Your Local News Briefing

The news in one quick read – less fluff.

BET Decision on Funding Set for April 4th
A budget meeting held by the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) in advance of the April 4th decision day saw an overflow crowd of residents eager to voice their opinions on a range of local issues. The turnout, which totaled approximately 150 attendees at the start, required the use of an overflow room equipped with a live video feed to accommodate everyone. The meeting lasted over three and a half hours, with around 70 speakers allotted three minutes each.
The majority of the discussion centered on school capital projects, including the proposed rebuilding of Central Middle School and the renovation of Old Greenwich School. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is requesting that the BET fund an $85.5 million allocation to rebuild Central Middle School, and provide $35.9 million for the renovation of Old Greenwich School. In addition, the PTA is urging the BET to fund remediation work at Julian Curtiss.
Many attendees expressed concerns about the current state of the schools and the impact on the quality of education provided.
Another topic that garnered attention at the meeting was a proposed pickleball court for Cohen OGRCC. Flooding issues in the West Brothers Brook area and Pemberwick were also discussed, with residents calling for effective solutions to mitigate the problem and protect properties from future damage.

POLICE & FIRE
Greenwich Police Celebrate Women’s History

Women in policing are leading the way in defining effective policing standards and paving the way for future female officers, resulting in safer communities. Their unique professional qualities are increasingly valued in law enforcement, contributing to a more balanced public safety force and enhancing agencies’ ability to positively impact their communities. Greenwich Police Department celebrated Women’s History month this year by highlighting female officers.

FROM TOWN HALL
Greenwich Planning and Zoning Commission approves application for Homestead Inn
The Planning and Zoning Commission in Greenwich, Connecticut, approved an application for a final site plan and special permit for the Homestead Inn, which has existed in its current location for over 100 years. The commission noted that under the hotel definition, the proposed suites were not dwelling units and could not include kitchens or laundry facilities. The inn’s developer proposed to decrease the intensification of the use of the Manor House by reducing the number of guest rooms to 14 suites and restaurant seating from 120 to 100. The commission approved the application with conditions that include the protection of two large trees, no laundry facilities in guest rooms, and working with health and sewer departments to obtain permits.

Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission approves project to improve safety at Byram’s dangerous intersection
The Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission has unanimously approved a project to improve pedestrian and motorist safety at a dangerous intersection in Byram. The intersection improvements at Delavan Avenue at Veterans Way and Chestnut Street will include new high-visibility crosswalks, high-visibility pedestrian signage, and ADA-accessible curb ramps, as well as increased green space areas. The project is expected to have a traffic-calming effect and will not add any new vehicle movement restrictions. The proposed work is expected to be funded by the $300,000 earmarked in the current year’s budget for Byram neighborhood improvements.

Greenwich approves “cost estimator” policy to keep construction costs down.
Greenwich’s Board of Estimate and Taxation has approved the creation of a “cost estimator” process to help keep future construction costs down. The new policy, approved 11-1, aims to provide the board with a second estimate in addition to the department’s estimate when they budget town money. The policy was proposed in July 2022 after officials were concerned about cost overflow on the Central Middle School renovation project. The comptroller will be the main point of contact for the estimations, and two board members will act as liaisons to the full board. The estimator will solicit up to three bids for consultants who can provide an estimate.

Greenwich Avenue’s New Parking Rates Approved by Board of Selectmen
New parking rates for Greenwich Avenue were approved at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting. Short-term meters on Greenwich Avenue will now cost $1.50 an hour, side streets downtown will cost $1.25 an hour, and long-term lots will cost $1 per hour. Although this is less than what was originally requested by the Parking Services Department, the decision was made to get employees and long-term parkers to free up short-term spaces. The Board of Selectmen also took into consideration the needs of people on limited incomes who park on Greenwich Avenue.

Greenwich approves $60,000 settlement in lawsuit over child’s playground injury
Greenwich’s Board of Estimate and Taxation has approved a $60,000 settlement in a lawsuit filed by a family whose child broke his arm on the playground of his elementary school in 2019. The family claimed that the school should not have let children play outside in the wet and cold conditions that led to the injury and that the school was responsible for controlling and restricting the use of the playground area. The lawsuit also claimed that the child’s teachers should have known that he was an “unusually active youngster.” The town initially denied many of the family’s claims and argued that the school was immune from liability.

Greenwich Approves ADA Improvements to Greenwich Ave After Grievance Filed
The Greenwich Board of Selectmen has approved a recommendation from the town’s department of public works for ADA improvements to Greenwich Avenue. The approval comes after an ADA grievance was filed in response to the Representative Town Meeting’s vote to halt the intersection improvement project at Arch and Grigg Streets. The town turned away $2.7 million in state grant money that would have paid for construction costs. Any future work will now be paid for by the town. The DPW will complete an inventory of all non-compliance on Greenwich Avenue by April 30th of this year and will develop potential solutions by the end of May. The project is expected to be completed by June 30th.

AROUND TOWN
Town Golf Course Open
The Griffith E. Harris Golf Course has reopened, including Cobber North and the Golf Shop.

Greenwich Library’s New Rain Garden
The Library’s new Rain Garden along West Putnam Ave is undergoing construction for an S-curved stone wall throughout the winter. Recently, trees and new grasses have been planted for the spring.

Nonprofit RiseUP for Arts proposes a large mural in Old Greenwich
RiseUP for Arts, a nonprofit that creates public art through donations, grants, and community goodwill, has submitted plans for a large artistic mural on the side of a building in Old Greenwich to the town’s Planning & Zoning Department. The mural is proposed on the side of a boutique custom-bicycle shop at 188 Sound Beach Ave and will measure 60 feet wide and 24 feet tall, featuring the words “Greetings From Old Greenwich” in the style of a classic postcard. The mural has yet to be scheduled to go before the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Town Hall celebrates Greek Independence Day with flag-raising and dancing
Greenwich Town Hall celebrated Greek Independence Day on March 25 with a proclamation reading, flag raising, and Greek dancing. First Selectman Fred Camillo issued a proclamation declaring the day as Greek Independence Day in the town of Greenwich and encouraged all residents to recognize the contributions of Greek Americans to the town, state, and country. The event organizer, Karen Fassuliotis, a Greenwich resident, and longtime member of the Board of Estimate and Taxation, spoke briefly to the crowd and reflected on the founding principles of liberty, reason, free speech, and the exchange of ideas. The audience also participated in Greek dances with the Holy Trinity New Rochelle Dance Troupe.

LOCAL BUSINESSES & NONPROFITS
Puppies for Good at Coffee for Good

Lindsey Fahey, a Local Precision Service dog trainer, brings a chocolate Labrador puppy named Maverick, who is in training to become a service dog, to Coffee for Good every Monday from 3 PM to 4 PM when people can stop by and help with his training. Precision Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization that focuses on developing canines to serve people with disabilities.

Kids in Crisis Easter Basket Donations
An Easter basket collection is underway for Kids in Crisis and the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County. The baskets can be for children and teenagers of all ages. The event is organized by Sonia Sotire Malloy of SPLURGE. Baskets can be dropped off at SPLURGE or at Freccia Brothers Garage, and 115 Mason Street. The link to the Amazon registry is also provided for those who wish to donate remotely. https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3QQHIK9SVLUW7

Greenwich Scouting Annual Food Drive
This year take part in the annual Scouting for Food Drive, held by Greenwich Scouting, to help those in need. In 2022, the drive collected approximately 3,900 pounds of food. The Greenwich Police Department is supporting this effort by serving as one of two drop-off locations for the food drive. On April 1, 2023, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, you can drop off unopened and unexpired food donations at the Greenwich Police Department or the Cos Cob Fire House, regardless of weather conditions.

Tree Conservancy Planted 100 TreesIn 2022, GTC (Greenwich Tree Conservancy) and the Town of Greenwich received a generous grant from the Connecticut Urban Forest Council to plant over 100 trees in the neighborhoods of Byram, Chickahominy, and Pemberwick. The map shows the locations of each tree planted.

Greenwich Hospital Raises $4 Million for Expansion of Behavioral Health Services
Greenwich Hospital has raised $4 million in a matter of months towards expanding its behavioral health services for adolescents, young adults, and older adults. Greenwich Hospital plans to increase the breadth and scope of its mental health offerings and address an acute intergenerational need heightened by the pandemic. Greenwich Hospital has partnered with the Greenwich United Way to provide services to adolescents in need of mental health care.

PEOPLE IN TOWN
Local Artist Creates First Sustainability Awards
Sandy Harris, an artist with a background in studying the natural world, has created custom artwork for the first annual Greenwich Sustainability Award. The award is being given to 10 deserving Greenwich citizens on Saturday, April 1st.

Avon Theatre Announces New Co-Chairs
The Avon Theatre Film Center has announced the election of two new co-chairs, Susan Cullman and Arthur Selkowitz, and the addition of two new board members, Renée Ketcham Amory, and Stacy Louizos. Co-founders of the non-profit, Deborah and Chuck Royce, will become Directors Emeriti.

NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young’s Parents View Memorabilia at Greenwich Historical Society
LeGrande and Sherry Young, the parents of NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young, recently visited the Greenwich Historical Society to view memorabilia from their son’s football career, on display as part of the “Sports! More Than Just a Game” exhibition. The exhibition features exclusive memorabilia, historic sporting equipment, and personal effects from celebrated athletes who have lived in Greenwich. The exhibit will be on view until September 3, 2023.

SCHOOLS
Return of the 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip
After a three-year hiatus, Greenwich’s Eastern, Western, and Central Middle Schools’ eighth-grade students will travel to Washington D.C. for a three-day, two-night educational experiential trip with their peers and teachers. The future of the D.C. trip was uncertain due to lack of funding, so the principals, PTA Co-Presidents, and parents of the middle schools created a fundraising committee to help facilitate the trip. The committee received funding from organizations such as Pitch Your Peers and The Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation, as well as the parent communities at CMS, EMS, and WMS. Students also organized school-based fundraisers, and a town-wide live music fundraiser was held in March. Donors can make a tax-deductible contribution to the Greenwich Alliance to support the 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip and other educational programs.

High School Students Highlight Unsung Heroes of Civil Rights Movement in Essay Contest
Rafael Galvan won first place and Riona McKersie was the runner-up in the GHS Social Studies Black History Month Essay Contest. The contest asked students to write about unsung heroes in the Civil Rights Movement. Galvan wrote about Jane Bolin, the first African American woman to graduate from Yale Law School and serve as a judge in the United States, while McKersie wrote about Phillis Wheatley, an 18th/19th-century poet. The students were asked to write a 500-word letter to the Board of Education explaining why their nominee should be included in the GHS American History Curriculum.

CMS Student in National Math Competition
Central Middle School seventh-grader Sohan Javeri is one of four mathletes representing Connecticut at the 2023 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition in Orlando, FL, after being one of the top four individuals at the 2023 Connecticut State MATHCOUNTS Competition held at the University of Hartford earlier this month. The competition was organized by the Connecticut Society of Professional Engineers, which has been promoting the importance of STEM education for 39 years by hosting the MATHCOUNTS Competitions.

Middle School Participates in Science Bowl
A team of seventh and eighth graders from Central Middle School participated in the Connecticut Middle School Regional Science Bowl at Computer Science and Engineering Middle School in East Hartford. They were the first team from the Greenwich Public Schools to participate in the event, and winners of regional competitions were invited to the National Science Bowl sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Central Middle School team prepared for the competition by meeting weekly after school since December to practice and study various science disciplines. Although they did not win the overall competition, the team won two morning rounds against other schools.

High School Filmmakers Win Top Spots
Two groups of filmmakers from Greenwich High School’s National History Club finished in the top spots at the Fairfield Country Regional CT National History Day contest and will advance to the statewide Connecticut History Day Competition in May. The first-place winners were recognized for their documentary on Women’s Fashion in World War II, while the second-place winners were recognized for their film on the Western movie genre. The students conducted research and interviewed scholars for their films, which demonstrated their passion for history.

Sacred Heart Greenwich Seeks Expansion of Athletic Facilities for Multiple Sports Programs
Sacred Heart Greenwich has applied for permission to expand its onsite athletic facilities to support its golf, tennis, track, and team sports programs. The school is seeking to add fields and practice areas, including a new synthetic turf field, putting green, sand traps, and additional tennis courts. An eight-lane track would also be built, and new sheds would be constructed to store athletic equipment. The application has been filed with the town planning department, and a review by the Planning & Zoning Commission has not yet been scheduled.

CMS building reduces auditorium seating
The Central Middle School building committee has voted to reduce the seating in the new school’s auditorium from 550 seats to 250 seats as part of efforts to cut down the building’s square footage. The committee believed that, since the new middle school is located near Greenwich High School, which has a performing arts center, there was no need for a larger auditorium. The decision could impact major school events, such as graduations, and some parents have expressed concern that the reduction in seating could cause logistical issues. The committee is recommending the reduction of seats from 250 to 150.

SPORTS
Cheerleading Team Successful Season


The Greenwich High School cheerleading team had an outstanding winter season, culminating in a fourth-place finish at the Team of the Year competition. The team placed second at the FCIAC Championships and continued to perform well in subsequent competitions despite injuries. At the CIAC Class LL Championships, the team finished sixth out of 18 teams. The Team of the Year Competition was open to teams who placed in the top six in each class and the Greenwich team placed fourth out of 28 teams, which was the highest they had ever placed. The team’s coaches and members were proud of their achievements and felt they had demonstrated their hard work and dedication throughout the season.

LOCAL POLITICS
RTM Vacancies
The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) in Greenwich, Connecticut, currently has vacancies in three districts, namely District 3, District 4, and District 11, for the remainder of the term until December 2023. The April district meetings will fill these seats. The RTM examines and approves the budget, nominations to Town boards, improvements to Town properties, labor contracts, and other significant Town undertakings. Interested individuals can contact the chairs of the respective districts for additional details. The date and time for all meetings is Thursday, April 6 beginning at 7:30 PM, District 3 is meeting at Hamilton Avenue School, District 4 at the Byram Firehouse, and District 6 at Greenwich Country Day School.

FROM HARTFORD
Greenwich Harbor Dredging Project Gets Boost with $500K Federal Grant
Congressman Jim Himes announced that the Town has been granted $500,000 in the federal budget for the dredging of Greenwich Harbor. This is a positive development for the project, which is still in the early stages. The community will be kept informed of any updates, as the project progresses.

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