POLICE & FIRE
Greenwich Firefighters Battle Glenville Blazes
Greenwich firefighters responded to another brush fire in Glenville on Monday, aided by Glenville’s Squad 4 and Tanker 6. This followed a Saturday fire where Tankers 2, 6, 7, and 17 delivered over 8,000 gallons of water to contain the blaze. Greenwich remains under a no-burn ban due to dry, windy conditions.
Greenwich Police Lead Thanksgiving Food Drive
The Greenwich Police Department and Neighbor to Neighbor are holding a November food drive at Greenwich supermarkets to gather donations for low-income families before Thanksgiving. Officers will collect non-perishable items on November 9, 10, 16, 17, and 23. Information on locations is available through social media and the GPD website.
Greenwich Police Celebrate Officer Promotions
The Greenwich Police Department held a promotional ceremony where Andrew Greco was promoted to Sergeant and Daniel Bucci to Lieutenant. Chief James Heavey led the event, and First Selectman Fred Camillo read the Oath of Office for each officer. Bucci will serve as Executive Officer for the Patrol Division, and Greco will lead a patrol squad.
K-9 Officer Promotes Community Safety
K-9 Officer Franco and his partner, K-9 Arrow, wish everyone a safe November. They encourage anyone who sees them on patrol to stop and say hello.
GFD Urges I-95 Caution
The Greenwich Fire Department reports a significant rise in incidents on Interstate 95, with the southbound lanes averaging 150,000 vehicles daily and multiple emergency responses required each shift. A June accident underscored the risks, injuring three firefighters and totaling Engine 1. Drivers are reminded to slow down and move over for emergency and service personnel, as required by law.
GFD Urges Smoke Alarm Checks
With the end of Daylight Saving Time, the Greenwich Fire Department urges residents to test and replace smoke alarm batteries. Regular maintenance of smoke alarms is essential for safety. Working alarms can prevent loss of life in emergencies.
FROM TOWN HALL
Greenwich Evaluates First Early Voting
Greenwich introduced early voting for a presidential election this year, and the Registrars are working to improve the process for next year’s municipal elections. An online survey has been created for early voters to provide feedback on their experience: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TYG9MC7.
Greenwich Seniors Begin OnePass Renewals
Greenwich seniors can renew their Town OnePass now for the 2025-2029 beach and park season by verifying residency. Renewal is available online, by mail, or in person, requiring two residency proofs for the first senior in a household and one for any additional seniors. Current OnePass cards will be reactivated upon renewal, while other residents can renew starting in January.
Greenwich Recreation Launches Streamlined Newsletter
Greenwich Recreation has introduced a new, streamlined newsletter to provide updates on town events and recreational programs. Monthly updates are available on the Town website as a central source for recreation news. To subscribe, visit https://www.greenwichct.gov/list.aspx?ListID=314.
Greenwich Approves Tesla Lot Renovation
The Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission approved Tesla and Stampar Associates’ plan to renovate a parking lot on Laddins Rock Road with updates like new striping, reduced parking spaces for tree planting, and closed driveways. The lot, part of a larger property, will include emergency access, tree planting, and limited vehicle charging with fire marshal approval. Other conditions restrict expansion, lighting, and any change in use without further board review.
Bruce Park Designated Historic Property
Greenwich’s oldest public park, Bruce Park, has been designated a historic property, protecting it from future development. The designation requires any proposed construction to receive additional approval, ensuring that significant park features are preserved. Established in 1908, the park is the first in town to receive this historic status.
AROUND TOWN
Greenwich Reviews Berkley Office Proposal
This week, Greenwich’s Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed Berkley Insurance Company’s proposal to demolish five properties on Davenport Avenue and Steamboat Road to build a three-story office complex. The discussion focused on zoning issues, particularly the nonconforming aspects of the properties and whether the redevelopment would expand or merely continue these nonconformities. The commission will revisit the application at a later date.
Pumpkin Rescue Event
Waste Free Greenwich will hold its third annual Great Pumpkin Rescue on November 16, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Living Hope Community Church, Old Greenwich. The event will collect jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins, and gourds (without decorations) for composting and offer games, raffle prizes, and composting tips. For those unable to attend, pumpkins can also be dropped off at the Holly Hill Resource Recovery Facility.
U.S. Returns to Standard Time
Daylight Saving Time in the United States began on the second Sunday in March and ended on the first Sunday in November. On Sunday, clocks shifted back one hour as the country returned to Standard Time. For 2024, Daylight Saving Time ran from March 10 to November 3.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
DAR Honors Garden Club Restoration
The Putnam Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution awarded the Riverside Garden Club the DAR Historic Preservation Award for restoring the colonial herb garden at Putnam Cottage in Greenwich. The garden, neglected for 20 years, was replanted with historically accurate herbs and restored paths. The Israel Putnam House Association, which oversees the cottage, welcomes public visits.
Flinn Gallery Opens Extra Extra Exhibit
The Flinn Gallery at Greenwich Library will present pmExtra Extrapm, an abstract art exhibition featuring works by Palma Blank, Stephen Maine, and Doreen McCarthy, from November 14 through January 8, 2025. The opening reception is set for November 14 from 6 to 8 pm, and an artist talk will be held on December 7 at 2 pm The gallery is open daily with extended hours on Thursdays and is supported by Friends of the Greenwich Library.
RTM Honors Veteran Members for Service
At the start of its October meeting, the RTM honored seven members who are military veterans as part of Veterans Day observance. The recognized members included Skip Auch, Kip Burgweger, Jan Kniffen, Bob McKnight, Tom West, James Waters, and Daniel Izzo, all of whom served in various branches and conflicts. Each has also received notable distinctions for their military service.
Museum Adds “Plexus no. 43” Permanently
The Bruce Museum has added Gabriel Dawe’s “Plexus no. 43” to its permanent collection. Originally commissioned in 2022 and unveiled in April 2023, this installation of multicolored threads was initially on a three-year loan but became a permanent fixture due to its popularity. It now hangs above the gallery stairwell, transforming the space with its woven spectrum of light.
Beetlejuice Jr. Auditions
Open Arts Alliance will hold auditions for pmBeetlejuice Jr.pm, its spring MainStage premiere, on December 3, 4, and 5 at the Greenwich Arts Council, with callbacks on December 6. Youth in grades 2–12 are eligible to audition, with required registration at www.OpenArtsAlliance.com. Auditioners should prepare a 16-bar a cappella song and may be asked to participate in a dance audition.
Greenwich Library Survey Results
Greenwich Library’s 2024 community survey, part of its “Reconnects” strategic plan, received feedback from 1,887 respondents ages 12 and up, with high satisfaction rates across in-person and digital services, programming, and communication. Over half of respondents use the library weekly, with 15% visiting daily. Areas for improvement include room reservations, website accessibility, and increased programming for teens.
Bruce Museum Opens New Exhibit
Opening November 9, the Bruce Museum’s exhibition pmNature’s Impressions: The Modernist Landscapepm features works from its permanent collection, highlighting late 19th-century American landscapes shaped by Impressionist influences. Organized by region, the display includes scenes from New England and the Hudson River Valley by artists like Matilda Browne and Childe Hassam. This long-term installation explores how artists responded to specific locales with unique visual interpretations.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
Gail Rooney Joins J House Greenwich
Gail M. Rooney has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing at The J House Greenwich. She brings over 30 years of experience in hospitality and sales, including leadership roles at Hilton Stamford and Tarrytown House Estate & Conference Center. Rooney will focus on expanding The J House’s sales strategies and enhancing event services.
Patrick Massi Honored
Patrick Massi, head golf professional at Griffith E. Harris Golf Course, will receive the Merchandiser of the Year (Public) award at the MET PGA’s 2024 Special Awards Dinner on November 14. This award acknowledges his work at the course.
Library Welcomes Innovator-in-Residence
Greenwich Library appointed Vladimir Mariano as its first Innovator-in-Residence to lead programs in 3D design, robotics, and circuitry, focusing on kinetic art. His residency, from November 1 to January 17, includes open hours on Fridays and monthly workshops. The Innovation Lab, where sessions take place, is open to library cardholders by appointment.
SCHOOLS
GPS Honor 37 Difference Makers
Greenwich Public Schools awarded 37 employees the first “Difference Maker” honors for significant contributions within the school community. The award, available to full- or part-time employees, recognizes individuals for impactful events or consistent dedication. October’s recipients span various roles across the district’s schools and central office.
Eagle Hill School Book Fair
The Eagle Hill School Book Fair has begun, emphasizing reading and literacy for students with diverse learning needs. Parents attended campus to observe their child’s reading tutorial and learn about Eagle Hill’s literacy approach before selecting books. This event highlights the school’s commitment to collaborative learning.
Sacred Heart Eighth Graders Extract Iron
Eighth-grade students at Sacred Heart extracted iron from fortified cereal by grinding it with a mortar and pestle and using a magnetic stirrer to separate visible iron particles. This experiment demonstrated the presence of nutritional elements in everyday foods and connected classroom chemistry to real-world applications.
Whitby School Social Media Safety Talk
The Whitby School will host Richard Guerry, Executive Director of IROC2, on November 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM to discuss social media safety and digital literacy for children and adults. The program covers topics including cyberbullying prevention, safe online communication, and managing new tech risks. Event details and registration: https://bit.ly/4hD1Lz2.
SPORTS
Sacred Heart Advances to FAA Semifinals
Sacred Heart Greenwich advanced to the FAA Volleyball Tournament semifinals, overcoming Greenwich Academy 3-2 in a closely contested quarterfinal match. Led by standout performances from senior Evangelyn Forte and freshman Julianna Luzzi, Sacred Heart rallied after trailing in sets to secure the hard-fought victory.
Ridgefield Wins FCIAC Swimming Championship
Ridgefield dominated the 2024 FCIAC Swimming Championships, winning 10 events and securing the team title with 464.5 points, while Greenwich placed second with 419 points. Ridgefield’s depth and strong relay performances were instrumental, showcasing a robust team effort across both A and B relays.
Greenwich Defense Shines in Win Over St. Joseph
Greenwich High School’s defense and special teams propelled the Cardinals to a 23-14 victory over St. Joseph, returning two interceptions for touchdowns in a crucial FCIAC matchup. Despite offensive struggles, Coach Anthony Morello credited the defense for lifting the team, now 6-1, before a supportive home crowd.
Donovan Mitchell Opens GCDS Athletic Center
NBA star Donovan Mitchell Jr. inaugurated the Donovan Mitchell Family Athletic Center at Greenwich Country Day School, making the facility’s first shot to loud cheers. The ceremony honored Mitchell’s impact on the school community and included the retirement of his No. 45 jersey, with the new center set to open fully to students in mid-November.
Darien Tops Greenwich for FCIAC Volleyball Title
Darien defeated top-seeded Greenwich 3-1 in the FCIAC Girls Volleyball Tournament final, clinching their third consecutive championship. Led by MVP Savannah Leone, Darien overcame Greenwich’s strong efforts, including standout performances from Sarah Bernann and Joy Houdre, to secure the title in a tightly contested match.
Phillips Exeter Rallies to Defeat Brunswick
Phillips Exeter Academy overcame an early 14-0 deficit to defeat Brunswick School 36-27, maintaining its undefeated record in the Northeast Prep league. Despite Brunswick’s strong start and late-game efforts, Exeter’s powerful offense and well-timed defensive plays secured the win.
GHS Boys Soccer Wins FCIAC Title
Greenwich High School boys soccer captured the FCIAC Tournament title with a 1-0 victory over Stamford, maintaining their unbeaten streak in a hard-fought match. Senior Pietro Carvalho scored the game-winning goal off a corner kick in the 73rd minute, securing the Cardinals’ first FCIAC championship since 2017.
SH Wins FAA Regular Season Championship
Sacred Heart Greenwich clinched the FAA regular season championship with a 7-0 victory over St. Luke’s, finishing their league season undefeated at 7-0. They enter the FAA Tournament as the top seed with home-field advantage, aiming to continue their successful run.
LOCAL POLITICS
Jim Himes Wins Ninth House Term
Jim Himes won a ninth term in the U.S. House, securing nearly 59% of the vote in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District against Republican Michael Goldstein and Independent Benjamin Wesley. The Associated Press called the race for Himes shortly after polls closed, solidifying his continued support in the district. Goldstein, receiving just under 40% of the vote, conceded the race on Wednesday.
Tina Courpas Flips 149th District
Republican Tina Courpas won Connecticut’s 149th House District seat, defeating Democratic incumbent Khanna with 51.8 percent of the vote, according to unofficial tallies. This flips the district back to Republican control after Khanna’s historic 2022 Democratic win.
Hector Arzeno Wins Re-Election
Democratic Representative Hector Arzeno won re-election in Connecticut’s 151st House District, defeating Republican Tod Laudonia with 51.5 percent of the vote. The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday, with the Secretary of the State’s office later confirming 6,826 votes for Arzeno to Laudonia’s 6,418.
Ryan Fazio Re-Elected in 36th District
Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio won reelection over Democrat Nick Simmons for Connecticut’s 36th Senate District with 51.7% of the vote, based on unofficial results. The race received substantial attention and saw Fazio increase his margin from his previous election. Despite a dual endorsement from the Independent Party, Simmons was unable to close the gap in votes.
Stephen Meskers Retains Seat in 150th District
Stephen Meskers retained his seat in Connecticut’s state legislature, defeating Republican challenger Paul Cappiali with 56.28% of the vote to Cappiali’s 43.72%, according to the Secretary of the State’s office. Meskers, the first Democrat elected to represent Greenwich’s 150th House District, first won the seat in 2018.
Greenwich District 1 Ballots Counted Manually
A misalignment on some printed ballots in District 1 of Greenwich led to issues with machine tabulation on Election Day. These ballots were counted manually by bipartisan teams starting at 6 pm to avoid delays in reporting results. The issue was isolated to District 1 and did not affect all ballots.
RTM Approves 3-Year Employee Contract
The Representative Town Meeting ratified a three-year contract for about 280 town employees, providing most with a 2.5% annual wage increase and costing the town around $106 million. The contract, covering various departments, includes increased employee contributions to medical expenses and retirement, with town attorneys receiving annual lump-sum payments. This agreement, effective retroactively from July, will expire in 2027.
FROM HARTFORD
DOT Schedules Meetings on I-95 Study
The Connecticut Department of Transportation will hold an in-person meeting on November 20 and a virtual meeting on November 21 to discuss the I-95 Greenwich Planning and Environment Linkages Study, focused on potential safety and mobility improvements along I-95 from the New York state line to Stamford’s Exit 7 and sections of U.S. Route 1. Virtual registration is at i95Greenwich.com, and comments are accepted through December 6. The virtual meeting will also stream live on YouTube and be available afterward.
