Granby $40 Million Budget Passes at Town Meeting

Granby eligible voters on Monday evening approved at the Annual Town Meeting at a $40.88 million budget for 2012-13 fiscal year that calls for a 1.96 percent tax increase over current levels.

In Granby, a budget may be passed if at least 230 eligible voters are present at the Annual Town Meeting and at least ⅔ of those who cast ballots vote in favor of the measure.

This year, 299 votes were cast, with 213 (or 71 percent) voting in favor and 86 (or 29 percent) voting against.

After the vote on Monday evening, Superintendent of Schools Addley said he was pleased that the budget passed.

“We are very appreciative of the community’s support for excellence in education,” Addley said after the budget passed. “I understand that it was a difficult vote, given the economy, but we’re very excited for the school system, the students and the members of the community.

“This is an important year for the school system. This lays the groundwork for the next decade. We have a 21st Century vision, and tonight we took 21st Century steps forward.”

Board of Education Chairman Cal Heminway echoed Addley’s appreciation.

“We salute the voters of Granby for taking a brave step when most towns are cutting back” Heminway said.

Town Manager William Smith also expressed his pleasure with voters approving the budget.

"I'm pleased for the most part; I think everyone understands that keeping the mill rate increase under 2 percent was very reasonable and was below the cost of living adjustment," he said. "It was not an easy task to hold that line with what we had to work with."

The budget, which includes a mill rate increase from 30.10 to 30.69 mills — or .59 mills — calls for $27.197 million in school spending and $13.68 million for municipal services.

The school budget represents a .8 percent spending increase over the current year, while municipal spending will increase 1.3 percent. The municipal budget includes $9.1 million — representing a 2 percent spending hike — for operations and $1.1 million in general funds for capital projects.

Despite the .8 percent spending increase, the school district is able to move forward with several initiatives, including starting an integrated preschool, extending kindergarten from half day to full day, expanding the World Languages program at the high school and elementary school levels and hiring a high school guidance counselor.

The preschool program is a cost-neutral move this year, according to Board of Education Chairman Cal Heminway, because the district will save money on tuition paid to send students to programs outside of the school district.

All-day kindergarten will cost $397,000 - some $80,000 more than the initial $317,000 estimate - with all but $30,000 going to the seven employees (3.5 teachers and 3.5 teaching assistants) who will staff the program.

Addley said that the kindergarten program will be paid for exclusively through the town’s Quality and Diversity Fund - which is money received from the state through the town’s participation in the Open Choice program - and $80,000 from a separate Open Choice support grant.

Residents sound off

Prior to the vote, 18 Granby residents presented their opinions on the budget during public comment.

Some residents said that there shouldn’t be any spending increase this year due to the continuing difficult economic times, while others said that spending levels should increase even more.

“I don’t see asking for any increase in this environment,” said Ben Buswell.

Buswell was also among a contingent of residents who argued that it was not necessary for the school system to extend kindergarten from half-day to all-day.

“All-day kindergarten is just day care,” said Barbara Greene.

But others defended the school system’s budget request, arguing that programs like World Languages, all-day kindergarten and an integrated preschool were essential for students’ futures.

Melissa Bennett said that the increased demands placed on kindergarteners who attend half-day sessions have resulted in rushed school days that have eliminated recess.

“There’s a lot more pressure just to get things done,” Bennett said.

Todd Hollister and Mike Sandridge both spoke in favor of expanding the offerings of the World Languages program - meaning that Spanish will be taught to fifth and sixth-graders and Mandarin Chinese III will be offered at the high school.

Hollister said that not only do students who speak more than one language show increased cognitive ability, on a practical level, they will be more prepared to compete for jobs on a global level in the future.

Beth Carroll, however, remained unconvinced, stating that as a businesswoman who has traveled extensively throughout the world, in her experience it was more important for students to be able to speak and write English well.

“The basics are just as important when it gets down to it, regardless of what country you're working in,” she said.

In the end, the budget passed, but over the objection of at least one resident, who voted against the measure because of the process under which it was considered.

“I’m voting against the budget, but not because I’m against the schools,” said Jim Glenney. “I know the board has done a lot of hard work. … I’m totally against the Town Meeting as a method for approving the budget.

“In January, we had an $11 million bonding issue. The charter recommends that it go to [a town-wide] referendum. Today, we’re talking about $40 million, and the charter says that only 230 people have to be here. If that’s democracy, then I don’t know what democracy is.”