POLICE & FIRE
Officer Robert Ferretti is retiring after nearly four decades in law enforcement, including 17 years with the Greenwich Police Department (GPD). Chief Heavey announced Officer Ferretti’s retirement.
Deputy Fire Marshal Rob Natale has retired after serving 24 years with the Town of Greenwich Fire Department and IAFF Local 1042. He started as a firefighter, later becoming a fire marshal. Natale now moves on to a new position with the City of Danbury, bringing his experience and commitment to public safety with him.
The Glenville Volunteer Fire Company (GVFC) will honor William H. “Bill” Nickerson for his nearly four decades of service to Greenwich, which began in 1969 as a member of the RTM and extended to his election as a state representative and state senator. Nickerson will receive the David N. Theis Award for Outstanding Service to the Community in memory of Selectman David Noble Theis, with the award ceremony scheduled for October 17 at Tamarack Country Club.
FROM TOWN HALL
The Planning & Zoning Commission approved a new yoga studio on Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich, owned by Nicholas Berntsen. The studio initially planned for nine students but was revised to allow a maximum of eight, including the instructor. The Commission considered parking and operational hours, providing nine dedicated spaces and two additional spaces from a local property owner, ensuring the studio’s weekend hours wouldn’t disrupt local businesses.
The Board of Selectmen in Greenwich has approved a new flag schedule at the Town Hall that allows flags, including the Pride flag and those representing various communities, to be displayed year-round. Greenwich will conduct an annual review, enabling adjustments to ensure the flags align with the town’s values and concerns.
The Greenwich Board of Selectmen approved a tipping fee increase for commercial haulers at the Holly Hill Transfer Station, raising it to $119 per ton from $112, effective July 1, 2024, the first adjustment since 2020. Commissioner Amy Siebert proposed the increase, citing rising municipal solid waste costs and advocating waste reduction. The adjustment aims to ease the town budget’s financial burden, with projections estimating a disposal cost of about $120 per ton for up to 34,000 tons of municipal solid waste in fiscal year ’24/’25, while municipal solid waste revenues have consistently risen in recent years.
AROUND TOWN
Greenwich’s Energy Management Advisory Committee (EMAC), established three years ago to reduce energy spending by 20 percent, is concerned about limited progress despite an 11 percent reduction in electricity consumption through LED replacements. Overall energy costs rose by 17 percent to $8.2 million in fiscal year 2022-23, prompting EMAC to suggest structural changes and the appointment of a sustainability coordinator, with funding decisions pending approval by the Board of Estimate and Taxation. EMAC has also presented 12 recommendations, including establishing clear energy goals for new school buildings and implementing energy education programs.
A community clean-up event is scheduled in Bruce Park for tomorrow, February 3, organized by Thomas McKinney, an 11th-grade student at Greenwich High School. The event will take place from 2 to 4 pm, and volunteers are encouraged to participate. McKinney, an advocate for a litter-free ocean, has been actively involved in planning community clean-up efforts, inspired by the concept of “Plogging” introduced to him by his mother, which involves picking up trash while jogging.
LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS
Greenwich High School students recently participated in the “Home Sweet Home” exhibition at the Flinn Gallery, expressing themselves through visual art and written pieces using various mixed-media techniques. More than 50 students contributed written pieces, and nine students added visual elements to a community “door” project, all on display until February 28 as part of a project organized by curator Ellen Hawley.
The Greenwich Boy Scouts held a groundbreaking ceremony to replace a bridge destroyed by Hurricane Ida at Camp Seton, a long-standing community campsite. They secured a $250,000 grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development for the bridge repair, appreciated by the Boy Scouts for its importance in accessing the Nature Education Center. The bridge is set to be completed by spring, just in time for summer camp, with a focus on the enduring legacy of Greenwich Scouting and its commitment to youth development.
The Greenwich Sustainability Committee and Waste Free Greenwich have initiated the Greenwich Green Salon Challenge to promote environmental awareness and sustainability in local hair salons. The program encourages salons to collaborate with companies like Green Circle Salons to recycle materials and reduce waste, benefiting both businesses and the community. Youth involvement and exclusive discounts for participants are key features of the initiative, with ongoing recruitment efforts to engage local salons.
Earlier this month, YWCA Greenwich, with the participation of 60 community partners, hosted the 2024 Coretta Scott and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Conversation, aiming to commemorate their legacies and address disparities in Greenwich. The event featured a panel of experts, including Mark Abraham, Dr. Lou Hart, Evonne Klein, and Demetria Nelson, discussing inequities and proposing solutions related to gender, race, and identity dimensions. YWCA President Mary Lee Kiernan expressed gratitude for the support and highlighted the discussion of chronic inequities in areas like food insecurity, health equity, poverty, digital access, housing, and transportation.
A renovated café has opened at 299 Greenwich Ave within The Wallace Center For Vibrant Living & Purposeful Aging, formerly the Greenwich Senior Center. The café, run by Lessing’s Hospitality Group, will serve breakfast and lunch exclusively to center members on weekdays from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. The building was renamed after Mary Louise Wallace whose estate will support renovations and senior programs.
PEOPLE IN TOWN
Maria Keresey recently announced her retirement from the Greenwich Public School system. Maria served the Town of Greenwich for 30 years, most recently as an Administrative Assistant.
Ms. Eileen Brehm, an art teacher at GPS, was awarded the 2024 Myers Art Prize. The prize is a yearly competition open to students in the Art & Art Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. A jury chaired by Mitra Abbaspour from the Harvard Art Museums chose her artwork. The winning piece will be exhibited at the Macy Art Gallery in New York for three weeks and later become part of Teachers College’s collection.
First Selectman Fred Camillo declared January 21st as “John K. Wetmore Day” in honor of Mr. Wetmore’s retirement to Florida after 38 and a half years of service to the town. Wetmore began his career in 1986 as the Assistant to First Selectman John Margenot and later held various roles in the Town’s Law Department, including Greenwich Town Attorney and Special Counsel. In addition to his professional contributions, he served in the Glenville Volunteer Fire Company for 20 years and is retiring to spend more time with his family.
SCHOOLS
Seven GPS schools in Connecticut received recognition from the State Department of Education for their exceptional performance in the 2022-2023 Next Generation Accountability System. This system utilizes twelve indicators to evaluate schools and districts, assessing their ability to prepare students for future success in college, careers, and life. The recognized schools include Eastern Middle School, Hamilton Avenue School, International School at Dundee, North Mianus School, North Street School, Parkway School, and Riverside School.
Central and Eastern Middle Schools are gearing up for the Connecticut Regional of the National Science Bowl on February 10th at Smith Middle School in Glastonbury. The victorious team will win an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Finals in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. This competition provides a platform for middle and high school students to demonstrate their scientific knowledge and skills through a fast-paced question-and-answer format.
GHS senior Sophie Lenschow will lead a district-wide “PJ Day” on Friday, February 9 to raise funds and awareness for children fighting cancer at Connecticut Children’s Hospital. This is building upon last year’s fundraiser that raised over $19,000.
With a trip cost of $809 per student and a district-wide need for over $40,000 in financial assistance, contributions of any amount are encouraged to help send students to Washington D.C., and inquiries can be directed to the 8th Grade D.C. Trip Fundraising Committee at dcfundraisingcomm@gmail.com or through the school’s PTA, as the committee is committed to ensuring the trip’s accessibility for all eighth-grade students, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Putnam Indian Field School’s recent food drive for Neighbor to Neighbor was a success, thanks to the participation of their students in giving back to the community.
On January 26th, Sacred Heart Greenwich students and faculty members journeyed to New York City for a Midnight Run to assist people experiencing homelessness by offering food and clothing.
Plans to rebuild Central Middle School have risen to $119.98 million, exceeding the initial budget of $112 million by $7.96 million or approximately 7 percent. The cost increase is attributed to various factors listed in a 96-page estimate, including expenses like science tables, a larger generator, and additional doors. To address the budget constraints, the committee is considering cost-cutting measures and may delay their appearance before the Planning and Zoning Commission in February.
Greenwich Public Schools’ 2024-25 budget of $192.6 million, representing a 5.6 percent increase, has garnered attention, primarily due to the significant impact of special education on this growth. Superintendent Toni Jones observed a rise of 189 special education students from 2019 to 2023, increasing their share of the student population from 10 to 14 percent, with expectations of continued growth.
The Greenwich school district’s 2024-25 spending plan allocates $882,930 for substitute teachers, influenced by the end of federal COVID-19 funding, the desire to maintain incentives for attracting substitutes, and a rise in teacher absences. The district recorded an increase in teacher absence prompting concerns about classroom continuity, along with increased costs and the use of American Rescue Plan funds to pay substitutes.
SPORTS
Coach Evan Dubin has been named the 2023 Girls’ High School Cross Country Coach of the Year for Connecticut by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Across all states and the District of Columbia, one boys coach and one girls coach were recognized for their accomplishments in the fall of 2023. State winners will compete for the Association’s National High School Cross Country Coach of the Year award, with national winners to be announced next month.
Spirit Zone Too, a local all-star cheerleading team from Greenwich, has earned a spot at The Cheerleading Worlds, a prestigious event. The team is composed of 14 girls and two boys aged 13-18 from Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, and this will be their first appearance at the competition. The Cheerleading Worlds is set to take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida, from April 26-30, and it features participation from over 500 teams worldwide. The team is under the leadership of gym owner Anne Asta and coach Tammy Thompson, and Spirit Zone Too offers gymnastics and cheerleading classes for various age groups in Greenwich.
Greenwich Academy’s basketball team faced a tough loss against Cheshire Academy, playing shorthanded and trailing throughout the game in a NEPSAC matchup, resulting in a 53-27 defeat. Despite the loss, the young Gators team continues to show improvement with each game this season. Leading scorer Mirabel Rodgers left the game early due to an injury, impacting the team’s performance, but coach Jordan Griffith is optimistic about their progress and upcoming games.
Greenwich High School’s girls basketball team secured a hard-fought 40-35 victory over New Canaan, with senior tri-captain Riana Xhekaj playing a pivotal role by scoring six crucial points late in the game. Sophomore Madi Utzinger led the Cardinals with 16 points, and the team’s strong defensive effort contributed to their third consecutive win. Despite a challenging start with only two points in the first quarter, Greenwich found their rhythm, with Utzinger’s sharpshooting and Xhekaj’s clutch plays sealing the victory.
Sacred Heart Greenwich’s basketball team secured a convincing 67-49 victory over Greens Farms Academy, with senior guard/forward Payton Sfreddo leading the way by scoring a game-high 29 points, 14 of which came in the first quarter. The Tigers’ hot shooting and strong defense propelled them to a wire-to-wire win, raising their overall record to 11-3 and maintaining a perfect 6-0 record in the FAA, placing them in sole possession of first place in the league.
The Greenwich High School boys hockey team is entering the second half of the season with optimism despite its record, as recent games have shown improved performance. They played a close match against La Salle Academy, losing 2-1, with a strong performance by goalie Nick Sinisi, and then secured a 6-4 victory against Trumbull, demonstrating their potential for future success.
The Brunswick School basketball team secured a 58-48 victory against The Masters School in a Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) game. They started strong, building a 19-point lead early in the first half, and held on for the FAA win, improving their record to 3-1 in the league and 5-8 overall.
The Greenwich High School girls basketball team faced an FCIAC loss to Staples, with a final score of 48-31. Staples’ sophomore guard Sarah Von Dohlen led the way with 27 points, while Greenwich struggled with its perimeter shooting and had several injuries, impacting its lineup.
Greenwich High School’s young girls ice hockey team faced a challenging matchup against Stamford-Westhill-Staples, ultimately losing 7-2. Despite the difficulties, the Cardinals displayed resilience, with the majority of their roster consisting of underclassmen.
LOCAL POLITICS
Allegations of campaign finance rule violations within Connecticut’s Democratic Party have centered on Trevor Crow’s 2022 state senate campaign, which resulted in a loss to Senator Ryan Fazio. Crow is now running for the 36th Senate District again this year. The controversy stems from Crow’s statements acknowledging a grant from the state’s Citizens Election Program and additional funds raised for political action committees, leading to allegations of financial impropriety. The State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) has not received formal complaints as of January 24, prompting Connecticut’s Republican Party to call for an SEEC investigation, while Crow’s campaign denies wrongdoing.
FROM HARTFORD
Governor Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto have allocated over $9 million in state grants for transportation improvements in ten rural communities through the Transportation Rural Improvement Program (TRIP). These grants address the needs of rural municipalities often excluded from federal transportation programs, focusing on sidewalk construction, pedestrian safety, and resurfacing projects. The TRIP program is funded by state bonds, with municipalities responsible for design costs and the state Department of Transportation covering construction expenses, and additional grant opportunities are expected later in the year to further support rural areas’ safety and connectivity.
Governor Lamont and 21 other Governors filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, addressing wider implications beyond reproductive healthcare. They make up the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, united across political lines to safeguard and expand reproductive rights, advocating for Mifepristone access and opposing politically driven court challenges that threaten autonomy.
ACROSS CT
U.S. Census data analyzed by Redfin reveals that baby boomers are not downsizing their homes once their children leave. In various Connecticut metropolitan areas, including New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, “empty nesters” aged 58 to 76 are owning a significant portion of homes with three or more bedrooms in 2022, while millennials with children own fewer. Nationally, empty nesters own more spacious homes compared to a decade ago.
Connecticut received a mixed assessment from the American Lung Association in its annual report on anti-smoking efforts. The state was given two “Fs” for areas requiring improvement, a “B” for tobacco taxes, and a “C” for access to cessation services. The Lung Association urged state leaders to increase funding for prevention and cessation programs, enforce indoor air laws against secondhand smoke, and regulate youth access to flavored tobacco products through local zoning regulations, emphasizing the ongoing impact of smoking as a leading cause of preventable death and substantial healthcare costs. Despite recent funding for the Tobacco and Health Trust Fund, Connecticut falls short of recommended funding levels, highlighting the need for increased investment in tobacco control initiatives.
This week, Haleon, a New Jersey-based company, issued a recall for multiple lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult due to potential contamination, as reported by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There have been no reports of adverse events or illnesses linked to the recall at this time. However, federal officials cautioned that immunocompromised individuals using the affected product could potentially experience severe or life-threatening adverse events, including fungal infections, while non-immunocompromised consumers, who are the primary users, may also face infections requiring medical attention, although such cases are less likely. The following lot numbers/expiration dates list recalled 4 and 8-ounce Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult: T18010 with an expiration date of Oct. 31, 2025; T08730 with an expiration date of May 31, 2025; T08731 with an expiration date of May 31, 2025; T08732 with an expiration date of May 31, 2025; T08733 with an expiration date of May 31, 2025; T10808 with an expiration date of May 31, 2025; T08740 with an expiration date of June 30, 2026 (8 ounce).
This week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the recall of 1,889,110 Ford Explorer vehicles produced between 2011 and 2019, affecting approximately 5 percent of Explorers made during that period. The recall is prompted by concerns that a piece of trim covering the roof support near the windshield could detach due to improperly engaged retention clips. Fortunately, there have been no reported accidents or injuries related to this issue, and Ford dealers will provide a free replacement for the trim. Letters informing affected vehicle owners are currently being sent out, with follow-up notifications planned once the remedy is available.
To address certain safety issues, Connecticut has raised the minimum age for boat operation to 16 and prohibited operating a boat under the influence of alcohol. Andy Cummings and his team from the America’s Boating Club of Greenwich are offering a boating course to promote safer waters in Connecticut, with registration information available online.
OUR NEIGHBORS
Chip City Cookies opened a new location in Darien on January 26 with the first 100 customers receiving a free cookie. They are introducing a Valentine’s Day-themed tin for $12.50 capable of holding at least six cookies. Founded by friends Peter Phillips and Teddy Gailas in July 2017 in Astoria, New York offering nationwide shipping through Goldbelly.
The Hartford Yard Goats have named Bobby Meacham as their new manager, taking over from Chris Denorfia, who served for three years. Meacham, a former New York Yankees infielder, brings extensive coaching experience, having worked in the minor leagues and as the Yankees’ third base coach in 2008. Under Denorfia’s leadership, the Yard Goats finished the 2023 season with a 28-38 record, and Meacham’s appointment signals a fresh start for the team, with fans in Hartford anticipating the upcoming season.
Marlena Haddad, a UConn graduate from Waterbury, was one of the four women who left “The Bachelor” on January 29, failing to receive a rose in the second week.
The Darien Arts Center is presenting the Short Cuts Film Festival, featuring acclaimed short narrative and documentary films from the Tribeca Film Festival. One of the spotlighted films, “Deciding Vote,” explores the impactful vote by assemblyman George Michaels on New York’s abortion bill 50 years ago. This event, organized by JIB Productions, offers an opportunity for audiences to engage with thought-provoking films and participate in live discussions with filmmakers in Darien, Connecticut.
