POLICE & FIRE
Robert Ferretti is retiring after 17 years with the Greenwich Police Department and 40 years in law enforcement, during which he served as a firearms instructor, training GPD officers in firearm use and de-escalation techniques. He also educated the community on gun safety through the Citizen’s Police Academy. Ferretti’s expertise contributed to the renovation of the range, completed in 2021.
Earlier this week, Greenwich Fire Department swiftly responded to a structure fire on Delevan Avenue, with Engine 3 confirming smoke and flames at a three-story building. Concerns of trapped children prompted an aggressive interior attack while additional crews searched. Thankfully, all residents evacuated safely, and firefighters contained the blaze with no reported injuries before handing over the scene to the Fire Marshal’s Office.
FROM TOWN HALL
The outdoor dining program in Town is undergoing improvements, with a focus on enhancing the appearance of the jersey barriers used to protect diners from traffic. Residents are invited to submit design ideas for these barriers through a competition organized by the Re-Imagine Greenwich Committee. Winning designs will be selected in March.
In Greenwich, the Assessor’s Office is accepting applications for the Senior & Totally Disabled Tax Relief Program until May 15. Qualified homeowners, aged 65 and above or those with total disability, may receive a tax credit of up to $2,511, depending on their annual gross income. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, individuals can visit official channels or contact the Assessor’s Office directly at 203-622-7885, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
AROUND TOWN
Aquarion Water Company, led by Justin Xenelis, is set to initiate a months-long water main replacement project along Greenwich Avenue starting next week, with work scheduled from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., Sunday through Friday. Covering approximately 2,000 feet from Elm Street to Grigg Street, the project involves nightly excavations, replacement of water main sections, and temporary closures of parking spaces. Coordinated with local authorities and managed by Snyder Civil Engineering and AJ Penna, the project aims to upgrade infrastructure before road resurfacing, with Aquarion providing advance notifications of potential water service disruptions and encouraging residents to sign up for progress alerts.
Old Greenwich has garnered attention recently due to rising real estate prices and rents, prompting business owners like John Hilton to vacate their spaces. Discussions also revolve around the sale of mixed-use buildings and disputes over local shop displays, while proposals for changes such as murals and new bridge designs have stirred debates among residents. Efforts by Rita Baker and Candace Garthwaite aim to protect natural and architectural assets, with a new proposal for a Village District seeking to maintain the village’s character through careful development oversight, marking a pivotal moment in Old Greenwich’s history.
Demolition is underway at the closed Bow Tie Cinema on Railroad Avenue, with 16 parking spaces blocked off as part of the construction of “Greenwich Crossing,” a new retail and dining facility at the Greenwich train station by The Ashforth Co., set to be completed by 2025. Local businesses have expressed concerns about the parking shortage and declining business, prompting efforts to address the situation and balance community needs by Deputy Police Chief Kraig Gray. Despite challenges, there’s optimism for the project’s potential to enhance the area, with discussions initiated in 2022 and Planning & Zoning Commission approvals secured in March 2023.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
Parsonage Cottage Senior Residence in Greenwich is enhancing its communal spaces under Penny Lore’s leadership, renovating various areas and organizing a fundraiser for artwork to decorate the hallways. The initiative aims to ensure a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the facility, including its bright and comfortable bedrooms. Donations for the “Art from the Heart Fundraiser” can be made to support this effort.
The Undies Project’s 9th Annual Mardi “Bra” Drive, coinciding with February’s Mardi Gras celebrations, aims to collect new bras to help women and girls facing clothing insecurity due to homelessness or financial struggles. Co-Founder Lucy Langley underscores the importance of clean undergarments for dignity and self-respect. Supporters can contribute by purchasing new bras from The Undies Project’s Amazon Wish List, making financial donations, or sending mail-in donations. Co-Founder Laura Delaflor emphasizes donating new bras in specific sizes and conditions for hygiene and quality maintenance.
SCHOOLS
Greenwich Country Day School (GCDS) plans to expand its athletic facilities by purchasing a neighboring property, 247 Stanwich Road, for a new six-lane track and related amenities. The lack of a dedicated track currently forces the school’s track team to travel for training and competitions. Alongside the athletic upgrades, GCDS is considering broader modernization projects, including a theater and digital arts facility, though the initiative faces review by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
SPORTS
Greenwich High School celebrated 11 student-athletes committing to college sports in a ceremony earlier this week, with Principal Ralph Mayo and Athletic Director Peter Georgiou offering congratulations. Mayo emphasized the school’s robust athletic program, noting 42 varsity sports and 22 students earning Division I scholarships. Notable commitments included Csongor Bartuszek for Water Polo at Fordham, Esme Daplyn for Cross Country at Dartmouth, and Harrison Goldenberg for Track and Field at Columbia, with attendees showing support for the athletes’ achievements.
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s basketball team secured the FAA regular season championship with a decisive 60-23 victory over Hopkins School, finishing undefeated in the FAA for the first time in program history. Led by a balanced scoring effort and strong defensive play, the Tigers demonstrated their dominance throughout the season, setting high hopes as they prepare for the upcoming FAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed.
Greenwich High School boys swimming/diving team remains undefeated at 9-0 after recent victories over FCIAC opponents Westhill/Stamford and New Canaan, with their toughest test so far against New Canaan resulting in an eight-point win. Legendary coach Terry Lowe’s Cardinals, who have a history of dominance, continue their season with upcoming meets against Fairfield Ludlowe and Norwalk/Brien McMahon.
Greenwich High School’s boys basketball team secured a dramatic 45-44 victory over Danbury, ending a three-game losing streak with Guy Germain’s clutch foul shot with 0.9 seconds remaining, while senior point guard Connor Parkes led with 22 points, and despite Danbury’s Cameron Perkins reaching 1,000 career points during the game, Greenwich’s strong defense and strategic play secured the crucial win for the Cardinals.
Brunswick School’s ice hockey team secured an impressive win against South Kent School 18U with three consecutive breakaway goals, including a record-setting performance by standout senior Brendan Giles, who scored his 31st goal of the season. Senior goalie Will Baker made 31 saves, contributing to the team’s 20th win of the season, highlighting their dominance both offensively and defensively as they head into a challenging stretch of games.
Greenwich Academy student Helena Borcherding and her crew, Genevieve Schmidt, secured the bronze medal at the I-420 US National Sailing Championships in Miami, Florida, with three first-place finishes out of nine races, earning them top junior boat honors. Borcherding and Schmidt also placed fourth and won top Junior Boat Honors at the US Sailing Junior Olympics 420 Championships in Jensen Beach, Florida, with one second-place and one third-place finish out of five races.
The Sacred Heart Greenwich basketball team has dominated the Fairchester Athletic Association, boasting a 7-0 record and clinching the regular season championship with convincing victories, including a notable win against St. Luke’s School where senior Payton Sfreddo set a school record with 38 points. Led by Sfreddo’s stellar performance and contributions from other key players like Lucianna Parrotta and Madison Hart, Sacred Heart holds a 13-4 overall record, securing the No. 1 seed in the FAA Tournament and a spot in the NEPSAC Class A Tournament.
The Brunswick School wrestling team achieved a commendable 4-1 record and secured second place in the Fairchester Athletic Association Championships, with notable performances from wrestlers such as Jack Degl and Michael Accetta, who earned FAA All-League Honorable Mention. Several Brunswick wrestlers, including freshmen Owen Bartoszek and Marco Sethi, have secured spots in the New England Prep Championships, while the team is preparing for upcoming competitions like the WNEISWA Championships and the NEPSWA Championships.
The Greenwich High School boys basketball team is focused on finishing strong after a series of close losses, including a recent defeat to Trumbull despite being within two points in the fourth quarter. Coach Todd Trimmer emphasizes the need for sustained performance throughout games, highlighting the team’s potential despite their current record of 3-9.
LOCAL POLITICS
On January 24th, members of the BET received a preview of the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, which is still under construction. Led by Project Manager Luigi Romano and Parks and Recreation Director Joseph Siciliano, the group toured the site wearing hard hats. They explored the amenities and asked questions to better understand the project before discussing its budget for fiscal year 2025. The BET will be reviewing the budget this months to prepare for the center’s opening in fall 2024.
FROM HARTFORD
Governor Ned Lamont introduced budget adjustments prioritizing housing and early childhood education, proposing to utilize federal pandemic relief funds to alleviate medical debts. The proposed budget reallocations, including increased funding for early childhood initiatives and mental health services, aim to maintain fiscal responsibility while meeting social and economic needs, with discussions expected among lawmakers, along with a surprising proposal to limit smartphone usage among schoolchildren, reflecting Lamont’s focus on modern challenges in education.
Approximately 75,000 Connecticut residents commute to New York City for work daily, prompting Governor Ned Lamont’s administration to propose a strategy encouraging them to sue New York over remote work taxes. This plan, part of Lamont’s budget proposal, aims to reclaim an estimated $200 million currently paid to New York. Connecticut Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management Jeffrey Beckham detailed the approach, involving individual lawsuits challenging New York’s tax policies with potential tax discounts for successful litigants, despite potential lengthy legal processes.
ACROSS CT
Each year, Chuckles XI, Connecticut’s groundhog headquartered in Manchester, predicts spring’s arrival on February 2nd based on his shadow sighting. Designated the state’s official groundhog in 1999, Chuckles maintains an 80 percent accuracy rate in his forecasts. This year, chuckles has predicted an early spring.
OUR NEIGHBORS
Northern states in New England and New York will witness a total solar eclipse on April 8 this year, but we residents in Connecticut, and our neighbors in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will need to travel north to experience it fully. The eclipse’s path of totality, spanning 115 miles wide according to NASA, will offer nearly four minutes of complete darkness depending on the observer’s location. NASA advises using specialized solar viewing glasses to protect against eye damage, with communities in states like New York, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire organizing events in anticipation of the celestial event.
Blue Sky Studios closed in April 2021 following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, resulting in the dispersal of 500 employees and halting projects like “Nimona.” “Nimona” was later revived by Annapurna Pictures, earning an Oscar nomination and leading to the establishment of Annapurna Animation, led by former Blue Sky staff. Now based in Stamford, Annapurna Animation is developing new projects, embodying resilience and adaptation with a core team including Julie Zackary and Nick Bruno.
