ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
We spotted this Halloween decoration outside… you guessed it … Raphael’s Bakery on Mason Street where the family who runs the bakery certainly also knows how to have some fun.
POLICE & FIRE
Greenwich Police Department Now Hiring Public Safety Dispatch Telecommunicator
The Greenwich Police Department is currently hiring for the position of Public Safety Dispatch Telecommunicator. The Town of Greenwich Dispatch Center works as the first link in the E-911 chain, helping to save lives.
GPD Will Continue Presence Around GPS
GPD is aware of hoax threats known as “swatting” involving active shooter reports that have been made in other districts around the state. The Greenwich Police Department will continue to have a strong presence at school buildings consistent with the 2022/23 safety and security plan.
GPD Strengthens Traffic Enforcement
Put down those phones! Using your phone at all while driving – even when stopped at a light causes accidents. If you have a phone in your hand while driving, you will be stopped and issued a ticket. $200.00 fine for the first offense, $375.00 for the second offense, and $625.00 for the third and subsequent offenses.
AROUND TOWN
Annual Leaf Collecting Program
The Town’s annual Leaf Collection Program will open November 7th to half-acre or less residential properties (building zone R-20) on public streets. Weather permitting, the program will include 2 pickups from November to mid-December. Residents can find out when their street is scheduled through the 24-hour leaf collection hotline at 203-618-7698 or by visiting www.greenwichct.gov/257/Leaf-Collection.
Bruce Museum Paleontologists Identify Unknown Fossil
In 1933, an 11-million-year-old fossil was discovered in a Nebraska quarry. The fossil sat in the collection of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), unidentified for nearly 100 years. In 2021, a team of paleontologists at the Bruce Museum began studying the remarkably well-preserved fossil. Their findings, published on October 19 in the Journal of Paleontology, include the discovery of a new species — the Centuriavis lioae, one of the earliest representations of the modern fowl faua.
Centuriavis lioae is a relative of today’s grouse and turkeys (see page B1 for a great piece on Wild Turkey’s by Jim Knox), which confirmed the hypothesis that today’s grouse and turkey developed from a single lineage that arrived in North America from Asia.
Bruce Museum Presents Astrophotography: The Art of Place in Space (pictured is the Carina Nebula, Photo by NASA’s James Webb Telescope)
The night sky has long held us captive with its beauty and wonders, only to disappear with the coming of the sun. But photography, beginning with the first pictures of the Moon in the 1800’s, has enabled us to see into the dark reaches of space, capturing a moment that can be shared anytime. Advances in photographic technologies have given way to Astrophotography, the imaging of astronomical objects, celestial events, or areas of the night sky. Modern Astrophotography is not only dazzling to behold, but also provides important data and research support on objects invisible to the human eye such as dim stars, nebulae, or galaxies. On Thursday, November 3rd, at 6 PM EST, a panel of photographers will share the stunning results of what happens when art and science collide.
Greenwich Property Owners Pay Taxes on Time
While most property owners in town submitted their tax payments on time, an estimated 3% failed to do so. Greenwich tax collector Heather Smeriglio is working to settle the delinquent accounts of those who did not pay this year. Smeriglio says Greenwich residents are fantastic about paying their taxes on time. If you still need to pay your taxes, reach out to the tax collector’s office.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
Greenwich Has a New Parking Enforcement Officer
Last week, Larry Chiaramonte was sworn in as a new Parking Enforcement Officer in the Department of Parking Services. Prior to his appointment, Larry worked as a human services staff assistant in the Department of Human Services.
New Term Approved for Nathaniel Witherell Chairman of Board of Directors; Uncertain Future for Witherell
While the Nathaniel Witherell’s future is uncertain, it will continue on with its current leader after the Representative Town Meeting approved a new, and final, term for chairman of the board of directors, Larry Simon. In a vote of 113-87 with 10 abstentions, the RTM approved Simon’s renomination to the board despite concerns about the significant downgrade in the facility’s rating. The long-term nursing and short-term care facility is the only municipally owned and operated establishment in Connecticut; however, the town is considering a proposal from Allaire Health Services to take over operations at Witherell. The BET is also considering an audit of the facilities $11 million in unpaid patient bills.
SCHOOLS
Greenwich Public Schools Have Decline in Student Enrollment
This year, Greenwich Public Schools (GPS) has 51 fewer students compared to last year. As of October 3rd, GPS reported to the state that it has a total enrollment of 8,579 students in grades pre-K through 12. The school district expects some enrollment fluctuation hovering around the same levels for eight years, with more consistency beginning in the 2026/27 school year.
Greenwich RTM Sustains New Teachers’ Contract
Earlier this month after a lengthy debate, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) approved a contract between the Town and the Greenwich Education Association with a 2.5 percent general wage increases, 2.5 percent yearly increases in teacher stipends, and increased insurance cost sharing between the town and teachers. The contract covers school years from 2023/24 through 2025/26. Those for the contract emphasized supporting our teachers, especially after dealing with the pandemic. Those against the contract cited the large budget increase this contract will cause, falling test scores, and other problems in the school system saying this increase will necessitate cuts in other essential school areas.
SPORTS
for full stories, see https://greenwichsportsbeat.com
Sacred Heart Greenwich sweeps FAA foe Holy Child for eighth consecutive victory
The streak began with a three-set victory against Taft School on October 1 and continued when Sacred Heart swept past FAA opponent School of the Holy Child on Monday.
Sacred Heart field hockey team earns 6-0 road win over Greens Farms Academy
Another FAA game, another win for the Sacred Heart Greenwich field hockey team. Sacred Heart remained undefeated in the FAA, registering a 6-0 win over Greens Farms Academy in a league game held today in Westport. The triumph moved the Tigers FAA record to 6-0 and overall mark to 12-1.
Cardinals girls soccer team battles No. 1 St. Joseph to a scoreless tie on the road
Facing a powerhouse St. Joseph team they are going to play soon in the postseason, the Greenwich High girls soccer squad showed it can compete with the best, playing the Cadets to a scoreless tie this past Friday.
Greenwich High field hockey team shuts out Newtown for decisive non-league win
After dropping a tough one-goal decision to undefeated Darien, the Greenwich High School field hockey team got right back on the winning track in impressive fashion on Saturday morning.
Greenwich’s Esme Daplyn places third at FCIAC Cross Country Championships
Esme Daplyn continued her impressive cross country season, finishing third for Greenwich High at the FCIAC Cross Country Championships, which was held on Wednesday at Waveny Park in New Canaan.
Sacred Heart Greenwich defeats FAA field hockey rival Greenwich Academy on fourth quarter goal by senior Mackenzie Coleman
Like the first meeting between longtime FAA neighborhood field hockey rivals Sacred Heart Greenwich and Greenwich Academy, GA made an early opening statement, scoring first in the much-anticipated late-season matchup.
Passing game, defense powers Brunswick football team to victory over Phillips Academy Andover for 5th straight win
When Brunswick School junior quarterback Elijah Cromartie wasn’t throwing touchdown passes to senior wide receiver Jason Agudelo, he was connecting with senior wideout Tomas Delgado for scoring strikes during Saturday night’s showdown against Phillips Academy Andover.
Greenwich Academy soccer team handed Greens Farms Academy its first loss of the season behind 2 goals from Lola Tirabassi
With only one league game remaining in its regular season, the Greenwich Academy soccer team has an opportunity to finish atop the FAA standings and earn the No. 1 see in the league tournament.
Greenwich Academy’s Maddie Lee places first at FAA cross country meet; Gators finish second in team standings; Sacred Heart’s Ava Lillis places second, Macy Putka of Greenwich Country Day, fifth
Greenwich Academy junior Maddie Lee propelled the team’s sensational showing at an FAA cross country meet held on Wednesday at Purchase College, in Purchase, N.Y., winning the race in impressive fashion.
Scoring early and often, Greenwich’s boys soccer team celebrates Senior Night with a victory at home against St. Joseph
Controlling the action from the outset, the Greenwich High School boys soccer team left no doubt that it was going to enjoy its Senior Night game against St. Joseph.
Maggie Saleeby, Katherine Ford pace Greenwich volleyball team past Westhill
Greenwich High School’s volleyball team concluded a successful week with a 3-1 victory over visiting Westhill today in an FCIAC match.
Greenwich High girls field hockey team edged by Darien on a second-half goal, 2-1
In the midst of a highly impressive season, Greenwich High School’s field hockey team sports a record of 10-4-0-1 heading into its final home game of the regular season tomorrow against non-conference opponent Newtown. Indeed, winners of seven of their last eight games, the Cardinals are well-prepared to begin the postseason, which they hope, will feature deep journeys into the FCIAC and state tournaments.
Greenwich rides balanced offensive attack to victory against visiting Trumbull, 37-24
Greenwich senior quarterback Jack Wilson certainly had an impressive connection with his wide receivers during Friday night’s matchup against FCIAC foe Trumbull, particularly with senior James Wailgum, who caught two touchdown passes, while totaling 121 receiving yards.
Greenwich High volleyball team downs Danbury for third consecutive victory
With a little more than one week remaining in the regular season and the postseason rapidly approaching, the Greenwich High School volleyball team is rounding into playoff form.
FROM TOWN HALL
Roger Sherman Baldwin Possible Temporary Rink Location
Earlier this month, the town’s Rink User Committee for Design and Planning decided to postpone its vote on a plan to put the temporary seasonal rink downtown in Roger Sherman Baldwin Park pending results from a public survey. The survey is expected to go out by the end of this month, the committee will receive the results of the survey by the end of the year. The temporary rink would be used during construction of the new permanent ice rink in Byram.
Department of Human Services Annual Holiday Aid Program
The Greenwich Department of Human Services (GDHS) is gearing up for its annual holiday aid program. The GDHS 2022 Holiday Aid Program provides financially eligible Greenwich residents with food, clothing, toys, and gift cards for the winter holidays. The Greenwich Human Services Fund program is funded by generous donations from community organizations, church groups, corporations and private individuals. In addition to monetary donations gift cards to stores such as Walmart or Target are welcome. Gift cards will be distributed to Greenwich families so that they can purchase clothing and/or toys for their children. The deadline for gift card donations is Friday, December 9.
FROM HARTFORD
Online Absentee Ballot Request Portal
Connecticut announced a new online portal for CT registered voters to apply for an absentee ballot. Voters are now able visit CT.GOV to fill out their application form. Residents must have a valid CT Driver’s license with a signature in order to use this online portal.
CT Workers’ Compensation Rates to Decrease in 2023
Earlier this month, an announcement from Governor Lamont stated that the Connecticut Insurance Department approved an annual filing with decreases of 3% to workers’ compensation pure premium loss costs. There will be no change in rates for assigned risk. 2023 is now the ninth consecutive year that rate decreases for workers’ compensation insurance have been approved.
DEATHS
Andrew Gadaleta Sr.
Peter Friedlander
Richard Horton
Dorothy Fay
Bruce Nicholas
Renee Bigler
Gloria Larson
Faye Patchett
See page 12 of the print edition for full obituaries.
