News Briefs: February 28

POLICE & FIRE

Detectives Halt Costly Fraud Scheme

In November 2024, a Greenwich resident lost approximately $450,000 in a computer scam that escalated into a scheme involving cash-for-gold exchanges. During a planned meeting, a suspect was intercepted while attempting to collect cash, later found through a phone search to be fully involved in the fraud. Arrested by the NYPD in January 2025, the suspect was extradited to Greenwich and charged with multiple fraud-related offenses.

Man Rescued From Cos Cob Harbor

On February 22, at 2:31 pm, Greenwich Police responded to a call about an elderly man in the waters of Cos Cob Harbor near the navigation channel. Officers and Riverside Yacht Club staff helped pull the man from the 35-degree water and provided medical assistance. Details about his condition and how he ended up in the water have not been released.

Greenwich Police Issue Over $11,000 Fines

The Greenwich Police Department and Connecticut DMV inspectors conducted a commercial motor vehicle enforcement operation on February 19. The operation resulted in several violations, including one for no insurance, one for an unendorsed driver operating a commercial vehicle, and one vehicle placed out of service. A total of $11,182 in fines were issued.

FROM TOWN HALL

Photo Credit: Jenet Grant

Gavin Grant Visits Town Hall

Eight-year-old Gavin Grant served as “First Selectman for a Day” at Greenwich Town Hall, an opportunity won through a charity auction benefiting Parkway School. During his visit, he learned about Greenwich history, past First Selectmen, and the responsibilities of local government. The program aims to support fundraisers while educating students about civic engagement. Photo Credit: Jenet Grant

Greenwich Honors Father McIntosh’s Legacy

Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo has proclaimed February 23, 2025, as Father Carl D. McIntosh Day in recognition of his service as pastor of St. Roch Church and his roles as chaplain for the Glenville Fire Department and the Indian Harbor Yacht Club. Father McIntosh is retiring after years of serving the Greenwich community through religious leadership and support for first responders and mariners. The proclamation acknowledges his contributions and lasting impact on the town

New Early Education Center Proposed

A proposal to establish a Primrose early education and childcare center at 16 Old Track Road in Greenwich has been submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission. The plan includes using part of the 41,991-square-foot building and 8,374 square feet of outdoor space for the school, which would serve up to 144 students. A traffic impact study indicates potential delays but proposes mitigation through signalization.

Byram Dog Park Proposal Approved Unanimously

The Greenwich Board of Health approved a proposal for an off-leash dog park in Byram Park by a unanimous vote. The park will cover 11,000 square feet near the pool entrance and will be fenced in. The plan now moves to the Planning & Zoning Commission for further review.

AROUND TOWN

Resident Wins $10,000 Prize

A Greenwich resident won $10,000 from a scratch-off ticket purchased at South Greenwich Convenience Mart. The ticket was part of the 10X Cash 17th Edition game, which costs $10. There are 225 grand prizes in the game, spread across 5.2 million tickets.

LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS

Photo Credit: Boys and Girls Club Greenwich

Firefighter Inspires

A firefighter from the FDNY, who is also a Club parent, spoke to the Passport to Manhood program at Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. He discussed his career path, explained the responsibilities of the job, and answered questions. The program provides young members with opportunities to learn from professionals and develop leadership skills.

Wallace Center Expands Senior Transportation

The Wallace Center in Greenwich offers discounted transportation options for residents aged 62 and older, providing Uber gift cards and Greenwich Taxi vouchers at reduced rates. Seniors can purchase a $50 Uber gift card for $30 or a set of five $10 taxi vouchers for $30 at the center, Monday through Friday during designated hours. Registration, including proof of age and residency, is required, and payments must be made by credit card or check.

Photo Credit: Lions Club of Greenwich

Greenwich Lions Host Pancake Breakfast

The Lions Club of Greenwich will hold its 62nd annual pancake breakfast on March 8 from 8 am to noon at the Greenwich High School Student Center. The event will feature unlimited pancakes, sausage, beverages, a bake sale, door prizes, face painting, and free eye screenings for young children. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door, with proceeds supporting the club’s health and human services programs in Greenwich.

Sound Beach Community Band Expands

The Sound Beach Community Band is seeking musicians for its 2025 spring and summer season, welcoming middle school students through professionals. No auditions are required for high school musicians and above, but regular attendance at weekly rehearsals from June through August is expected. More information is available at www.soundbeachband.net/contact or by emailing alan@soundbeachband.org

Photo Credit: Barbara’s House

Barbara’s House Bake Sale Success

Barbara’s House held its annual Valentine’s Day bake sale at Town Hall, raising $1,500—more than double last year’s total. The proceeds will fund a group activity for the participating children, who have chosen a trip to Air Riderz Adventure Park in Port Chester this April. Volunteers from the Junior League of Greenwich assisted with the event.

Thasunda Brown Duckett Honored At Benefit

Person to Person (P2P) will honor Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO of TIAA, at its Rising Together benefit on April 4 at Serafresca in Stamford. Duckett leads TIAA, a Fortune 100 financial services organization, and serves on the boards of NIKE, Inc., Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Sesame Workshop, and the National Medal of Honor Museum. The event will support P2P’s programs, which provide food, clothing, housing assistance, and economic opportunity resources to families in Fairfield County.

365 Collective Expands Shopping Experience

365 Collective by Abigail Fox and Serendipity has launched an online and physical retail space offering curated gifts, editorial content, and event activations. The Greenwich Avenue store and online platform feature products from small businesses, minority- and women-owned brands, and corporate gifting services. Upcoming events include product showcases, jewelry design sessions, and brand activations, with details available at www.threesixtyfivecollective.com.

Cups N’ Cones Adds Longford’s

Cups N’ Cones, a frozen yogurt and ice cream shop in downtown Old Greenwich, has been serving the community since March 2022. The shop will now feature Longford’s Ice Cream, known for its handmade ice cream made with quality ingredients. Cups N’ Cones remains open year-round at 235 Sound Beach Ave, offering a variety of ice cream and sorbet flavors.

Library Receives Historic Endowment

Greenwich Library has received a $5 million endowment from Lynne and Richard Pasculano to support its Signature Series programming. The endowment, the largest in over 30 years, ensures the continued operation of the series, which brings notable speakers to the community. This gift aligns with the library’s ongoing renovation project and its efforts to expand programming and resources.

Berkley Corporation Unveils Revised Expansion Plans

W.R. Berkley Corporation has submitted a revised plan for an addition to its Steamboat Road office, addressing concerns from the Planning & Zoning Commission about zoning nonconformities. The new proposal features a smaller building, increased landscaping, and compliance with height and setback restrictions. The addition would replace five nearby structures and cover 39,164 square feet, standing 40 feet tall.

PEOPLE IN TOWN

Greenwich Student Earns Ceramic Honor

Greenwich High School senior William Schuhmacher’s ceramic piece, Mind Under Siege, has been selected for the National K12 Ceramic Exhibition in March in Salt Lake City, Utah. The sculpture depicts a brain pierced by tools, nails, and a screw, symbolizing internal conflict. Schuhmacher’s work was chosen from 1,032 entries, with only 150 selected for display.

Ashley Malkin Earns National Recognition

Greenwich High School senior Ashley Malkin has been named a 2025 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) National Winner, one of 40 selected from over 3,700 applicants. She will be recognized at a National Award Ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina, in March for her work applying machine learning to medical challenges, including drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, concussion diagnostics, and neurological disorder treatments. The AiC High School Award honors students for their achievements in computing and technology.

Greenwich Hospital Names New President

Robert Blenderman, PA, MBA, has been appointed as the new president and executive director of Greenwich Hospital, effective March 3. He brings over 20 years of experience in clinical and administrative healthcare, having previously held senior roles at White Plains Hospital and New York Presbyterian. Blenderman will succeed Diane Kelly, who announced her retirement last June.

SCHOOLS

Photo Credit: Greenwich Country Day School

Students Showcase Advanced Research Projects

Greenwich Country Day School Upper School students presented condensed versions of their Advanced Scientific Research projects. Topics included the effects of salinity on bird nest coral and AI’s impact on students’ analytical writing. The timed presentations followed the format of three-minute thesis competitions used in academic settings.

Author Inspires Young Student Writer

Hamilton Avenue School second grader Elliott wrote to author JoAnn Dickinson, expressing admiration for her books as part of a school writing unit. Dickinson responded by participating in the school’s World Read Aloud Day, where she read Amelia Ophelia The Beekeeper by the Sea to students. She also donated a copy of the book to the school library and signed another.

Photo Credit: Greenwich Academy

Kristin Peck to Address Graduates

Kristin Coveny Peck, CEO of Zoetis and a Greenwich Academy alumna from the Class of 1989, will deliver the commencement address for the Class of 2025. She has led Zoetis since 2020 and previously held executive roles at Pfizer, The Boston Consulting Group, The Prudential Realty Group, The O’Connor Group, and J.P. Morgan. Peck holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Photo Credit: Eagle Hill School

Teachers Explore STEM in Basketball

Mrs. Bottari, Mrs. Glover, Mrs. Harkins, and Mr. Ragonesi attended the Science of Basketball teacher training at Madison Square Garden, sponsored by Pfizer and Science of Sport. They participated in STEM activities, developed new instructional methods, and met former NBA player Larry Johnson. They plan to incorporate what they learned into their teaching.

GHS Students Win Writing Awards

Greenwich High School students earned 46 awards in the 2025 Hudson-to-Housatonic Scholastic Writing Awards. The competition, organized by Writopia Lab, recognizes student work across multiple writing categories through a blind judging process. GHS honorees included freshmen through seniors, with several students receiving multiple awards.

Photo Credit: Sacred Heart Greenwich

Author Valerie Bolling Visits School

The Lower School hosted children’s author and former Greenwich educator Valerie Bolling. She read Together We Swim to Barat Center, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade students and led a poetry workshop for 2nd through 4th graders. Bolling, who published Let’s Dance in 2018, has visited many schools to share her work and teach writing.

Hamilton Avenue Geothermal System Revitalized

The town is considering a $5.2 million investment to rehabilitate the geothermal heating and cooling system at Hamilton Avenue School, which has been non-functional for years. The Board of Education voted 6-1 to include the funding in its FY26 capital plan, though concerns remain about field use and community events. Officials also raised concerns over potentially fraudulent emails influencing the decision-making process.

GHS Music Department Visits California

The GHS music department traveled to Southern California for five days, performing at Disneyland and participating in music workshops. They visited Los Angeles, toured landmarks like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre, attended a Los Angeles Philharmonic concert, and had dinner on the Queen Mary. The trip included both performances and sightseeing.

SPORTS

Goals for Wishes Supports Make-A-Wish

Greenwich High School senior and varsity hockey player Brett Sylvester launched Goals for Wishes to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Connecticut as part of his National Honor Society service project. Supporters pledge a dollar amount per goal scored by the team, with donations calculated at the end of the season. More information and pledges can be made at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJUyddt6vDzDlJZW_L7KTbqHxOyfiKR8i84utQ41AeKEEPoQ/viewform and questions can be sent to Goalsforwishes@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Greenwich Academy

GA Wins Ninth Championship

Greenwich Academy’s Varsity A Squash team won the 2025 Division I National Championship, marking its ninth consecutive title. The team competed over the weekend and secured the victory under head coach Luke Butterworth. The program acknowledged the support of families, officials, and competitors.

Photo Credit: David Fierro

Hart Reaches 100 Wins Milestone

Sacred Heart Greenwich head coach Ayo Hart earned her 100th career victory as the Tigers defeated Greenwich Academy 63-24 in the FAA Tournament quarterfinals. Hart, who has led Sacred Heart to winning seasons each year since taking over in 2017, credited her players for the milestone, emphasizing the program’s growth. Led by Lucianna Parrotta’s 19 points, the top-seeded Tigers dominated offensively and will face Hamden Hall in the semifinals.

GHS Swimming Dominates Senior Night

Greenwich High School’s boys swimming and diving team capped an undefeated 11-0 regular season with a dominant 128-55 Senior Night victory over Norwalk/McMahon. The Cardinals, winners of 10 consecutive State Open and Class LL titles, now turn their focus to the postseason, aiming for another “Triple Crown” sweep of the FCIAC, Class LL, and State Open championships. Led by standout performances from seniors like Luke Mendelsohn and Jake Melley, the team showcased its depth and determination heading into the championship meets.

Photo Credit: Dan Utzinger

Trumbull Upsets Greenwich in Quarterfinals

Greenwich High School girls basketball struggled offensively in the second quarter, scoring just one point, allowing seventh-seeded Trumbull to take control and secure a 52-38 win in the FCIAC quarterfinals. The Cardinals, who had only lost once all season, attempted a late comeback but couldn’t overcome Trumbull’s strong defense and outside shooting. Despite the loss, Greenwich holds a 19-2 record and will enter the CIAC Class LL state tournament as a high seed.

Photo Credit: Antonio Montinero/06878 Photography

Tigers Triumph in Overtime Thriller

Greenwich Country Day School edged Brunswick 69-65 in overtime on Feb. 19 in a closely contested FAA matchup, with Rowan Introzzi’s dunk forcing OT and the Tigers outscoring the Bruins 6-2 in the extra period. Junior guard Noah Williams led GCDS with 20 points, while Brunswick’s Rhaki Lum posted a game-high 28 before being ejected late in regulation. The Tigers, seeded second in the FAA Tournament, host Masters School on Feb. 24, while third-seeded Brunswick faces Hamden Hall.

GHS Dominates on Senior Night

Greenwich High School’s girls basketball team capped off its regular season with a 50-33 Senior Night victory over Brien McMahon on Feb. 19. Junior guard Madi Utzinger led the Cardinals with 18 points, while freshman center Zuri Faison added 13. The win secured a 19-1 record for Greenwich, which entered the FCIAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed.

SHG Clinches Dominant Victory at Home

Sacred Heart Greenwich capped its regular season with a 72-57 home victory over Storm King School, finishing with a 17-4 record. Junior guard Eva Wilkerson led the Tigers with 16 points and 20 rebounds, while three teammates also scored in double figures. As the top seed in the Fairchester Athletic Association Tournament, SHG prepares to defend its title, opening against Greenwich Academy on Feb. 24.

Photo Credit: Antonio Monteiro/06878 Photography

GHS Prepares for Playoff Battle

High School’s boys hockey team followed an 11-1 win over Fairfield Warde/ Ludlowe with an 8-2 loss to Fairfield Prep on Feb. 18. The Cardinals, now 8-10-1, will close the regular season before hosting St. Joseph in the FCIAC Tournament’s opening round. Greenwich is 2-0 against St. Joseph this season, with their playoff matchup set for Feb. 25 at Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink.

GHS Skiing Triumphs at Southington

Greenwich High School’s boys alpine skiing team capped off their regular season with a first-place finish at the final Connecticut Interscholastic Ski League meet on Feb. 5 at Mount Southington. Led by Steven Hartofilis’ fifth-place individual finish, the Cardinals posted a team time of 269.91 seconds, edging out Staples, Fairfield, and Fairfield Prep. The victory secured their qualification for the CISL State Open Championships which were on Feb. 26.

Photo Credit: Antonio Monteiro/06878 Photography

GHS Girls Hockey Shows Growth

Greenwich High School’s girls hockey team improved from last season’s threewin record to finish 9-11, narrowly missing the state tournament. The Cardinals concluded their season with a 5-3 loss to Simsbury on Senior Day, honoring seniors Lexi Carino, Aubrey Roth, Taylor Carrescia, and Stella Buddy. Head coach Doug Jebb praised the team’s progress and leadership, noting a strong returning group of underclassmen poised for future success.

LOCAL POLITICS

RTM Considers Bringing Back Traffic Officers

The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) will discuss a proposal on March 10 to bring back traffic-directing police officers to Greenwich Avenue, five years after they were reassigned. The proposal, supported by a petition with 294 signatures, argues that the presence of officers would improve traffic safety and deter crime. This is the second time such a resolution has been presented; a similar measure was rejected in 2021.

FROM HARTFORD

Attorneys General Push Retail Protections

A bipartisan coalition of 38 state and territorial attorneys general, led by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, is urging Congress to address the rise in organized retail crime. They are calling for the reintroduction of federal legislation to increase penalties for cargo theft and establish an Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security. The coalition argues that federal action is necessary to support state-level efforts in combating these large-scale theft operations.

States Urge FDA to Act

A coalition of 38 states and territories has urged the FDA to take action against counterfeit versions of GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy. The coalition’s letter highlights illegal online sales of active drug ingredients without prescriptions and calls for stricter enforcement against unregulated suppliers. It also recommends increased oversight of compounding pharmacies to ensure the safe production of these medications.

ACROSS CT

CT Honors World War II Veterans

Connecticut is seeking living World War II veterans for recognition at a state ceremony on May 19 at the Governor William A. O’Neill Suite Armory in Hartford. Veterans who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, or their families, can submit their information through the designated form. A separate ceremony for Korean War veterans will be held at Town Hall on April 28, with invitations sent in early March; those not yet registered can contact Executive Assistant Ken Borsuk at ken.borsuk@greenwichct.gov.

House Passes GOP Budget Plan

The U.S. House passed a GOP budget plan 217-215, proposing $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in spending reductions, including potential $880 billion cuts to Medicaid. Connecticut’s House delegation voted against the plan, citing concerns over its impact on essential programs. The proposal now proceeds to committee hearings for further review.

OUR NEIGHBORS

Perillo Wins 21st District Election

Jason Perillo won the special election for Connecticut’s 21st Senatorial District, defeating Tony Afriyie with 53.39% of the vote. The seat was vacated by Kevin Kelly, who resigned to become a Connecticut Superior Court judge. Perillo carried Shelton, Monroe, and Seymour, while Afriyie won Stratford.

Dippin’ Chicken Opening March 15

Dippin’ Chicken will open on March 15th at 236 East Avenue, serving Korean fried chicken with all-natural, Halal-certified chicken and various global dipping sauces. The menu includes boneless chicken, wings, sandwiches, kimchi fries, fried rice, and dalgona candy. The restaurant will partner with Rescuing Leftover Cuisine to redistribute surplus food and operate daily with extended hours on weekends.

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