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The Granby
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AVON, CT PERMIT NO. 466
Published by Citizens for a Better Granby
Your hometown volunteer newspaper
Volume XLIV, No. 5 • February 2014
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Selectmen consider policy change for alcohol use in Salmon Brook Park By Shirley Murtha The January 13 Board of Selectmen meeting was attended by a significant number of residents who were interested in a proposal to change the procedures for alcohol-use applications in the new recreation facility in Salmon Brook Park. Currently, approval must await a decision by the BOS, which can take several days to several weeks. Parks and Recreation Director Tom Tyburski has suggested that, if all appropriate conditions are met, staff could grant approval without waiting for the BOS. This could increase the use of the facility and therefore the income from such events. Town Manager Bill Smith explained that approval would still be contingent on a strict review and sign-off by the police chief, the Parks and Recreation director and the town manager. Selectman Ron Desrosiers had concerns about increasing the number of events where alcohol is used with regard to the safety of others not involved in the event, but in the park for personal recreation or organized activities. He
In case you didn’t notice…
A one-way sign has been installed at the entrance to the Post Office in Granby center. Cars entering from Bank Street must now exit behind the Post Office. Photo by Tom Isaacson
Inside:
feels that overindulgence at these events could lead to an accident on the roads in the park. John Flint noted that four of the five former selectmen who wrote the original rules for the park were present to register their concerns with regard to safety. Jim Oates spoke against this streamlined approval process, noting that the present procedure has worked well and that the BOS has the ultimate responsibility to set town policy, not the Parks and Recreation Department. Tyburski stated that all attempts would be made to keep events having alcohol from taking place when scheduled activities such as Little League games were occurring, but resident Jerry Ledger noted that un-scheduled activities are going on in the park at all times. Michael Gron feels that the roadways in the park are not sufficiently wide or straight enough to be used by drivers whose judgment is even slightly impaired by alcohol. Greg McWhirter, the president of Granby Little League, noted that their bylaws state that no alcohol is to be used at the site of games. Resident Jim Lofink read from the current guidelines posted on the Parks and Recreation site that state, “Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not allowed on any town property.” He went on to say that a 2005 town ordinance allows only one exception. The BOS may approve alcohol use by special permit to “a nonprofit community group in connection with a special event.” “Therefore,” Lofink said, “this new intent to make more money off of the pond house facility by expediting approval is a major change in town policy.” He cautioned the board to remember that when voters approved the bond issue, they anticipated future use would be in line with the stated mission of the facility. Resident Peter Gunn, however, spoke in favor of the shortened process, saying that if the town wished to avoid all risk, no one should use the park at all. The board will study this issue further, taking into consideration the input from this meeting and possibly holding another public meeting to take the pulse of the community as regards this proposal.
French student exchange Page 11
BOS cont’d. on p. 4
At the January 8 Board of Education meeting, these students “teach” BOE members how to use an iPad to do their grade-specific work. Photo by Danielle Sandridge
Board of Ed focuses on 5-year budget priorities By Kim Becker With budget season fast approaching, the Board of Education has been learning about several initiatives that the administration has put in the five-year budget priorities. At the top of the list are oneto-one computing for grades 7-12 and professional learning communities (PLC) for teachers. Alan Addley, superintendent of schools, also has a list of small and large capital projects he would like to put into motion as well as making high school athletics more equitable. One-to-one computing This year, the district launched a pilot program in the eighth grade in which all students have a Google Chromebook or similar device to use in class and for homework. Parents, students, and teachers have been surveyed twice to evaluate
the pilot’s success. The most recent survey showed that all groups were more comfortable with the technology and had far fewer technical problems as the year progressed. Both students and parents believe that the children are more organized and that research is easier. The students reported using the devices at least three times per week, and in some cases daily. However, there are issues that still need to be addressed. Eighth-grader Karly Fisher spoke to the board about her frustrations with the pilot. Though she likes using her device and believes that the pilot has value, she is concerned about consistent internet issues. The devices can’t always be used when needed. She noticed that many kids don’t have the typing skills to quickly type notes and this slows the class down
BOE budget cont’d. on p. 7
Natural gas pipe installation snarls traffic, promises savings By Kim Becker Cars inch along Route 10/202 past large trucks, holes in the road, and pipes, lots of pipes. Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) is laying new gas lines along Route 10/202 between Floydville Road and Granby Memorial High School as well as along Route 189 to the town complex. The state will repave that part of Route 10/202 this spring. The town worked with the state to delay the repaving so that the new gas line could be installed. CNG hopes to have the pipe laid by the end of the month, but extreme cold could impede progress until the spring.
The town Boards of Selectmen, Finance, and Education approved the conversion of the town complex and three Granby schools from heating oil to natural gas, a less expensive alternative energy. The town put $30,000 toward this project to connect the buildings to the main pipe that CNG owns. Fran Armentano, town planner, anticipates a $215,000 annual heating cost savings based on analysis from CNG. The Board of Education voted to install dual burners (can use either natural gas or heating oil) in Kearns Primary School, Granby Memorial Middle School, and the high school in order to ensure the
Natural gas lines cont’d. on p. 3
Painting the B&B
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Pet food drive
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GMHS honor roll
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