POLICE & FIRE
Officer Frank Solomon has advanced to the rank of Master Police Officer (MPO) after finishing his probationary period. Assigned to the Midnight Shift, he has significantly contributed to decreasing motor vehicle thefts in the town. Supervisors in the Patrol and Detective Division depend on MPO Solomon’s experience, tasking him with leadership responsibilities in the absence of primary supervisors, and often assigning him the role of a Field Training Officer (FTO) to uphold operational standards.
Officer Siuyan Su Ah Sor has completed her probationary period and been appointed Master Police Officer (MPO). She also serves as one of the Department’s Field Training and Crisis Intervention Officers. MPO Su Ah Sor and her colleagues will lead field operations, including responding to motor vehicle collisions and crimes in progress. Congratulations to Master Police Officer Siuyan Su Ah Sor on her achievement!
Officer Sebastian Arenas completed his six-month probationary period and is now officially appointed to the position of Master Police Officer (MPO). Officer Arenas received both a gold medal and was previously Officer of the Month.
Over the St. Patrick’s holiday weekend, the Greenwich Police Department shared their recent statistics concerning traffic safety. Officers responded to 426 calls for assistance, conducted 92 motor vehicle stops, and made 4 DWI arrests. They also investigated 11 motor vehicle collisions, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries. With the onset of spring, the police are focused on maintaining community safety, collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to prioritize traffic safety measures, especially during April, designated as National Distracted Drivers Month. They will target distracted driving behaviors, including the use of handheld cell phones.
FROM TOWN HALL
The Greenwich Department of Public Works and the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Taskforce are hosting a series of meetings to gather feedback on traffic and pedestrian safety, engaging residents from various neighborhoods. Five evening meetings will target specific neighborhoods, with an additional daytime session covering all town areas. These forums, initiated with a meeting in Old Greenwich and Riverside, aim to address unique concerns like intersections and pedestrian crossings, providing residents with opportunities to voice their opinions and contribute to improving roadway safety.
The Greenwich Department of Human Services operates the Campership program, which enables children to attend summer camps aims to provide summer camp experiences to children who would otherwise be unable to afford them. The Campership program is facing funding shortages this year, potentially impacting more than 60 children. Camp sponsorships vary from $50 to $1,000 per child, prompting the department to seek community donations to bridge the financial gap.
Aquarion Water Company and Snyder Civil Engineering have requested a 90-day extension for water main work on Greenwich Avenue, aiming to update Aquarion’s system to reduce leaks. The town authorities aim to minimize disruptions, with work already underway at nighttime since last month. The Board of Selectmen will reconsider the extension soon, acknowledging concerns raised by residents about nighttime disruptions.
AROUND TOWN
Invasive species pose a significant threat to land use and can escalate the difficulties and expenses of managing them if left unchecked. Their unchecked proliferation can damage the natural landscape and restrict outdoor recreational opportunities, with invasive species causing an annual economic impact of $120 billion in the United States. The spotted lanternfly, identified in Fairfield and New Haven Counties in Connecticut, has prompted a Quarantine Order from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station to curb its spread. The primary focus is to stop the life cycle of the spotted lanternfly, ensuring that this species is eradicated and no longer a threat.
Representatives from the Humane Society of Connecticut recently proposed a ban on traveling acts with certain wild animal species, emphasizing the cruelty of forcing them to perform while constantly on the move to Greenwich Board of Selectmen. Annie Hornish and Laura Hagen presented the proposal, highlighting research on animal hardships and a broader shift in public opinion towards animal welfare. The outcome of the proposal will determine if Greenwich will join other jurisdictions in enacting measures to protect wild animals from exploitation in entertainment.
Bruce Park in Greenwich is nominated for the “Best City Parks 2024” title by USA Today and the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, with voting open until April 8 and winners announced on April 17. Established in 1908 by philanthropist Robert Moffat Bruce, the park spans 100 acres and offers amenities such as sports fields and walking paths. Efforts led by First Selectman Fred Camillo aim to preserve the park’s heritage through a historic designation, reflecting its significance in Greenwich. As of Thursday, March 21st at 5am, Bruce Park is ranked in 10th place overall. You can vote by visiting https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-city-park-2024/
Residents can access the local dump for $25 annually, but some in town argue that fee doesn’t cover actual costs and creates unfairness between residents who use haulers and those who don’t. Ultimately the decision is up to the RTM
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
The Greenwich Land Trust has renewed its accreditation. The renewal process, conducted by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, evaluated the Trust’s conservation practices over 1,012 acres in Greenwich. This reaffirms the Trust’s dedication to conservation and its recognition within a national network of accredited land trusts.
COBS Bread Riverside bakery has chosen Abilis for their 4th Annual Doughnation Day 2024 charity campaign. They raised $3,058 for Abilis through bakery donations from the local community.
Jewish Family Services thanks UJA-JCC of Greenwich for donating 40 Dignity Grows bags for incoming refugee families. These bags, packed by the UJA-JCC women’s division, contain essential toiletries and personal care items for the refugees.
The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich is hosting its annual gala on April 3rd at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich, where the 2024 Youth of the Year and recipients of the David Ogilvy Award and Champions of Youth will be honored. The Youth of the Year program, established in 1969, recognizes members who demonstrate service, academic success, and moral character, with eleven candidates competing this year. The David Ogilvy Award, introduced in 2023, celebrates individuals embodying values of trust and compassion, echoing David Ogilvy’s commitment to the club’s mission, with tickets available at bgcg.org.
The Flinn Gallery at the Greenwich Library is presenting (De)Construct, an exhibition featuring artists Linda Lindroth, Ryan Sarah Murphy, and Keiko Narahashi, and curated by Kirsten Pitts and Isabelle Schiavi. Their art, which includes photography, assemblages, and clay sculptures, delves into the interplay between abstraction and representation, challenging viewers’ perceptions of depth, materiality, and meaning by transforming mundane objects into abstract pieces. Open until April 24, this season’s showcase is accessible to the public with varying hours throughout the show. For more information visit the Flinn Gallery’s website.
SCHOOLS
The Brunswick School celebrated the 91st anniversary of its Father-Son Dinner, a tradition since 1934, with over 750 attendees at Burke Field House. Kevin Decker ’07 and student Casey Quinson ’24 both spoke at the event. Decker shared lessons on the importance of a positive attitude and pursuing one’s passion, while Quinson highlighted the courage to try new things and the significance of the school’s motto in shaping honorable and truthful characters.
The Greenwich High School chess team won the 2024 state championship, showcasing their strategic skills and dedication.
Greenwich Country Day School’s middle school has announced its new leadership team. Marshall Spooner is now Head of the Middle School and Taylor Jones, a respected math teacher and department chair, will serve as Assistant Head of the Middle School starting July 1, 2024.
Young women from Greenwich Country Day School visited the School of Leadership – Afghanistan (SOLA) in Rwanda, where they connected with Afghan girls who had fled the Taliban. They formed friendships, learned about each other’s cultures, and explored Rwanda’s history.
Central Middle School’s Theater Arts department presents “The Wizard of Oz” on March 22nd and 23rd, featuring over 90 cast and crew members, including mentors from GPS staff and GHS students. The production, overseen by Co-Directors Maddy Gale and Danielle Berard, follows Dorothy Gale’s quest to find her way home from the magical land of Oz, encountering challenges along the way, including the Wicked Witch of the West and is led by 8th grader Sophie Sterling as Dorothy.
Ten students from Greenwich High School are advancing to the Connecticut History Day competition, which serves as a gateway to the National History Day Competition held at the University of Maryland.
The Old Greenwich School’s renovation project faces a second attempt at securing construction funding after a setback last year, with an estimated cost of $44.3 million. Delays and increased material prices resulted in a nearly $1.5 million rise from the original budget of $42.7 million, prompting a meticulous reassessment by the building committee. Despite differing cost estimates, the committee unanimously supports the recommended $44.3 million version, emphasizing safety concerns and cost-saving measures, but the project’s realization hinges on securing funding from various boards by June 30, 2025.
SPORTS
Greenwich High School’s boys swimming team celebrated their 10th consecutive State Open championship and their 38th overall, showcasing exceptional performances and leadership, particularly from seniors Kegan Clark and Felix Flakstad, who were instrumental in securing victory with individual and relay wins.
At the 2024 Nike Indoor Nationals, the Greenwich High School team of Esme Daplyn, Ellie Daplyn, Kate Friedman, and Lauren Resnick achieved third place in the Women’s Championship 4xMile Relay, setting both a Connecticut state and school record with their All-American time of 20:53.65.
Jacob Winston, a senior from Greenwich High School, secured a commendable second-place finish in the CIAC Class LL diving finals, contributing significantly to Greenwich’s overall victory in the Class LL team championship with a team score of 852 points. This performance at Sheehan High School on March 7 highlighted the depth and talent of Greenwich’s team, including other notable finishes from teammates.
In a decisive quarterfinal match of the CIAC Division I Boys Hockey Tournament, top-seeded New Canaan achieved a commanding 7-0 victory over ninth-seeded Greenwich, marking their fourth win against the Cardinals this season and advancing to the semifinals on a notable 16-game winning streak.
At the 2024 U.S. High School Squash Championships in Philadelphia, the Greenwich High School boys’ squash team clinched their first national championship, while the girls’ team secured a commendable third place among over 200 schools, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and resilience.
The Greenwich High School boys alpine skiing team dominated the Class L regular season, buoyed by deep talent and relentless improvement, culminating in their celebrated victory at the CISL State Open Championship at Mount Southington. Team members shared a profound sense of accomplishment and unity, attributing their success to hard work, mutual support, and a collective drive to excel, overcoming challenges and setbacks along the way.
LOCAL POLITICS
Greenwich is preparing for the April 2 Presidential Preference Primary with a voter education forum, organized by the local delegation to Hartford. Scheduled for March 19 at Town Hall’s Cone Room from 7 pm to 8 pm, the forum features state officials, including Sen. Ryan Fazio, Reps. Rachel Khanna, Stephen Meskers, Hector Arzeno, and Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas, aiming to explain early voting’s impact on future elections. Open to the public without registration, the event seeks to enhance civic awareness and understanding within the Greenwich community.
FROM HARTFORD
Governor Ned Lamont allocated nearly $41 million to expand broadband in Connecticut through the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program, managed by the DEEP. The program targets underserved areas, mandates minimum speeds of 100 Mbps, and is open to various entities. Applications are open until April 30, 2024, with plans for the BEAD Program Challenge Process to address broadband map inaccuracies.
ACROSS CT
The FDA has identified an outbreak of norovirus linked to oysters from Norm Bloom and Son, harvested in February and distributed across multiple states, prompting a warning against their consumption due to potential contamination. A cluster of cases in Minnesota led to the discovery, with 12 people falling ill after dining at a single restaurant, and norovirus confirmed in two instances. Despite the outbreak, tests found no bacteria or viruses in the oysters or their harvest area, and Norm Bloom and Son have cooperated with the recall, emphasizing their commitment to safety.
OUR NEIGHBORS
Filling In The Blank’s (FITB) Sixth Annual Unite to Fight 5K at Waveny Park is a fundraiser aiming to combat childhood hunger by providing weekend meals to children in need, benefiting 7,500 children in Fairfield and Westchester Counties. Proceeds also aid FITB’s mobile pantry, distributing 220,000 pounds of food to families in Norwalk and Stamford. Attendees can register as fundraisers, walkers, or runners and receive complimentary pre-race training with fitness coach Monica Concha. For more information visit www.runsignup.com/Race/CT/NewCanaan/UnitetoFight
