The Big Picture Arts & Crafts Store Opening
The Big Picture, a Riverside arts & crafts store, celebrated its opening just a couple days ago on July 13. Operating on 1162 East Putnam Avenue, the store is located right next to CFCF Coffee. The Big Picture will be open this summer Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 AM to 3 PM, and on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. The store’s hours and days of operation will be extended during the school year.
$1.2 Million Transfer Request
The Board of Estimate & Taxation approved a request for the school district to transfer $1.2 million within the completed 2021-2022 budget. Funds for this transfer were acquired from salaries, maintenance, and supplies, in order to cover special education costs, which exceeded the district’s initial estimates.
New Trains for the New Haven Line
On Monday, July 11, seven new weekday trains on the Waterbury Branch Line and six new express trains on the New Haven Line entered service. Three weekday morning rush-hour express trains on the New Haven Line will depart from New Haven, making stops in Bridgeport, Stamford, and Grand Central Terminal. Additionally, three weekday evening rush-hour express trains will depart from grand Central Terminal, stopping in Stamford, Bridgeport, and New Haven. The number of trains on the Waterbury Branch Line will increase from 15 to 22, with three new northbound trains and four new southbound trains running on weekdays.
Greenwich Sidewalk Sales July 14 to 17
From July 14 through July 17, Greenwich Sidewalk Sales will be in progress on Greenwich Avenue and the surrounding streets. Shopping hours will be 9 AM to 6 PM, save on Sunday, when sales will close at 5 PM.
Bruce Museum Public Closure Extended
The Bruce Museum has extended its closure to the public through August 15. Although the driveway to the front entrance is currently awaiting paving, supply chain issues have arisen that will delay its completion. Landscaping work, however, will continue, alongside interior work throughout the building.
School Building Committee Application Deadline
Today is the deadline for residents to apply for nomination to the Old Greenwich and Julian Curtiss school building committees. The Board of Selectmen will be conducting interviews with candidates throughout July and August. The chosen candidates will be nominated for appointment by the Representative Town Meeting. Those interested in applying, or just in the application process, can find information on the Town of Greenwich website.
Parks and Recreation Photo Contest Continues Through July
Greenwich’s Department of Parks and Recreation is holding its second annual community photo contest in celebration of National Parks and Recreation month. The contest will continue through July 31, with the winners slated to be announced in mid-August. Every member of the community is invited to submit up to four photos taken in Greenwich, expressing what you love most about Greenwich’s parks. Photos taken by minors under 18 may be submitted by a parent or guardian. Information about contest rules and prizes, as well as a location to submit your photos, can be found at https://www.greenwichct.gov/photocontest.
OGRCC Youth Baseball Teams to Compete in Cooperstown, NY
Greenwich kids of the OGRCC’s 12-member Thunder Blue and 11-member Thunder Red teams are traveling to Cooperstown, NY, to participate in the 2022 World Series held there. The competition features as many as 90 teams from around the country. The two teams, coached by Rob Collins, Jonathan Hartofilis, and Angie Hartofilis, were recently visited by First Selectman Fred Camillo, who offered them words of support and encouragement.
Greenwich’s Annual Paving Program
The Town’s annual paving program began on Monday. DPW will be working west to east across town. Paving will start in Byram and Pemberwick and finish in Old Greenwich. Although dependent on multiple factors, including weather, the paving program is projected to be completed in September. Visit the Town’s website for more information and to view the tentative paving schedule.
July 11th 2022 Declared Parks and Recreation Day
First Selectman Fred Camillo proclaimed July 11th, 2022 as Parks and Recreation Day in Greenwich and reminds residents to recognize the contributions Parks & Recreation officials make every day to our health, safety, comfort, and quality of life.
Amogerone Post Office Parking Lot Changes
The Department of Parking Services is now conducting a Pilot Program adjusting the time constraints on metered parking in the Amogerone Post Office parking lot. Parking changes went into effect on July 5th and will continue until November 15th. The small 16-space lot in front of the Amogerone Post Office is now for 15-minute parking only. Parking Enforcement Officers have dedicated additional coverage to the area.
June 15 Last Day For Treasured Tree Nominations
Do you have a tree on your property that you treasure? A tree is treasured for many reasons: it may be part of a special memory; it may have a special history or shape; it may be a particularly beautiful tree; or its size or age may be special. Nominate your treasured tree at https://greenwichtreeconservancy.org/treasured-trees-nominations/
If your tree is selected, your tree will have a nameplate installed and you’ll be awarded a framed photograph of the nameplate installation ceremony at a special reception in the fall. Your tree will also be enrolled in the Greenwich Tree Conservancy’s roster of Treasured Trees.
Fall 10U Girls Softball Program
Due to high demand, Greenwich Parks and Recreation has added a 10U Girls Softball program this fall. Registration is now open. Space is limited. Visit the Parks & Rec. department to sign up.
Greenwich Fire Department Responds to Vehicle Collision
On Tuesday morning, Greenwich Fire Department crews reported to a scene of a building collision car wreck on railroad avenue. One person was extricated from the car, and three people were transported to the hospital via GEMS.
Alexander Hazlett Lucas Hodgson Among Six Brunswick Swimmers that Earned All-America Accolades
The National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association recently announced its 2021-2022 High School Swimming All-America athletes and Brunswick School was represented by a wealth of standout swimmers. Six Bruins swimmers earned NISCA All-America honors in a combined nine events, with Brunswick 2022 graduates Alex Hazlett and Lucas Hodgson earning All-American honors in numerous events.
Greenwich Enters the Football Season with Depth at Wide Receiver, Tight End Positions
With a quarterback entering his second season as a starter and numerous athletes returning at the wide receiver and tight end positions, Greenwich High School’s football team’s passing attack should once again be one of the squad’s strengths.
Greenwich High School Rising Senior Jack Wilson Brings New Experience to GHS’ Cardinals
One year ago, Jack Wilson was competing for the role as starting quarterback of Greenwich High School’s football team. Today, the 6-foot-4 rising senior is the Cardinals’ starting signal caller after he started all of the team’s 11 games during the squad’s successful 2021 season. Indeed, Greenwich’s 2021 campaign was one in which Wilson learned plenty about the position and what it took to successfully compete at the varsity level.
Greenwich BOE Pivots Towards Smaller Building for CMS
The Board of Education has changed plans for the size of the new Central Middle School building, opting for a new, smaller plan. Consultants put together a plan for a new building sized for 720 students after the last school board meeting. However, members of the BOE said this model seemed too large. Instead, the school board decided on specifications for a school of 660 students. BOE members referred to this as a hybrid plan, as it also incorporates elements of the 720-student specifications.
Celebrating Bastille Day
Alliance Française of Greenwich celebrated Bastille Day by raising the French flag over Greenwich on Thursday, July 14 at 9:00 AM. First Selectman Fred Camillo read a proclamation honoring the contributions that French Immigrants, Franco-Americans, Francophones and the nation of France have made to the United States. Meanwhile, Consul General Jérémie Robert spoke about the long standing friendship between France and the US.
Westchester Airport Updates
First Selectman Fred Camillo was joined by the leadership of Greenwich Police, Fire, EMS and Planning & Zoning departments as well as state Sen. Ryan Fazio in a meeting regarding Westchester County’s efforts to update the Westchester Airport. During the meeting with County Executive George Latimer and his team, town officials were assured that the updates will not include any expansion of the facility. There will be a review of operations including how to reduce the number of arrivals and departures of private planes to decrease noise and pollution.
Gov. Ned Lamont Answered Questions on Tuesday via Twitter Hashtag #AskNedAnything
Here are a few highlights:
Connecticut will likely open its recreational cannabis retail market by the end of the year. Municipalities can have one cannabis retailer and one licensed micro-cultivator per 25,000 residents, but municipalities also have discretion to prohibit retail sales.
Lamont said that COVID-19 infection rates are rising in Connecticut, but hospitalizations have been stable.
Lamont said digital driver licenses for those who want them will be the next innovation for modernizing state government.
DEATHS
Thomas Frank Bisanzo, 76, of Greenwich, passed away on July 7.
Jeanette S. Garofalo, a life-long Greenwich resident, died on July 3.
Robert Holbrook Whitby, 81, of Greenwich, died peacefully on Sunday, June 26.
Mary Danielle “Dani” Sandor passed away unexpectedly on June 24.
Charles Joseph Fitzgerald “Chuck” passed away on June 23 after a lengthy illness.
Mary Cassidy Burns passed away peacefully on May 23.
See page 10 for full obituaries.
