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The Granby
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Volume XLIV, No. 2 • October 2013
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Athletes cut the ribbon on new high school sports complex by Emily Henselder and Sarah Toth, GMHS reporters After months of work, the new high school athletic fields are finally complete. On Tuesday, September 17, all of Granby’s high school students attended the opening ceremony on the new stadium field. The general public was also invited to join the festivities for the ribbon cutting. The ceremony began with all of the fall sport participants wearing their uniform shirts, jogging across the field from the snack shack to the front of the stadium. Following was the Chamber Singers performing the National Anthem. After speeches, including a spirit filled one from Superintendent Alan Addley,
Granby ribbons were cut, symbolizing the official opening of the new athletic facilities. One captain from each fall sports team cut the ribbon, making a connection to the student body. While the opening ceremonies took place two weeks after students started playing on the fields, the student body was very excited about the event. Nearly every student showed their Granby spirit by donning maroon and gold. Teachers also participated by wearing Granby colors. Fall sports teams were thankful that they were able to use the new fields as soon as possible. The Granby Board of Education considered postponing the use until after the ceremony; however they decided to allow it for the first day of school. All of Granby Memorial High
One captain from each fall sports team participated in cutting the ribbon at the dedication of the new athletic field complex. photo by Peter Dinella School’s students are thankful to the town for providing us with such great facilities, and look forward to using them all year not just for practice and games, but for
exciting events like the Under the Lights games taking place on October 18.
P&Z supports adoption of noise ordinance A comprehensive noise ordinance would be enforceable by the police department
by Elaine Jones At its September 10 meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission received, discussed and voted on the report from the Recreational Vehicle Subcommittee created in October of 2012 in response to the controversy involving RV use and the noise they create in residential neighborhoods. The committee recommended that P&Z support the adoption of a noise ordinance and draft a letter
to the Board of Selectmen asking it to enact a comprehensive noise ordinance, enforceable by the police department. Such an ordinance can only be created by the BOS. The committee included P&Z members and town residents on both sides of the issue, who met monthly to debate and consider the use and impact of RVs in residential areas. Recreational vehicles were defined as any self-propelled motor vehicle commonly used over un-
improved terrain, if used for recreation or pleasure. Noise was the paramount factor under discussion. Also considered were property rights, values and damage; environment impact; utility versus recreational use; occasional versus regular use; riders in groups; neighborhood complaints; dust, fumes and safety concerns; unsightly tracks/jumps; public versus private tracks; muffler options; monitoring and enforcement issues; exceptions to use; the “grandfathering”
of regulations, regulations in other towns; Connecticut noise standards and the results of a live noise demonstration using various vehicles. Possible solutions included an outright ban, establishing a public riding site, special use permits, land use regulations and a sound ordinance. The majority of the group concluded that a definition of parameters and conditions to allow the use of RVs was needed. And, the best option was a comprehensive noise P&Z cont’d. on p. 6
Town manager feted for 35 years of service
Current and former town officials gathered to honor Bill Smith’s 35 years of service. From l.: Jim Oates, Roger Hernsdorf, Diane Neumann Hernsdorf, Smith, John Adams, Bill Simanski and Dave Russell. photo by Shirley Murtha
by Shirley Murtha Prior to the September 16 Board of Selectmen meeting, a group of former and current town officials gathered in the
Town Hall Meeting Room to honor Town Manager William F. Smith’s 35 years of service. The longest-serving town manager of all the state’s towns, Smith is currently president of the Connecticut
Organization of Small Towns. Smith was noted as a top-notch employer and praised for his ability to hire and appoint very qualified people. Smith thanked all those who attended the ceremony, noting that Granby runs as smoothly as it does because of the combined efforts of its staff and elected officials. State Representative Bill Simanski mentioned that Granby’s government is envied by many of his colleagues in the House. The meeting began with a public information hearing on the proposal to keep Doherty Road a one-way street. Director of Community Development Fran Armentano explained that Doherty is a very narrow street (ranging from 14.5 feet to 19 feet wide) with poor visibility due to its many curves. Because the sides of the road are quite steep, widening it is not practical. Armentano recommended retaining the one-way designation, as
did the police chief and public works director. First Selectman John Adams read letters, all favoring this proposal, as did Charles Eisenberg, who lives at 148 Silver Street. Eisenberg noted that his house directly overlooks Doherty and he has seen many near accidents as cars approached from opposite directions when the street was two-way. Silver Street resident Don Perednia also supported the proposal. In other business, Smith reported that the town has collected 54 percent of the current year’s taxes, which is in line with previous years. The police department’s aggressive campaign against cell phone use while driving has brought in about $1,000. In addition, the town’s revenue has been augmented by the receipt of over $7,000 from last year’s state revenue-sharing payments and $15,600 from the self-funded insurance program.
GMHS homecoming Dean Marshall reprints Civic Club turns 100 Page 21 Page 18 schedule Page 10
BOS cont’d. on p. 3