September Promotes Suicide Prevention Awareness
September is recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, highlighting the need to identify warning signs and encourage people to seek help. Evidence shows that effective treatments are available. The 988 Lifeline provides immediate, confidential support for anyone in crisis.
POLICE & FIRE
CCFPP Quickly Contain Rollover
On Sunday morning, September 7, Greenwich fire units responded to a tractor-trailer rollover on I-95 northbound. The truck crossed the median, jackknifed, and blocked lanes in both directions, causing a fuel spill that ignited a small fire in a catch basin. Crews extinguished the fire, remained on scene for over two hours to assist with recovery and safety, and then turned the incident over to the state Department of Transportation.
Lieutenant Lombardo Retires
Robert Lombardo has retired after 33 years with the Greenwich Police Department and 42 years in law enforcement. He began his career with the Wilton Police Department before joining Greenwich in 1992, later serving most of his tenure in supervisory and leadership roles. Over his career, he trained and mentored numerous officers and received multiple commendations for his service.
Engine 2 Returns to Service
Engine 2 has returned to Station 2, which was previously closed. The building has been inspected and meets operational safety standards. Repairs to affected areas are ongoing, and temporary accommodations have been established for personnel.
FROM TOWN HALL
Greenwich Residents Turn Scraps Into Soil
Residents in Greenwich can bring their food scraps to the town’s voluntary drop-off recycling program, started in June 2020. By composting instead of throwing food away, they help improve soil health and cut down on waste going to incineration. In its first year, community participation diverted more than 36 tons of food scraps from disposal.
Great Captain Cleanup
Tomorrow, Sept. 13, volunteers will join the Town’s Conservation Department for a coastal cleanup at Great Captain Island. Participants met at Grass Island Marina for a 9 am boat to the island, where the cleanup ran until about 11 am All collected non-biodegradable debris was recorded and reported to Save the Sound for submission to the Ocean Conservancy.
AROUND TOWN
GCTV Returning Soon To Channel 79
Altice will return Greenwich Community Television (GCTV) to Channel 79 on Optimum systems around September 16, reversing its earlier move to Channel 1310. The decision follows notification from the Area 9 Cable Council, though an exact date has not been confirmed. In the meantime, GCTV continues to stream government meetings and community events live and on demand via its YouTube page.
CBRE Finalizes Mill Property Sale
CBRE brokered the $97.5 million sale of The Mill, a mixed-use property in Glenville, Greenwich, consisting of 71 apartments and nearly 29,000 square feet of retail space across five buildings. The property, originally part of a 30-acre site developed in the late 19th century, centers on an 8.7-acre complex that once housed the American Felt Company. As of Wednesday, Greenwich Town Hall had not yet recorded the transaction.
Community Efforts Protect Local Waterways
Storm drains are built to carry rainwater only, and when trash, leaves, or pet waste enter them, the system can clog, leading to flooding and infrastructure damage. Anything that enters a drain flows untreated into local waterways and Long Island Sound, contributing to pollution and potential beach closures. Residents must keep storm drains clear by never placing trash, leaves, or pet waste in or near them. All waste should be disposed of properly in trash bins to prevent flooding and water pollution.
Greenwich Reviews New Housing Proposal
KRM Realty LLC has submitted a pre-application to Greenwich Planning & Zoning for a three-story mixed-use building at 121 East Putnam Avenue, the former site of Chocoylatte. The proposal includes ground-floor commercial space, six residential units on the upper floors—one designated as moderate income—and 15 parking spaces. The pre-application has not yet been scheduled for commission review.
Greenwich Reviews Development Changes
At a recent Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, Mead Point LLC requested changes to its 2022 approval for development at 618 Indian Field Road, including alterations to landscaping, lighting, grading, and parking. The project has faced compliance issues, including unauthorized tree removal, unapproved grading, and a stop-work order issued in April 2025. Town staff reported environmental concerns related to additional tree removal, site changes, and lighting impacts, leading commissioners to question whether the original special permit remains valid.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
Cos Cob Library Reopens Bigger
Cos Cob Library has reopened following renovations and an expansion that added 1,120 square feet, including an 857-square-foot community room. The project reconfigured the interior, moving the adult section west and enlarging the children’s and young adult areas by nearly 600 square feet. The branch’s new hours are Mondays noon to 8 pm, Tuesdays through Thursdays 9 am to 6 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm, with Sunday closures.
Greenwich Realtors Open 2025 Grants
The Greenwich Association of Realtors Community Foundation is accepting applications for its 2025 grant program until Sept. 15. One $25,000 grant will be awarded, with the possibility of additional discretionary funding. Nonprofits must submit a one-page proposal with project details, goals, beneficiaries, organizational background, and contact information to foundation@greenwichrealtors.com
Ribbon Cutting Today At RSM
The Russian School of Mathematics is holding a ribbon-cutting today, September 12, for its new branch at 76 Progress Drive in Stamford. The event, organized with the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, includes math games, crafts, and family activities. It is free and open to the public.
Happy Hour Supports Greenwich Seniors
A fundraising happy hour will be held September 16 from 4 to 6 pm at Caren’s Cos Cobber to benefit the Friends of the Wallace Center. Ten percent of drink sales and tips from guest bartenders will go toward supporting programs and services for Greenwich seniors. The Wallace Center, formerly the Greenwich Senior Center, is undergoing renovations, including the addition of a new café.
Riverside And Old Greenwich Unite
The Riverside Garden Club and the Garden Club of Old Greenwich will present a standard flower show titled “C’est Paris!” on Thursday, September 25, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Riverside. The exhibition will feature floral designs, horticulture, and photography, and is open to the public at no cost from 3:00 to 5:00 pm The Riverside Garden Club was founded in 1919, while the Garden Club of Old Greenwich, established in 1924, celebrated its centennial last year.
DART Advances Research for NPC
Dana’s Angels Research Trust (DART) is a nonprofit that funds research, education, and treatment for Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC), a rare childhood neurological disease. On October 4, 2025, DART will hold its eighth annual two-mile charity walk at Greenwich Point Park in Old Greenwich, with in-person and virtual participation options. Since its founding in 2002, DART has contributed to FDA approval of NPC therapies, funded clinical trials, and supported programs including newborn screening and collaborative drug development.
Community Joins Forces For Cleanup
The International Coastal Cleanup will take place on Saturday, September 20, from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon at Greenwich Point Park. Volunteers will remove and record shoreline trash, with data submitted to Save the Sound and then to the Ocean Conservancy for global tracking. Registration is available online, check-in will be on-site, and supplies will be provided.
Greenwich Trust Advances Historic Home
The Greenwich Preservation Trust requested a lease from the town of Greenwich to restore and maintain the Thomas Lyon House, built around 1690 and considered the oldest unaltered home in town. The house remained in the Lyon family until 1926 and later passed through several organizations before the town assumed ownership in 2007. The Board of Selectmen was scheduled to vote on the proposal on September 11.
Bruce Museum Extends Frey Exhibition
The Bruce Museum is extending the “Jeremy Frey: Woven” exhibition through October 26. The show is the first retrospective of Frey’s career, featuring over 50 baskets made from natural materials such as sweetgrass, cedar, spruce root, and porcupine quills. The exhibition previously appeared at the Portland Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Boys and Girls Club Reopens After Major Renovation
Following a two-year, $28 million renovation, the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich has reopened with a revamped facility, including a new gym, teen center, expanded arts space, locker rooms, and after-school program rooms. The clubhouse has been renamed in honor of Rebecca S. Breed. Programs resume October 1.
SCHOOLS
Greenwich Schools Appoint New HR Director
Greenwich Public Schools has appointed Matthew Salvestrini as director of human resources, starting in mid-October. He has over 30 years of experience in education, including roles as teacher, principal, and district administrator, most recently serving as director of digital learning for New Canaan Public Schools. Salvestrini holds degrees in English Literature and Teaching, along with administrative certification from the University of Connecticut.
GHS Cruiser Showcases Big Red
The start of the GHS school year was marked by a short delay. During that time, the School Resource Officer’s cruiser was updated with new designs. The vehicle now displays the school’s colors and mascot to promote Big Red spirit.
Greenwich Academy Seniors Earn National Recognition
Three Greenwich Academy seniors—Serena Evans, Denise Seol, and Alexandra Zummo—have been named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Fewer than one percent of U.S. high school students achieve this recognition. Their selection reflects strong academic performance on standardized tests.
Brunswick Students Earn National Recognition
Brunswick School announced ten students as National Merit Semifinalists. The honorees are Dylan Arouh, Jack Chung, Pierce Crosby, Bryan Dean, Henry Graham, Justin Guo, George Kapp, Max Lanson, Charles Sulkowski, Jack Whitney-Epstein, and Travis Wilson. They were recognized for their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, placing them among the top students nationwide.
Sacred Heart Students Earn Recognition
Two Sacred Heart Greenwich students, Stephanie G. ’29 and Bonnie U. ’29, advanced to the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Their project, “Testing the Strength, Flexibility, and Biodegradability of a Watermelon Rind-Based Bioplastic,” won first place at the Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair in 2024. They are among 300 students nationwide selected from nearly 2,000 entries.
Wally Talk Show Highlights Youth
The first episode of What’s Up With Wally featured Officer Franco and K9 Arrow as guests. The show, hosted by student resource officers, focuses on issues affecting young people.
Whitby School Opens Creeden Commons
Whitby School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for The John E. Creeden Commons. The new facility was made possible through donor contributions. It will serve as a community space for the school.
Greenwich High Seniors Earn Honors
Nine Greenwich High School seniors were named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. The students are Catherine Broderick, Maia Coplit, Miller Fishback, Ambika Jha, Ruth Mund, Hadrian Nobay, Davin Shin, Marley Wies, and Annabelle Wu.
Greenwich Country Day Students Honored
Seven Greenwich Country Day School seniors were named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. The students are Zachry Bostock, Ryan Carre, Charlie Moloney, Henry Santangelo, Linnea Shah-Gustafsson, William Stern, and Cooper Taylor.
CMS Construction Progresses
Greenwich Public Schools released its September update on the Central Middle School construction project. In August, crews completed structural steel work, exterior framing, roofing installation, concrete slabs, and utility systems, while September work includes finishing the structure, continuing roofing, installing mechanical systems, and site utilities. The new 125,000-square-foot, $112 million building is on schedule to open in August 2026, replacing the existing 1958 school.
SPORTS
Greenwich Volleyball Starts Season Strong
Greenwich High School’s girls volleyball team opened its 2025 season with back-to-back 3-0 victories, defeating Southington on Sept. 4 and Newtown on Sept. 8. Junior Kayah Armstrong led with 12 kills in each match, while teammates Heidi Zieme, Bailee Dayon, Victoria Sullivan, and Aleena Jacobsen also contributed strong performances. The Cardinals, now 2-0, will host St. Joseph on Sept. 10 in their home opener.
Greenwich Academy Dominates Season Opener
Greenwich Academy opened its 2025 volleyball season with a 3-0 sweep over St. Luke’s, winning by set scores of 25-15, 25-13, 25-8. Setter Caroline Brower led with eight aces, six digs, and 27 assists, while Devon Mahaffy added 12 kills and Issy Fottrell contributed 11 kills. The Gators will next face Masters School on September 11 before hosting Sacred Heart Greenwich on September 16.
Greenwich Swimmers Dominate Season Opener
Greenwich High School’s varsity girls swim team opened its 2025 season with a 97-65 victory over Trumbull on Sept. 3. Senior captains Melissa Geiger and Wesley Wales highlighted the meet with individual wins, while sophomore Olivia DeVries and junior Ellison Charette also secured first-place finishes. The defending Class LL champions showcased their depth, with multiple strong performances across relays and individual events.
Greenwich Girls Soccer Starts Strong
Greenwich High School’s girls varsity soccer team opened its 2025 season with a 2-0 win over Fairfield Ludlowe at Cardinal Stadium. Freshman Siena Ettinger scored in the first half, and junior Gabriella Cimador added a second goal after halftime, while the Cardinals’ defense held strong for the shutout. The victory follows two straight years of state tournament runs, with senior captains Julia Gustafsson, Anna Lenschow, and Ella Whitridge leading this year’s squad.
Greenwich High Football Defense Returns Strong
The defending Class LL state champion football team will have all three key starting linebackers— Santi Parra, Jack Kelly, and Justin Carroll—returning for the 2025 season. Their performance last year was a major factor in the team’s state title, and expectations are high for a repeat.
FROM HARTFORD
Connecticut Strengthens E-Bike Safety Rules
Connecticut has updated its e-bike laws to clarify classifications and safety requirements. E-bikes without pedals and powered between 750 and 3,500 watts are now defined as motor-driven cycles, requiring a driver’s license, while those above 3,500 watts will need registration and insurance. All e-bike riders must now wear helmets, regardless of age or bike class.
ACROSS CT
CT Launches Energy Assistance Program
Generation Power CT is accepting applications for its first Emergency Energy Assistance Program cycle, running September 2–10, 2025. Eligible Connecticut residents must review requirements and submit documentation before the deadline. Additional application cycles will be offered later in the year. Visit https://gpct.org/ for more information.
OUR NEIGHBORS
Apple Picking Season Begins
Apple orchards in and around Greenwich have opened for the season ahead of the official start of fall on Sept. 22. Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem, NY, operates year-round with a farm store open daily from 9 am to 5 pm Silverman’s Farm in Easton, CT, expects its apple-picking season to run from September through December, with dates and hours announced online.
Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Returns
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze opens today, September 12, at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson and runs through November 16, featuring new pumpkin displays and expanded offerings. This year it will include the return of the Gourd & Goblet Tavern and the debut of the Headless Horseman’s Hideaway, both ticketed experiences. Additional Sleepy Hollow-themed events will include tours and performances at Sunnyside, magic shows at Philipsburg Manor, a new immersive mystery walk, and the redesigned Twilight Village.
