Blood shortage
American Red Cross officials are urging Greenwich residents to donate blood or platelets to address a nationwide shortage caused by winter weather-related cancellations of 265 blood drives. This has resulted in over 8,000 uncollected donations and potential shortages in hospitals. The Red Cross needs to collect a significant number of units daily to support hospitals, and there is a particular concern about the declining involvement of young donors.
Greenwich Reform Synagogue, 92 Orchard St., Feb. 6.
Belle Haven Club, 100 Harbor Drive, Feb. 7.
Greenwich Blood Donation Center, 99 Indian Field Road, open slots on Feb. 8, Feb. 13, Feb. 16, Feb. 19, Feb. 20.
First Presbyterian Church, 1 West Putnam Ave., Feb. 16.
POLICE & FIRE
Greenwich Professional Firefighters responded to a chimney fire, with Engine 2 confirming its severity, prompting the upgrade to a “working fire.” Engine 8 creatively used a nearby frozen pond as a water source to combat the flames. Multiple units, including Engines 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8, Tower 1, and Command 4, as well as volunteer tankers, joined forces at the scene. There were no injuries, and an investigation by Greenwich Fire Department Marshals is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
Last Friday, a car theft occurred at a gas station in town when a woman left her unlocked 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC-300 with the keys inside at the Shell station on 401 W. Putnam Ave around 10:40 am. The thief took the opportunity to steal the vehicle, which was later recovered in New Haven, but the thief remains unidentified, and no arrests have been made. Captain John Slusarz of the Greenwich Police Department advised residents to lock their cars and take their keys even for short errands.
FROM TOWN HALL
First Selectman Fred Camillo presented the town budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Camillo proposed a $505.1 million budget with a 4.76 percent increase, including a 3.24 percent mill rate rise which would not affect Greenwich’s standing with the second lowest mill rate in CT. He emphasized efficiency, and introduced two new positions, and sought funding for pedestrian safety and infrastructure. The budget process involves meetings, public input, and discussions leading up to the final budget approval.
The Department of Parks and Recreation is accepting undecorated Christmas trees for recycling until January 31, 2024. The trees will be chipped into wood chips, which can be used as mulch or compost, and some will be kept for town park usage, such as mulching trails and shrub beds. This recycling initiative showcases a dedication to environmental stewardship by repurposing Christmas trees for nature’s benefit after the holiday season.
AROUND TOWN
Last week, 60 third-grade students from Old Greenwich visited Town Hall, displaying a keen interest in learning about local government and asking insightful questions. Teachers Christine Distel, Tracy Martineau, and Regina Tracy-Semmes played a pivotal role in educating these students about civic matters. Town Clerk Jackie Budkins facilitated a tour of the records room, while Greenwich Emergency Medical Service (GEMS) provided an ambulance tour, fostering positive interactions and promoting civic engagement among the youth in Greenwich’s future.
The Town of Greenwich Department of Public Works received three awards for the Davis Avenue Bridge Replacement project. The project, which aimed to upgrade the bridge, improve pedestrian access, and maintain aesthetics, was completed in the spring of 2022, using Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques. The $4.1 million project was fully funded through a State of Connecticut Local Bridge Program grant, with Alfred Benesch & Company handling construction plans and A. Vitti Excavators, LLC as the contractor.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
The Friends of Greenwich Point are looking for volunteers on Saturday, January 27, from 9 am to 11 am. Their goal is to protect the dunes using recycled Christmas trees. Volunteers should meet at the first parking lot near the Christmas trees. To participate, send an email to fogpvolunteer@gmail.com ahead of time. This is an opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts.
More than fifty people gathered at the Sound Beach Firehouse in Old Greenwich for the Annual Meeting of the Friends of Binney Park, celebrating their efforts to enhance Binney Park. Emilia Lim, daughter of Curtis and Mercedes Lim, won the “Name the turtle mascot” competition with the name “BIN” from over a hundred entries. She received a stuffed turtle as a prize.
The Cavalier Gallery will host an exhibition of American photographer Steve McCurry’s work from February 8 to March 9, highlighting his contributions to contemporary photography. McCurry’s career began with travels to India after college, and he gained recognition for his photos of the Soviet invasion in rebel-controlled areas of Afghanistan. His extensive body of work spans various countries and subjects, and he has received prestigious awards, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal and the Centenary Medal for Lifetime Achievement from the Royal Photographic Society. This exhibition showcases McCurry’s enduring legacy in photography.
The Bruce Museum is hosting the “Photographic Revolutionaries of Group f/64: Works from the Bank of America Collection” exhibition until April 28, 2024. This exhibition showcases American photographers from the 1930s who aimed to redefine photography as an art form by moving away from soft-focus Pictorialism and adopting precise compositions. It features works by influential photographers such as Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Willard Van Dyke, Brett Weston, and Edward Weston.
Girl Scout Troop No. 50303 partnered with community leader Bob DeAngelo to earn Girl Scout Math in Nature badges and Tree STEM badges. The meeting took place at North Street School. DeAngelo also shared bike safety tips with the scouts and led them on a night hike. During a recent activity, he taught the scouts about wood slices, emphasizing their natural characteristics.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, will be honored with the Peterson Business Award at a gala dinner on April 4, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Greenwich, Connecticut, as announced by the Greenwich Library. The award recognizes Dalio’s influential career and contributions to finance. Governor Lamont will present the award, and the event details can be found at greenwichlibrary.org/peterson.
The YWCA Greenwich has revealed the honorees for the 2024 Women Who Inspire Awards, recognizing their contributions in philanthropy, the professional realm, and volunteer work. Among the honorees are Shari E. Aser, Maria Cecilia C. Asnis, MD, Debbie Katz, Leslie Moriarty, Eliza Niblock, 2020 Sentinel Awardee Pam Pagnani, Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, Kisha Mitchell Richards MD, Dr. Danielle M. Robinson, Leslie Yager, Deb Rogan, and Elisa Wilson. Additionally, the 2024 Next Generation Women Who Inspire Award will be granted to students Natalie Cook, Nia Forbes, and Francesca Marangi, with Mary Lee Kiernan, President and CEO of YWCA Greenwich, expressing her enthusiasm for this recognition tradition in Greenwich.
River House Adult Day Center has appointed Diandria (Dee) Hernandez as its new executive director. Hernandez, with 22 years of experience in social and direct services, was previously the director of the Center for Adults Living Well at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood. She expressed her commitment to improving the lives of older adults and their caregivers by building on the center’s foundation and ensuring quality care.
SCHOOLS
Last week, 60 third-grade students from Old Greenwich visited Town Hall, displaying a keen interest in learning about local government and asking insightful questions. Teachers Christine Distel, Tracy Martineau, and Regina Tracy-Semmes played a pivotal role in educating these students about civic matters. Town Clerk Jackie Budkins facilitated a tour of the records room, while Greenwich Emergency Medical Service (GEMS) provided an ambulance tour, fostering positive interactions and promoting civic engagement among the youth in Greenwich’s future.
Connecticut middle schools are gearing up for the CT Regional of the National Science Bowl on February 10 at Smith Middle School in Glastonbury, with the winning team advancing to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., from April 25 to April 29. This academic competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, includes representatives from Greenwich’s Central Middle School and Eastern Middle School.
The Board of Education has proposed including $43 million for the OGS project’s renovation in next year’s capital budgets. The BET committee has not approved this funding despite previous attempts. Supporters of the OGS renovation voiced their dedication to the project during a recent meeting. The Board of Education endorsed a $192.6 million budget, a 5.6 percent increase from the current year.
Several Greenwich schools have been recognized as “schools of distinction” by the State Department of Education for their notable academic growth in the 2022-2023 school year. Greenwich Public Schools expressed satisfaction with this recognition and emphasized their commitment to providing valuable educational resources. The Next Generation Accountability System, which assesses school districts, showed Greenwich Public Schools exceeding the state average with a score of 82.5 percent.
Sacred Heart Greenwich has appointed Mrs. Caitlin O’Neill as the Head of Lower School, to start July 1, 2024. O’Neill, an experienced educator, and alumna of Convent of the Sacred Heart 91st Street, brings 14 years of experience from the same institution in New York City. In her new role, O’Neill aims to promote innovation, collaborate with other school heads, and create a supportive learning environment while fostering joyful learning and expanding educational opportunities for all students.
In 2026, Central Middle School is planning to open its doors, with a commitment from school officials to preserve its traditions, including the tile project and the Maria Fareri memorial garden. The construction of the new academic building, costing $112 million, will occur in two phases, currently set to begin in October, with a focus on safety and minimizing disruptions through coordination with the construction team.
The Board of Education has new leadership with Karen Hirsh as vice chair and Wendy Vizzo Walsh as secretary. This change followed the election of Karen Kowalski as BOE chair by the Board of Selectmen. Kowalski highlighted her positive working relationship with Hirsh and her dedication to improving Greenwich Public Schools, receiving strong board support, with a 6-0 vote in favor of Hirsh. Hirsh, in turn, expressed gratitude for the role and nominated Vizzo Walsh as secretary, who was unanimously approved by the board with a 7-0 vote.
Greenwich Public Schools sought a waiver to deviate from the mandated K-3 reading curriculum, initially denied by the state. Superintendent Toni Jones requested a reconsideration, emphasizing that the state reviewed incorrect materials and failed to accurately assess the GPS curriculum’s alignment with statutory standards. This situation stems from the Right to Read Legislation, allowing districts to request waivers if they believe their curriculum meets or exceeds state recommendations. Jones concluded that if the state still found the GPS curriculum lacking, they should clearly explain how our town’s curriculum failed to meet statutory requirements.
SPORTS
The Greenwich High School boys swimming team is having a successful season, remaining undefeated with a 5-0 record. Senior Felix Flakstad led the team to victory with two individual wins, and the team’s impressive performances, including strong relay races, secured their 106-80 win over Fairfield Prep.
Greenwich High School’s wrestling team had a successful outing at the Brunswick Invitational Wrestling Tournament. Despite facing tough competition, they secured fourth place in the team standings, with notable performances by sophomore Colin Falla and freshman Cody Griesmeyer, both earning second-place finishes in their respective weight classes.
At the 49th annual Brunswick Invitational Wrestling Tournament, Brunswick School showcased its talent with one wrestler, Christian Yanoti, winning the 115-pound championship, and the team earning a third-place finish overall. Greens Farms Academy secured the team title, with Trinity Pawling School taking second place in the competition.
Greenwich High School’s boys basketball team secured a much-needed victory with a 50-39 win over Bridgeport Central. Led by sophomore forward Sandro Scott’s career-high 20 points and senior co-captain Connor Parkes’ 13-point effort, the Cardinals ended a six-game losing streak, improving their overall record to 3-6. The team’s solid passing and ball movement, along with Scott’s scoring prowess, played a significant role in their success.
Greenwich High School’s girls basketball team defeated Bridgeport Central 60-44, with a strong team effort, including four players scoring in double digits and contributions from seven players overall. This win improved Greenwich’s record to 7-4, breaking a two-game losing streak, and showcased their ability to attack the rim effectively while demonstrating perseverance on both ends of the court.
The Greenwich Country Day School girls varsity basketball team showed resilience and teamwork in their game against The Storm King School, despite facing a 10-point halftime deficit. Although Storm King eventually won 54-47, the Greenwich team found many positives in their performance, with coach Elisa Brown praising their progress and teamwork. Sophomore center Mia McCauliffe-Grant and junior point guard Brianna McDermott played key roles in the team’s spirited comeback.
The Brunswick School wrestling team had a successful weekend this past weekend, winning three dual meets and improving their season record to 12-1. They dominated their opponents, with co-captain Michael Accetta leading the way with a key victory in the 132-pound match against Hotchkiss, and the team securing impressive wins against Marvelwood and The Taft School.
LOCAL POLITICS
In a recent Greenwich Representative Town Meeting (RTM), Alexix Voulgaris was re-elected as the moderator, marking her second term. Katherine LoBalbo was also re-elected as the moderator pro tempore.
FROM HARTFORD
Connecticut lawmakers are considering restrictions on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) due to concerns about their impact on wildlife. Christine Cummings advocates for an outright ban on SGARs, promoting alternative pest management methods, while Mike Lipsett, from Connecticut Pest Elimination, is cautious about adopting strict rules, emphasizing safety measures in SGAR use. The fate of SGARs remains uncertain as Connecticut’s legislative chambers gear up for a new session, with the debate focusing on effectiveness, affordability, and wildlife protection.
Connecticut officials are warning businesses about a scam by CT UCC Statement Service, where businesses are solicited to pay $90 for a Uniform Commercial Code report through misleading government-like notices. The company has no affiliation with the state, and these reports are freely available on the Secretary of the State’s website. Recipients are advised not to respond to the solicitations, and those who have paid are encouraged to file complaints with the Attorney General’s office.
