Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors,
The Sewer Division of the Department of Public Works will be rehabilitating a portion of the Old Greenwich Common Force Main. This work is one segment of the Old Greenwich Common Force Main and includes the replacement/installation of approximately 4,000 linear feet of new force main.
(Click map below to expand image).
This force main carries wastewater under pressure from the Old Greenwich Pumping Station on West End Avenue.
Work is expected to begin by mid-June in the area of the Riverside train station parking lot entrance on Oval Avenue to Summit Avenue, ending at the pump station.
Further details – including on impacts on travel in the area - can be found here.
Fireworks shows announced
I am pleased to join with the Parks and Recreation Department in announcing that there will be fireworks in Greenwich this year.
There will be two shows, the first on Saturday, July 3rd and the second on Monday, July 5th. Both shows will be held at Greenwich Point Park and each will begin at approximately 9:10 p.m.
Due to the lingering impacts of the pandemic, and the cancellation of most firework shows in the region (including Stamford), operations involving the shows will be different than “normal” years. The need to control crowding and monitor capacity is the primary reason that both shows are scheduled for Greenwich Point.“
Many towns have cancelled their Fourth of July fireworks. We thought it was very important for Greenwich to celebrate as we have in past years, albeit in a different format,” First Selectman Fred Camillo said. “Having the fireworks shows are great indicators we are returning some pre-pandemic normalcy to our lives.”
Key staff and departments have been working for several weeks to determine how best to provide you with holiday entertainment in the safest way possible. I want to give a shout-out to Parks & Recreation, Police, Fire, Public Works as well as Greenwich Emergency Medical Service for the collective cooperation.
On the day of each show, Greenwich Point will close to vehicle entry at 8 p.m. or once parking has reached its capacity, whichever comes first. No vehicles will be allowed after this, including for pickup and drop-off.
If it rains Saturday and the show is cancelled, the Town will shoot fireworks from both shows on Monday, July 5. At this time, there are not any additional rain dates scheduled.
More details on our fireworks plans can be found here on the Town website.
Greenwich Coastal Resiliency Assessment and Plan
The Town’s Conservation Department has been evaluating the Town’s public properties and infrastructure vulnerability from coastal flooding and sea level rise scenarios.
Princeton Hydro has been conducting the work which prioritized and recommended strategies to protect or upgrade Town assets to increase resilience to coastal storm damage, flooding, and sea level rise. In addition to coastal resilience and ecological health, the project also focused on the effects of tidal migration on the four Town-owned tidal pond complexes: Binney Park Pond, Bruce Park Pond, Eagle Pond, and Mill Pond. The outcome of the effort was the development of drafts of Coastal Resiliency Assessment and Plan, and Tidal Ponds Evaluation Report.
The two public meeting sessions will focus on the findings of the evaluations and provide an opportunity for residents to gain a greater understanding of the challenges that the Town is confronting with Coastal Flooding and Sea Level Rise. The meetings will be held June 9 and June 16. Details, including Zoom meeting links can be found here.
Blood donors needed
There are appointments still available for The American Red Cross blood drive on June 7 at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Road, Old Greenwich. Hours are 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Appointments are required and may be made by calling 1-800--RED-CROSS or logging onto www.RedCrossBlood.org
Bookworm alert: Libraries reopen
The doors have reopened at Greenwich Library. The Main Library, Cos Cob and Byram Shubert libraries are now open without an appointment to work, to study, to read and to discover new books. The Main Library completed its ReImagine renovation project, so when you visit you will find a spacious Reading Room, dedicated Teen space, state-of-the-art technologies in the Innovation Lab, and a beautiful new Café on the lower level. Socially distanced seating is available on all floors.
Per the Town of Greenwich mandate, masks are required for all patrons ages 2 and older. The Library asks that you limit your visit to 3 hours in the Library, 30 minutes in the Children's Room and 90 minutes on the computers. Library staff will continue to evaluate and modify restrictions through the summer and into the fall. For more information, please visit greenwichlibrary.org.
The Perrot Memorial Library also has reopened. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. More details on services available including continued curbside pickup, can be found here.
COVID-19 update
As of June 4, 62.17 percent of all eligible residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine including 92.88 percent of our senior citizens age 75 and older are fully vaccinated.
As of today, there are 15 active cases, which is 5 less than a week ago. There have been a total of 5,115 residents diagnosed since the COVID outbreak began. The number of residents who have passed away due to COVID remains at 89.
Today, Greenwich Hospital is treating one COVID patient. And Greenwich Public Schools reports there are two cases involving students at North Street School, both of which involve outside activities or family transmission.
Vaccine and testing information:
For homebound residents, the Family Health Division of the Health Department can provide assistance. Residents need to contact their physician to request that a doctor’s order for a vaccine shot is forwarded to the Health Department. Doctors can contact the Family Health Division by calling 203-622-6495.
Here is a list of available vaccine providers:
- Yale New Haven Health:
Sign up online here, or call 1-833-275-9644. - Stamford Health:
Sign-up online here, or call 203-276-7300. - Hartford Healthcare:
Sign-up online here, or call 860-827-7690. - CVS Health (Limited Locations):
Sign up online here, or call 1-800-679-9691.
Testing information:
- Greenwich Hospital and the Yale New Haven Health system can be found here.
- Community Health Center can be found here.
- Family Centers at Wilbur Peck Court can be found here.
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And a reminder that next Thursday, June 10, there will be a Pride Month flag-raising ceremony at 9:30 a.m. in front of Town Hall.
Stay safe and all the best,
Fred