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Granby selectmen consolidate bond questions, set Dec. 8 referendum and approve multiple fiscal transfers
Summary
The Board of Selectmen voted to combine bond items into five questions and scheduled a December 8 vote (public hearing Dec. 1), and approved several fiscal actions including a $690,000 capital appropriation, $455,539 to the OPEB trust, a $135,000 Holcomb Farm trust transfer and a one-time $60,000 Fox Fund reimbursement for senior tax credits.
Granby — The Board of Selectmen on July 6 agreed to consolidate draft bond referendum items into five questions, including combining athletic-field projects, and set the town vote for Tuesday, Dec. 8, with a public hearing slated for Dec. 1.
After a lengthy discussion about timing and voter clarity, board members split on whether to keep the original six questions and hold a sooner referendum or to bundle related projects and give the public more time to digest details. Mark (speaker 12) argued for keeping six questions and an earlier vote; others, including Kim and Peggy, favored five questions and a December schedule to allow more detailed project information to reach voters. The board approved a motion to combine the high school baseball/softball complex with the stadium field/track into a single bond question and to target the vote for Dec. 8.
The meeting also included a string of fiscal actions. The board authorized an additional $690,000 appropriation to the capital improvement/equipment fund from one-time proceeds including a land valuation change and property sales. Mike Walsh (staff) said the transfer is intended to "stabilize the future mill rates" and that some proceeds derived from property sales and valuation changes. The Board of Selectmen approved the appropriation by voice vote.
On retirement liabilities, staff explained the town and Board of Education share an OPEB trust; the board voted to move $455,539 from the general fund into the OPEB trust to reduce the town's future actuarial burden. The board also approved directing $135,000 from the Holcomb Farm Stewarders Fund Trust to reimburse capital items for FY27 (parking lot repaving $85,000; siding $50,000). Finally, the board approved a one-time $60,000 reimbursement from the Fox Fund for FY27 to offset about 20% of the senior tax credit program and noted the board will consider a policy for future annual reimbursements at a later meeting.
Several votes and motions were taken by voice; board members asked staff to follow up on procurement, public hearing scheduling and trust-trustee signoffs. The draft electioneering policy was discussed but tabled for revision, with members flagging enforcement and parking concerns.
The board then moved into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.
