By Liz Leamy
Last Thursday, the Board of Selectmen from the town convened at the Greenwich Town Hall meeting room to conduct an in-person night meeting for the first time since 2020, marking an important benchmark moment for both the community and its figureheads.
This hour-long meeting that was open to the public drew approximately a dozen or so participants and was lead by First Selectman Fred Camillo, Selectman Lauren Rabin, (attending via Zoom as she was away with her family) and Select Person Janet Stone McGuigan, among others.
The meeting commenced with everyone there saying the Pledge of Allegiance and from there, the Board of Selectmen went on to address its agenda.
The first issue on the docket was as the success of the recent cleanup of the Rosa Hartman Park, thanks to efforts of individuals from the town and also from the City of Stamford, as this was a joint pursuit by both municipalities.
“We’d like thank everyone who helped clean up Rosa Hartman Park. We worked in tandem with Stamford and Greenwich was well represented,” said First Selectman Camillo, citing the size of the park is approximately 14 acres. “We hope to continue to improve the trails there and also add a few more.”
First Selectman Camillo also discussed the topic of the State of Connecticut’s recent road pavement of East and West Putnam Avenues in town.
Although this endeavor, handled by the State of Connecticut (and the Town of Greenwich) caused some temporary discomfort and inconvenience for drivers who had to navigate torn-up roads and raised manhole covers while traveling in town, the project has managed to be quite successful and is nearly completed.
“This was a state project and had to be done,” said First Selectman Camillo. “Please be careful when you see paving.”
Camillo also cited the recent opening of Freebird, an eatery located on West Putnam Avenue next to Whole Foods, expressing how it was emblematic of how that area is starting to evolve into a lively restaurant hub. (Patsy’s, an Italian eatery, is also planning to open a restaurant on that block in the future.)
Selectman Rabin addressed the success of the Free Music Friday event, in which local musical artists perform at Greenwich Common Park on Greenwich Avenue.
Free Music Fridays have been held every week from 12:30-1:30pm since June and will run through to September.
Selectman Rabin gave big thanks to the sponsors of this event as well as Greenwich Forward, a non-profit organization that expands public awareness, fund initiatives, events and amenities, among other things.
Selectperson McGuigan addressed the game-changing impact of the American Disabilities Act that was signed 25 years ago in 1990 by President George Bush (who grew up in Greenwich), expressing how it represented a historic milestone for so many in a multitude of ways, especially for so many of those here in the community.
Alan Gunzburg, Chair of the First Selectman’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities for the Town of Greenwich, elaborated on how vital the impact of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) has been for everyone, especially those individuals here in Greenwich, which is both ADA compliant and ADA inclusive.
“We must look to the future,” said Gunzburg. “We really appreciate the opportunity to spread our message through the town. Let us renew our commitment to Greenwich, where every voice is heard.”
First Selectman Camillo saluted the efforts of Gunzburg, pointing out their close working relationship over the past four years, with the intent to make certain that the town is ADA compliant and ADA inclusive and insure that it continues to be a priority for those in the community.
Conclusively, First Selectman Camillo wrapped up the night by addressing the logistics and other particulars regarding the upcoming St. Roch’s Feast that will held in Chickahominy from Wednesday August 9th through Saturday August 12th with the annual procession held on Sunday August 13th.
“I’m looking forward to being there and I’ll be working on the Pizza Fritta line,” said Camillo, who is on the St. Roch’s Feast Committee and will be working at the wine and beer tables there as well as at the Pizza Fritta station. “That venue is tightly run and I’m never at a loss for company there.”
