Hearing Attendees Call for Automatic Budget Referendum in Granby

A public hearing seeking input on recommended changes to Granby's town charter drew about 30 residents to the Thursday night. The majority of those in attendance voiced their displeasure with the suggestion to retain the current Town Meeting format, with some revisions, for town budget votes.

Support for a machine-counted automatic referendum on the town budget calling for that voting format. .

The commission did endorse an automatic referendum when a proposed budget increases the total tax levy, which is the amount Granby taxpayers are accountable for paying, by more than four percent. The compromise wasn’t enough for many of the pro-referendum residents at the meeting.

“Four percent is hardly the low bar,” said Jerry Ledger, noting that the sluggish economy means the majority of residents is affected any budget increase.

Some of the residents behind the petition were in attendance at the hearing, including Jim Glenney.

“The Town Meeting procedure is not democratic,” Glenney said. “It denies opportunities to too many voters.”

The limited access for voters in the Town Meeting format as compared to a referendum was a common theme mentioned by many of the speakers.

“Under the current system, if you don’t come to the meeting, you can’t vote,” said Terry Wright, who called the Tow Meeting format a form of disenfranchisement.

Voters at the annual budget Town Meeting are asked to attend an informational session before the vote, which takes place in the evening. A referendum, by comparison, runs from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., allowing a longer period for participation.

Although the charter revision commission considered 16 significant changes to Granby’s guiding document, the proposed continuation of holding budget votes using the town meeting format drew by far the most discussion and criticism.

The Granby Board of Selectmen, which held the hearing, will consider the charter revision commission’s recommendations and input from townspeople before a discussion and vote on the revisions at its meeting on July 2.