Granby Mayor Ted Wang, in a prepared speech, said he took his oath of office seriously throughout his 15 years as a Granby public servant, and in the end, is content that he upheld that oath.

He introduced the role of public office to incoming trustees at the Granby Town Board meeting Tuesday night, noting that the role of mayor is one with many challenges and a steep learning curve, and one with both setbacks and rewards.

“I leave office with a sense of ‘unfinished business,'” he said, “and a sense of frustration that so much is left undone and that shouting voices overwhelmed the reasonable dialogue that I sought and practiced.”

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In a previous paragraph, the mayor referred to “people who don’t reside in the town limits exerting tremendous pressure and influence on town affairs.”

He continued, “Despite what some have alleged, my goal was always collaboration and cooperation; but leadership requires having knowledge, having the integrity to stand up against falsehood, and having a wider vision. I hope the incoming board and mayor will do the same.”

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Each outgoing trustee also had a chance to say some words. After sending a message to incoming town stewards, “Good luck is all I can say,” former trustee Charlie LaBrake said, as he took the opportunity to voice his dissatisfaction with the newspaper.

He said the people of Granby should “not believe everything that the paper has put out lately. I’m very unimpressed with the way the paper has handled this election,” he said, “and I’m unimpressed with Mr. Brower too.”

Patrick Brower, who lives beyond town limits, created a political action committee prior to the recent election and took out newspaper ads and wrote letters critical of town actions.

Trustee Robin Trainor, who did not seek another term, said serving on the town board has “been an experience to say the least.

“I learned a lot, made new friends and lost old ones,” she said. “It’s going to be lonely every Tuesday night.”

She also offered her help to new board members.

“New folks, if there’s ever anything you need, let me know. Enjoy going to the grocery store now, and to church, because life as you know it will change.”

Kirk Arnold, who has served on the board for three board meetings and ran for mayor in the last election, said he was “disappointed” in the results of the election. As the only board member who voted against the town contracting with the inspection service Safe Built, Arnold reiterated his position on that topic.

“I’m not in favor of the Safe Built situation,” he said, adding that to him, the town is “severing a relationship that has been successful” by no longer using the county building department. “Good luck to the board,” he said, saying that he had fun during his brief time serving the town.

After the speeches, new board members Elaine Henrekin and Greg Guthridge, and trustee incumbent Deborah Shaw, were sworn into office.

Mayor-elect Jynnifer Pierro and incoming trustee Greg Mordini are scheduled to be sworn in at the April 22 board meeting.

Appointments of the town attorney, town clerk, finance director, police chief, judge and planner are also set to occur at the next town meeting.

Wang will continue his duties as mayor until then, as well as remain the interim town manager.

Town manager search

Fred Rainguet of Rainguet and Associates LLC, retained by the town to conduct an executive search for a new town manager, reported that the field of applicants has been narrowed to 17 candidates. Rainguet requested a special meeting to select finalists, and suggested the town host candidate visits and interviews early to mid-May.

In other business:

– The board approved the liquor license of City Market but with a warning to the store. The store failed in a recent alcohol sting by serving to a minor.

– The town approved accepting the modular building offered by the East Grand School District to be used as office space and a locker room facility at Raffety Park.

Trustees inspected the modular and approved of its adaptability for the soccer facility.

“The building is in good shape,” said Trustee Ed Raffety, after whom the park is named. The town will pay for moving the modular, at a cost of around $12,500, the foundation under the building, which is estimated at $2,500, and possible roofing repairs, dependent on the results of an inspection.

– The town approved a partial release of security for Granby Ranch Filing 9, Dundee Base Camp LLC.

– A recent town audit pointed to some technology fixes the town should consider, such as a secure network for the police department and a town Microsoft Exchange server with back-up features. The audit also concentrated on establishing a uniform receipts system for recreation and Police Department cash collections.

” Tonya Bina can be reached at 887-3334 ext. 19603 or e-mail tbina@grandcountynews.com.