Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
There are several updates regarding Tropical Storm Ida and its impact upon our residents.
The FEMA field office at the Glenville Volunteer Fire Department closed operations this afternoon. For residents who haven’t begun the assistance process, you may do so online. There is a Stamford FEMA field office available at the Harry Bennett Branch of the Ferguson Library, 115 Vine Road. Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to help residents and businesses apply for disaster assistance. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
To begin the process online, please use this link. Assistance also is available by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., seven days a week. The TTY number is 1-800-462-7585. Here is a link with information on how the application process works. For information on the Individuals and Households assistance programs which provide financial help or direct services to people with needs that aren’t met through other means, please use this link.
Here is the link to frequently asked questions. And here is the link to help guide you through the process: Disaster Resource and Recovery Guide.
I will be hosting a community forum about the Byram River on December 20. Congressman Jim Himes and I will host a presentation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on “Flooding, Risk Management and the Future of the Byram River” at 5
p.m. December 20 at Glenville School, 33 Riversville Road. More information on the forum and documents related to river flooding can be found here.
Here is another reminder for those impacted by Ida. According to our Tax Assessor Lauren Elliot, if you plan to challenge your 2021 property assessment because of storm-related damage, you must submit photographs or documentation that explains the extent of the damage. The deadline to submit documentation is January 7 and may be emailed to 2021reval@greenwichct.org with the subject line: IDA.
COVID-19 update
This week, Greenwich Hospital reported that two area residents tested positive for the omicron variant at the hospital testing site. Neither patient was hospitalized as one did not exhibit any symptoms, and the second had mild symptoms. One was a resident of Fairfield County, the other from Westchester County.
As of today, Greenwich Hospital was treating 9 COVID-positive patients, with 1 in the Intensive Care Unit. Two of the patients are vaccinated.
It’s not too late to begin the vaccination process if you haven’t done so. If you are vaccinated, please arrange to receive a booster. And always keep a mask handy, if you don’t wear one regularly, as more businesses and offices are requiring visitors to wear one.
In Greenwich Public Schools, as of today, there is a total of 41 cases, up from 28 a week ago. According to the district’s data tracker, 19 cases originated from outside activities or family, 21 have an undetermined origin and 1 is an in-school transmission. There are 33 students, 4 teachers, 2 non-teaching staff, 1 administrator and 1 service provider who are ill.
As of December 8, the total number of resident COVID cases grew by 98 from the previous week for a total of 6,222. The Greenwich Health Department was tracking 98 active cases. The infection rate is 16.9 cases per 100,000 residents.
The Town remains a red zone – as are most surrounding communities - given the number of infections.
A total of 98 residents have died of COVID.
Here are the latest full vaccination rates as reported by the state Department of Health and Human Services, as of December 9:
Age 5 – 11: 16.65% of 6,470 residents
Age 12 – 17: 88.62% of 5,449 residents
Age 18 – 24: 81.27% of 4,037 residents
Age 25 – 44: 66.78% of 13,580 residents
Age 45 – 64: 81.56% of 18,950 residents
Age 65 +: 91.13% of 10,466 residents
To find a vaccination site near you, please use this link.
Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS) is administering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Fairfield County. All vaccinations are by appointment only and to find out which booster is available and to make an appointment, log onto the YNHHS website: www.ynhhs.org/covidvaccine.
Town of Greenwich Parks & Recreation Holiday Food Drive
Greenwich Recreation is partnering with Neighbor to Neighbor to host a food drive this holiday season. Collection bins are set up for non-perishable foods at Town Hall, Parks & Recreation Office, Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center, Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink, and Greenwich Point. In addition to the physical drive, an online fresh fruit and vegetable drive is also available by visiting https://amplify.ampyourgood.com/user/campaigns/3861. The food drive will conclude on Monday, December 20.
Tax bills coming
It’s that time of year again … Tax bills are scheduled to be mailed out next week. All second half real estate and supplemental motor vehicle bills on the 2020 Grand List are due no later than February 1, 2022.
You may pay in person by visiting the Tax Collector’s office, located on the first floor of Town Hall, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
You may also pay online at the Town’s 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 in your payment and it’s 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 feel free to call the Tax Collector’s Office at 203-622-7891.
Leaf Collection Update
The Town’s Leaf Collection program is coming to a close! In order to gear up for the winter season the final leaf pickup in the designated road sections is scheduled to be completed next week, weather permitting. If your road has already received two leaf collections, please do not put any more leaves out on the curb of the road. My office has received several calls and emails from residents requesting a third pickup after residents deposited leaves curbside following the final pickup. The Town is unable to schedule additional cleanups. You can learn more about the program, HERE.
Tips for parents having conversations with their children
The First Selectman’s Youth Commission and Greenwich Together are promoting a film screening of “Don’t Wait”, a film which encourages parents to have conversations with their children about substance use. So far, more than 200 parents and professionals have viewed the film which is available until December 15. Please see the poster above for more information.
Crucial Sewer Project In Final Phase
Progress continues with the Old Greenwich Common Force Main Replacement Project. It is in the final phase with construction going on in work zone 6, located at the traffic circle where Arch Street, West End Avenue, and Summit Road meet. Construction will take place 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Greenwich Police will redirect traffic to the designated detour routes.
This project will improve the longevity and reliability of the most critical sewer force main in the Town’s sewer system. Department of Public Works recommends residents give themselves 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.
Photo Contest
Calling all Greenwich shutterbugs! Show us your holiday spirit using the Hashtag #TOGcelebrates or email your photo to pnrecs@greenwichct.org for a chance to win a holiday prize package. Entries must be submitted by Wednesday, December 15 to be eligible for the prize. A winner will be announced Tuesday, December
21.
It’s Commuter Parking Permit Renewal Time
The Annual Commuter Parking Permit renewal process is being conducted only online (submitting an application, proving/uploading residency documents (if applicable), and rendering payment). It is a multi-step process and emails are sent to the permittee, each step along the way. Please allow 2 to 3 business days for your application to be reviewed.
Renew online by visiting https://www.greenwichct.gov/572
The deadline to pay is close of business day December 31, 2021. Questions: email Parking Services at parkingpermits@greenwichct.org
Eversource helicopter survey
Beginning December 14 and continuing through December, Eversource will be conducting aerial inspections of high-voltage electrical equipment in rights of way throughout the state, including Greenwich. The inspections will be done between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting, via a blue and yellow helicopter with tail number - #N803JB.
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Stay safe and be well. Best,
Fred