Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
I am pleased to announce that our biannual Resident Satisfaction Survey which benchmarks our strengths and identifies areas we can improve our service to residents is complete and now available for your review.
To the hundreds of residents who took the time to complete the telephone and online surveys conducted last fall, I thank you. The survey was postponed from 2020 because of the COVID pandemic.
Residents expressed high satisfaction with services provided by our Parks and Recreation Department and the Highway Division of the Department of Public Works. I want to note that during the initial shutdown of the pandemic with most staff working remotely, Parks and Recreation employees assisted residents by answering 83,000 emails they received between March and August 2020.
The survey also highlighted the need to continue to improve communication between Town government and the community, especially in response to how residents prefer to receive information. I encourage you to continue to use our website for real-time updates and information as well as this newsletter. Residents may sign up for a myriad of alerts – emergency notifications, meeting schedules and agendas, and newsletters, by using this link on our website.
The complete survey can be found here.
Seasonal lawn watering schedule announced
At our Board of Selectmen meeting yesterday, we received Aquarion Water Co.’s water conservation plan for 2022.
Aquarion Community Relations Director George Logan gave the presentation. Greenwich’s twice weekly watering schedule mirrors the schedule for several neighboring communities for Aquarion customers and all private well owners.
Those with even-numbered addresses may water only on Sundays and Wednesdays before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Those with odd-numbered addresses may water only on Saturdays and Tuesdays before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Properties without an address number, watering is allowed only before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on Sundays and Wednesdays.
The entire presentation – along with the 2021 water quality report - can be found beginning on page 69 of the Board’s agenda packet.
Double poles and low wires
We have received residents’ concerns about the number of double poles and low hanging wires around Town.
How to report double poles and low-hanging wires near you:
1. Identify the street intersection and pole number. Take a photo.
2. Call the utility. For electric (top wire) call Eversource 1-800-286-2000. For communications (bottom wires) call Frontier 1-800-921-8101. Make note of the date of call, person contacted and response.
3. Submit a complaint with PURA (the regulator) here: http://www.dpuc.state.ct.us/PURACAIU.NSF/RevWebIntake?OpenForm
4. Email a copy of the complaint with location and photos to pura.information@ct.gov or call 1-800-382-4586.
Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Celebration
There’s still time left to help the Boys & Girls Club Greenwich celebrate the Youth of the Year and fete the club’s Vice President of Programs & Youth Development, Don Palmer as the 2022 Champion of Youth.
The program is scheduled for April 6. The Youth of the Year program was established in 1969 to recognize club members who give back to their club and community. Recipients of the honor have demonstrated service to club, community and family; academic success, strong moral character, life goals, and poise and public speaking ability.
Don is being recognized for his 30 years of helping thousands of children grow and reach their full potential through honesty, hard work and sportsmanship.
Tickets for the April 6 event are available at bgcg.org, and special alumni priced tickets are available by emailing Michele Smith at msmith@bgcg.org.
Come see, hear the peepers.
The Town of Greenwich Environmental Affairs Department (Conservation & Wetlands) are hosting a public vernal pool walk tomorrow, Saturday, March 26.
From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., join professional soil and wetland scientists Christie Coon and Matt Popp to experience the spring awakening in the wetlands at the Community Gardens at 129 Bible Street. Coon, Popp and our staff will help visitors get an up-close and personal look of some of the creatures who make the vernal pools their home. Visitors will be able to listen for mating calls and look for salamanders and frogs and see egg masses.
Parking is available on-site at the Community Gardens or across the street at Montgomery Pinetum Park. The walk is open to all ages. For more information, email conservation@greenwichct.org or log on to the Environmental Affairs website.
Detour Alert
Major bridge construction on Sound Beach Avenue Bridge will commence on April 11. A temporary detour utilizing Harding Road and Forest Avenue will be in effect from April 11 to July 1. Pedestrians will be routed through Binney Park during construction. This critical project that will replace a deteriorating bridge used by approximately 14,500 vehicles every day. To learn more about the project, please click here.
Did you know?
You don’t have to drive to the Holly Hill Resource Recovery Center to drop off your recyclable food scraps. On Wednesdays, residents may now drop off food scraps at two satellite sites in Greenwich.
Back Country: Round Hill Community Church (395 Round Hill Road, Greenwich) – from 10 a.m. to noon. Please park in the south lot of the Community House and walk your bins to the designated drop area.
Old Greenwich: Living Hope Community Church (38 West End Avenue, Old Greenwich) – from noon to 2 p.m. Drop off area is at the main entrance of the church. Please park in the circle in front.
COVID Update
As of today, Greenwich Hospital was treating 1 COVID-19 patient. The Yale-New Haven Health system has a total of 20 patients. Our public schools reported 24 active cases today - 19 students, 4 teachers and 1 non-teaching staff member.
As of March 24, the total number of resident COVID cases among Town residents (since the pandemic began in March 2020) increased to 11,629. The number of residents whose deaths have been attributed to COVID remains at 120.
Vaccine info
Log onto the Yale New Haven Health website to find a booster vaccine site.
Family Centers is offering weekday vaccine and testing clinics at 111 Wilbur Peck Court. Details can be found here.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is offering mobile vaccine clinics. Information on locations can be found here.
A reminder from our Department of Public Works
While you’re out doing your spring yard cleanup, please take a moment to make sure that any grate tops of catch basins on your property frontage are clear of leaves and debris.
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Stay safe and wishing you the best,
Fred