Holly Hill Transfer Station Environmental Operations Manager Pat Collins organized a dedication ceremony Friday morning in memory of Doug Francefort who designed and managed the Book Shed at Holly Hill. Mr. Francefort passed away last year and the shed has reopened as the spread of COVID has slowed. Photo courtesy of Leslie Yager.
Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
Summer brings plenty of opportunities for us to enjoy the outdoors. There are several activities around Town that provide an opportunity to appreciate what makes Greenwich so special. You can find details about these various programs and events below.
If you need to beat the heat, remember that our libraries offer a cool and rewarding respite from the weekend hot weather forecast. You also may access the Margenot Atrium at the Public Safety Complex on Bruce Place.
But before you head outdoors, I hope that you will consider helping the American Red Cross. Rising trauma cases, organ transplants, and elective surgeries are depleting the blood supply across the country. The Red Cross urgently needs blood donors of all types, especially type O, and platelet donors to overcome this severe blood shortage.
I hope that you will sign up to give the gift of life at one of the five upcoming donation drives here in Town at rcblood.org/donate.
- July 17: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 1 West Putnam Ave.
- July 23: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road.
- July 28: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road.
- July 28: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road.
- Aug. 2: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Christ Church Greenwich, 254 East Putnam Ave.
Soliciting streetscape comments and suggestions
In the process of creating a holistic plan to improve Greenwich Avenue, an iconic shopping destination in the heart of central Greenwich, the Department of Public Works has launched a new interactive website - greenwichstreetscape.com. The main purpose of the website is to solicit valuable feedback from stakeholders –including residents, retailers, restaurant owners and anyone with a vested interest in the Town of Greenwich.
Feedback provided by the community can help us determine the prioritization of proposed intersection projects and identify key design aspects, which helps to formulate a detailed cost estimation for each project location. To learn more about the Greenwich Avenue Streetscape project and to provide feedback, please click here.
SandBLAST at the beach
Given the tropical weather forecast this weekend, what better way to spend some time at the beach than to build a sand sculpture.
The popular SANDBLAST Sand Sculpture Festival is returning to Greenwich Point Beach this summer! Parks and Recreation in coordination with the Greenwich Arts Council will be running this popular event on Saturday, July 17 from noon to 2 p.m.
Bring your own shovel, sculpting tools, and equipment. Any natural objects found on the beach may be used for sculptures. The judges will circulate at 1:30 p.m. to hand out ribbons and to view all sculptures. Beachgoers may also enjoy walking up and down the beach to view all the sculptures.
The rain date, if needed, is Sunday, July 18 from noon to 2 p.m. Please call the weather hotline at 203-861-6100 for more information.
Ferry service update
The Great Captains Island ferry remains at the dry dock in Bridgeport, awaiting repairs. We are in the queue for work to be completed.
Ferry service will be running to Island Beach every 30 minutes this weekend (weather permitting). Great Captains Island is open for swimming but is only accessible by personal boat. There are no lifeguards on duty there. The splash pad, wading pool, and pool at Byram Park are open for swimming.
Greenwich Together
Greenwich Together is a coalition of more than 30 Greenwich social service, educational, governmental, health, law enforcement, religious and civic organizations, with the common goal to mobilize youth, parents and community partners to prevent substance misuse, promote mental health and strengthen healthy choices.
During the summer months, Greenwich Together is sponsoring a campaign to make the community, especially parents, aware of the Social Host Law. You will see banners at both the Police Station and Town Hall, as well as lawn signs around town with the slogan, “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” referring to the Social Host Law. Know the law and keep our youth safe.
In Connecticut, allowing anyone under the age of 21 to possess alcohol in any dwelling unit or on private property is a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in jail for the person who owns or controls the property.
Any adult who is aware of drinking by anyone under age 21 on private property and fails to take reasonable steps to halt that drinking can also go to jail for up to a year.
For more information on the legal and biological dangers of underage drinking and for tips on how to talk to your children, please visit the Greenwich Together website at https://www.greenwichtogether.org/underage-drinking”
Construction on the Byram River
Officials from our neighbors across the Byram River in Port Chester has notified my office that repair work has begun on the marina bulkhead on the Port Chester side of the river. The three-phase project is estimated to take about 2 ½ years to complete.
There may be noisy conditions created by the heavy machinery and equipment needed for the project as well as ground vibrations when sheet piling is driven or drilled into the shoreline bedrock. We will continue to be in contact with the Village administration should any concerns arise with our residents or businesses in the area.
COVID-19 update
Health Department Director Caroline Baisley reports there is an uptick in the number of new COVID cases among residents. There were 18 new cases reported between July 9 and today, July 16.
“Comparing the two weeks on a Friday before this, we had eight new cases,” according to Ms. Baisley. She is attributing the increase to more people attending large gatherings of people who are not wearing masks.
A total of 5,170 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March 2020. That is 18 cases more than a week ago. Greenwich Hospital doesn’t have any COVID patients as of this afternoon. The number of residents who have died from COVID remains at 89.
As of July 14, 62.08 percent of residents have been fully vaccinated, according to state statistics.
Vaccine and testing information:
For homebound residents, the Family Health Division of the Health Department can provide assistance. Residents should 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. - 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.
Town photo contest deadline
There’s still time to scope out the best photographic shot, the Department of Parks and Recreation photo contest – For the Love of Parks and Recreation! The Department is seeking submissions that express what you love most about our public parks.
The submission deadline is 1 p.m. July 30, with the winners announced in early August. Amateur participants are encouraged to enter. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.greenwichct.gov/1932/Photo-Contest
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You all know how much I love dogs … just like many of our residents. Please remember there are leash laws that must be adhered to when visiting our parks. We are receiving complaints from residents that they are encountering more unleashed dogs during visits to our parks, including Cos Cob Park. And out of respect for our precious parks, please keep your dogs leashed at all times and please clean up after your dog – each of our parks has bag stations if you forget to bring one.
Stay safe and all the best.
Fred