This print by Jean Marc Bara of Greenwich is part of the Greenwich Art Society exhibit that's on view at the Greenwich Arts Council, 299 Greenwich Ave.
Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
It’s difficult to imagine our country without the protections provided by Americans with Disabilities Act.
The ADA was signed into law 31 years ago on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. It is a law that based on legislation introduced back in 1988 by one of our former U.S. Senators and First Selectman, Lowell Weicker.
To commemorate this historic date, Monday, July 26 will be proclaimed as ‘Americans with Disabilities Day’ here in Town. The proclamation will be formally celebrated at a ceremony at The Café at Greenwich Library at 11:30 a.m. Monday. Joining me in this celebration will be members of the First Selectman’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities and the staff of The Café, who are clients of Abilis.
This Greenwich agency provides services and support to more than 800 individuals with special needs and their families from birth through the life span. At The Café, the staff sells a variety of beverages, snacks as well as breakfast and lunch items. (You can check out their menu here.)
For 70 years, Abilis has been serving the special needs community in lower Fairfield County. I hope that you will join me on Monday and support the tremendous work being done by all those involved in our community.
Ferry service update
The Islander II is at the shipyard in Bridgeport. The vessel that is in the shipyard’s dry dock is nearing completion and should be launched soon. Our boat will be hauled out shortly thereafter.
In the meantime, we will provide ferry service to Great Captain Island (GCI) on Monday, July 26 at the times below, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, please call the ferry information hotline at 203-618-7672.
Monday, July 26:
Leaves Arch Street @ 12:30 p.m., leaves GCI @ 1 p.m.
Leaves Arch Street @ 3:30 p.m., leaves GCI @ 4 p.m.
Tax deadline
Greenwich Tax Collector Heather Smeriglio would like to remind all taxpayers that the deadline to pay taxes is quickly approaching. All first-half real estate, motor vehicle and personal property tax bills on the 2020 Grand List are due no later than August 2.
On August 3, the interest will revert back to the original due date of July 1st and a 3% interest charge will be applied. You may pay in person by visiting the Tax Collectors office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
You also may pay online via the Town website www.greenwichct.org or by mailing in your check to: Town of Greenwich, Tax Collector PO Box 3002, Greenwich, CT 06836-3002. Please note that if you choose to mail your payment and its close to the deadline have the Post Office hand stamp the date on the payment envelope. We will honor the postmark as allowed by CT State Statute. If you have any questions, please call the Tax Collector’s Office at 203-622-7891.
Greenwich HS Field Remediation Update
Remediation work at Greenwich High School is ongoing, with Field 4 artificial turf removed and excavation underway. Work is occurring Monday through Saturday, all to keep the project moving forward as quickly as possible. We appreciate the understanding from the public that the GHS campus is closed this summer. To learn about this project and for progress updates please click, HERE.
Art Society juried show on view
The Greenwich Art Society’s long-awaited 104th Annual Juried Exhibition is back at the Bendheim Gallery this summer. The Bendheim Gallery is located at the Art Center on 299 Greenwich Ave. The juror for the exhibit was Allison Rudnick, Associate Curator in the Department of Drawings and Prints at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The exhibit showcases artists from as far as Texas and as well as within our immediate region. The public is welcome to view some of the best quality art being shown in Greenwich today. All artwork is for sale and a portion of the sales goes to the Greenwich Art Society. To view the exhibit, please call 203-862-6750 to confirm your visit.
An online gallery is available for viewing here – Greenwich Art Society Current Shows — Greenwich Art Society School of Visual Art.
COVID-19 update
Health Department Director Caroline Baisley reports the uptick in the number of new COVID cases among residents continues.
A total of 5,194 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March 2020. That is 24 cases more than a week ago. The Greenwich Health Department is tracking 26 active cases in Town. Greenwich Hospital has 2 COVID patients as of this afternoon. The number of residents who have died from COVID remains at 89.
As of July 22, 62.7 percent of residents have been fully vaccinated with 68.46 percent of residents having received an initial vaccine dose, according to state statistics.
I cannot stress enough that residents who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a face mask, especially when social distancing isn’t possible. Please get a vaccination (information is below) as state statistics show that three out of four new COVID cases involve the Delta variant that was contracted by unvaccinated people. We should continue to wash hands frequently and continue to sanitize commonly-used surfaces.
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.
Red Cross in need of blood donors
The American Red Cross continues to experience a national shortage in the blood supply. 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.
Locally, there are three opportunities to give the gift of life and you can make a reservation with this link: rcblood.org/donate.
- 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.
***
Stay safe and all the best.
Fred