POLICE & FIRE
Deputy Chief Jeff Locher has retired after 27 years with the Greenwich Fire Department. Colleagues acknowledge his leadership, camaraderie, and firefighting expertise. They express gratitude for his dedication and wisdom, wishing him happiness in retirement.
FROM TOWN HALL
The DPW will unveil the North Street Bridge’s initial design at a public meeting on March 14, 2024, held at the Town Hall Meeting Room. This bridge, numbered 056-047, connects Cotswood Road and Macpherson Drive over West Brothers Brook, serving as a crucial commuter route and lying just 0.9 miles from a local school. With funding secured through the LOTCIP program, the project is in its preliminary design phase, awaiting approval from the BET and RTM, with an estimated cost of $3,000,000, overseen by Chief Engineer Gabriella M. Circosta Cohee.
AROUND TOWN
Outside Town Hall this morning, a ceremony was held to mark the start of American Red Cross Month. The community gathered to recognize the contributions of the American Red Cross, including the Metro New York North Chapter located in Cos Cob.
The Dorothy Hamill Rink replacement project gained momentum as the Board of Selectmen recommended it for Municipal Improvement (MI) status to the Planning & Zoning Commission, aiming to modernize the aging facility in Eugene Morlot Memorial Park. The proposed plan includes a new 40,660 square-foot ice rink with added amenities and involves relocating the baseball field, garnering broad support despite some concerns about community involvement and cost clarification. With financing expected to exceed $20 million and public/private partnerships envisioned, the unanimous approval signifies a significant step forward.
Scammers are targeting business owners by posing as government agencies, sending official-looking letters with fake regulations and threats of consequences for non-compliance. Victims are directed to websites or QR codes, facing fines if they don’t comply. Businesses should verify the authenticity of government correspondence, check website security, and report scams to authorities like the FBI.
New regulations on gasoline-powered leaf blowers will begin later this year, coinciding with the introduction of the Electric Landscape Equipment Expo aimed at promoting electric alternatives. Bilingual professionals will be on hand to assist attendees, and local equipment sellers will discuss the benefits of electric technology compared to gas blowers. The expo, open to the public and featuring brief demonstrations, will take place at Greenwich Town Hall on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with further details available on the town’s website.
Discussions about upgrading Glenville’s intersections have lingered for nearly a decade, but progress has been slow. The project, slated to start this year, faces delays due to high construction costs, prompting a reassessment of timelines. Despite funding challenges, officials remain committed to enhancing the Glenville corridor’s infrastructure, with plans to explore additional financing options to move the project forward.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
The Annual Greenwich Public School District Art Show is being held at the Bendheim Gallery at the Greenwich Art Council, 299 Greenwich Ave. The exhibition will feature student artworks in various mediums, including paintings and sculptures. The show runs from February 26th to March 10th.
It’s Girl Scout cookie season! Girl Scouts across various communities are engaged in the Girl Scout Cookie Program. While you can find an in-person booth to buy cookies from on the Girl Scouts’ website, you can also order for direct delivery to support local troops like our own Troop50300. The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls develop life and leadership skills while proceeds from sales benefit local councils and troops.
On March 2 and 3, the Cos Cob Firehouse will hold sign-ups for Greenwich Community Gardens, offering plots at Armstrong Court or Bible Street. Volunteers can also participate in the Culinary Wellness Garden at The Nathaniel Witherell. Managed by volunteers, these gardens sustainably produce organic food, donate to Neighbor to Neighbor, and provide locally grown fare for Witherell’s chef. Registration is open at the Cos Cob Firehouse community room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 2 and from noon to 4 p.m. on March 3, or online.
John Mastronardi, Executive Director of The Nathaniel Witherell, announced Dr. Jack DiTeodoro, MD, as the new Medical Director, succeeding Dr. Francis X. Walsh. With experience from his private practice and teaching role at Stamford Hospital, Dr. DiTeodoro brings expertise in family medicine. Mastronardi highlighted the crucial role of the Medical Director in coordinating care, while Dr. DiTeodoro expressed readiness to maintain high standards at The Nathaniel Witherell.
The Greenwich Sustainability Committee is soliciting nominations for its Second Annual Sustainability Awards, to be showcased at the Rethink Waste Fair by Waste Free Greenwich. Nominees are required to submit a photo and a statement, limited to 150 words, outlining their sustainability efforts in Greenwich. Eligibility is restricted to individuals, with a focus on youth, and committee members cannot be nominated. Submissions must be sent by March 15th to Sustainability@GreenwichCt.org.
The Junior League of Greenwich is currently seeking applicants for its $2,000 Community Service Award, which acknowledges dedicated female high school students in grades 9-12 from Greenwich who have demonstrated a commitment to community service. Interested candidates must exhibit their devotion to improving their community through volunteer efforts. Applications for the 2024 award can be accessed at www.jlgreenwich.org, requiring two non-family member recommendations and a submission deadline of April 1, 2024, with the chosen recipient honored at a reception in late spring.
The Undies Project’s 9th Annual Mardi Bra Drive ran throughout February and aimed to collect new bras for women and girls facing clothing insecurity due to homelessness or financial constraints. Even though Mardi Bra may be over, you can still make donations through Amazon Wish List purchases, monetary contributions on the organization’s website, or by sending new bras directly to The Undies Project. All sizes are welcome, with bras in sizes 32-38 being most needed, and donations must be new with tags attached or in their original packaging.
Outdoor dining in Greenwich will undergo changes in 2024, with higher costs for restaurants and an earlier end date, starting April 1st and concluding on November 3rd. Parking fees per stall will rise to $2,232, reflecting the updated parking rate, while fees for traffic barriers will increase to $29 per linear foot, with additional features like a barrier decoration contest introduced this year.
Residents in Greenwich convened under withe the Greenwich Sustainability Committee to address water examination and pollution management concerns. Anne Hulick, an environmental leader, discussed the prevalence of PFAS chemicals in local water systems, with elevated levels found in private wells and Parkway School’s supply. Approximately 50 attendees reflected the committee’s dedication, advocating for better communication while Hulick highlighted legislative efforts to address contamination and encouraged environmental advocacy among attendees.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
First Selectman Fred Camillo has joined S.E. Minor’s advisory board for $10,000 annually, focusing on aiding the firm’s market expansion. Despite concerns, Camillo’s role will be purely advisory, with no direct involvement in town affairs, as clarified by CEO Gigi Ma and approved by the Board of Ethics. Camillo asserts that the commitment is minimal, balancing his responsibilities as first selectman with private engagement.
SCHOOLS
COO Blaize Levitan is leaving Greenwich Public Schools to become the chief operating officer at Branford Public Schools starting April 29. Levitan, who joined Greenwich in 2022, oversaw finance, facilities, food services, and school safety. His departure is driven by a desire to be closer to home with his upcoming baby.
The Greenwich Public School district organized a fundraiser named “PJ Day” on February 9 to raise funds for pediatric cancer research at Connecticut Children’s Hospital. With support from staff, students, and families, the event raised $22,796. Over the past three years, the community has raised over $55,000 for pediatric cancer research through PJ Day. Organizers express gratitude to all contributors for their efforts in supporting the cause.
Hamilton Avenue School is actively implementing food scrap recycling to achieve zero waste goals, resulting in a significant 76% reduction in waste. Fifth-grade students are leading educational initiatives to raise awareness about food scrap recycling, organizing activities like baseline audits and competitions to encourage waste reduction among their peers. The cafeteria is abuzz with instructional videos and interactive games, making waste reduction engaging for students.
Earlier this week, third graders at Brunswick’s Lower School learned hand-lettering from artist Greg Lamarche. Their work will be displayed at Lower School Arts Night on May 8.
SPORTS
Over the weekend, students from GHS participated in the U.S. High School National Championships. The Boys’ team won first place in their division, while the Girls’ team secured third place in theirs.
The Greenwich High School varsity cheer team won first place in the All Girl Large Varsity Division at the Hatter Fest Cheer Competition. They scored 89 out of 100. Coach Ms. Julia Vyskocil praised the team’s dedication, noting their hard work since August in preparing for competitions and supporting various school sports events. The team looks forward to the Cheerleading State Championship at Trumbull High School in March.
The Brunswick School hockey team, with a remarkable regular season of 26 wins, secured the No. 3 seed in the NEPSAC Elite 8 Tournament and will face off against rival Salisbury School in the quarterfinals. Celebrating their 14 seniors in a decisive 6-1 win over Trinity Pawling, the Bruins capped off their regular season, entering the tournament with a record of 26-5-2 and demonstrating their strength and unity as a team.
Despite facing challenges with a late start due to weather conditions, the Greenwich High School women’s alpine skiing team has demonstrated resilience and determination, steadily improving throughout the season to secure a spot at the CISL State Championships. Through dedicated teamwork, video analysis, and individual improvements, the team has shown remarkable progress, with standout performances from athletes like Mariam Fahimi, who consistently placed in the top 10 and tied for first place in a race against formidable competitors.
Greenwich Country Day School’s boys basketball team secured a historic win in the FAA Basketball Tournament, led by Mekai Brown and Taj Walkers who scored a combined 42 points, clinching their first tournament title in only their third varsity season. With a strong defensive effort and cohesive teamwork, they defeated Brunswick School 63-53, showcasing their potential for a strong run in the upcoming NEPSAC Tournament.
Sacred Heart Greenwich secured the FAA Basketball Tournament title with a convincing 68-43 victory over St. Luke’s School, fueled by senior co-captain Payton Sfreddo’s 22 points and freshman Lucianna Parrotta’s 19 points, marking a significant triumph after years of St. Luke’s dominance and showcasing Sacred Heart’s depth and teamwork as they now look ahead to the NEPSAC Class A Tournament.
Sacred Heart Greenwich secured a spot in the FAA final by overcoming fifth-seeded Hamden Hall with a 53-49 victory, propelled by balanced scoring, solid defense, and crucial contributions off the bench, led by freshman guard Lucianna Parrotta. Despite a tense fourth quarter, the Tigers maintained composure, with standout performances from Madison and Victoria Hart, ultimately advancing to the championship game against St. Luke’s School, marking their first appearance since 2018-19 and fulfilling their season-long goal.
At the NEPSWA Championships, Brunswick School’s wrestling team showcased their talent with five wrestlers earning All-New England placement and qualifying for the National Prep Wrestling Championships. Led by standout performances from Owen Bartoszek, Christian Yanoti, and senior co-captain Michael Accetta, along with impressive showings from Alec Harned and Jack Degl, the team finished ninth in the standings out of 38 qualifying teams, setting a strong foundation for their participation in the National Prep Championships at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
Sacred Heart Greenwich is having a standout season, remaining undefeated in the FAA and advancing to the semifinals after a convincing victory over Greenwich Academy, led by senior guard Payton Sfreddo’s 16 points and sophomore guard Ava Curto’s impressive double-double performance. Despite facing early competition from Greenwich Academy, Sacred Heart dominated the second quarter, ultimately securing a 58-28 win and demonstrating confidence heading into the upcoming semifinals and NEPSAC Class A Tournament.
LOCAL POLITICS
The BET Budget Committee met this week to review the proposed budgets from the First Selectman and School Superintendent Toni Jones after seven days of presentations from town departments and schools. After deliberation, they reached a compromise on tax increases and unanimously passed the budget. It now awaits final approval from the full BET on March 27th and 28th, following a public hearing on March 25th.
The primary election on March 5th will select Republican Town Committee members in five districts, limited to registered Republicans in Districts 2, 4, 5, 8, and 9. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with voting locations specified for each district. To accommodate voters and school schedules, absentee ballots can be obtained in person or online, with special office hours provided for applications on March 2nd.
State Senator Ryan Fazio of the 36th district testified before the General Law Committee in support of Senate Bill 135, aiming to cap annual registration, certification, or licensing fees at $100. This proposal, which mirrors a previous one Fazio championed and the General Law Committee approved last year, seeks to alleviate financial burdens on individuals pursuing career advancement. Fazio emphasizes the bill’s focus on aiding working and middle-income families, aiming to promote economic inclusivity and resilience in Connecticut through bipartisan collaboration.
ACROSS CT
A study conducted by pet nutrition experts at PetLab revealed that the Golden Retriever emerged as the most popular breed across 38 states, including Connecticut, known for its gentle nature and trainability. Following closely behind is the French Bulldog, favored in nine states for its charm.
Municibid.com, based in Pennsylvania, facilitates the sale of government-owned items, including vehicles, attracting bids from across the nation and ensuring good returns for sellers. Madison police sold a dozen retired cruisers for $46,000 in the past year, with most going to private buyers and two to Texas police for refurbishment, utilizing proceeds for new equipment. The platform, founded in 2006 by Greg Berry, aims to address inefficiencies in surplus disposal, offering pre-equipped cruisers that save time and money for police departments alongside other items like a weathered but operational truck from Norwalk, currently up for auction with inspection encouraged before bidding.
OUR NEIGHBORS
Alina’s Cakes and Cookies, initially based in Fairfield, has expanded its operations to Westport, offering a diverse selection of baked goods, including cakes, pastries, bread, cupcakes, and cookies. Despite industry challenges, owner Alina Dancho reports strong performance, particularly in custom cakes and treats. The Westport community has warmly embraced the bakery, expressing gratitude for its presence in the area, with the new location situated at 1252 Post Road East.
Chip City Cookies is launching a new initiative called Dine and Donate to support charitable organizations across the nation. Today, Friday March 1st, Chip City Cookies in Darien is hosting an event from 4-7 pm to raise funds for Holmes Elementary School. All profits from in-store purchases during this time will go to the school, excluding catering, local delivery, and online orders.
