POLICE AND FIRE
Greenwich Fire Dept. Dispatched to Help Westchester County
On January 19th, The Greenwich Fire Department received a request for aid from Westchester County. The Sound Beach Water Rescue Unit/Dive Team was then dispatched to respond to the Westchester County Airport for an incident involving a missing aircraft. Later that evening, the aircraft was located in a heavily wooded area next to Rye Lake. Neither occupant of the aircraft survived.
GPD Officer of the Month, December 2022
December 2022’s Officer of the Month is Detective Ryan Beatie, selected for his work identifying the suspect in a sexual assault investigation. Detective Beattie identified the suspect, seized evidence, developed probable cause, obtained an arrest warrant, and took the suspect into custody all before midnight on December 25th.
Greenwich Fire Dept. Responds
Earlier this week Greenwich Firefighting units were dispatched to Byram Terrace Drive to respond to a structure fire. Callers reported a visible fire on the first floor of the residence. Firefighters were able to contain the main body of fire in its room of origin. No injuries were reported and the scene has been turned over to the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Greenwich Police Department Seeking Feedback
The Greenwich Police Department is asking for community feedback of any kind regarding the performance of GPD employees and the programs and initiatives offered by the department. Anyone to give feedback can go to the town of Greenwich website, or write a letter addressed to Police Chief Jim Heavey at Greenwich Police Department Office of the Chief of Police Citizen’s Comment Program 11 Bruce Place Greenwich, CT 06830
FROM TOWN HALL
OnePass System from Parks and Recreation
The town Department of Parks and Recreation is currently working on the new OnePass system, an all-in-one pass allowing residents to purchase pass options including access to the Town’s beaches, parks, golf course, tennis courts, pickle ball courts, and marine facilities. Old park passes will no longer be valid forms of entry to Town parks etc. Residents who had an active park pass for 2022 are being mailed a OnePass. Those that did not have an active park pass for 2022 should go online to www.greenwichct.gov/onepass for more information on how to sign up. Any questions about OnePass can be emailed to gnpnr@greenwichct.org.
First Selectman Presents Proposed Town Budget
This past Tuesday, First Selectman Fred Camillo presented the proposed spending plan for 2023-2024 to the Board of Estimate and Taxation. Camillo’s proposed town budget is just over $480 million an almost 3.5% increase over the 2023-2023 spending plan.
February 1st deadline to Pay Second Half of Real Estate Taxes for 2021
The last day to pay the second half of your Real Estate taxes for 2021 Grand List and the Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax bills is February 1st, 2023. Paying on or after February 2nd will result in an interest charge of 3%. You may pay online at https://www.greenwichct.gov/313/Tax-Collector.
The Tax Collector’s office is also open on Saturday, January 28th from 9am to 12-noon with extended hours on Wednesday, February 1st from 8:30am to 7pm. If you choose to pay by mail please remit to PO Box 3002 Greenwich, CT 06836-3002. Postmarks dated February 1st or before are considered on time.
AROUND TOWN
Winning Ticket Sold In Greenwich
Recently, a winning scratch-off ticket with a grand prize of $30,000 was sold in Greenwich. The ticket cost $30 and was purchased from Byram Smoke Shop, located at 111 Mill St.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
Nathaniel Witherell to Receive $900,000
The Nathaniel Witherell is set to receive a bequest of approximately $900,000 from former Greenwich resident Reinhold Vogel’s estate.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
New Old Greenwich Riverside Community Center Executive Director
Tom Casazzone has stepped down as the Old Greenwich Riverside Community Center Executive Director after more than five years of work. The Old Greenwich Riverside Community Center has announced that the former Old Greenwich Riverside Community Center Program Director Jen Ludington is immediately replacing Tom as Executive Director.
SCHOOLS
Two Greenwich High School Seniors Named Finalists in Regeneron Science Talent Search 2023
Two Greenwich High School seniors are included in the top 40 finalists of this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search. Both GHS finalists will be participating in a week-long competition this March. During this week-long competition, they will undergo a rigorous judging process going beyond their own research, encompassing other scientific disciplines. They will also have an opportunity to interact with leading scientists and share their research during a virtual Public Day event on March 12th. The GHS finalists and their project titles are: Angie Fogarty: Rapid, Visual Detection of Illicit Substances in a Variety of Environments via Competitive, Amine-Responsive Fluorophores and Ambika Grover: Design of a Novel, Dual-Functioning, Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Factor XI-Inhibiting Anticoagulant Therapeutic for Rapid Ischemic Stroke Treatment
Central Middle School Building Committee in Disarray
On December 12 the Chair of the Central Middle School Building Committee Tony Turner said, “We have a lot of rancor and a lot of animosity in our committee. We have very deep divisions.”
His assesment turned out to be accurate as the building committee began their meeting on Tuesday with another disagreement, this time over possibly voting to censure one of its own members, BET representative Nisha Arora.
Two motions were made during the meeting, one to dismiss the item and another to address the item immediately. Both motions failed, Committee Chair Tony Turner has said it will be addressed at the Jan. 31st meeting or in a special meeting beforehand.
At the end of the meeting on Tuesday Turner said, “I can’t believe we are wearing this kind of hat in the defense of our town. This is not the Greenwich I moved to thirty-two years ago.”
SPORTS – see second section for full sports stories
Sacred Heart Greenwich defeated by Hamden Hall in FAA basketball action
Coming off a pair of inspiring victories against Choate Rosemary Hall and Millbrook School last weekend, the Sacred Heart Greenwich basketball team was in a prime position to extend its winning streak with another home triumph this Monday against Hamden Hall Country Day School.
Brunswick hockey team posts a pair of wins at home, topping Hoosac School, then defeating Elite Hockey Academy
In a game that included 10 goals and 15 penalties, the Brunswick School ice hockey team prevailed against Hoosac School last Saturday at Hartong Rink, 7-3 – the first of its two latest victories before its home crowd.
Greenwich boys hockey team edges Trumbull for Senior Night victory
The resurgence continued for Greenwich High School’s boys ice hockey team Saturday night, on what was a special evening for coach Jack Duffy’s squad.
Brunswick wrestling team wins its own tournament, behind four weight-class champions; Greenwich places fifth in tourney, Greenwich Country Day 9th
Depth is a significant factor in all team sports and in wrestling it can not only lead a team to dual meet victories, but it can also power a squad to tournament wins.
Greenwich High girls basketball team defeats Bridgeport Central, falls to Newtown; Cardinals’ record stands at 6-5
Eleven games are in the books and nine remain in the regular season for the Greenwich High School girls basketball team, which is solid standing heading into the second half of the season.
Greenwich swims past rival Ridgefield to remain undefeated with a 5-0 record
Halfway through its season, the Greenwich High School boys swimming/diving team finds itself in a very familiar situation – undefeated and cruising toward another perfect regular season.
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s swim/diving team placed fifth at National Catholic Championships, held in Maryland
Competing on the national level, the Sacred Heart Greenwich swimming team showed that it was up to the challenge, producing an outstanding performance at National Catholic Championships at Loyola University in Maryland, recently.
Greenwich wrestling team celebrated Senior Day against Stamford; Cardinals to compete in Brunswick Invitational
Since the majority of the Greenwich High School’s wrestling team’s roster are underclassmen, a lot of responsibility has fallen on the squad’s seniors in terms of providing leadership on and off the mat and producing strong results in each match.
LOCAL POLITICS
Camillo Abstains, for now, on Signing CTCL Grant
Last Friday afternoon, First Selectman Fred Camillo issued a statement saying that for now would not be signing the grant agreement. “I am fully aware of the issues surrounding the vote on Item 10 during the RTM’s meeting this past Tuesday and it is my understanding that there is a procedural mechanism by which the vote can be challenged by RTM membership. Therefore, I will not sign the grant agreement until this has been fully dealt with by the members of the RTM.”
FROM AROUND THE STATE
LEGO is Leaving CT
The LEGO Group, which employs about 740 people, plans to move its head office in the Americas from Enfield, Connecticut to Boston, Massachusetts by 2026.
Lamont’s Gun Proposals
Earlier this week, Governor Ned Lamont held a news conference announcing the first of a series of proposals he is introducing during the 2023 legislative session to improve CT’s efforts in eliminating gun violence. His proposals include; investing $2.5 million more in community violence intervention programs; banning the public open carrying of firearms, but allowing concealed carry with a permit except in particular locations; limiting handgun purchases to one per month in order to deter straw purchases; and updating the state’s ban on unregistered guns. The proposals will be presented to the Connecticut General Assembly in February.
Gov. Lamont Unveils Plans for Closure of the Willard Correctional Institution
This past Tuesday Governor Ned Lamont announced his plans with the leadership of the Connecticut Department of Correction to close the Willard Correctional Institution in Enfield by April 1st of this year. Closing the facility will save taxpayers as a group approximately $6.5 million in annual operating costs.
Zoo $25k Away from Goal
The Beardsley Zoo has raised $75,000 of its $100,000 match challenge. The money will be used to give the Prarie Dog habitat a makeover. Built in 1995, by the ELFUN Society, a group of General Electric volunteers, the habitat has had some small renovations over the years but is in need of a redesign. You can donate at https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/appeal.html
DEATHS
Carol H. Amussen, of Greenwich, passed on Jan.22.
Joseph A. Carriero passed away January 22. He was 87.
Mary Theresa Stelben passed away on January 20.
Stephen Miller Turner, 83 passed away on January 20.
Virginia Marullo, age 96, passed away peacefully at home on January 19.
Barbara Ann Monell Chimblo, 92, passed away January 19.
Lizora Miller Yonce, 85, passed away on January 14.
Peter J. Reilley, 80, passed away on Saturday, January 14.
Arthur Irving Robinson, Jr. died on January 12.
Janet Beebe Kaminski, 75, passed away on January 8.
David Eaton LeFevre, died peacefully on January 8.
Janet Morris Jones passed away on January 4.
Robert S. “Bob” Phelps, 83, passed away on Dec. 25, 2022.
