gifts and goodies to those who have been naughty and nice. This is a drivethru event, please feel free to decorate your car and yourself for the holiday. Register by Dec. 2.

Violin Performance: Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. Our violin instructor, Kasey Calebaugh, will be showcased in this special event. Calebaugh is an accomplished violinist, who has performed with groups like the Flagstaff Symphony, the Vermont Symphony, and the Verdi Valley Signonietta. Register by Dec. 5.

Holiday Bingo: Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1–2 p.m. Join us for a holiday-themed bingo with fun holiday prizes. Register by Dec. 8.

New Year’s Celebration: Wednesday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. Join the Granby Senior Center staff as we play games, sing songs, share New Year’s Eve past stories and more. If you want, dress in your best New Year’s Eve attire and have your favorite party food recipes on hand. Register

by Dec. 23.

Jukebox Bingo: Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. Keith Alan is back, bringing his Music Bingo games to Granby Senior Center members. This entertaining version of bingo includes songs that will make you sing and maybe even dance as you play along. Don’t miss out—it’s a guaranteed fun time. Register by Jan. 13.

Coffee and Conversation: Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. Joe O’Grady manages Holcomb Farm and is instrumental in the Fresh Access program they do for the Senior Center every year.

Come learn more about his role at Holcomb, future plans for the farm and, most of all, let’s give him a big thank you for all they do for us.

Register by Jan. 20.

LIFETIME LEARNING ACADEMY American History—What do you know?

Tuesdays through Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. Jerry Perkins, a former history professor, brings his unique sense of history to life, teaching on a variety of topics from Pre-Columbian times to current events. This is a discussion-based group with participants helping to choose which subjects will be studied.

Bible Prophecy Made Simple: Wednesdays, Dec. 9, 16, Jan. 6, 13, 20, Feb. 3 and 10 at 10 a.m. Presented by Skip Mission. The Bible has many fascinating fulfilled and yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecies regarding Israel, Jesus Christ and mankind. This seven-week class will take you through Old and New Testament Messianic,

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ENJOY FREE PROGRAMMING THIS WINTER The Granby Senior Center will be offering all special events and Lifetime Learning programs for free to all current members during December, January and February; exercise classes are excluded. Participants still need to register so call 860-844-5352 or email senior@granby-ct.gov for your Zoom program invitation.

Please visit our website at granby-ct.gov/senior-services or check your Center Life Newsletter for a complete listing of health services, support groups, clubs and ongoing activities. Programs are currently being held on Zoom. If you need instructions on how to connect, please let us know.

All programs, except the Santa’s Elves event and the FVVNA clinics, will be held online via Zoom. historical and “end times” prophecies. December will include an introduction class and a class on fulfilled Christmas prophecies. January and February will include Christ’s life, death and return, Israel’s history and future, and a class on eternity. This program is open to Senior Center members and the community. Register by Dec. 7.

Horatio’s Drive—The Hilarious Saga of the First Road Trip: Thursday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Directed by Ken Burns. Get out the popcorn and join us for this simultaneously inspirational and hilarious saga of Horatio Nelson Jackson, an eccentric Vermont doctor, who in 1903, on a visionary whim and a fifty dollar bet, became the first person to drive an automobile across the continent, heralding the future of the “horseless carriage” as a vehicle destined for more than inner-city travel and as a machine that would transform American life.

Mark Twain—An Extraordinary Life: Thursdays, Jan. 14 and 21. Two 2-hour sessions with a 15-minute intermission. 10 a.m. Directed by Ken Burns. Samuel Clemens rose from a hardscrabble boyhood in the backwoods of Missouri to become, as Mark Twain, America’s best-known and best-loved author. This remarkable film tells the story of his extraordinary life, full of rollicking adventure, stupendous success and crushing defeat, hilarious comedy and almost unbearable tragedy.

Register by Jan. 7.

What You Need to Know About the Uniform Trust Code and Secure Act: Thursday, Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. Presented by Attorney Brendan Daly.

Trust laws changed quite a bit in 2020. The Connecticut Uniform Trust Code (UTC) provides benefits that didn’t exist before. And on the flip side, the UTC may also cause you to consider updating or changing what you have in place.

If you have a trust or are thinking of starting one, you don’t want to miss this session. You’ll also learn about the 2020 SECURE Act, which brought on changes to IRA rules, like raising the distribution age and raising the maximum age for making IRA contributions. Register by Jan. 21.

SUPPORT SERVICES Alzheimer’s Support: Caring for someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming.

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Ask the Attorney: The first Wednesday of the month, by appointment. Specializing in Elder Law. Please call 860-844-5352 to set up an appointment for a free consultation.

CHOICES Counseling: CHOICES provides information and assistance about Medicare and its drug coverage plans. Call 800-994-9422 to speak with a counselor.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Thursdays at noon. A group for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Join others, to share friendships, tips, and ideas on being a parent again. Free.

Free Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Checks: Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by appointment at the Granby Senior Center. Call 860-844-5350 to reserve your time.

Please wear a mask. Sponsored by Farmington Valley VNA.

SENIOR VAN SERVICE The Senior Vans operate Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Out-of-town medical appointments may be made no earlier than 9:30 a.m. and no later than 2 p.m. Call at least one week in advance when requesting rides for appointments. Annual van fee is $10. Call 860-844-5353 to schedule a ride or to get more information.

EXERCISE CLASSES All classes are held via Zoom, so registration is required—no drop-ins. Must have a minimum of eight participants per class.

Yoga: Mondays at 10–10:45 a.m. Jan. 4–Feb. 22. Instructor, Mary Fuller. Emphasis is given to finding a balance between flexibility and strength and exploring how, with practice, we can find increased fluidity of movement. Yoga experience is somewhat helpful but not required. Cost: $30 residents; $36 non-residents.

Chi Gong: Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 6–Feb. 24. Instructor, Mary Ellen Mullins. Chi means “Energy” and Gong means “To activate.”

In this gentle, low impact, standing (or seated) class we activate our vital life force or Energy with a series of breathing, stretching and balancing techniques. The practice of Chi Gong helps us to feel grounded, nurtured and relaxed so that the body’s energy can be naturally directed to help our organs function optimally, create flexibility in the muscles, suppleness in the joints and bring balance to our emotions. It is also wonderful for healing and pain management. Classes will feature the elements and poses appropriate for the current season. Accessible and beneficial to

Will your Gingerbread House be voted the best?

The Granby Senior Center will hold a Gingerbread House Contest, and asks local businesses and community members to create a gingerbread house that reflects their own personality. Entries must be dropped off at the Senior Center on Thursday, Dec. 3 or Friday, Dec. 4, by appointment.

Senior Center staff will take pictures of each entry and display them on the Granby Senior Center Facebook page as well as on the Granby Living Facebook page. Members of the community can vote for their favorite house. Winners will be announced on Friday, Dec. 11.

Here are the categories and prizes: 1st Place Adult Professional–$100 sponsored by the Farmington Valley VNA 1st Place Adult Home Baker–$100 sponsored by MeadowBrook of Granby 2nd Place Adult Home Baker–$50 sponsored by Home Helpers of Farmington Valley 3rd Place Adult Home Baker–$25 sponsored by Home Helpers of Farmington Valley 1st Place Teen (13-18 years old)–$50 sponsored by Arden Courts of Avon 1st Place Child (up to 12 years old)–$50 Gift Card to Neckers sponsored by the McLean Home Care & Hospice To submit an entry, please schedule a drop-off time by calling 860-844-5352 or emailing senior@granby-ct.gov

all levels. Cost: $48 residents; $56 non-residents.

Cardio and Strength: Fridays at 10–10:45 a.m. Jan. 8–Feb. 26. Instructor, Mary Fuller.

This is a quick-paced class with cardio and a concentration on strength building. Cost: $40 residents; $48 non-residents.

For updates on exercise classes, visit Facebook or the website, facebook.com/ GranbyCTSeniorCenter or granby-ct.gov/seniorservices

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December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 25

Field Hockey season ends with competitive game for Granby After an early 2-1 loss to Avon, Granby answered with a 2-1 win later in the season.

On Nov. 13, the two teams met again, this time in the finals. Earlier that week, Granby defeated Simsbury 2-0 in the semifinals, while Avon beat Canton 3-0. Everyone knew it would be a game to see and it was. Avon came out strong scoring early in the first quarter followed by a second goal before half-time. Granby opened the third quarter, pressing Avon’s net and made it 2-1. It was a well-fought game on both sides but Avon was able to capitalize on more breaks and went up 3-1 for the final. Great season Granby Bears!

Granby Senior #17 Maddie Gilmore beats Avon to the ball with her strong play at mid-field

Varsity Field Hockey Team: Top Row (l-r) Avery Bryanton, Addy Fede, Mya Rivard, Delaney Grimaldi, Ani Cashman, McKenna Ryan, Haley Kaczka, Charlotte Kampfmann, Nora Gies.

Bottom Row: (l-r) Natalie Symth, Fran Caley, Maddie Gilmore, Lauren Roy, Courtney Caskin, Anna Lombardo, Meggie Hennessey, Maddie Ellrod

Defender #2 Mya Rivard looks upfield to set up an opportunity for Granby

Granby Senior #4 Meggie Hennessey races past Avon player to win the ball

NOT WANTED A campaign to raise awareness of and control invasive plants sponsored by Granby’s Conservation Commission

Granby Strikes Back!

You never know what you’ll find

Junior defender #13 Haley Kazcka gets the ball upfield for Granby with her strong play

Field Hockey photos by Kelly Hennessey

Need some Holiday Ca$h?

Under clear blue skies on Nov. 7, nine intrepid Granby volunteers bravely strode into the prickers and vines at Holcomb Farm. Armed with loppers, shovels, pruners, saws and grim good humor, they hacked through multiple layers of robust invasives accustomed to frolicking freely and smothering native trees and shrubs.

What did we find? All kinds of buried treasure.

Farm implements embedded in tree trunks—a two-seater outhouse—a huge flat rock—an enormous, statuesque shagbark hickory tree—a row of quaking aspens connected below ground!

And many massive “mother of them all” multiflora roses, Oriental bittersweets, Japanese barberries and trees-of-heaven.

Peggy Lareau demonstrated the girdling method on a grove of trees-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). This aggressive invasive tree, often confused with sumac, responds to being cut down by sending out new trees through rhizomes underground. Girdling—cutting the outer layer around the trunk with a chisel or hatchet—prevents nutrients from travelling through the tree and kills it, without stimulating additional growth. The prize

for the biggest meanest root, a multiflora rose, was extracted by Lee Barba.

Another strange sight was an axel and wheels that became embedded over time in the outer layer of a red maple, completely concealed from view before Dave Roberts and Diana Hughes removed bittersweet vines.

A classic two-seater outhouse was barely visible, surrounded by massive multiflora roses, at the base of a magnificent shagbark hickory tree. It now can be approached for restoration—and possible use?

The nine volunteers (Lee Barba, David Desiderato, Diana Hughes, Josie Klein, Peggy Lareau, Sally Markee, Valerie Raggio, Dave Roberts and Faith Tyldsley) invite everyone to view the site of Granby’s Invasive Action Day and appreciate the progress as it continues in the coming months. From the main Holcomb Farm building, head downhill to the fenced CSA field. Most of the recent work is on the right side heading downhill. Want to know about future events and stay up to date on invasive plants in Granby and beyond? Sign up using the form at granbyinvasiveplants. weebly.com

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Page 26 The Granby Drummer

November 2020

Parks & Recreation

Kristine Vincent, CPRP: Director of Recreation and Leisure Services Daphne Shinder: Recreation Supervisor Terri Ziemnicki: Program Supervisor Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Salmon Brook Park; open 24/7 at GranbyRec.com Telephone: 860-653-8947 Website: GranbyRec.com Register for all programs online.

Special Events Holiday Photo Session: Dec. 1–15 at Holcomb Farm, with Leslie M Photography. The perfect opportunity for professional, high quality photos with 3–4 digital photos for only $45. Individual and family holiday photo sessions—pets are encouraged. Register online, these will fill very quickly.

Holiday Decorating Contest: Nov. 16–Dec. 14. Do you decorate your home or business every year? Why not enter the contest to get rewarded for your hard work and creativity? Join the Granby Recreation Department for our first decorating event to spread some holiday cheer throughout our town. This free event is for Granby residents only. Judging will be done by the Granby Recreation Commission and Recreation Staff in three categories: • Griswold Award: Because you can never have too many lights!

• A Christmas Story Award: Best display that has an organized appearance or theme • The Norman Rockwell Award: Best traditional display The winner in each category will receive a $50 account credit towards any Granby Recreation program and bragging rights—plus your house or business will be featured on the Granby Facebook Page. Registration by Monday, Dec. 14. by 4 p.m. Judging will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 5–9 p.m. Please keep your lights on during this time.

Letters to Santa: through Dec. 4.

Imagine the excitement in your house when your child receives a hand-written, personalized letter from Santa! Our team of elves are ready to help Santa spread some holiday cheer and good wishes.

Each letter is sure to add some magic to the Christmas season and can set a worried mind at ease, as each reader learns that he or she is, indeed, on Santa’s “nice” list!

After registering online, please print Santa’s Questionnaire (link available online) and assist (if needed) your child in the completion of the questionnaire, bring him/her to Salmon Brook Park and place it in Santa’s special mailbox. Leave the rest to the elves. Letters are mailed during the first part of December, to ensure

delivery before Christmas Day. Fee: $5 Youth and After School JumpBunch Little Jumpers: for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years. Thursdays, Jan. 7–Feb. 11, 3:45-4:15 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. A great way to introduce sports and fitness to your child. Each week, the JumpBunch coach teaches lively and positive classes that help children build motor skills, coordination, balance and sports confidence.

Classes include music, ribbon wands, bubbles, obstacle courses and a different sport or fitness activity every week. Visit JumpBunch.com to find out more about this popular program. Fee: $90 JumpBunch Big Jumpers: for ages 3–6. Tuesdays, Dec. 8–Jan. 12, 11:15 a.m.–12 p.m.; Thursdays, Jan. 7–Feb. 11, 4:30–5:15 p.m.; and Saturdays, Dec. 12–Jan. 23, 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. Each class includes warm-ups, floor exercises, the sport/activity of the week, stretching, and then a cool down. A different sport introduced each week. We strive to have little or no “sit and wait” time. Children will have the chance to touch and experience each sport with their own piece of equipment each class. Classes also include use of creatively scripted songs that include ribbon wands, stretch bands, rhythm sticks, maracas and scarves.

Sports may include lacrosse, paddle sports, field hockey, t-ball, basketball, soccer, football, etc.

Parents are welcome to stay during the program and will be in a separate area of the building. Only children that are registered for the program may participate. Please bring a mask for your child.

Fee: $110 Outdoor Adventure and Games: Meets at the Salmon Brook Park House.

Nature hike with outdoor adventure and games. Join us for a great time after school with fun activities, exploring and learning about nature. Come bundled up for cold weather, since time will be spent outdoors playing games and adventuring. Also, comfortable clothes for lots of activities like hiking, capture the flag, fort building, sports and maybe some Calvinball. This program is being led by Billy Langdon, Granby Recreation youth leader. Grades 3–5 meet Mondays, Nov. 30–Dec. 14, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Fee $45.

Grades 6–8 meet Thursdays, Dec. 3–17, 3–4:30 p.m. Fee $65.

Outdoor Floor Hockey: Meets at the Salmon Book Park basketball court.

Join well-known high school coach Terri Ziemnicki for an hour of fun outside playing floor hockey on the SBP basketball courts. Each week different teams will be formed and games will be played. All equipment will be provided. Participants

should dress for the weather. Masks will be required to be worn while playing.

Sneakers should also be worn. No experience is required. Come join the fun in the great outdoors and get some fresh air.

Grades 3–5 meet Wednesdays, Dec. 2–16, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Fee $40. Grades 6–8 meets Tuesdays, Dec. 1–15, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Fee $40.

Modeling and Fashion Camp with Photo Shoot: Monday–Thursday, Dec. 28–31, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at Holcomb Farm.

Back by popular demand, this camp was a big hit last summer! John Casablanas Modeling and Fashion Camp provides girls and boys ages 5–11 years with a wonderful experience of learning the tips of looking like a model, developing their etiquette skills for a setting, feeling good about themselves by strengthening their confidence inside and out and tapping into their fashion talents. Fee $122. Program includes: Makeover Monday (hair and makeup application); T-shirt Design Tuesday (campers design and model their own t-shirts). Bring runway shoes; Photo Famous Wednesday (red carpet speaking exercises). Bring an extra outfit just in case it is needed; Fashion Show Thursday (photos with professional photographer).

Campers will do their hair and makeup for their Fashion Show for the families to enjoy their accomplishments.

Adults Night Out Welcome Snowman Paint Night with Paint Craze: Friday, Dec. 4, 7–9 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. Grab a friend or two and join us for a fun evening of canvas painting. Paint this cute welcoming snowman who will warm your heart. Perfect for a gift or a personalized welcome sign. Everything you need will be supplied including a 12” x 24” canvas.

Feel free to bring food and beverages to enjoy while you paint. Fee $45.

Create Holiday Centerpiece: Tuesday, Dec. 15, 7–8 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. Create your very own Holiday Centerpiece to put on your dining room or living room coffee table this holiday season. It will brighten up your room and your guests will be in awe that you created such a masterpiece. Join us with professional florist Jessica from Long Stem Floral Shop in East Granby.

The Do-It-Yourself project includes a candle, fresh winter greens, fresh flowers, and berries. We will also add a bow, pinecones or small ornaments. Everything you need will be provided for you. Please feel free to bring your own snacks and beverages. Great night out to be creative and share some fun holiday time with friends.

Fee $48.

Holiday Mixology Class: Saturday, Dec. 12 or Wednesday, Dec. 16, 7–9 p.m., at the Holcomb Farm North Barn Pavilion. Spend the evening learning how to make three seasonal cocktails with Meg, one of the Zen Restaurant Group’s fantastic mixologists. This is a hands-on experience, teaching the secrets of shaking your own cocktails like a pro.

Your mixologist will guide you through making these special drinks—teaching you how to muddle, mix and shake your drinks to perfection. There will be one appetizer that pairs with the cocktails of the evening. All participants will leave the event with the recipes to their three seasonal cocktails. Do not miss out on this amazing class. Offered on two nights for your convenience, same cocktails will be made both nights. Fee $45.

Yin Yoga and Aromotherapy Class: Friday, Dec. 11, 6–7:30 p.m., at the Salmon Brook Park House. This holiday season slow your flow with this 90-minute sequence of yin yoga postures (deep stretches held for 3–5 minutes) and aromatherapy (Wisdom of the Earth therapeutic grade essences). Join us as we prepare our minds and bodies for the colder, shorter days ahead by combining the slower, deeper aspects of yin yoga with the healing properties of the pure therapeutic grade essences used in aromatherapy, this practice helps to restore balance within the energy systems of the body, leaving you feeling relaxed, renewed and ready to face whatever life is offering you. This practice will bring peace and healing on so many levels.

Wear comfortable clothing, and please bring your yoga mat, one or two blankets and any blocks or bolsters that you might have to support the body in the various shapes. Space is limited. The practice will be led by Laura Fetzer. Fee $25 per person.

Gentle Yoga: A yoga practice at the Salmon Brook Park House, appropriate for all levels of experience. An outdoor morning yoga experience incorporating breath, balance, flexibility, focus and fun. Rachel Little will lead the group through movements and yoga postures both standing and down on the mat that build strength, balance and mobility, while encouraging relaxation and release.

Modifications offered to accommodate common injuries and limitations. Please bring a yoga mat, blanket/towel and water. Optional items: yoga blocks, strap.

Wednesdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, 6–7 p.m.; or, Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, 10–11 a.m. Fee $15 per class, drop-in.

Plan your Party or Special Event with Granby Rec Have your next family or other private event at Salmon Brook Park or the Holcomb Farm. The Salmon Brook Park House is a beautiful facility that can accommodate up to 99 people, featuring a gas fireplace for the winter months and central air for the summer. Make an appointment today to get a tour and see if it is the right fit for your next event.

The North Barn Pavilion at Holcomb Farm is built to look like a barn, but this gorgeous building has all of the modern amenities to make your event for up to 125 people a day to remember. Dates fill fast. Call us to get more information or visit us at GranbyRec.com to see pictures and rental info.

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December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 27

Registrars of Voters Behind the scenes, a huge amount of preparation went into hosting the largest election turnout in Granby history—during a pandemic. Granby had a turnout of 88.43 percent, with 7,398 ballots cast, out of 8,366 eligible voters. We owe a huge, heartfelt thank you to all who helped put this together: To our hosts, the staff at Granby Memorial High School, who provides an excellent, safe and accessible polling place.

To the Granby Public Works team who seamlessly moved our ever-growing piles of election equipment and signs to the school and back to Town Hall. In addition, this year they created the Plexiglas shields for our checker tables, hand sanitizer stations, and additional signage to keep everyone safe.

To the Granby Police officers and Community Emergency Response Team for guiding cars with our poll worker volunteers safely throughout a very long and difficult day.

To our tireless Town Clerk Karen Hazen and her staff who processed all of those absentee ballots and election paperwork with the help of a record-absentee volunteer crew led by Paul Willis and Dan Wolfe.

To the best poll working crew in the state who set a new standard for safe and fast, friendly and cheerful efficiency during a pandemic led by moderators Patti Sansone and Diane Hernsdorf.

To our largest Election Day Registration crew led by Tammy Tanner and Jane Reardon.

And to our exceptional Head Moderator, Terri-Ann Hahn who reviewed and posted the totals.

The unfaltering expectation that every detail would be executed precisely was maintained throughout the preparation and on Election Day. The diligence of all of these partners, and over 200 citizens who volunteered, is directly responsible for the success of our election. The heart of the election, though, is undoubtedly each and every registered voter that participated. The weeks leading to Election

Day saw a steady increase in those that registered or updated their voter status in preparation for Nov. 3. The option for all Connecticut voters to cast an absentee ballot and avoid possible COVID-19 exposure at the polls added another layer of new processes to learn about and consider.

Records set So many records were broken during this tumultuous election season, here are a few highlights: Most absentee ballots counted: Presidential Primary – 1,167 and November Election – 2,865 Most voter registrations processed in one year: Nov. 2019 to Nov. 2020 – 3,102 registrations Most poll worker and moderator training sessions: 30 classes held, over 200 participants Largest Granby Voter Registry: 8,366 Voters Highest number of ballots cast in Granby – 7,398 Our hope is that each of us gleans a lesson from Election 2020 and carries it productively forward for the future.

Thanks to each of you who voted for sharing your voice. Granby displayed a strong patriotic commitment to vote, and to vote safely in 2020. Our commitment to vote in all elections, municipal and national, in the future is fundamental to our continued voice.

Stop by to register to vote, figure out your voting district or make corrections in person at the Registrars’ Office in the Town Hall every Wednesday, our regular office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note you can register online or get the voter registration form at town halls, libraries, DMV offices and at the Secretary of State’s website, sots.ct.us Online voter registration is available for new voters or to make changes seven days a week at voterregistration.ct.gov Voter registration can be verified at dir. ct.gov/sots/lookup.aspx Questions? Please contact Laura Wolfe and Sonja Smith, at 860-844-5322 or registrarofvoters@granby-ct.gov

Women’s Breakfast returns via Zoom

There will be a Granby Women’s Breakfast via Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 3. The speaker will be author Janet Barrett. Through her experiences as a horsewoman, Barrett found herself drawn to the connection between horses and the people around them. She will be discussing her book, Comanche and His Captain — the Warhorse and the Soldier of Fortune. Barrett remembers her father first telling her about Comanche when she was about eight years old. When she revisited the story a few years ago, she found an intriguing, complex story about the tough mustang that brought fame to himself, his rider and the U.S. Cavalry.

Barrett has also written about health, sports and education for TV and radio.

She was raised in New York, graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in communications, and now makes her home in Connecticut.

The Zoom meeting starts at 10 a.m.

Janet Barrett Submitted photo

Those who wish to attend should send email contact information to gwomensbkfst@gmail.com to be included in the Zoom meeting.

Unexpected foliage find Victoria and Yelena Kiriyan found this giant puffball mushroom in the beautiful fall foliage. It’s edible and a great addition to pizza. Submitted by Alexander Anisimov

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Page 28 The Granby Drummer

Historic Footnotes Carol Laun

Archivist, Salmon Brook Historical Society

A black family in early Granby: London and Irana Wallace

There have been black families living in Granby since pre-Revolutionary times. Since even the free blacks could not vote or hold public office, were not leaders in the church or government and rarely owned businesses, they are practically invisible in the history of a town.

However, the black residents of Simsbury, which before 1786 included Granby and East Granby, did leave a “paper trail” to follow. Their lives can be traced in the census and the various town records—probate, land and vital records. Church records are another source of information, as are the surviving account books from stores and individuals.

Some of the handwritten documents in the early deed books reveal the human feelings behind the formal words. In 1760, Andrew Robe of Simsbury, gave his slave, Peter Cezer, his freedom.

Robe had the clerk record that “on 4 June 1739 he bought from Aaron Pinney of Windsor, a Negro boy about 8 or 9, named Cezer Negro.” The boy was later baptized Peter and “having kept in my service until this day, I now do give unto him his freedom to act in his own name and to receive the profits of his own labour.” Robe also gave to his former slave 31 ½ acres of land and added, “all persons having dealing with him are desired to treat him as an Honest man.”

Another former slave, who became a Simsbury and Granby land owner, was named London Negro or London Wallis (Wallace). London was the slave of Stephen Griffin of East Granby. He served in the French and Indian War and was given his freedom in the late 1750s. He was probably born around 1725 or 1730.

London Wallis seemed to have more privileges and free time than most slaves. He married Irana around 1753.

She was described in all records as “a free woman.” He built a home for his wife and family, although he was still in servitude. The couple registered the births of five children in the Simsbury Vital Records: Irana 1754, Zebulon 1756, Reuben 1758, Joseph 1760 and London Jr. in 1762.

In 1757, Samuel Griswold sold, for 40 pounds, just under two acres to “Lunnon Negro, man servant to Mrs. Mary Griffin, with the approval of his

Mistress,” and also to “Irana, Mulatto Woman, wife of Lunnon,” land at the Falls in Tariffville. The lot included “the dwelling house which Lunnon has built and the apple trees which Lunnon hath planted.”

Mary Griffin must have freed her servant soon after that, because two years later, London Negro paid 66 pounds for 35 acres in “Griffin’s Lordship.” The dwelling house of the late Caleb Holcomb was included in the sale.

London Wallis mortgaged his property in 1762, in a pattern that was followed by too many poor farmers. With land as their only asset, they used it to get needed cash. If bad weather, bad crops or bad luck intervened, quite often the property was lost to creditors.

Joseph Griswold gave 60 pounds to London with the stipulation that “if London brings down the river from Hartland 300 white pine logs that ly on the bank in Hartland, belonging to sd Griswold, and deliver sd Loggs to Joshua Holcomb Jr. at a place called Pickeral Cove in Simsbury by 1 Dec 1763 and also pay 30 pounds plus interest,” then London could keep his land.

The conditions of the mortgage were not fulfilled, and in 1766 a deed stated, “I London Negro alias London Wallis of Simsbury,” release the property to Joseph Griswold. Griswold may have allowed him to stay on the farm as a tenant, because the family stayed in the East Granby/Tariffville area for the next ten years.

London and Irana had their youngest son, London Jr., and their new daughter, Hannah, baptized in 1765 by Rev. Roger Viets in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Simsbury (now part of Bloomfield).

Three more daughters were baptized privately by Rev. Viets in 1774, Susannah, Esther and Rebekah.

Two of the Wallis sons were indentured to work for Joseph Griswold, and in return, in 1770, Griswold promised to give 40 acres to Joseph, age ten and London Jr., age eight, “for consideration of certain labour.” The land was on “a brook from Saxton’s Marsh” near a place called the “Plumb Yard.” A few years later, London Wallis Sr. also acquired land in this area between Salmon Brook (Granby) and Westover’s Plain—

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the area north of the ice skating center.

When the Revolutionary War began, three of Wallis’ sons were soldiers.

Some sources suggest that London Sr. was also in the war, but the enlistment usually credited to him, actually belongs to his son, as proven by a pension record. Sixteen-year old London Wallis Jr. enlisted in 1778 for three years in the 3rd Regiment of the Connecticut Line, under the command of Col. Samuel Wyllys. Joseph enlisted in the 2nd Regiment of the Connecticut Line for the duration of the war. The third son, Zebulon, was with the Connecticut Militia at the battle of Peekskill in 1777 and later was in the Connecticut Line. Zebulon and London Jr. probably received bounty payments and some sources say that London Jr. was hired

by Elnathan Strong to take his place in the army. Joseph received a pension for his service.

Several of the children of London and Irana are in the marriage records.

In 1789, Joseph Wallis married Antha Hale, a white woman from Hartland, daughter of Reuben Hale. Hannah, 18, married Hercules Fletcher and Susannah married James Baltimore, as his second wife. Zebulon and an unknown wife had a son named William in 1793, who was given to Justice of the Peace Roger Wilcox to train and raise. The records do not explain why this child was taken away from his parents.

There is more information about London Jr. and his wife Phebe, because she applied for a pension in 1842.

Phebe was living in the home of Origin Griswold in Windsor at the time of her application. She said she was married to London Wallace (Jr.) on December 7, 1786 by Rev. Mr. Rowland in Granby.

She had one son, Joseph, who died December 19, 1824, age 38. London died around 1791 and she then married John Freeman, who died December 26, 1835. (These dates do not agree with Granby vital records.) She had been a widow ever since and used the name Phebe Wallace.

Phebe also stated that she often heard London say he enlisted to serve during the Revolutionary War and that he served in Col. Samuel Wyllys Regiment. The pension record said that London Wallace had been a private in the Connecticut Line for two years and Phebe was granted a pension of $80 a year in 1843.

After the Revolution, London Sr. continued to buy and sell land around his home lot near the Granby-Simsbury border. The land records indicate that he lived between Route 10/202 and Wolcott Road, with his house on Wolcott.

He sold some of his land to other blacks.

Asher Frank bought six acres in 1780 for “12 ½ bushels of good merchantable wheat.” The following year he sold 25

December 2020 acres for four pounds, to another former slave, also named London. This London, who had been the property of Isaac Owen of Windsor, chose the surname Freebody to symbolize his emancipation.

The two Londons had some shared business dealings, because they were in debt together for over nine pounds owed to George Willson in 1781. London Wallis paid ten bushels of wheat and London Freebody lost some of his land.

The pattern continued in both of their lives. The men would save up and buy a little land, but as soon as they fell into debt, the law took it away from them. They were uneducated, could not read or write and could only afford the poorest land. It was almost inevitable that they lived under the threat of foreclosure.

In 1788, London bought ten acres of land from William Adams, for seven pounds, and promptly mortgaged it to Adams for three pounds. It was partly in Simsbury and partly in Granby, on the Plains near London’s house. The deed also mentioned that the land bordered “east on the highway that leads from Shacktown (so called) to Salmon Brook.” Shacktown was a black settlement, possibly located across the brook from Granbrook Park in East Granby.

The roads have changed considerably in 200 years.

The slave who became a landowner saw his land whittled away bit by bit in 1797, as judgements for debt were rendered against him. Although the legal documents routinely threatened imprisonment in Hartford, it appears that land was appraised and confiscated in lieu of jail. London owed $15 and costs to Hezekiah Holcomb and $3.75 (with the same additional $3.42 costs) also to Holcomb. Then another $15 and costs to Roswell Case. There are no further mentions of London Wallace in any town record.

Irana Wallace had died in 1779, before debt impoverished her husband. It is not known what happened to London or when he died. He left no probate record.

Joseph and Antha Wallace lived on an 80-acre farm in Granby until 1824.

There are other Wallace names in Granby records, but the relationship is not known. A child of Poll Wallace died in 1807. Ellen Wallas and her child were paupers in 1808 and an infant of Arabella Wallace died in 1812.

Joseph, the son of London Wallace Jr. and Phebe, is buried at the back of the old section in the Granby Center Cemetery, along with Armilla, the first wife of John Freeman and two young daughters of John and Phebe. It is very probable that Irana and London Wallace are also buried here—segregated in death as they were in life.

December 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 29

HEALTH NOTES

By the

Farmington Valley VNA

Sleep and Health The amazing and somewhat sad reality is that the sleep industry is a $32 billion market, and we still aren’t sleeping. As a culture, we have become quite crazed with purchasing almost anything to help us sleep.

We buy Smartwatches, Oura rings and Fitbits to track our sleep patterns. We invest large sums to find the perfect mattress, seek out sleep clinics; take herbal remedies, over-the-counter medications and prescription medications, try CBD oil, sound machines, cuddle sleep robots, purring pillows and try social media apps with slow music and stories all to lull us to sleep. We try sleep divorces and separate bedrooms, hoping silence and single sleeping will allow us to sleep. Some of these work for a while, some never work, some do help. However, almost twothirds of all adults in developed nations are not getting enough sleep.

Our bodies were designed not to waste time. Sleep is central to our health and performance, and during sleep, our brain is firing many signals to help itself actively repair and get ready for the next day. While we all know someone who says they do not need more than three hours sleep, the adult body requires at least six to eight hours of sleep a night to restore all bodily functions.

Restorative sleep helps keep the autonomic nervous, hormone and immune systems balanced. Your health relies upon this downtime. During sleep, immune function and disease resistance are enhanced, energy and strength are increased, weight loss and blood glucose is regulated, coordination and flexibility are upgraded, and hormone levels are balanced. Within your brain, there is increased focus and creativity, memory is retained along with the ability to learn complex skills and emotional regulation is enhanced.

We all know the overtired result of losing our cool too quickly, feeling as though we are in the gray fog, and forgetting where we put things. These are the body’s response to a lack of sleep. Saying

you feel fine on a few hours of sleep does not mean that it is best for you. A weakened immune system, cardiac and blood pressure issues, obesity, and higher blood sugar can result from a lack of sleep.

So, here are some suggestions that may help if you are facing a lack of ZZZs. Give your screens a break at least one hour before bed. This includes your phone, TV, laptop, iPad, and smartwatch.

The light and engagement with the screens keep your brain from winding down.

Stick to your reasonable bedtime, even on weekends.

Find your ideal room temperature. No matter what you may think that is, the ideal room temperature is a cool 67 degrees. Your body temperature decreases to initiate sleep and a cool room can give you a head start. Often a fan helps, both in cooling and providing white noise.

Schedule workouts and heavy meals to earlier in the day. Elevated metabolism and heart rate can disrupt sleep. Try no eating, drinking, or exercising for three hours before bed. This is especially true for anything with caffeine as it raises your heart rate and can disrupt a crucial signal to your brain that regulates your internal clock.

Trade that wind-down glass of wine or cocktail for some extra sleep. Alcohol may seem to relax, but too much can rob you of REM sleep. When the alcohol wears off, there are often repeated wakeups during the night.

Regular daily exercise is good for rest.

Staying active and being outside helps tire the body so that sleep is needed.

Reserve your bedroom for rest and recovery. Take out screens, chargers, and beeping cell phones that announce incoming emails or texts while you are trying to sleep.

As for napping, remember to take them before 3 p.m. Too close to ideal bedtime can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. That pre-bed nap at 9 p.m. on the couch often results in an inability to fall asleep when you go to bed. If tired, make

Spooktacular First Congregational Church of Granby and Valley PreSchool partnered to offer a drivethru Halloween celebration on Oct. 30 in the church parking lot. Photo by Heather Dobbert

Request for contractors The Town of Granby is seeking qualified contractors to participate in the Town’s Housing Rehabilitation Program.

Contractors must be insured and registered with the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection for their applicable trade.

The Town of Granby administers a Housing Rehabilitation Program that provides funding to income-eligible residential property owners within Granby for a variety of home improvements.

Required tradesmen include general contractors/carpenters, electricians, HVAC, plumbers, lead abatement and RRP certified. WBE/SBE/MBE and Section 3 contractors are encouraged to apply.

Individual residential projects are bid to either general contractors or individual tradesmen depending on the scope of work. These projects do not require payment of prevailing wages.

Funding originated from the U.S. Department of Housing and the State of Connecticut Department of Housing is now administered by the Town of Granby.

Interested contractors are encouraged to contact Abigail St. Peter Kenyon, Town of Granby, director of community development at 860-844-5319 or akenyon@granby-ct.gov or the program administrator, Peter Testa at 203-518-2054 or peter@aesgrpllc.com for additional information.

yourself get up and go to bed where you can sleep without interruption.

Check the lighting in your home. Use bright, blue-lights in the daytime. Switch to dimmer and warmer bulbs at dusk such as LED-tunable lights that boost melatonin. For some, light masks sold under names such as Oasis or Illumi bring customized light therapy to your face. Some new homes are now actually

being constructed with circadian lighting that brightens and dims at the right time of day.

If self-help methods of inducing sleep do not work, consult with your physician.

A sleep study might detect sleep apnea, and your physician can suggest prescription or other drugs that may help you go to—and stay asleep.

Some of the donated food from last year. Submitted photo

Pet food drive is on at Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital will be holding its 8th annual pet food drive on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will be collecting dog and cat food as well as monetary donations.

Food donations will go directly to local food pantries, shelters and rescues. This year, monetary donations will be sent to Vet Dogs, an organization that trains service dogs for military veterans and first responders (vetdogs.org).

For safety reasons some changes have been made—Salmon Brook Vet Hospital will only collect food donations from Dec. 7 to Dec. 12. There will be storage containers at the front of the building labeled for pet food donation drop offs.

On the day of the food drive, Dec. 12, there will be a tent set up with a table for pet food drop off and staff to assist you.

There will also be pet food collection

bins at Horses & Hounds, 15 Mill Pond Road in Granby, and Granby Stop & Shop. We give a huge thank you to both Horses & Hounds and Granby Stop & Shop for their continued support of the pet food drive, year after year.

As in past years, Salmon Brook Veterinary Hospital will match the food donations up to 3,000 pounds. At the request of the food pantries and shelters, preferred donations of dog and cat food are bags of kibble 30 pounds or under and canned food.

With many people out of work due to COVID, people and pets are in need more than ever. Further information will follow on our Facebook page. Come support your neighbors and the pets they love, and thank you for your continued support.

Page 30 The Granby Drummer

Social Services 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. For more information about any of the following programs, contact Director KerryAnn Kielbasa at 860-844-5351. Office hours are weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Granby Local Assistance Program: Granby residents facing financial hardship may access funds once in a twelve-month period. The gross household income cannot exceed 60 percent of state median income, unless extenuating circumstances can be documented.

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP): During the winter months, help is available to households to help pay for heating fuel in the form of oil, gas or electric heat. Benefits are available to households with incomes up to 60 percent of the state median income.

Processing will be delayed if necessary paperwork is missing. Call the office to see if your household qualifies.

Resources and Services Childcare: Additional resources and information regarding childcare can be found at the Office of Early Childhood at 800-505-1000 or visit ct.gov/oec/site/ default.asp Child Welfare Resources: Tools for supporting virtual times for families and child welfare workforce are available through the Child Welfare Information Gateway at cwig@communications. childwelfare.gov Domestic Violence: If you need help or just someone to talk to, please visit CTSafeConnect.org or call or text 888774-2900. Advocates available 24/7.

Housing Resources and Utility Assistance Eversource: There are COVID re-payment programs available.

Contact our office for help with this or contact Eversource directly at 800-2862000. For more information visit portal. ct.gov/PURA/Consumer-Services/PURACOVID-Actions Legal and Financial Information Legal Help: Greater Hartford Legal Aid is available to answer your questions about benefits that may be available to you, as well as other legal issues. For more information visit ghla.org You can also visit Statewide Legal Services at slsct.org or by calling 860-541-5070.

Mental Health and Emergencies: If you are experiencing a true medical emergency or crisis, please call 911 or

proceed to your nearest emergency room.

You can also access mobile crisis services by dialing 211.

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-2738255 When it Builds Up, Talk it Out: Campaign launched by United Way 211 and DCF. You can talk to a professional by calling 833-258-5011 or talkitoutct.com Rent and Mortgage Assistance: The State of Connecticut has launched temporary housing assistance for renters and homeowners impacted by COVID-19.

For more information on the program call 860-785-3111, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Unemployment: Guidance on applying for Unemployment can be found by calling 860-263-6000 or visiting dol.gov Food Resources Granby Food Pantry: Located at 248 Salmon Brook Street; hours: Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. to noon, and Thursday, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Before using the Granby Food Pantry, you must qualify with the Social Services Department. An appointment is necessary; call 860-844-5350 to schedule.

Waste Not Want Not Community Kitchen: Free meal available as driveup to pick-up service every Wednesday, 4:30–6:30 p.m. at South Congregational Church, 242 Salmon Brook St. The meal is free, but an offering is always welcome.

Mobile FoodShare: 1:30–2 p.m., Nov. 17, Dec. 1, 15 and 19. Please park behind South Congregational Church and Visiting Nurses Building only. Please remember to bring your own bags. For more locations or weather permitted cancellations visit foodshare.org Life Church Hope 4 Life Food Pantry: Located at 23 Griffin Road; open on Wednesdays, 2 to 4 p.m. to members of Life Church as well as anyone who is in need. No qualification necessary. Due to COVID safety concerns, we have a drive through service. Volunteer staff will place boxes of food in the trunk of your car. Each box weighs approximately 50 pounds. For more information, please call the church office at 860-653-3308.

Weekend Snack Packs: Located at

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December 2020

First Church, 219 North Granby Road; 3–4:30 p.m. every Friday (except Dec. 25). Modeled after Hands on Hartford’s Backpack Nutrition Program, each bag will contain nutritious non-perishable snack packs for the weekend. Please enter church parking lot via north entrance on Stratton Road and exit via North Church

Road. Questions: Call First Church Granby at 860-653-4537.

SNAP: Foodshare will continue to facilitate SNAP applications by phone. For help with SNAP call 860-286-9999 ext.

104. This process will take approximately 30 minutes and Foodshare will mail you a packet to sign and return.

Public Works Trash Holidays: Friday, Dec. 25, and Friday, Jan. 1, are holidays for Paine’s.

All Friday trash/recycling pickups will be delayed by one day for these two weeks.

Monday, Jan. 20, is NOT a trash holiday.

Paine’s has an e-mail alert system that will notify you of any changes to your service schedule due to a holiday or inclement weather. Sign up at painesinc.com Transfer Station closure: The Granby transfer station will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 26. It will reopen Jan. 2, at 8 a.m.

Christmas trees: Public Works will pick up Christmas trees during the first two weeks of January. Weather permitting, trees will be picked up on the same day as your trash. Please make sure the tree is visible and accessible.

2021 Recycling calendar: The recycling schedule for next year is included on p. 32.

Please clip and save. The calendar is always available on the Public Works page on the Granby website.

Extra trash and recycling: If your trash is piling up this holiday season, consider purchasing “extra trash” bags at either the DPW or Transfer Station during hours of operation. The purple bags are $2 each and can be placed next to your trash barrel on your pick up day. Extra recycling can be brought to the transfer station Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DPW WINTER HINTS Winter storms and snow removal can be a challenge. The Public Works Department does its best to keep roads passable and safe. Please note the following suggestions, ordinances and rules to ensure a safe winter season for all.

Trash and recycling: Please be aware that unless the roads are closed, Paine’s will collect trash/recycling on the regular schedule. You must have your barrels out by 6 a.m. If you choose not to put out your trash/recycling due to a storm, your barrels will not be emptied until your next scheduled pickup day.

Barrels should be placed at the end of your driveway in a location accessible to the trash hauler and at least two feet from the roadway. Barrels should not be placed in the street or on top of a snowbank.

Driveways: Before your final cleanup, check to see if the street has been plowed all the way to the curb. If it has, you should be safe to clean the end of your driveway. If it hasn’t, rest assured the plow will be back to make another pass and fill up the end of your driveway.

You can reduce the amount of snow deposited in your driveway by shoveling or plowing snow to the right side of your driveway as you face the street. Do not shovel or plow snow into the street. It creates a hazard and you may be held liable in the case of an accident.

Mailboxes: During the winter season, it is inevitable that some mailboxes will fall victim to winter’s forces. In accordance with Granby Town Ordinance, the town will repair or replace a mailbox that is damaged as the result of direct contact with a town snow plow. Mailboxes that are damaged from the force of snow thrown against them, or mailboxes that are located closer than nine inches from the road, are not eligible for repair. If your mailbox is damaged, you may report it to Public Works and a department employee will investigate the damage, determine the cause and schedule repairs if applicable.

Parking: Granby Town Ordinance prohibits the parking of any vehicle on a town road from the start of a storm until 12 hours after the storm has ended. Vehicles that violate the parking ban may be towed at the owner’s expense.

Sidewalks: Granby Town Ordinance requires a homeowner whose property abuts a sidewalk to keep the sidewalk clean of snow and ice. Residents have up to eight hours after the end of the storm to clear the sidewalk. If the storm occurs overnight, residents have up to eight hours after sunrise to clear the sidewalk Sand: Sand mixed with salt is available at 166 Salmon Brook Street (Granby Animal Shelter), opposite McLean Game Refuge.

Residents of Granby may take one fivegallon bucket at a time.

Child Safety: Do not allow children to play on snowbanks along the side of the road. The plow may return to push back snowbanks and, even in good conditions, it is difficult for a driver to see the children.

November 2020 The Granby Drummer Page 31

Enjoy a winter walk in the woods Friends of Holcomb Farm volunteers have been busy all year expanding the Holcomb Tree Trail and enhancing the miles of trails throughout our woodlands; and the community has noticed. More people than ever have been coming to enjoy this special place, which makes this a great time to share more information about what it is you are enjoying as you wander through the meadows and woods.

We asked our Stewardship Volunteers to share some of their knowledge. Here is a first installment: The importance of leaving downed and dead trees Trees die in forests all the time. They might be felled by winds or irreparably damaged by insects or decay resulting from fungus or disease. These trees may be standing as snags—as is the case with most of the ash trees that have been killed by bacteria and insects, including the emerald ash borer—or they may be lying on the ground. Though these dead trees make for an unkempt-looking forest, they are important for the health of the forest plants and animals.

Dead trees are home to a variety of wildlife. Insects live under the bark, or in heartwood that has been damaged by fungus. These insects are food for birds like woodpeckers. While excavating the trees to get insects, woodpeckers open larger cavities that they and other birds, like nuthatches and flickers, use for nesting. Eventually, these cavities get even bigger, making space for larger animals, like squirrels, porcupines, and even bears. These cavities are most often many feet above the ground, allowing for safe denning and roosting. Downed trees offer similar protection for ground species like rabbits, chipmunks and other rodents, as well as amphibians.

Downed trees also provide beneficial support to fungi and plant life.

Fungi and invertebrates help break down the trees into nutrients that go back into the soil to be used by A young shingle oak neighboring shows off its fall foliage plants. As on the Holcomb Tree the wood Trail. The leaves of the is broken shingle oak do not have down, it the typical lobes found in also releases more recognizable oaks. stored waPhoto by Eric Lukingbeal ter. When a tree falls, it opens a space in the tree canopy, allowing in more light for younger trees to thrive and allowing plant species that had once been shaded out to grow.

The forests at Holcomb Farm are maintained by the stewardship volunteers of the nonprofit Friends of Holcomb Farm.

They clear downed trees and branches only when they obstruct trails or could be a trail hazard. This land is owned by the Town of Granby, and the Department of Public Works assists when large hazardous trees need to be removed. Please do not take down or remove any trees from

Friends vice-president inspired

by Fresh Access program

By Shirley Murtha

Here’s a great gift idea for yourself or a friend—the Holcomb Farm CSA is offering Holiday Gift Bags for pick-up Dec. 18–23.

In a handsome Holcomb Farm tote, you’ll get lots of winter produce, plus our own crushed tomatoes and basil pesto. Photo

by Georgia McDougall

town land without permission. While they might appear ugly or messy, these downed and dead trees are essential to keeping this ecosystem healthy. If you are interested in becoming a stewardship volunteer, please contact Eric Lukingbeal at elukingbeal@rc.com Reminder: All Holcomb Farm trails, like all town-owned properties, require that dogs to be leashed.

Holiday gift bags, summer 2021 shares If you have not already signed up as a 2021 Summer CSA member, please hurry, as shares are going fast. Sign-up at holcombfarm.org/join-our-csa 2020 Winter CSA shares sold out quickly, but Farmer Joe and his team had such a great harvest this year that they are offering a limited supply of Holcomb Farm Holiday Gift Bags. In a handsome Holcomb Farm Tote, you’ll get: Approximately two pounds each of potatoes, rainbow carrots, sweet potatoes, onions, turnips, radishes and beets; a head of cabbage; a jar of our own crushed tomatoes and our own basil pesto. The price is $50 for 2021 CSA members, $55 for non-CSA members, pick up will be at the farm Dec. 18–23; cash or check only.

This a great gift idea, but they won’t last.

Reserve yours now by e-mailing joe@ holcombfarm.org Thank you for supporting Fresh Access In October, the Friends reached out in a special campaign to raise funds for Fresh Access. Our goal, to replace the money usually raised through our annual harvest Dinner and Silent Auction, was to raise $15,000, money which goes directly to providing our fresh local produce to people in need. Thanks to many of you, we are excited to report that we exceeded that goal.

Please support Friends of Holcomb Farm Each November and December, we turn our attention to our general Annual Appeal, supporting all the activities of the Friends, including land stewardship, Fresh Access, and general operating expenses. Our operating expenses are extremely low; we work hard, and leverage wonderful volunteers, to assure that most of the donations we receive go directly to the work that benefits the community.

If you are able, please consider beginning or renewing your annual support for the Friends of Holcomb Farm. Go to holcombfarm.org and click on “Donate.”

Thank you!

When Mark Fiorentino heard about the Fresh Access program at Holcomb Farm, he knew that he wanted to get involved.

In fact, the Farm was one of the selling points offered by their realtor when he and his wife were looking to move here in 2009 from Las Vegas. The rural atmosphere, horse-friendly town and great schools were important, but Mark really gravitated to the idea of providing fresh, locally grown food to those in need. Soon after they settled in, he introduced himself to the board and was welcomed on.

Now, as vice-president of the Friends of Holcomb Farm board, Mark is primarily responsible for leading the team that implements the Fresh Access program.

With the help of the community partners —Granby Senior Center, Granby Social Services, Granby Community Fund, Waste Not Want Not, the Hispanic Health Council, the Healing Meals Community Project, and the Wheeler Clinic— the program is on pace to distribute more than eight tons of produce this year.

This helps people in Granby, all of the Farmington Valley, and the metro areas of Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury and Bristol.

Mark’s current goal is to develop a strategic plan for the continued growth of the program: to increase the amount of food distributed and to do it for a larger portion of the year. He wants the program to be even more responsive to the needs of its partner distributors and their constituents.

Mark has been an attorney for almost 30 years. Certainly, some of the areas of

Hard to catch these three when they aren’t in motion: Mark Fiorentino about to hit the trail with Apollo (l.) and Hobbs.

Photo by Shirley Murtha

his expertise in government relations, land use, lobbying and intellectual property have been beneficial to the Farm in general, and specifically the Fresh Access program.

Mark’s wife Kristal is a yoga therapist and life coach. Their two children attend UConn: Gage is a senior studying sports management and Ellie is a freshman majoring in marine science. Perhaps their career choices relate back to growing up with a dad who loves fishing and watching sports. Mark also enjoys hiking and being with Kristal and the kids. The whole family, including Kristal’s mom Luan, have fun with the horse, donkey, two golden retrievers and five cats who share their North Granby home.

Paula Johnson (l.) and Shirley Murtha love the look of these Brussels sprouts—and the carrots, potatoes, winter squash, beets, greens, and more—at their first pick-up of the Winter CSA Season. Photo by Donna Snyder

Page 32 The Granby Drummer

December 2020

Closer to Home

Support our local businesses while saving some gas and time. Tell them you saw their ad in the Drummer.

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Beacon Mechanical 8 Beman Hardware 13 Berkshire Hathaway -Shepherds Way 14 Berkshire Hathaway -Copper Brook 18 Berkshire Hathaway -Nancy Reardon 7 BNG 6

Brignole Bush & Lewis Cahill’s Motors Carmon Funeral Home Carter Robert Painting Cetera Investors Chiropractic Care

Christopher Bryant 10 D’Agata Granite & Bronze 27 Dowd Realty Group 11 Drummer Volunteers 16 First Congregational Church 8 12 Granby Community Fund Granby Dental - Dr. Kirschbaum 5, 21 Granby Dental Center - Dr. Ungerleider 19 Granby Food Bank 4 Granby Insurance 22 Higleyville Coin 28 Judy Guarco – Berkshire Hathaway 9 Larry’s Construction 26 Learning Steps Preschool 24 Main Street Door 23 Maple Corners Farm 30 McLean Assisted Living 15 Melvin Porter Electrical & Plumbing 19 Morawski Cleaning 25

Premier Energy 23 Route 10 Tire 26 Sanditz Travel 27 Santa Realty 18 Sig’s Plumbing & Pump 19 31 Small Town Septic South Congregation Church 28 StateLine Oil - Propane 14 Subseven 13 Sullivan Hardwood Floors 27 Swim Center at Westminster 17 Thomas Sullivan 5 TOG Housing Contractors Request 29 Town of Granby Recycling Schedule 32 Troiano Oil Company 24 Two Park Place 29 Valley Brook Community Church 3, 16 Walsh Chiropractic 17 Windsor Federal Savings 12

2 22 27 10 13 30

Pumpkin carving winners The Granby Senior Center held a Pumpkin Carving Contest in October. Several local healthcare companies and Granby Town Departments were invited to participate. Senior Center and community members were invited to vote for a winner via email or Facebook.

The winning pumpkin was Ratatouille, carved by Stonebrook Village of Windsor Locks. Second place went to The Hungry Caterpillar, presented by the Granby Public Library.

We want to thank all of our participants, including McLean Home Care and Hospice, Celebrity Nurse Homecare, Anthology of Simsbury and MeadowBrook of Granby.

Submitted photos

February 2021 deadlines ADS: Wednesday, Jan. 13 noon Ad Team 860-653-9222, leave message.

Email: ads@granbydrummer.org ARTICLES: Monday, Jan. 18 noon Drummer phone: 860-653-9222.

Email: editor@granbydrummer.org WORK DATES: Jan. 12-24 Call or email for times.

The public is encouraged to submit articles and photos about events of interest to Granby residents. The editors urge you to make submissions by email if at all possible. We acknowledge submissions by return email. If you do not hear from us please follow up with another email or leave a message at 860-653-9222.

Articles should be written in the third person. More detailed information on Drummer submission requirements is available at granbydrummer.org

Ratatouille

The Hungry Caterpillar

TOWN OF GRANBY

2021 Recycling Pickup Schedule (recycling weeks indicated by shaded areas) Trash and recycling barrels must be curbside prior to 6:00 a.m. on your collection day.

January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 April 2021

Su

New Year’s Day - 1/1/21

M

Tu

3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25

5 12 19 26

W

Th

F

Sa

1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 27 28 29 30

Su

Su

2 9 16 23 30

M

3 10 17 24 31

Tu

4 11 18 25

W

Th

F

Sa

Su

M

5 6 12 13 19 20 26 27

Tu 7 14 21 28

W 1 8 15 22 29

W

Th

F

Sa

No trash holidays this month

Su

M

Tu

W

Th

F

Sa

October 2021

Th F Sa 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30

Su

No trash holidays this month

M

Tu W Th

F 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29

No trash holidays this month

M

Tu

W

Th

F

Sa

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Su

4 11 18 25

July 2021

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

September 2021 Su

Tu

June 2021

5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29

Labor Day – 9/6/21

M

31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

May 2021

Memorial Day – 5/31/21

No trash holidays this month

Su

No trash holidays this month

M

Tu

W

Th

F

Sa

Su

1 8 15 22 29

November 2021

Sa 2 9 16 23 30

Su M Tu 31 1 2 7 8 9 14 15 16 21 22 23 28 29 30

W 3 10 17 24

M

Tu

F

Th F Sa 4 5 6 11 12 13 18 19 20 25 26 27

No trash holidays this month

M

2 9 16 23 30

Tu

Sa

W

Th

F

Sa

3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31

December 2021

Su 5 12 19 26

No trash holidays this month.

M

Tu

W 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29

Paine’s 2021 observed holidays

Labor Day - September 6, 2021 Thanksgiving Day - November 25, 2021 Christmas Day – no change in service

When in doubt, put it out!

Th

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 1

Trash/recycling pickup will be delayed by one day if your pickup day is on or after the holiday.

New Year’s Day - January 1, 2021 Memorial Day - May 31, 2021 Independence Day – no change in service

W

August 2021

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Thanksgiving – 11/25/21

No trash holidays this month

Th 2 9 16 23 30

F 3 10 17 24 31

Sa 4 11 18 25