Bob Capazzo photo.
The Breast Cancer Alliance held its annual flag-raising at Town Hall Friday morning to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For more information about their great work in support of breast cancer research and about their upcoming annual fashion show fund-raiser, please click here.
Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
Tropical Storm Ida update
We have been notified by Congressman Jim Himes that with the damages now reported, it appears we have met the thresholds for FEMA assistance for Fairfield County. FEMA teams continue to conduct their mandated assessment of the impacted areas to determine the extent of the disaster and its impact on individuals and public facilities. The information that FEMA collects will be included in a request for federal assistance in order to demonstrate that the disaster was of such magnitude that the state and local governments could not provide an effective and that supplemental federal assistance is necessary.
Once FEMA concludes its review, the Governor with the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will be able to formally request a federal disaster declaration. Once the President approves such request, we will receive information about the resources available to residents and businesses. We will share that information as soon as it’s available on the Town website, our social media outlets and through this newsletter.
Speaking of FEMA, there are many changes to flood insurance rules and regulations the agency has implemented that became effective today, October 1. Please read about the details and how they could possibly impact you in this Greenwich Time article: https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/Flood-insurance-rules-are-changing-but-some-say-16498673.php?src=gthpdesecp
COVID-19 update
There is some good news on the COVID-19 front … the number of new cases continue to stabilize and the number of patients hospitalized remains low.
Between Sept. 21 and Sept. 28, there were 36 new cases reported. That is nearly half of 69 new cases reported the week before. Health Director Caroline Baisley reports there is a total of 52 active cases being monitored by the Greenwich Health Department. That is 16 less than the previous week.
Today, Greenwich Hospital is treating five COVID-positive patients. Unfortunately, in the past week, three residents were reported as having died from COVID. The Town has lost 93 residents.
Greenwich Hospital announced this week that it has begun taking appointments for booster and dose three vaccinations at the hospital’s Noble Conference.
In accordance with The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in partnership with Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS), Greenwich Hospital will administer booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for long-term care residents and those 65 and older, 18 to 64 with underlying conditions, and 18 and older at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure. Booster doses can be given six months after initial vaccine series. An explanation on the differences between a third dose and a booster can be found here. Those who received J&J or Moderna are not yet eligible for a booster.
All vaccinations are by appointment only and can be made on the YNHHS website: www.ynhhs.org/covidvaccine. Individuals must wear a mask and answer screening questions upon arrival. More appointments will be added as the vaccine becomes available to ensure a sufficient supply for all scheduled patients.
COVID vaccine and testing information:
Locations of vaccine providers and how to contact them can be found here.
The Family Health Division of the Health Department can provide assistance for homebound residents who still need the vaccine. Residents need to contact their physician to request that a doctor’s order for a vaccine 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.
Red Cross storm preparedness presentation
The Red Cross Greater NY Region is offering "Be Red Cross Ready", a free emergency preparedness training for individuals and families via Zoom at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 5. The program will be co-hosted by Stephanie Dunn Ashley, CEO of Red Cross NY Region, and presented by Alex Poku who has personally trained 100,000 people in the last few years. Joining as co-hosts will be Family Centers CEO Bob Arnold, interim YMCA CEO Patrice Francois, YWCA CEO Mary Lee Kiernan, Commission on Aging Chair Steve Katz and Selectperson Jill Oberlander.
This training gives a comprehensive overview of preparing for natural and man-made disasters and how to respond to and recover from them. The program will provide preparedness essentials that would help during hazards like home fires, hurricanes and winter storms. You can register for the program here.
Historical Society’s Fall Family Festival Returns with Fun for Entire Family
This annual event will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. October 9 at the Historical Society campus, 47 Strickland Rd., Cos Cob.
Sing and dance with the Trummytones, a children's music band led by world renowned trombonist and front man Vinny Nobile. There also will be the annual scarecrow-building competition. (Donations of creative scarecrow-making clothes and accessories are welcome and can be dropped off at the Historical Society lobby by October 8, as well as the opportunity to channel your inner Impressionist painter by painting en plein air.
For more information and to purchase tickets: https://greenwichhistory.org/event/fall-family-festival/
Absentee ballots applications, voter registration for the November election
Absentee ballots for the November 2 local elections will become available October 1. You can print and fill out the application here https://www.greenwichct.gov/DocumentCenter/View/23460/absentee-application?bidId=
The applications can be returned to the Town Clerk’s office (address is on the application). Ballot boxes will be available for applications and ballots from September 15th till November 2nd at 8 p.m. They are located at Town Hall and at the Public Safety Complex, 11 Bruce Place.
If you need to check your voter registration status, you can do so online by using this link: https://www.greenwichct.gov/1191/Voter-Information-Lookup . This link also allows you to check your absentee status.
Take time to take our survey
Just a reminder that the biannual resident satisfaction survey will begin Monday, October 4.
Great Blue Research of Glastonbury will conduct the 2021 resident satisfaction survey via telephone. The survey asks residents to rate their satisfaction with several key services provided by the Town. An online survey also will be made available. For more details, please click here. I do hope that you will participate as it gives everyone an opportunity to let us know what services are important to you and to help shape the future of our Town.
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I hope to see you this Sunday morning (October 3) for the YWCA Greenwich Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence. You can register at 8:30 a.m. at Bruce Park where we’ll be walking our scenic park in central Greenwich for such a worthwhile cause that marks October as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. More information can be found here.
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Stay safe and please remember to wash your hands, watch your distance, wipe down surfaces and get a vaccine if you haven’t done so already.
All the best,
Fred