Photo credit: Greenwich Prevention Council.
The Greenwich Prevention Council and Arch Street will be hosting a special event for teens and their families about substance misuse and mental health challenges.
Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
The months of discussion and, lately – debate over the proposed 2022-23 operating and capital budgets will culminate with the Representative Town Meeting’s annual budget vote on Monday night, May 9.
I want to take this opportunity to address some of the continued efforts to morph misinformation as facts regarding the Greenwich Avenue bump-outs. This project (encompassing the Greenwich Avenue, Arch Street and Havemeyer Place intersection and the Greenwich Avenue, Fawcett Place and Grigg Street intersection) was created to implement key pedestrian and motorist safety measures and increase accessibility on a street that is heavily used by both.
The project will not add to Town expenses as it will be funded by grants from the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Western CT Council of Governments. We can’t repurpose the money for another project as the grants were specifically awarded for these intersections which includes creation of more parking. Not accepting the money means the grants will be allocated to projects in neighboring communities. Several key Town agencies endorse the projects including our Police and Fire departments and Greenwich EMS.
Our Commission on Aging, and several of our physically challenged residents also endorse improved pedestrian safety. Please watch this video. My full op-ed on creating more pedestrian safety on Greenwich Avenue can be found here.
Location change: Household hazardous waste day
And, planning ahead: the Town will hold a collection for household hazardous waste on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. has been relocated to the Horseneck Lane parking lot, across from the Boys & Girls Club Greenwich. For a list of acceptable items, please use this link. Once again all paints, including latex, will be accepted.
More recycling
Join Waste Free Greenwich and its community partners to experience the #ReThink Waste Fair on Saturday, May 7 (from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at Christ Church Parish Hall. This family-friendly event, which aims to promote waste free living in our community, will feature a recycling drive, exhibits and activities to rethink waste through the 6Rs - refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, repair and rot. For more information, please use this link.
May Gardeners Market
The Greenwich Botanical Center’s 60th annual May Gardeners Market will be held rain or shine tomorrow, Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Montgomery Pinetum, 130 Bible Street in Cos Cob. The market will host vendors offering a wide variety of plants, horticulturally inspired accessories, and organic food products, with music provided by Mark Zelenz, and lunch will be available from the Round Hill Country Store Food Truck.
No parking is available on site. Please consider being dropped off at the entrance or perhaps enjoy a short walk in the woods from either the Moretti Field Parking lot or the Parking lot at the end of Montgomery Lane. More information can be found here.
COVID Update
As of today, Greenwich Hospital was treating 9 COVID-19 patients. The Yale-New Haven Health system has a total of 94 patients, an increase of 17 from a week ago. Our public schools reported today there are 86 active cases – nearly double of last Friday. The breakdown: 75 students; 10 teachers, and 1 service provider. A total of 2,745 cases have been reported so far this school year.
According to the state, as of May 6, the total number of Greenwich COVID cases (since the pandemic began in March 2020) increased from 12,693 to 12,931. The number of residents whose deaths have been attributed to COVID remains at 122.
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.
25th annual Art to the Avenue
I hope that you will take the opportunity to check out the Greenwich Arts Council’s 25th Art to the Avenue. There are dozens of stores in the downtown business district showcasing our local artists’ creations through May 31. All the art on display is for sale, and a 30% tax deduction for the purchaser benefits the GAC. For more information, please click here.
Celebrate Historical Society’s 90th anniversary
For 90 years, Greenwich Historical Society has represented Greenwich at its core – a Town firmly rooted in the nation’s past as it is in shaping its future. Inspired by the generous spirit and support of members and friends, the Historical Society will host a festive anniversary celebration at its Cos Cob campus on May 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The celebration will kick-off DISCOVER GREENWICH − dynamic interactive programming scheduled throughout the year that is designed to promote a sense of place and belonging, spark dialogue and inspire meaningful connections across our diverse community. To register for the free May 12 cocktail reception at the Historical Society campus as 47 Strickland Rd., please use this link.
Help stamp out hunger
The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is back and happening on May 14. Greenwich residents are invited to leave a bag of non-perishable foods by their mailbox on the morning of Saturday, May 14. Letter carriers will pick up the bags during their route and deliver them to our food pantry that same day!.
Neighbor to Neighbor is currently providing weekly food assistance to over 500 Greenwich households. Rising food and energy prices continue to challenge residents. This is the biggest food drive of the year for Neighbor to Neighbor, and they are grateful to have the Stamp Out Hunger food drive back after a 2-year hiatus.
There is also an online option for residents who will not be able to participate in the food drive on May 14. The Givehealthy platform allows donors to donate fresh produce, milk, and eggs to the food pantry. The online food drive offers a wonderful balance to the physical food drive and can be found here.
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Finally, I want to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to all of our Greenwich moms on this Mother’s Day weekend.
Stay safe and wishing you the best,
Fred