News Briefs: May 1

POLICE & FIRE

Man Tried To Blow Up Home

A man was arrested this week for extensive damage to a home in the Pemberwick area, police said, noting the suspect turned on the natural gas supply from the stove, removed the oven door and placed a toaster inside a microwave creating the potential for a significant explosion. The suspect was also involved in a commercial burglary on the Post Road in Greenwich. Report suspicious activity any time to 203-622-8004. To make a confidential tip about criminal activity, contact TIPS@ greenwichct.gov or 203-622-3333.

Beattie Completes Police Probation Successfully

Traffic Technician S. Beattie has completed his probationary period with the Greenwich Police Department. Assigned to the Traffic Section, he brings 12 years of law enforcement experience and serves on the Crash Reconstruction Team, as a Field Training Officer, and as a certified police motorcycle operator. His work supports traffic enforcement, roadway safety, and investigations into serious motor vehicle collisions.

Greenwich Promotes Safe Electric Riding

Greenwich Police are reminding residents that some highpowered electric bikes are legally classified as electric motorcycles, which require registration, insurance, and a licensed operator. A recent case involved a rider under age 16 operating such a vehicle unlawfully. Violations may result in tickets, court summons for juveniles, and possible vehicle impoundment, as police continue enforcement and public education efforts.

Greenwich Firefighters Strengthen Critical Rescue Skills

Greenwich firefighters conducted training this week focused on high-risk, low-frequency emergencies. Career staff practiced arborist rescue techniques for incidents involving workers in trees, while volunteer firefighters trained in Rapid Intervention Team operations, including removing a downed firefighter. The exercises emphasized coordination, technical skill, and readiness for situations with little margin for error.

FROM TOWN HALL

Fill-A-Truck Drive Supports Greenwich Residents

The Department of Public Works is holding its annual “FillA-Truck” food drive throughout May to collect nonperishable items for Neighbor to Neighbor, which distributes food to Greenwich residents in need. Donation trucks are located in Town Hall, with additional contributions accepted online through May 31. Most-needed items include canned proteins, peanut butter, pasta, cereal, cooking oil, and other shelfstable foods.

Town Hosts Safe Disposal Collection Day

Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Island Beach Parking Lot, where residents can dispose of items such as gasoline, paint, kerosene, and other chemicals free of charge through the Department of Public Works. A complete list of accepted and prohibited items is available online and should be reviewed before attending. Materials must be properly sealed, labeled, and transported safely in containers no larger than five gallons.

Greenwich Hosts Revaluation Information Session

Greenwich residents will see changes to their July 1 tax bills following the town’s required property revaluation. The League of Women Voters of Greenwich will host a Zoom session on May 20 at 11 a.m. with the town assessor and BET chair to explain the reassessment, its impact, the appeals process, and available tax relief programs. The free event will include an opportunity for residents to ask questions and can be accessed through online registration.

AROUND TOWN

North Mianus Pow Wow Begins Today

The 78th annual North Mianus Pow Wow begins today, May 1, at North Mianus School, running from 4 to 9:30 p.m., with additional hours Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event includes rides, games, food, and entertainment, with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds support the North Mianus School PTA.

Simulated Airliner Crashing into Playland Exercise

On April 25, 2026, a full-scale emergency exercise at Westchester County Airport simulated a fuel-depleted airliner crashing into Playland Lake, with Greenwich CERT volunteers acting as victims. Responders conducted water rescues, triage, and transport operations, using moulage and repeated victim cycling to test system capacity, handling about 70 passengers. The drill, involving regional emergency crews and led in part by Greenwich’s CERT under Emergency Management Director Joe Laucella, will inform future response planning.

Greenwich Advances Plan For Modern Offices

The Greenwich Board of Education voted 7–1 to approve $250,000 for a study on relocating its central offices from the Havemeyer building, which is in poor condition and requires significant repairs. The study will evaluate space needs and potential alternatives, including new construction or reconfiguration near Town Hall, following years of discussion and rejected funding proposals. The goal is to determine a cost-effective solution for housing administrative and operational functions currently based in the historic building.

LOCAL BUSINESSES & NON PROFITS

Greenwich Catholic Team Marks Milestone

Members of a Greenwich Catholic middle school basketball team reunited at Town Hall to mark the 50th anniversary of their regional championship, the only one of its kind achieved by a Catholic school in the area. The event included former players, coach Dave D’Andrea, and school officials, along with a formal proclamation recognizing the milestone. A display featuring photos, trophies, and a signed basketball is now on view near the Town Clerk’s office.

Greenwich Green And Clean Marks Milestone

Greenwich Green & Clean will mark its 40th anniversary with a fundraising event, *Toast to 40 Years*, on May 17, 2026, at the Field Club of Greenwich. Founded in 1986, the organization has led volunteer efforts to maintain and improve public spaces in town, and the event will include music, food, a silent auction, and a discussion with descendants of its founders. Proceeds will support future environmental and community initiatives, with tickets and donations available online.

Scouting Program Launches at Camp Seton

Greenwich Scouting America’s Greenwich Council will hold a kickoff event on May 19 at Camp Seton for boys and girls in grades 2–5, featuring activities for children and an informational session for parents. The program will then run twice monthly on Saturday mornings, with upcoming dates on June 6, June 20, and July 11, offering activities such as archery, BB shooting, canoeing, fishing, and climbing, with flexible drop-off. Registration is required and space is limited; Camp Seton is located at 363 Riversville Road.

May Gardeners Market Returns Saturday

The Greenwich Botanical Center will hold its annual May Gardener’s Market on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 130 Bible Street in Cos Cob, featuring a wide selection of plants, gardening supplies, and vendors, along with three educational talks on container gardening, new plant varieties, and low-maintenance roses. The event will also include a plant sale, a “Green Elephant” sale of used gardening items, and food trucks serving breakfast and lunch. Parking will be available on site, with overflow across Clover Place.

Bruce Museum Offers Free Weekend Admission

The Bruce Museum in Greenwich will offer free general admission on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3, through Bank of America’s “Museums on Us” program. The offer is available to Bank of America, Merrill, and BofA Private Bank credit or debit cardholders who present their card and a valid photo ID. The benefit is limited to one ticket per cardholder, is non-transferable, and does not apply to special or ticketed exhibitions or events.

PEOPLE IN TOWN

Front, Left to right: Taylor Tejada, Salome Rigoza, Sydney Niemynski, Joell Molina, Ryder King, Haamed Hussaini, and Yasmine Bruce, Behind: Mariana Martins and Ryan Accurso. Contributed photo

Greenwich Youth Honored For Leadership

The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich named Joell Molina its 2026 Youth of the Year during its 58th annual ceremony on April 22 at the Rebecca S. Breed Clubhouse, selected from seven finalists for leadership, academics, and service. The longstanding program, established in 1969, advances winners to state and potentially national competitions; in 2024, the Club’s honoree earned the Connecticut title. The event also recognized Aaliyah Williams as Junior Youth of the Year, Ryder King with the David Ogilvy Award, Tony Mann as Champion of Youth, and Nancy Risman and Richard Browne as Community Impact Volunteers.

SCHOOLS

Sacred Heart Educator Delivers Keynote Address

Earlier this month, Sacred Heart Greenwich educator Marian Sofia Campana delivered the keynote address at Fordham University’s Undergraduate Conference. Campana, Director of Campus Ministry and Chair of the Theology Department, spoke on “Telos & Happiness,” examining the connection between purpose and fulfillment. Her presentation focused on how a defined sense of purpose contributes to overall well-being.

Sacred Heart Students Shine In Science

Sacred Heart Greenwich hosted its eighth-grade science fair featuring 23 environmental research projects evaluated by 12 judges, including alumnae. Students presented experiments on topics such as algae for carbon reduction, water purification, and biodegradable materials, demonstrating strong scientific and communication skills. Top honors went to projects on duckweed fertilizer and algae-based carbon reduction, with additional awards recognizing work in water f iltration, bioplastics, and microplastic removal.

Eastern Students Earn Top Debate Honors

Eastern Middle School students won first place overall in the Open Debate Division at the Connecticut Middle School Debate League competition. Veera Singh, Sikander Tiwana, and Sophia Bhatia led the team, while Parth Gada placed second, Bhatia third, and Asher Shapiro fifth in individual speaker awards. The program is led by Mathew Tracey with support from student mentors and a parent adviser.

SPORTS

GCDS Lacrosse Leads FAA Standings

Greenwich Country Day School’s boys varsity lacrosse team holds a 5-0 record in FAA play and is 6-4 overall, currently leading the league with strong offensive production. The Tigers, defending FAA Tournament champions, recently rebounded from a 7-6 loss to Trinity-Pawling with decisive wins over Hopkins and Greens Farms Academy. They have two remaining FAA games on their schedule as the postseason approaches.

Greenwich Boys Dominate Westhill Meet

Greenwich High School’s boys track and field team defeated Westhill 104–46 on April 21, remaining undefeated after previously beating Stamford.  The defending FCIAC champions won nearly every event, showing strength across competitions.

Brunswick Prevails In Rivalry Showdown

Brunswick defeated Darien 11–8 in a rain-soaked matchup between nationally ranked lacrosse teams, led by Hunter Hanford’s four second-half goals. The game remained close throughout, with Brunswick maintaining narrow leads and pulling ahead late in the fourth quarter. Strong defense and key saves from goalie William Connell helped secure the Bruins’ victory and extend their winning streak.

Greenwich Shows Strong Second Half

Greenwich High School’s girls lacrosse team lost 13–6 to nationally ranked Darien after trailing 8–1 at halftime but showed improvement with a stronger second half and six different goal scorers. Darien’s offense was led by multiple players with hat tricks, while Greenwich highlighted balanced scoring and defensive adjustments after halftime. The game followed a prior lopsided loss to Darien, and Greenwich used the performance as momentum heading into a subsequent 16–5 win over John Jay.

Sacred Heart Triumphs In Rivalry Game

Sacred Heart Greenwich defeated Greenwich Academy 9–4 in a closely contested lacrosse game that remained tight through three quarters before a strong fourth-quarter performance. Haley Washall led the Tigers with six goals, helping extend their lead after a competitive first half marked by strong defense on both sides. Sacred Heart’s possession advantage, effective adjustments, and balanced contributions secured the win.

Greenwich Dominates Westhill in Track Victory

Greenwich High School’s girls track and field team defeated Westhill 124–26 at Cardinal Stadium, winning 16 of 18 events to improve to 2–0 on the season.  The team showed strength across running and field events, with multiple athletes earning first-place finishes, including standout performances from Ella and Riley Barber, Juliette Pelham, and Therese Knuth.  Greenwich’s depth and early-season results reflect a strong start as the defending conference and state champions.

Greenwich Tennis Extends Perfect Season

The Greenwich High School girls tennis team remained undefeated at 8-0 after sweeping Darien and Trumbull 7-0 in consecutive matches.  Their victories extended a 30-match winning streak dating back to their 2025 championship season.  The team’s strong overall play has been reflected in dominant scores and consistent performance across all positions.

AROUND CT

Connecticut Turkey Season Opens Strong

Connecticut’s spring turkey hunting season runs from April 29 to May 30, with Sunday hunting now allowed on private land under a new law. Hunters may take up to five bearded turkeys, reflecting a strong statewide population of about 35,000 birds, and participation requires proper licenses and conservation stamps. The season is the most active of the year and follows decades of successful reintroduction after turkeys were eliminated from the state in the early 1800s.

FROM HARTFORD

Senate Advances Support For Dairy Farms

The Connecticut Senate unanimously approved a bill to support the state’s 79 remaining dairy farms, which are facing rising costs and stagnant federally set milk prices. The measure would add to about $8 million in proposed tax credits, create a new grant program for qualifying farms, roll back certain farmland tax rates, and establish a group to recommend long-term industry support. The bill now moves to the House, with additional funding under consideration in the state budget.

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