News Briefs: June 27

POLICE & FIRE

Greenwich Firefighters Contain Blaze Quickly

Greenwich Fire responded to a structure fire in Central Greenwich this past Sunday. The fire, located in the kitchen and basement, involved multiple floors, with four hoses deployed, three in use. The incident is under investigation by the Greenwich Fire Marshals.

Students Explore Police Vehicle at School

Students at Whitby School visited a police vehicle brought by the Greenwich Police Department. They learned about the vehicle’s parts and the role of police officers in community safety. The event provided a practical connection to classroom lessons.

FROM TOWN HALL

Greenwich Implements Summer Leaf Blower Restrictions

Greenwich has implemented summer restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers in residential zones, which apply to both homeowners and landscapers. Violations should be reported to the Greenwich Police Department’s non-emergency number, not the First Selectman’s Office. The restrictions do not apply to other landscaping equipment like lawn mowers or weed whackers, but those are still subject to noise regulations.

Greenwich Property Tax Payments Due Soon

Property tax payments for Greenwich residents are due starting July 1. Payments must be received by August 1 to avoid delinquency and interest charges. Bills can be paid in person, by mail, or online, with extended in-person hours on July 26 and August 1.

Young Student Leads Greenwich for Day

On Wednesday, Henry Rothenberg, a third-grade student, served as First Selectman for a day in Greenwich. He presented a list of priorities, including improving road safety, adding baseball fields, building a new ice rink, and creating a dog park at the high school. Henry toured Town Hall, met with department heads, and held a brief meeting in the Town Hall Meeting Room.

P&Z Rejects Large Construction Proposal

The Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission rejected a proposal to demolish the house at 91 Cherry Valley Road and build a large structure with an athletic facility and residential unit, as it did not meet the zoning requirements for a single-family dwelling. The commission found that the design resembled an accessory building rather than a primary residence. Despite revisions, the application was denied due to concerns about maintaining the residential character of the area.

AROUND TOWN

Greenwich Fireworks Display Returns July 5

Greenwich will host its annual fireworks display on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Binney Park and Greenwich Point. Donations for the event can be made through the “A Bang for Your Buck” fundraiser at www.towngreenwichprfoundation.org/donate. Corporate sponsorships are also encouraged to support the celebration.

American Oystercatchers Nest at Greenwich Point

A pair of American Oystercatchers is nesting at Greenwich Point, signaling the success of local conservation efforts. The nesting area is fenced off to protect the birds, and visitors are urged to stay away. Disturbing the oystercatchers is illegal, and individuals can report disturbances to local authorities or the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds.

First Selectman Fred Camillo presents the proclamation for Juneteenth to First Selectman’s Diversity Advisory Committee member Daen Kaam and co-chair Bobby Walker Jr. Contributed photo: Town of Greenwich.

Community Celebrates Juneteenth with Ceremony

On Thursday, the community observed Juneteenth with a flag raising, speeches, music, and a reception. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger declared freedom for enslaved people in Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. First Selectman Fred Camillo presented a proclamation to the Diversity Advisory Committee, recognizing the significance of the day.

From left, Knights of Rizal member Ferdinand Suba and the Hon. Senen Mangalile, Philippine Consulate General, met with First Selectman Fred Camillo as part of the ceremony honoring Filipino and American families. Contributed photo: Town of Greenwich

Filipino American Families Celebrate Strong Unity

On Friday, the Connecticut Association of Filipino and American Families (CAFAF) held a celebration at Town Hall, featuring the raising of the Filipino flag. Over 100 people attended, including Senin T. Mangalile, the Philippine Consulate General, and members of the Knights of Rizal. The event marked the return of a tradition that had been paused for five years due to the pandemic, with the day being officially declared “CT Association of Filipino and American Families Day” in Greenwich.

First Selectman Fred Camillo poses with Cynthia Chang and Tom Galvin, the steering committee co-chairs for The America 250 | Greenwich Commission. Contributed photo: Town of Greenwich

Greenwich Kicks Off America 250 Celebrations

In July, Greenwich will begin its year-long America 250 celebration in partnership with the Greenwich Historical Society, featuring exhibitions, educational programs, and community events. Highlights will include a visit from a Tall Ship and Fourth of July events at Town Hall. The community is encouraged to submit event ideas and follow updates on the town’s website and social media.

Ferry Service to Great Captain Island Resumes

The Greenwich Parks and Recreation Department announced that ferry service to Great Captain Island has resumed following an engine replacement on the Islander II ferry. The repair was part of a capital improvement program aimed at enhancing ferry fleet reliability and reducing long-term maintenance costs. Great Captain Island, a town-owned 17.2-acre island, offers various amenities and can be accessed via ferry, with schedules available on the town’s website.

LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS

Perrot Library Launches Annual Summer Reading

The Perrot Memorial Library in Old Greenwich is launching its annual Summer Reading Program on June 23 for all ages. Participants can earn prizes for reading books, with specific incentives for kids, teens, and adults. The program offers various rewards, including local business gift cards and chances to win grand prizes like tickets to events or memberships.

Pet-Inspired Art Show Supports Community

The art show “Unleashed” at Coffee for Good features pet-inspired works by artists from the Maggie Daly Arts Cooperative. The show runs until September 15, and the art is for sale, with proceeds benefiting the artists, the cooperative, and Coffee for Good. The cooperative provides a space for people with disabilities to learn and create through an arts program.

Job coach Zoe Kassapidis, Abilis team member Rachel Sequerra and job coach Tatum Kent pose at the Island Beach concession stand that Abilis will oversee again this summer.Contributed photo

Abilis Provides Jobs at Island Beach

Abilis is managing the Island Beach concession stand for its fifth year, offering food and drinks daily until August 31 and on weekends until September 14. The non-profit provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The stand serves as a community service while supporting Abilis’ programs.

Greenwich Youth Pitch Innovative Solutions

The First Selectman’s Youth Commission (FSYC) hosted Greenwich Shark Tank on June 14, 2025, at the YWCA Greenwich, where students pitched nonprofit ideas focused on solving social problems. Community leaders and nonprofit professionals provided feedback and support for the projects. Awards were given for innovative proposals addressing issues like housing, mental health, and teacher shortages.

Greenwich Women’s Exchange Seeks Volunteers Today

The Greenwich Women’s Exchange, established in 1901 and located at 28 Sherwood Place, is seeking volunteers to help expand its limited hours of operation. The nonprofit shop, which specializes in handcrafted items, is currently operating with reduced staffing following the death of its longtime board president. The Exchange is also accepting donations for building upkeep and plans to hire a manager to assist with operations.

RMA Partners with Hospital

The Retired Men’s Association of Greenwich partnered with Greenwich Hospital for an event at the Bruce Museum, part of the hospital’s “Medical Insights” lecture series. The program, titled “Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention: The Future of Urology,” featured a panel discussing advancements in urological health. The event aimed to educate the community and support the hospital’s Arc of Care Campaign, which is raising funds for clinical expansions.

Matching Challenge Boosts Bruce Museum Fundraising

A trustee and two anonymous donors are offering a Matching Challenge, doubling all gifts to the Bruce Museum’s Annual Fund up to $250,000, until June 30, 2025. The museum relies on community support to fund exhibitions, educational programs, and collections preservation. Contributions are essential for maintaining its operations amid rising costs and shifting funding sources.

PEOPLE IN TOWN

Student Organizes Kindness Project for Seniors

Estelle Robertson, a third-grade student at North Street School, organized a project to create handmade bracelets, bookmarks, and artwork for residents of Nathaniel Witherell, a nursing facility in Greenwich. She also painted a landscape, which will be displayed in a resident’s room. The project was funded by a grant from the Greenwich Alliance for Education.

Beth Krumeich Named President of At Home

At Home In Greenwich, Inc. has appointed Beth Krumeich as president of its Board of Directors. The organization, based in Greenwich, Connecticut, supports older adults in living independently in their homes. The Board also elected Barbara Ormerod-Glynn and Michael Sandifer as new members.

SCHOOLS

Fifth Graders Showcase Skills in Exhibition

The fifth-grade class at the International School of Dundee recently completed their IB Exhibition, a required component of the IB Primary Years Program. The exhibition allows students to research and present a topic of interest, using skills developed throughout their studies. Each student explores their own area of inquiry within a small group project.

Greenwich Students Recognized in Essay Contest

Greenwich High School juniors Gabriel Elezaj, Abigail Meyers, and Lila Mootabar received Honorable Mentions in the 2025 Connecticut Foundation for Open Government’s Forrest Palmer High School Essay Contest. The contest, with 143 submissions from 25 schools, asked students to write on First Amendment issues, including student arrests, political messages on clothing, and free speech protections. The contest, established in 2000, awarded $50 prizes to the Honorable Mention winners.

SPORTS

Greenwich Athletes Sign to Colleges

Greenwich High School held a Division III signing ceremony for student-athletes committing to various colleges. The athletes will compete in sports ranging from track and field, swimming, and soccer to sailing, baseball, and water polo. The schools include Washington and Lee University, Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins University, and others.

Brunswick Athletes Shine at Nationals

George Kapp and Phil Martone from Brunswick School competed at the 2025 USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Fla., with Kapp finishing ninth and Martone placing 20th. Kapp won the “B” Final with a time of 7:12.61, and Martone set a personal best in the “C” Final. Kapp, a former U17 National Champion, is now preparing for the USA U19 Trials and Selection Camp.

Greenwich Doubles Team Wins Championship Again

Yumi Inagawa and Cameron Sowter of Greenwich High School won the CIAC Invitational Girls Tennis Tournament doubles title for the second consecutive year, finishing their undefeated 2025 season with another championship. In the final, they defeated their teammates Emme Pecorin and Maddie Wilber, securing a 6-2, 6-1 victory. The win capped a perfect season for the team, which also included FCIAC and CIAC Class LL Tournament titles.

Greenwich Lacrosse Team Finishes Strong Season

Greenwich High School’s varsity boys lacrosse team started their season strong with a win over Staples, but fell 10-2 to the Wreckers in the CIAC Class LL Tournament quarterfinals. Despite a tough schedule, the Cardinals finished the season with an 11-8 record, highlighted by wins over Staples and Wilton. Coach Bobby Lutz praised his seniors, especially captains Mikey Brescia and Colin Zeller, as they ended their careers with strong leadership and significant contributions to the team.

FROM HARTFORD

New Law Strengthens Penalties for Street Takeovers

Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act 2580 into law, which increases penalties for those involved in street takeovers and provides law enforcement with more tools to address the issue. The law includes harsher penalties for illegal street racing, such as a two-year license suspension for repeat offenders, and allows municipalities to create local ordinances to further address the problem. It also grants local authorities the power to destroy seized vehicles involved in street takeovers.

ACROSS CT

Record Number of Travelers Expected Nationwide

AAA projects that 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Independence Day holiday, marking a 2.4% increase from last year. A record 61.6 million people are expected to travel by car, while 5.84 million will fly, also setting a new record. Popular destinations include Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, New York, Boston.

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