Drummer FO R I M ME DIAT E DE LI V E RY
The Granby
2018-19 Budget Referendum PASSES 706 to 465
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Volume XLVIII, No. 8 • May 2018
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Vaughan withdraws proposal for 107 East Street by Shirley Murtha Town Manager John Ward received a letter on April 3 from resident Tom Vaughan withdrawing his proposal for an organic dairy farm to be developed at 107 East Street. He cited a lack of action from the Board of Selectmen and the fact that his family was being exposed to unpleasant comments and actions from town residents, both in person and on social media. The Public Hearing on April 17, therefore, was restricted to comments and questions regarding only the House of Hayes proposal. At that time, the public was able to have questions answered, which is not allowed during the public session of a regular BOS meeting. See p. 25 for a detailed list of the comments. Prior to April 17, Ward had received requested reports from the town boards and commissions. The Development Commission had supported the Vaughan
proposal; the Agriculture Commission supported both proposals; the Planning and Zoning Commission said they were in favor of agriculture but could not support the Hayes’ 25-year lease request; the Board of Finance had rejected both proposals as not fiscally sound for the town. These reports, as well as all the comments offered during public sessions and from email and regular mail, are taken into consideration. At this time, the board must decide if it wants to support or reject the Hayes proposal. If they accept it, it will be sent to the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Finance for approval. If approved, it will then go to a town vote, by either voice or ballot, as per the Town Charter. At the end of the public comments, the selectmen agreed to table their decision to the next meeting (May 7) to have time to process the evening’s input.
Board of Selectmen cont’d. on p. 3
Armentano ends 32-year career in Granby by Shirley Murtha Walking out the door of the Building Department office in the town hall on April 13 was bittersweet for retiring Community Development Director Fran Armentano and all the staff who have interacted with him for the past 32 years. Right-hand man to the town manager, procurer of grants, integral advisor to the Planning and Zoning and Development Commissions and always willing and able to step in wherever help was needed, his absence will be greatly felt by many. Although not a Granby native, Armentano’s early life was not far removed geographically from our rural community. He was born to a large Italian family in the South End of Hartford and lived in a block surrounded by 24 first cousins. After graduating from Bulkeley High School, he attended the University of Connecticut where he earned a degree in political science while working at the Manchester Shop Rite. He knew from the start that he wanted to work in public service.
The job market was tight in 1978, but Armentano was able to take advantage of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) instituted by the Reagan administration and got a job as assistant town planner in Vernon. He proved to be a valuable employee and the CETA-funded position became a permanent town position. In Vernon, Armentano’s first task was to work with a volunteer board to write the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Soon, he was working with the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Conservation Commission and the Economic Development Commission. After three years, his title was changed to Economic Development Coordinator. In 1986, he learned of a job opening for a town planner in Granby. Then Town Manager Bill Smith offered him the job at lunch in the Old Oak Tavern, and thus began his career as Granby’s Community Development Director.
Armentano cont’d. on p. 6
Inside Fortune & Folly of a Female Farmer.......... 17
GS Troop Bronze Award...... 27
Waypoints....................... 21
Humans of Granby............. 30
Granby represented at Capitol for Agriculture Day State Rep. Bill Simanski (c.) met members of the Granby Agriculture Commission—John D. O’Brien, owner of Nurserymen LLC. (l.) and Kate Burrell Bogli, owner of Maple View Farm (r.) —at the Capitol for Agriculture Day. Sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Ag Day is an annual tradition at the State Capitol that brings together farmers, vo-ag students, interest groups and legislators to celebrate Connecticut agriculture. Simanski said, “I was very pleased to have participants from Granby showcasing their products and happy to see interest in their offerings from visitors throughout the day.”
47th annual road race is May 5 By Scott Woodaman Race Chairman
by funding the various programs and services the Farmington Valley YMCA provides an as-needed basis such as summer camp for children, learn-to-swim programs and Livestrong programs. The first 100 registered runners in each race will receive a technical t-shirt. Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place female and male overall finishers of both races and for first, second and third place female and male age group finishers of both races. Additionally, as is tradition for the Granby Road Race, a pint of Granby made maple syrup donated by Young Farms will be awarded to the first female and male Granby residents who finish each race.
The 2018 Granby Road Race, presented by Murphy, Laudati, Kiel and Rattigan, LLC Attorneys at Law, celebrates its 47th year on Saturday, May 5, at 8:30 a.m. at Granby Memorial Middle School. Eight years ago, the Granby Road Race merged with the Farmington Valley YMCA as the organization’s premier fundraising event in memory of David Schupp, Jr. The Granby Road Race offers both 5K and 10K races that are run on a combination of road and trails. Both races start at 8:30 a.m. south of GMMS on Route 10. The 5K race route is relatively flat, spending half of the miles inside Salmon Brook Park, which makes it a Road Race cont’d. on p. 2 great race for kids and families. The 10K race route is more challenging with about half its miles run on the trails of McLean Game Refuge. With a mix of terrain through one of Connecticut’s most beautiful towns, both races are sure to please experienced and first-time runners alike. Granby is fortunate to have one of the oldest road races in Connecticut right on its own front steps. The money raised supports the communities in the Farmington Valley Runners at the start of the 2017 road race. Submitted photo
Photo by Peter Dinella