WEATHER CONDITIONS
Severe Cold Weather Protocol in Effect
Earlier this week, Governor Ned Lamont announced that because Connecticut is forecasted to experience below-zero wind chills this weekend, the state’s severe cold weather protocol will be activated beginning at 6pm on today (12/23), and will remain in effect through 12-Noon on Monday, December 26th. This is the first time the protocol is being enacted during the 2022-2023 winter season. Anyone in need should call 2-1-1. Town of Greenwich Department of Public Works (DPW) is closely monitoring the weather and has begun to prepare for flooding and ice conditions on the roads. The Town has its staff out on its 265 miles of road to check drainage structures and confirm that all proper equipment and staff are ready to go. If the roads are wet while the temperature drops, staff will salt the roads as needed in icy areas. Residents are urged to prepare their properties for the storm and to drive with caution during inclement weather. DPW encourages residents to monitor the weather forecast as predictions are updated. Please use caution on the roads!
POLICE & FIRE
Structure Fire in Downtown Greenwich
Late last week, Greenwich Professional Firefighters responded to a reported structure Downtown. The fire occurred in a vacant home, where crews were met with the home having been boarded up, as well as extreme heat and intense conditions. Searches were completed to confirm no one was inside. Primary and secondary searches were both negative. No injuries were reported and the scene was turned over to the fire marshal‘s office for investigation
Stuff-A-Cruiser a Success; More Ways to Donate
If you were unable to stop last week’s Stuff-A-Cruiser, you can still donate by leaving a gift at Greenwich Police Department Headquarters at 11 Bruce Place. GPD will be collecting toys for Community Centers, Inc. of Greenwich until the end of the day today (12/23).
Holiday Scam Warning
Scammers pretend they are from Social Security or another government agency to steal your money or personal information. Caller ID, texts, or documents sent by email may look official, but they are not. Fraudsters are calling to verify information about the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment for people who get benefits. The cost of living adjustment is automatic and a beneficiary does not need to verify anything. Social Security won’t ask you to provide information or money to get your benefit increased. Scammers pretend to be from an agency or organization you know to gain your trust. Scammers say there is a problem with your Social Security number or account, pressure you to act immediately, or will tell you to pay in a specific way. Be aware.
Greenwich Police Department New Officers
This past Tuesday, First Selectman Fred Camillo swore in Officers Albert Miano and James Luciano. Officer Albert Miano graduated from Western Connecticut State University and Naugatuck Valley Community College, served in the US Navy from July 1997 to May 1999 and was in the Army National Guard from December 1999 to December 2002. He previously served as an Officer with the NYPD, New York State Police, and the Pound Ridge Police Department. Officer James Luciano is a New York native and graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2022. He previously worked as a seasonal Park Ranger with the Westchester County Police and worked within the parks, environmental, and marine units. After attending the police training, they will provide Service, Respect, Courage, Fairness, and Diligence to the residents and visitors of the Town of Greenwich.
FROM TOWN HALL
Town Bias Training is Not Critical Race Theory
The Greenwich Patriots recently sent out an email discussing the Town of Greenwich’s bias training for town employees. They have alleged that the Town of Greenwich is promoting Critical Race Theory (CRT) through their training. Town Hall responded by noting that this training is something that every municipality does, with some of their training being required by the state. Training focuses on the general issue of bias and avoiding it.
Greenwich Receives Recognition for Participation in Sustainable Fairfield County Working Group
Greenwich has received a certificate of recognition for participating in the Sustainable Fairfield County Working Group. Aleksandra Moch represented Greenwich while receiving the SFC award. Sustainable Fairfield County is a network of Connecticut communities working together to educate the public on approaches that are more economically viable, of social benefit, and environmentally responsible.
Parking Permit Payment Deadline Coming
The parking permit deadline is December 31st, 2022. Renewal applicants must follow all rules and procedures or your parking permit will be denied. Please visit www.greenwichct.gov/572/Parking-Permits for more information.
AROUND TOWN
New Executive Assistant to the First Selectman
CONGRATULATIONS to our friend Ken Borzuk. He has recently taken the position of Executive Assistant to the First Selectman. We are certain he will do a fantastic job and look forward to getting his emails and working with him. Congrats, Ken! Have a safe and restful holiday season. 2023 will be here before you know it.
Christmas Tree Recycling
The Town of Greenwich is offering four designated tree collection sites:
Byram Park: Parking lot by the 2nd gate – 8am to 4pm
Bruce Park: Parking lot by playground, opposite entrance to Bruce Museum – 8am to 4pm
Greenwich Point: Parking lot across from the Nature Center – 6am until sunset
Holly Hill Recycling Center: Place trees in the yard waste area 7am to 2:30pm weekdays; 7am to 12-Noon on Saturdays.
No commercial haulers. Please remember to remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and stands before disposing of trees. Wood chips will be available to residents at each collection site. No trees will be accepted after Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
P&Z Votes for Chicken Setbacks
One of the last agenda items from this past Tuesday’s Planning and Zoning Meeting concerned pet chickens. Specifically discussed were chicken coops and a proposed 50ft setback requirement. The commission voted unanimously in favor of the text amendment meaning all chicken coops must be set back 50 feet from property lines.
SCHOOLS
BOE Unanimously Votes for New Chair
After previous Board of Education Chair Kathleen Stowe announced she would not run again in November, the board’s vote for a new chair ended in a tie between Christina Downey and Joe Kelly. A subsequent vote on December 1st, the board deadlocked in another tie. At this most recent BOE meeting, Stowe nominated Kelly with no other nominations. The entire board voted for Kelly including Downey. The next vote was for vice chair, for which Downey was nominated and subsequently won in a 7-0 vote with one abstention, Karen Kowalski. Karen Hirsh was nominated to serve another term as secretary and voted in unanimously 8-0.
Board Of Ed. Approves 2023-2024 Budget
Last week, the Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the school district’s 2023-2024 operating budget. The proposed spending plan weighs in at just over $182 million, an almost 3% increase over this year’s budget.
GHS Math Teacher Arrested for Possession of Child Porn
Last Friday authorities announced that a Greenwich High School Math teacher had been arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. This teacher was released on a $150,000 bond to house arrest under electronic monitoring and was immediately placed on administrative leave. He also admitted to authorities earlier this week that he possessed child sex abuse imagery on different email accounts and a Snapchat account. Possession of child pornography is an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. To report cases of child exploitation, please visit www.cybertipline.com.
SPORTS
Greenwich Academy places second at Skip and Dolly Howard Invitational hockey tournament, winning two of three games
Greenwich Academy’s ice hockey team continued its highly impressive start to its 2022-2023 season by placing a strong second at the Skip and Dolly Howard Invitational held at St. George’s School in Middletown, Rhode Island last weekend.
Brunswick places third at Battle of the Bay wrestling tournament at Tabor Academy
Brunswick finished third in the team standings out of 22 teams at the Battle on the Bay tournament hosted by Tabor Academy last Saturday. Patrick O’Donahue, a sophomore, was the lone Bruin finalist, pinning his way to the finals of the 122-pound bracket, where he placed second.
Sacred Heart Greenwich defeats Greenwich Academy for third straight win in FAA basketball action; Tigers hope to contend for the league title; Young Gators team aiming for improvement
Following a season in which it advanced to the FAA Tournament semifinals, then advanced to the semifinal-round of the NEPSAC Class A Tournament for the first time in program history, Sacred Heart Greenwich’s basketball team is again, on a winning pace.
Greenwich boys hockey team opens its season with plenty of optimism
The 2022-2023 season began for the Greenwich High School boys ice hockey team with a 5-3 loss to Fairfield Prep last Tuesday evening, but the host Cardinals exited Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink knowing there were several bright spots they could build upon.
FROM HARTFORD
Governor Announces Plans To Appoint New Commissioner of CT DMV
Last Thursday, Governor Ned Lamont announced that he will be appointing Antonio Guerrera as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) upon the beginning of his second term in office early 2023. Guerrera will succeed Sibongile Magubane, who is retiring from the position at the conclusion of Lamont’s first term.
