POLICE & FIRE
Winter Driving Safety Message Issued
Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol units responded to six motor vehicle accidents over the weekend, primarily caused by wet snowfall that created slick road conditions, especially in northern Greenwich and along the Merritt Parkway. With additional snow forecast, drivers are advised to increase following distance, ensure vehicles are properly equipped with at least all-season tires, and understand that four-wheel or all-wheel drive does not improve stopping or turning. Smooth, gradual acceleration, braking, and steering are recommended to maintain traction in winter conditions. Photo credit: Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol
Greenwich Responds Swiftly To Winter Conditions
The Greenwich Fire Department responded to multiple incidents over the snowy holiday weekend, including a crash on Sunday morning, Jan. 18, when a vehicle struck a building at the corner of Church and William streets due to icy conditions. The department shared images showing damage to Continental Wine & Spirit, which recently reopened under new management. While no snow is forecast, Connecticut’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol is in effect from Monday evening through Wednesday noon, with temperatures expected to remain below freezing.
FROM TOWN HALL
Camillo Accepts Hamill Rink Report
First Selectman Fred Camillo accepted the Hamill Rink Task Force report, which recommends Eugene Morlot Memorial Park as the site for a new municipal skating facility. The task force, created in March 2025, reviewed 12 potential sites and nearly 200 town-owned parcels and conducted public meetings and hearings before reaching its recommendation. The full report and task force information are available online.
Arch Street Task Force Moves Forward
The Town of Greenwich will form a task force to determine the future use of the former Arch Street Teen Center building. The task force will develop a request for proposals to identify potential uses for the site, and residents may submit ideas or express interest in serving. Additional details about the task force and its membership will be released soon.
AROUND TOWN
Christmas Trees Recycled Year Round
Natural Christmas trees are accepted year-round at Holly Hill for residents with a valid permit, while other Parks & Recreation sites accept them only through January 31. Only natural trees are allowed, and all decorations, lights, tinsel, and stands must be removed before drop-off in the designated yard waste area. Recycling trees at Holly Hill allows them to be processed as yard waste beyond the holiday season.
January Offers Prime Raptor Viewing
January provides good conditions for observing raptors in Connecticut because leafless trees and open winter landscapes improve visibility. Species commonly seen include bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, rough-legged hawks, and several types of owls, with some present year-round and others migrating south for winter. Raptors are often found in open fields, along rivers, and at forest edges, and observation should be done without disturbing the birds, particularly near nesting or roosting areas.
Greenwich Tree Earns Statewide Recognition
A Squarrosa false-cypress in Greenwich has been designated a Connecticut Notable Tree by the Connecticut College Arboretum. The designation recognizes trees of exceptional size or historical significance. This tree measures approximately 74 feet tall, with a trunk circumference of 114 inches and an average spread of 42 feet.
Hot Chocolate Returns to Byram Park
Hot Chocolate in the Park will take place on Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Byram Park parking lot near the beach entrance. The event, organized by the Friends of Byram Park with support from the Greenwich Department of Parks and Recreation, will offer free hot chocolate and information about the park, beach, pool, and related programs. Hot chocolate will be provided by Kevin Allmashy of STANDBY Luncheonette, the park and pool concessionaire.
Old Greenwich Association Sets Annual Meeting
The Old Greenwich Association will hold its annual meeting on Jan. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. The meeting will include a presentation on Old Greenwich history, the presentation of the Old Greenwich Award, and a discussion of local issues. The meeting will also be streamed live on YouTube, with additional information available online.
LOCAL BUSINESSES & NON PROFITS
Abilis Hosts Free Parent Development Workshop
Abilis will host a free parent workshop, Supporting Your Young Child’s Development, on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Cohen Abilis Advancement Center in Stamford, Connecticut. The program will provide information on early developmental concerns, evaluations, diagnoses, transitions from Birth to Three to school-based services, and practical strategies related to behavior and daily routines, presented by medical and therapeutic professionals. Advance registration is required at abilis.us/workshop, and on-site babysitting will be available for a $25 fee.
Community Blood Drive Scheduled Feb. 2
Blood donation levels in the Greenwich area have declined, increasing the need for donors. A blood drive will be held on Feb. 2 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Greenwich Reform Synagogue, 92 Orchard St., with walk-ins accepted and appointments encouraged via 1-800-RED-CROSS or online. Each unit of donated blood can be used to help up to three patients.
Safe Boating Course Offered March 14
America’s Boating Club will offer a safe boating course for Greenwich residents on March 14 at the Public Safety Complex, 11 Bruce Place, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course covers boat handling, docking and anchoring, towing for water sports, radio use, and basic rope and knot skills, and completion qualifies participants for a Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate. The cost is $95 per person, including materials and refreshments, and online registration is required by March 8.
Hill House Proposes Additional Resident Parking
Hill House, a nonprofit senior housing residence in Riverside built in 1998 for residents age 62 and older, has applied to add six parking spaces at its property on Riverside Avenue. The application states that resident parking demand has increased over time and that the additional spaces can be added without adverse drainage impacts, though several distressed trees would be removed. The Planning and Zoning Commission is expected to review the proposal Wednesday.
Plans Advance For Sherwood Avenue Site
A fire in the summer of 2023 damaged a residence and cottage at 10 Sherwood Ave. in the Glenville section of town, with no injuries reported. The property owner is proposing to replace the cottage with an office and storage building on the three-acre site, which currently operates as a nursery approved by the town in 2018 and would require site-plan approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The site was formerly part of the 140-acre Chieftains estate, owned by the Gimbels department store family until it was sold and subdivided in 1982.
Fr. James Martin Visits Christ Church
Christ Church’s Courage & Faith Speaker Series will host Jesuit priest and author Fr. James Martin, S.J., on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Christ Church Greenwich, where he will speak about his new book, Work in Progress. Fr. Martin is a Vatican consultor, former Synod of Bishops voting member, ABC News Vatican commentator, and author of more than 30 books, with tickets including a copy of the book and optional pre-event reception.
Swim-a-thon Celebrates Community And Water Safety
The 20th Annual Swim-a-thon marks the Club’s ongoing focus on water safety and youth development and will showcase its recently renovated aquatic facility. The public is invited to participate on January 31, with swimming beginning at 8:30 a.m. for alumni, members, adults, and the community, followed by the Barracudas swim team at 10 a.m. Participation is free, with optional donations or swimmer sponsorships supporting BGCG’s aquatic programs at the Boys & Girls Club, 4 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich.
SCHOOLS
SummerFare Connects Students With Summer Opportunities
SummerFare 2026 will be held Wednesday, January 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Greenwich High School, 11 Hillside Road, with a snow date of Thursday, January 29; admission is free. The Greenwich High School PTA event will feature representatives from more than 100 organizations offering information on summer camps, academic programs, arts and athletic activities, internships, and jobs for students of all ages. Questions and registration details are available at summerfare@ghspta.org or on the GHS PTA website.
Greenwich High Expands Academic Course Offerings
At a Board of Education meeting, Greenwich High School administrators and a student discussed the school’s extensive Advanced Placement program alongside proposed additions of four new courses: AP Business and Personal Finance, AP Cybersecurity, AP Human Geography, and Honors Art History. Data presented showed high AP participation and performance at Greenwich High School, while concerns were raised about course load, prerequisites, student well-being, and the balance between access and rigor. Board members debated admission criteria for AP courses, exam performance benchmarks, and whether expanded offerings risk diluting academic standards.
Board Approves 2026-27 School Budget
On Dec. 18, the Greenwich Board of Education voted 7–1 to approve the superintendent’s proposed $207,178,854 operating budget for the 2026–27 school year. The budget process included a limited number of public comment opportunities, with the proposal released Nov. 6, the first full public comment session held Nov. 20, and the vote taken Dec. 8, without a separate public budget workshop. The superintendent stated the budget reflects a 4.4 percent increase and was affected by new legislation allowing $2.5 million in non-lapsing funds to carry over.
SPORTS
GHS Teams Celebrated for State Championships
In 2025, five Greenwich High School varsity teams—boys football, girls soccer, boys cross country, girls swim and dive, and girls volleyball—won state championships and were recognized at a ceremony on Monday. Team members received certificates acknowledging their titles, with support from school administrators and the Office of the First Selectman, which prepared 177 certificates. The event formally marked the teams’ championship achievements.
Greenwich Boys Roll Past Bridgeport Central
Greenwich High School defeated Bridgeport Central 76-50 in a non-conference boys basketball game on Jan. 16, led by senior Sandro Scott’s 31 points. The Cardinals built a 21-point lead after three quarters behind a strong second half and balanced scoring, with 11 players contributing. The win evened Greenwich’s record at 3-3 for the season.
Greenwich Country Day Earns FAA Win
Greenwich Country Day School defeated Sacred Heart Greenwich, 5–2, in an FAA varsity ice hockey game at Wings Arena in Stamford on Jan. 13. Freshman Anna Terjanian recorded two goals and two assists as GCDS improved to 2–0 in FAA play, while Lindsay Schwind scored both goals for Sacred Heart. The win moved Greenwich Country Day’s overall record to 6-6-1.
Gators Gain Experience Against Top Darien
Greenwich Academy’s young varsity ice hockey team fell to Darien High School, 5-0, on Jan. 10 at Darien Ice House, as Darien scored three goals in the first period and two in the third. The loss dropped GA to 0-3, while Darien improved to 9-1 and continued its strong season against top competition. The game marked just the Gators’ third of the season after opening losses to Portledge School and The Frederick Gunn School.
AROUND CT
Passengers Encouraged To Promote Roadway Safety
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is participating in National Passenger Safety Week, held January 19–26, 2026, alongside national transportation agencies and safety organizations. The initiative emphasizes the role passengers can play in preventing crashes by intervening when drivers engage in unsafe behaviors such as speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, or failing to use seat belts. In Connecticut in 2023, traffic crashes killed 308 people, with speeding and alcohol impairment contributing to a significant share of those deaths.
January Highlights Human Trafficking Prevention
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and Connecticut State Police are asking the public to be alert to signs of human trafficking and report concerns. Trafficking can involve adults or children in various types of work and may include lack of control over identification, coerced labor or sex, withheld wages, threats, restricted communication, or unsafe living conditions. Suspected cases can be reported to law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
FROM HARTFORD
Lamont Restores Fair Land Tax Values
Governor Ned Lamont ordered the immediate reinstatement of the 2020 land use values under Public Act 490 to prevent sharp property tax increases on farmland, forestland, open space, and maritime heritage land that appeared on the 2025 grand list. The increases resulted from insufficient data used in updating assessments, prompting the revocation of the 2025 recommended values and notification to all municipal assessors. Lamont also directed the Office of Policy and Management to work with the Department of Agriculture and other stakeholders to improve future data collection and valuation methods in accordance with state law.
