POLICE & FIRE
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
In honor of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Greenwich Police Department and other police departments in Connecticut are conducting high-visibility traffic enforcement to reduce distracted driving. US traffic crashes caused a record-high number of deaths in 2021 due to speeding, impaired, or distracted driving. Fatal crashes involving at least one distracted driver increased by 12%, while fatalities involving alcohol-impaired driving were up by 14%. The risk of a crash quadruples for teens with three or more passengers under 21 years of age, while driving at night can increase a teen’s risk of a crash by 400%. To stay safe on the road, drivers should avoid distractions, drive within the speed limit, and never drive while intoxicated.
Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones Alerts Families of Swatting Calls
Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones alerted families that some schools in New York’s Hudson Valley region received swatting calls about “shots fired,” but no schools in the Greenwich Schools District received such calls. Swatting is a criminal hoaxing tactic that falsely sends emergency services to a location. Jones reassured families that Greenwich Police would follow their protocols, and local, county, and state law enforcement would investigate such calls.
FROM TOWN HALL
Winner of 2023 Snow Sculpture Contest
The Annual Greenwich Recreation Snow Sculpture Contest took place with minimal snow, but participants were still able to build creative and fun entries. The winning sculpture was titled “Rainbow Penguins”.
Tod’s Point Closed to Dogs
As of Saturday, April 1, dogs are no longer allowed at Tod’s Point except for service animals. However, leashed dogs are allowed in other town parks, and the Grass Island Dog Park is always open for dogs. For further information regarding dog laws, check out the Animal Control page on the town website.
Federal Government to Pay $500k for Contamination Testing of Greenwich Harbor
The federal government has agreed to pay $500,000 to test the sediment in Greenwich Harbor for contamination, required before any dredging can start. The results of this review will dictate when the dredging will start and where the soil will be moved. Greenwich Harbor is a federal channel, so the government has a duty to maintain it. The harbor sees traffic from police boats, large yachts, town ferries, and more, but silt and sand has built up considerably near Grass Island. The federal government is expected to pay for most of this dredging cost, but the town of Greenwich has already set aside $2 million for the project.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
Record Crowd Honors Youth at Boys & Girls Club Awards Night
The Boys & Girls Club held its annual awards night with a record crowd of over 400 attendees. Jada Brewington was named the 2023 Youth of the Year, with five other nominees also honored. The inaugural David Ogilvy Award for Character, Kindness & Integrity was presented to Alex Flook, and the Junior Youth of the Year Award went to Taylor Tejeda. The event also recognized Jannell Bakrow and Annette Wilson as Champions of Youth. The Club serves over 2,000 youth annually, with over 300 kids attending after-school and evening programs every day.
Greenwich Choral Society’s Conductor Paul F. Mueller Retires After 27 Years
Maestro Paul F. Mueller will retire from his role as Music Director and Conductor for the Greenwich Choral Society after 27 years. His last concert with the Chorus will be Antonin Dvorak’s Stabat Mater on April 22. Under his leadership, the Choral Society has performed in various countries and collaborated with different orchestras and soloists. Paul has conducted a broad repertoire in different genres and languages, teaching choristers how to sing in various languages.
Greenwich United Way Raises Awareness of Youth Mental Health
Late last week, the Greenwich United Way (GUW) hosted a panel discussion titled “A Conversation About Youth Mental Health” at the Foundation House on Tuesday. The event aimed to raise awareness about local resources available to address the youth mental health crisis in Greenwich. The discussion featured several professionals, including Greenwich Hospital’s Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, the superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools, and a licensed professional counselor. The GUW recently partnered with Greenwich Hospital to establish the Adolescent Behavioral Health Outpatient Program, and the organization aims to raise $1.6 million to support the build-out and operation of the facility. GUW’s CEO stated that the town is in desperate need of accessible mental health care for its young people.
Greenwich Officials Mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month with Rowan Center
Several state and local officials and volunteers from the Rowan Center gathered outside this past Monday at Greenwich Town Hall to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Rowan Center is a non-profit organization that provides free 24-hour confidential assistance to survivors of sexual violence, as well as training, counseling, and advocacy services. The center offers services in both English and Spanish and covers eight towns in lower Fairfield County.
Stop & Shop to Close Glenville Store
Stop & Shop confirmed that it will not renew the lease for its Glenville store in Greenwich, Connecticut, as it was not meeting financial expectations. The store, which employs 60 associates, will operate until June 15, and employees will be given the opportunity to transfer to other Stop & Shop locations. It is unclear what will happen to the brick building that houses the grocery store. This closure will leave Greenwich with one Stop & Shop location at 161 West Putnam Ave.
Larry Simon Resigns as Nathaniel Witherell Board Chairman
Larry Simon has resigned from his position as the chairman of the board of directors of Nathaniel Witherell, the town-owned and operated nursing home and rehabilitation facility. Simon is succeeded by Brad Markowitz.
AROUND TOWN
Application for Mural in Old Greenwich Pending with P&Z
A new application is pending with the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission for a mural on the side of a building in Old Greenwich. Black Oak Vello and the building owner of 188 Sound Beach Ave seek to partner with RiseUP for Arts to execute a 1,440-square-foot mural on the exterior side wall of the building. RiseUP will handle the end-to-end management of the project, including approvals from the Town of Greenwich. The estimated cost of the project is $31,730, and the proposed timeline is to execute the mural in Spring 2023. RiseUP aims to create a mural that honors the community’s rich history and landmarks.
Boy Scouts Hold Annual Food Drive
Boy Scouts team up with Knights of Columbus and Neighbor to Neighbor for the annual Scouting for Food drive. The event was held at two locations, where the Scouts also got to see inside the stations and meet with Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo and his dog Reagan. Police Chief and Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 35 Jim Heavey distributed “Scouting for Food” badges to the boys who participated.
Greenwich Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Vietnam War’s End
Greenwich held multiple events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on March 29, 2023. The first event took place at the Vietnam Memorial on Greenwich Avenue, followed by another event at the Byram Veterans Memorial Grove and a third event at the Glenville War Memorial. Greenwich Veterans community, the American Legion Post 29, the Horseneck Daughters of the American Revolution, and local officials attended these events. To promote the commemoration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, “challenge coins” were presented to Legion Commander Dick LeBeau and Greenwich Police Chief Ames Heavey.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
Greenwich Sustainability Committee hosts “ReThink Waste Fair” to kick off Earth Month
The Greenwich Sustainability Committee and Waste Free Greenwich hosted a “ReThink Waste Fair” event at Christ Church’s Parish Hall, kicking off a month-long observation of Earth Day in Greenwich. The event included a presentation of the first Sustainability Awards, an update on Connecticut’s “waste crisis” from State Rep Hector Arzeno, and a proclamation from First Selectman Fred Camillo declaring April “Earth Month in Greenwich”. The awards recognized “Everyday Heroes”, “Future Leaders”, and “Icons” who make a difference in sustainability.
SCHOOLS
Greenwich Academy Reaches Agreement to Purchase 54 Acres
Greenwich Academy, a prestigious school in Greenwich, has made a significant investment by reaching an agreement to purchase 54 acres of land from the Indian Spring Land Company. The property is near GA’s main campus and will help the school enhance and expand athletic facilities, leadership development programs, sustainability initiatives, and faculty housing. The GA community will collaborate on a strategic visioning process for this new property, which is surrounded by wooded areas containing wetlands, trails, a ravine, and various rock elevations. The school intends to respect and preserve the natural surroundings of the land.
Sacred Heart Greenwich Appoints New Head of Middle School
Sacred Heart Greenwich has appointed Mary Frederick as Head of Middle School, effective from July 1, 2023. This change in leadership comes after the current Head of the Middle School, Mr. John Zwack, departs Sacred Heart at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year. Frederick joins Sacred Heart from St. Luke’s School in New Canaan and has experience in supporting and growing innovative academic and co-curricular programs.
Sacred Heart Greenwich Appoints New Head of Upper School
After conducting a nationwide search, Sacred Heart Greenwich has appointed Meghan McMahon as Head of Upper School, effective from July 1, 2023. McMahon joins Sacred Heart Greenwich from Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts, where she helped establish and co-lead the school for the past 17 years. McMahon holds degrees from the College of the Holy Cross, Tufts University, and Columbia University, Teachers College.
ISD hosts 6th annual Greenwich Color Challenge
The International School at Dundee (ISD) held its 6th annual Greenwich Color Challenge on Saturday, a community-wide event featuring a 1.25-mile run/walk and obstacle course with 10+ obstacle stations and six color powder stations. Participants were “dusted” with safe, non-toxic, washable color. The event raised funds for educational programming for all students in the school and also featured games, food, and prizes.
Brunswick School Plans to Take Over Old Carmel Academy Site
Brunswick School has submitted detailed plans to take over the old Carmel Academy site in Greenwich, Connecticut, for its Early Childhood Education Center and faculty housing. The school has said that a sale of the site is in the works. Four buildings will be converted into faculty housing. The campus will not be used by any other group or organization other than the school, and no expansion of facilities is planned. Brunswick has agreed to stagger student drop-offs and pick-ups to avoid build-ups on Lake Avenue.
Hamilton Avenue School Teams Compete in Odyssey of the Mind
Two teams from Hamilton Avenue School in Connecticut recently competed in the 42nd Annual Connecticut Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament. The primary team made up of students in grades K-2 presented their solution to “Dinosaurs on Parade” and received positive comments from the judges. The Division I team, composed of students in grades 3-5, has been invited to attend the finals in Michigan in late May, representing Connecticut. The Division I team will be raising funds to send the students and their coach to Michigan.
Greenwich HS Recognized for Excellent Delegation at Model UN Conference
Greenwich High School received recognition for “Excellent Delegation” at the National High School Model United Nations Conference in New York. The conference, which is considered the premier event of the high school Model UN circuit, has hosted participants from over 130 countries. The GHS team of 32 students was awarded with Jeremy Bus and Joshua Herman receiving Awards of Excellence for the Organization of American States, and Tavi Choudhary and Anna Stempien receiving Awards of Excellence for the UN Human Rights Council. Additionally, Awards of Merit were given to six other GHS students.
SPORTS
Sacred Heart Greenwich Loses to Darien in Lacrosse Match
The Sacred Heart Greenwich Varsity A team played a competitive lacrosse match against Darien, the top-ranked team in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Girls High School Top 25 Rankings. The match saw both teams take the lead, with Darien ultimately winning 9-8 after scoring on an 8-meter shot with only eight seconds remaining in the second half.
Greenwich HS Boys Track Aims to Build on Successes, Wins Opener
Greenwich High School’s boys track and field team is hoping to continue their success from the 2022 season, where they won the FCIAC Championships and placed second at the CIAC Class LL Championships. With a strong group of returning athletes and talented newcomers, the team has high hopes for the upcoming season. In their season opener against Trumbull, senior captain Gianluca Bianchi won three individual events to help lead Greenwich to an 85-65 victory.
Greenwich High School Girls Track Team Wins Opener Against Trumbull
Greenwich High School girls outdoor track and field team won their opening match against Trumbull 88-57, with 12 wins. Junior tri-captain Esme Daplyn won two individual events and a relay race, while Sophia Riche won two field events. The team aims to make their mark this spring after their success during the winter indoor season.
Greenwich Academy Varsity A Lacrosse Team Sweeps Spring Fling Tournament
Greenwich Academy’s Varsity A lacrosse team won both their games at the Spring Fling tournament in Virginia, defeating Loyola Academy 14-13 in overtime and Georgetown Visitation 11-8. They are currently ranked No. 21 in the Nike/USA Lacrosse National High School Rankings.
Greenwich High School Girls Lacrosse Starts Season with 20-4 Win
Greenwich High School’s girls lacrosse team started their season with a dominant 20-4 win against Norwalk, displaying strong passes, shooting, and defense. The team has senior leaders including captains Sophia Neitzell, MK Savio, Cece Tauber, and Keira Young, and coach Tara Clough aims to build a championship program.
Greenwich HS Baseball Team Aims for FCIAC and State Tournaments
Greenwich High School’s baseball team, coached by Adrian Arango, is starting its 2023 season with the goal of qualifying for the FCIAC and state tournaments and making deep runs. After finishing with a 9-12 record in 2022, the team is hoping to improve on their close defeats from last year.
SHG Varsity A Lacrosse Wins 5th Straight Game
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A lacrosse team continued their successful start to the season with a 13-7 victory over Cold Spring Harbor. This marks their fifth consecutive win, with senior attack Kelly Haggerty leading the Tigers with a hat trick and two assists. Junior midfielder Payton Sfreddo and Maggie Bacigalupo also recorded three goals each, while senior attack Karina Sethi contributed two goals and one assist.
Brunswick School Lacrosse Team Wins 21-10 Against Deerfield Academy
Brunswick School’s lacrosse team beat Deerfield Academy 21-10 at Cosby Field. Brunswick scored 13 goals in the first half and limited Deerfield to just one goal in the second half. Senior midfielder/tri-captain Tomas Delgado recorded four goals and three assists, while junior attack Payton Anderson notched three goals and two assists. Brunswick’s record is now 3-0.
Greenwich High Boys Lacrosse Loses Season Opener
Greenwich High School boys lacrosse team lost to Pleasantville High School 12-6 in their season opener. Coach Bobby Lutz expects a difficult season with many first-season varsity athletes but also noted the talent of the players.
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A Lacrosse Team Maintains Perfect Record
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Varsity A lacrosse team has a 4-0 record this season and defeated Penn Charter School 11-9 last Thursday. Senior attack/co-captain Kelly Haggerty scored four goals and two assists, and junior midfielder Payton Sfreddo scored two goals. The team has a good balance of experienced and younger players, and they will face Cold Spring Harbor next.
Greenwich High School Girls Rugby Team Loses Season Opener
Greenwich High School’s girls rugby team lost their season opener against Morris Rugby Club from New Jersey, 25-0, in a game played in rainy and chilly conditions. Morris, ranked No. 7 in the nation, dominated the first 20 minutes, scoring a converted try and a penalty kick. Despite the loss, the match was full of energy, intensity, and passion.
FROM HARTFORD
AG Tong Supports New Blood Donation Policy for LGBTQ Community
Attorney General William Tong has joined a 22-state coalition in supporting the Biden Administration’s proposed policy to ease the restrictions on the LGBTQ population’s blood and plasma donations. The proposed guidelines would use a risk-based analysis for all donors instead of the current three-month waiting period for gay and bisexual men. This move aims to address the shortage of blood donations and end discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
Connecticut Grants $5,000 to 41 Municipalities for Cemetery Maintenance
Governor Ned Lamont announced that state grants will be awarded to 41 municipalities across Connecticut to provide maintenance to neglected burial grounds and cemeteries. The grants, which total $5,000 each, are being released under the state’s Neglected Cemetery Account Grant Program, which is administered by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management. The program is funded by revenue collected by the Connecticut Department of Public Health from the issuance of death certificates. The grants can be used by municipalities to support the basic maintenance of cemeteries, including clearing weeds, mowing, repairing fences or walls, and restoring memorial stones.
