A yellow tiger swallowtail butterfly gathers nectar from a butterfly bush outside Town Hall. Photo by Barb Heins.
Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
This week we returned to the mandatory mask wearing in Town facilities, including Town Hall. I want to thank each of our employees and our residents and visitors to these buildings who have voluntarily complied with this temporary change of protocol.
State statistics indicate more residents are getting the vaccine, which is the best way to prevent the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID (as is wearing a mask). It’s my hope that more residents will do so, so that we will not have to consider cancelling events or scaling back attendance on those events.
As of today, the total number of COVID cases among Town residents totals 5,347. That is an additional 20 cases from the 5,327 cases recorded on Tuesday, Aug. 10. The Health Department is monitoring 61 active cases. The Connecticut Department of Public Health has declared Greenwich is now an orange zone because of the number of new cases for the previous two weeks. Between July 25 and Aug. 7, the Town averaged 48 new cases each week.
Health Director Caroline Baisley tells me that most of the cases are in the 21 to 30 age group and the 51 to 60 age group. She also said that transmission continues to be among families, both vaccinated and unvaccinated.
According to the state of Connecticut, here are the vaccination rates as of Aug. 12:
Age 12 – 17: 4,221 of 5,449 population; 77.46%
Age: 18 – 24: 3,578 of 4,037 population; 76.47%
Age: 25 – 44: 9,586 of 13,580 population; 64.12%
Age: 45 – 64: 15,927 of 18,950 population; 79.65%
Age: 65+: 9,912 of 10,466 population; 89.64%.
These numbers show that as a Town we have heeded the advice of health professionals and received the vaccine. It is my hope that more of you will do so to help mitigate the spread.
Today, Greenwich Hospital has four COVID-positive patients.
The number of residents who have died from COVID remains unchanged – as it has for 14 weeks - at 89.
And remember, if you aren’t feeling well, please get a COVID test. Medical experts have said that even the mildest symptoms that present as a common cold, could actually be COVID. Please confine your travels until you receive your test results.
Vaccine and testing information:
Locations of vaccine providers and how to contact them can be found here.
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.
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.
Census shows Greenwich is growing
This week, the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2020 census count. It’s not surprising that the Town’s population has experienced a modest increase of residents during the past decade. I am sure our population has grown even more since the census was taken last year.
Officially, the Town has 63,518 residents, an increase of 3.8% of the 61,171 residents counted in 2010. The count places Greenwich as the 10th largest community in Connecticut. This reinforces my belief that Greenwich, as the gateway to New England, remains a premier destination to live, work and raise a family.
More information can be found here.
Special state senate election information
For District 7 residents participating in the August 17 special election for the 36th District Senate seat, in-person voting has been relocated. Instead of voting at Greenwich High School, you will be voting in the cafeteria of Central Middle School, 9 Indian Rock Lane.
All polling places will be open on Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you are a registered voter but are unable to vote in person on Aug. 17, you may obtain an absentee ballot from the Town Clerk’s office here in Town Hall tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 14 from 8 a.m. to noon. You also may apply for a ballot online by using this link.
Riverside detour as sewer project begins
Attention Riverside and Old Greenwich residents - the Old Greenwich Common Force Main Replacement Project will begin on Monday, Aug. 16.
Construction will be located near the Riverside train station parking lot entrance off of Oval Avenue and then continue on Oval Avenue, to Summit Road and conclude in front of the Old Greenwich pump station on West End Avenue.
Starting Monday, temporary road closures will take place on Oval Avenue, between Lake Drive 1 and Terrace Avenue from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Depending on weather and unforeseen conditions, Work Zone 1 is anticipated to be completed in approximately three to four weeks.
This is an essential project that will improve the longevity and reliability of the most critical sewer force main in the Town of Greenwich’s sewer system. Please give yourself a little extra time when traveling, and stay vigilant for signage and detours posted. For the safety of the workers, please stay alert, slow down, and select alternative routes.
Follow @GreenwichPublicWorks on social media for the most recent updates. To learn more about this project, please visit the Department of Public Works’ webpage or click HERE.
Speaking of detours, the reconstruction of the Davis Avenue bridge in Bruce Park is progressing nicely. The Department of Public Works reports that it’s expected that the bridge will reopen to traffic by Sept. 1. More information can be found here.
Cooling centers
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Stay safe and please remember the four W’s: wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance and wipe down surfaces.
All the best,
Fred