Granby outlines $3.67M capital plan, IT consolidation and departmental budget priorities

Town officials in Granby on March 12 walked the Board of Selectmen through departmental budget presentations and a capital plan that officials said totals $3.67 million.

Town Manager Michael P. Walsh reviewed organizational changes, ongoing capital projects and community engagement efforts; he told the board the Holcomb Farm renovation is expected to be complete by mid‑June and said the town secured a $580,000 grant for the Salmon Brook walking path. Walsh also emphasized transparency in budget processes and staff development priorities.

Director of Technology John Lambert described IT operations shared between town and schools, recent virtualization of servers, network and cybersecurity upgrades, and audiovisual and GCTV improvements. Lambert said phone‑system audits and carrier changes are projected to yield about $28,800 in annual savings, and he reported no FY27 capital requests for technology as current equipment is largely up‑to‑date.

Director of Finance Kimi Cheng laid out revenue assumptions, debt‑service responsibilities and other funds. Cheng noted the town has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 19 consecutive years and described plans to centralize purchasing, add part‑time hours for revenue collections and standardize payment processing with a credit‑card machine in the Collector of Revenue office. She also reviewed other funds including Solid Waste, the Dog Fund (which supports the contracted Animal Control Officer and receives payments from neighboring towns), and the Sewer Utility Fund, managed by the board in its role as the Granby Water Pollution Control Authority.

Registrars, represented by Laura Wolfe, said expanded early voting requirements (14 days for general elections, seven for primaries) plus new equipment are major drivers of rising election costs; they noted extensive volunteer support (about 200 poll workers) and continued uncertainty about state grant funding going forward.

Cheng and Walsh described the capital fund as separate from the general fund and explained funding sources including the Holcomb Farm Trust and loan proceeds; the capital workbook calls out a $1.1 million road overlay. The town plans to present a draft capital bond package at the April 6 public hearing.

Several board members commended departmental managers for efficiency gains and process improvements. The workshop concluded with procedural votes to update the budget book ahead of the public hearing.