POLICE & FIRE
GREENWICH FIREFIGHTERS RECEIVE FEDERAL TRAINING GRANT
The Town of Greenwich received $81,200 through FEMA’s Fiscal Year 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program to fund pump operator and tanker shuttle certification training for career and volunteer firefighters.
The training will focus on establishing and maintaining fireground water supplies, including in backcountry areas without municipal hydrants. It will also support coordination with mutual aid departments during emergency responses.
PALTAUF RETIRES AFTER TWO DECADES
Greenwich Fire Department Lt. Russ Paltauf retired Sept. 30 after 20 years with the department. He joined Greenwich in September 2006 after serving with the Waterbury Fire Department and was promoted to lieutenant in July 2018.
Photo credit: Greenwich Fire Department
SCORCA PROMOTED TO DEPUTY CHIEF
Greenwich Police Captain Eric Scorca was promoted to deputy chief following the retirement of Deputy Chief James Bonney, who served with the department for 36 years. Scorca is a 24-year department veteran who commanded the Patrol Division and Special Response Unit and recently completed a master’s degree in public administration at Western Connecticut State University. The promotion was announced at the Sept. 24 Board of Selectmen meeting.
GREENWICH NOR’EASTER IMPACT AND RECOVERY
Greenwich dealt with coastal flooding, downed trees and wires, road closures, and power outages throughout the weekend. By 5 p.m. Sept. 27, 292 Greenwich customers remained without power, with 21 utility incidents open; by 7 a.m. Sept. 28, that had fallen to 57 outages and 10 utility-related incidents.
FROM TOWN HALL
CAMILLO TO DELIVER TOWN ADDRESS
First Selectman Fred Camillo will deliver the annual State of the Town address on Oct. 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Greenwich Water Club. The Greenwich Chamber of Commerce is organizing the event, with the Greenwich Association of Realtors serving as presenting sponsor. Tickets are available through the Chamber’s website.
GREENWICH HOSTS ANNUAL HEALTH FAIR
Greenwich’s Human Services Department will hold a Health and Safety Fair on Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Hall, with health organizations, town departments, and service providers participating. Dr. Patricia Ryan of Gaylord Specialty Healthcare will give three presentations on long-term brain health at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 1:15 p.m. The Department of Health will also provide blood pressure checks, health screenings, and flu vaccines without appointments.
GREENWICH HIGHLIGHTS STORMWATER PROGRAM PROGRESS
Greenwich Deputy Commissioner Gabriella Circosta-Cohee presented with CDM Smith at WEFTEC in New Orleans on Sept. 29 about the town’s Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination program. The presentation covered methods used to identify and address improper connections to the stormwater system, along with related challenges and findings. Photo credit: Greenwich Department of Public Works
GREENWICH ALERTS KEEPS RESIDENTS INFORMED
Greenwich Alerts, powered by Everbridge, is the Town of Greenwich’s emergency notification system. The Greenwich Emergency Management Team uses it to send emergency and public safety notifications by phone, text message, and email. Residents can register to receive alerts from the Town.
GREENWICH ALERTS KEEPS RESIDENTS INFORMED
Greenwich Alerts, powered by Everbridge, is the Town of Greenwich’s emergency notification system. The Greenwich Emergency Management Team uses it to send emergency and public safety notifications by phone, text message, and email. Residents can register to receive alerts from the Town.
CLEAR DRAINS HELP PREVENT FLOODING
Storm drains and catch basins direct rainwater from Greenwich streets into the drainage system. Debris can block water flow and contribute to localized flooding, and the Department of Public Works routinely cleans and maintains the system. Residents can report drainage problems through the Town’s Report a Problem tool.
GREENWICH EXPANDS TEXTILE RECYCLING OPTIONS
Greenwich residents can recycle unwanted clothing and shoes through Helpsy by using designated collection bins at Holly Hill or scheduling a home pickup. The program accepts textiles for reuse and recycling to reduce the amount sent to the waste stream.
GREENWICH DRAINAGE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD
The Greenwich Board of Selectmen approved a temporary eastbound closure of Old Post Road No. 6 between Stanwich Road and Valleywood Road for a stormwater drainage project scheduled to begin Oct. 5. The project will install new catch basins and a 20-foot-deep manhole, with eastbound traffic detoured through Field Road for part of the approximately two-month construction period.
GREENWICH CONSIDERS PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS
The Sept. 28 Representative Town Meeting agenda included a $799,200 Public Works request to replace traffic signals and make pedestrian accessibility improvements at the intersection of Railroad Avenue, Greenwich Avenue, Bruce Park Avenue, and Steamboat Road. The project would add ADA-compliant pedestrian signals and push buttons, replace mast arms, adjust signal timing, and install video detection equipment. State grant funding is expected to cover $657,653 of the cost, with the remaining $141,547 covering work outside the grant scope.
AROUND TOWN
COS COB POST OFFICE REOPENING
The Cos Cob Post Office is expected to reopen after temporarily closing this summer because of environmental concerns. During the closure, retail and P.O. box services were transferred to other Greenwich postal locations. State and federal officials contacted the U.S. Postal Service regarding the reopening.
SOUND BEACH PROPOSAL ADVANCES
Developers have submitted a revised proposal for 189 Sound Beach Ave. after foundation conditions discovered following the building’s May demolition required the replacement structure to be shifted from its previously approved location. The proposed building would contain about 3,000 square feet, stand nearly 33 feet tall, and include wood shingles and a brick chimney in accordance with the Sound Beach Avenue village district guidelines. The Planning & Zoning Commission is expected to review the application, which requires a special permit because the building would exceed 40,000 cubic feet.
OLD GREENWICH PAINTS TOWN PURPLE
Old Greenwich will observe Paint Old Greenwich Purple from Oct. 3 through Oct. 10 with events focused on Alzheimer’s awareness. Programs include classes at Kaia Yoga and OG Yoga, an event at Perrot Memorial Library, a caregiver program at Athena Books, Shopping and Spritzes at Fred Boutique, and purple drink specials at participating restaurants. The observance supports public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
PUTNAM GREEN REDEVELOPMENT MOVES FORWARD
A proposal to redevelop Putnam Green in Byram would replace 66 existing apartments with a six-story building containing 176 rental units, including 53 affordable units under Connecticut’s 8-30g law. The project remains in the pre-application stage and would require additional review related to zoning, wetlands, traffic, sewer capacity, and other infrastructure. The applicant has indicated that discussions with the Greenwich Affordable Housing Trust Fund could result in a smaller development of about 120 units.
LAKE AVENUE FARM SEEKS EXPANSION
The owners of 1014-1016 Lake Avenue have applied to increase the number of permitted horses on the 9.48-acre property from 14 to 24 under an existing special exception. Town environmental staff reported that the property lacks a current wetlands delineation and documented site work, including a retaining wall, riding ring regrading, and barn modifications, during an Aug. 28 inspection. The application remains under review by Greenwich Planning and Zoning.
LOCAL BUSINESSES & NONPROFITS
GREENWICH MARKS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS
October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and YWCA Greenwich will hold three related events during the month. The organization will host Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence on Oct. 4 at Bruce Park, The Rising Conference on financial empowerment on Oct. 21, and its annual Community Candlelight Vigil on Oct. 28. YWCA Greenwich provides 24-hour services for people affected by domestic abuse.
GREENWICH LIBRARY LAUNCHES NEW BOOK GROUPS
Greenwich Library will begin two new book groups in October. The Spanish-language Todos Somos Lectores group will meet online Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. to discuss Arderá el viento by Guillermo Saccomanno, while the Horror Book Club will meet Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. to discuss recent horror titles and choose a book for its next meeting.
MARTINEZ HONORED FOR CLUB SERVICE
Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich honored longtime Board member Greg Martinez last week during the “Opening the Doors” Ceremony recognizing leaders from Boys & Girls Clubs across Connecticut. Martinez has served the Greenwich organization for more than 11 years, worked on five Board committees, chaired two, and helped support $2.4 million in college and vocational scholarships through the Scholarship Committee. His service has also included mentoring students, attending Club events, and supporting fundraising and volunteer activities. Photo credit: Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich
ST. PAUL’S WELCOMES NEW ORGAN
St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Greenwich used its newly installed Noack Organ Company Opus 109 for the first time during the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Sept. 26. The pipe organ, built in 1987 for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee, was dismantled, transported to Greenwich, and reassembled at St. Paul’s, 84 Sherwood Ave. The parish’s previous instrument is being relocated to St. Cecilia’s Church in Stamford. Photo credit: St. Paul’s Church Greenwich
THERAPY DOG BRIGADE SEEKS TEAMS
Therapy Dog Brigade is seeking new human-dog therapy teams in Greenwich and will hold a pre-course screening Sunday, Oct. 4, from noon to 5 p.m. The nonprofit has provided certified therapy dog teams to local organizations, including YWCA Greenwich, Kids in Crisis, Greenwich Library, and King Street Rehab, and plans to begin fall training classes Oct. 21. Applications and additional information are available at therapydogbrigade.org.
KNEADS BAKERY JOINS GREENWICH CROSSING
Kneads Bakery Café has signed a lease for two spaces at Greenwich Crossing, including about 2,000 square feet along Railroad Avenue and 200 square feet inside the train station. Both locations are expected to open in late spring 2027, offering baked goods, coffee, and grab-and-go items. The Greenwich Crossing redevelopment is nearing completion and includes station upgrades, retail renovations, pedestrian improvements, landscaping, and a new restaurant space.
JUNIOR LEAGUE INVITES TEEN APPLICANTS
The Junior League of Greenwich is accepting applications for its Teen Board from female students in grades nine through 12 who live in Greenwich or attend school in town. Members participate in community service projects and gain experience in leadership, planning, and project management. Applications are available at jlgreenwich.org and are due Monday, Oct. 12.
GREENWICH ALLIANCE DAY MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY
Sept. 25 was designated Greenwich Alliance Day as the Greenwich Alliance for Education begins its 20th anniversary year. The observance included activities throughout Greenwich Public Schools and a proclamation at Greenwich High School.
ABILIS GARDENS AND GIFTS REOPENS
Abilis Gardens & Gifts will hold a grand reopening at 50 Glenville Street on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The event will include a ribbon cutting and a proclamation recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Abilis operates employment programs that place participants in jobs at the store, Greenwich Library café, Island Beach concession stand, and other community locations.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
STUDENTS SUPPORT PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS
Greenwich High School seniors Lula Wang and Sabrina Liu, co-founders of Kids Cancer Foundation, recently coordinated a donation of more than $30,000 in toys, games, school supplies, arts and crafts materials, blankets, and other items to pediatric cancer patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Volunteers packed the donated items and wrote letters during an event at the YWCA before the materials were shipped to the hospitals. The organization was also recently featured by WTNH News 8 and received a letter from the president of the United States recognizing its work. Photo courtesy of Lula Wang
THE ENVIRONMENT
GREENWICH HIGHLIGHTS INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL
The Greenwich Conservation Commission recently shared information about efforts to remove burning bush, or Euonymus alatus, an invasive shrub that can spread into natural areas and displace native vegetation. The species is considered invasive in several states and has been restricted or banned from sale in some jurisdictions. The featured removal effort involved more than 1,000 plants and did not use herbicides.
VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT GREENWICH POINT RESTORATION
Volunteers may participate in a dune planting at Greenwich Point on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will plant native trees and shrubs to support shoreline habitat and should meet at the first dune near the entrance gate. Gloves and shovels are recommended, supplies will be available, and students may receive volunteer service hours.
SCHOOLS
JULIAN CURTISS COMPLETES ACCESSIBILITY UPGRADES
Julian Curtiss School recently completed accessibility upgrades, including a new elevator that provides access between floors. The improvements were presented during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and student-led tour of the building.
CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL HOSTS COFFEE
Central Middle School held its first SESS parent coffee on Sept. 14, giving families an overview of staff roles and student support programs. The event included information about co-taught classes, decoding instruction, and Academic Lab, and also provided parents with an opportunity to meet one another.
