Contributed photo.
Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
Greenwich’s Memorial Day weekend is filled with many events to honor our veterans who so honorably answered the call to duty.
This weekend we shall also honor the memories of the 10 victims in the Buffalo shootings last week and the 19 innocents and their two teachers who died this week in Uvalde, Texas. As a country and as a community we need to renew our efforts to stem the gun violence that has seemingly become a plague.
As we have in years past, on June 2, we will issue our proclamation for Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Memorial Day events
I am honored to be able to participate in these programs, the first of which is tomorrow, Saturday, May 28. At 10:30 a.m., the Cos Cob VFW 10112 will hold its annual wreath ceremony at the war memorial on Strickland Road, across from the Greenwich Historical Society.
There are three parades planned this weekend – in Byram, Glenville and Old Greenwich. In addition, there are memorial services planned at Indian Harbor Yacht Club, the Byram Veterans Memorial Grove and in Chickahominy on Monday. Details on all of these events can be found here.
Cleanup at Binney Park pond
This weekend, Old Greenwich residents and visitors to Binney Park may see the cleanup efforts that are underway in the park pond. We are monitoring the situation with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) which is overseeing those efforts.
Here is the latest information from DEEP and our Fire Marshal Chris Practico:
At approximately 5:44 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26, a release of diesel fuel from a truck occurred due to equipment failure in the form of a hole in the wall side of the driver’s side saddle tank. The (Greenwich) Fire Department was called at 11:27 a.m. to respond to a Center Drive resident’s report of an odor and sheen on the water in the brook. The leaking vehicle was later found on the highway (just north of the northbound Exit 5 of I-95). (Greenwich) FD took immediate action upon discovery to contain impact prior to the main pond (which has tidal influence resulting in stagnation within the pond proper). Initial boom deployment was performed by Greenwich FD minimizing impact from the spill which leached into a nearby catch basin.
At the time of CT DEEP’s arrival, the leak had stopped, and an estimated 50 to 70 gallons had been released. Environmental cleanup activities were initiated by the CT DEEP Emergency Response Unit (ERU). Control measures have been initiated and will continue likely for the next couple of weeks.
Cura Emergency Services was retained by the responsible party for management with Environmental Services, Inc. as a cleanup contractor and they are active at the scene and coordinating with CT DEEP. DEEP’s ERU will continue to oversee response activities.
During Wednesday’s cleanup efforts, approximately 1,300 gallons of oily water were recovered and removed from the site removing the bulk material released. Cleanup activities are ongoing with absorbent materials/containment measures placed at strategic locations. Conditions will continue to be monitored and activities modified as needed. People in the area will note boom deployed at the entrance to the pond at Binney Park in effort to minimize any further impact to the pond. A combination of pollen and emulsified material will likely be observed within the area for the foreseeable future. This is to be expected and not cause for concern.
This release has impacted the stream (appears primarily drainage) which enters the pond at Binney Park at its north end (intersection of Arch St and Sound Beach Ave). The U.S. Coast Guard was notified of the release as this waterway ultimately reaches Long Island Sound.
Officials said no lasting environmental impact is expected. Additionally, there is not currently concern of impact to water wells due to this incident and no distressed wildlife have been noted.
Cultivating Connecticut Grown By Sea
The Foodshed Network and Conservation Commission announce the third panel of the Greenwich Food System Forum (GFSF), “Cultivating Connecticut Grown By Sea”. The panel of shellfish and kelp aquaculturists, seafood education specialists and advocates will explore sustainable seafood in our state and will provide context for both the challenges and successes they experience growing scallops, clams, mussels and kelp. The webinar is free, and will be held virtually through Zoom, on Wednesday, June 1, starting at 7 p.m.
Please visit The Foodshed Network to register and sign up for updates through The Foodshed Thymes.
Fill a truck – feed a neighbor
Last chance to participate in our Fill-A-Public Works Truck Food Drive to support Neighbor to Neighbor. The “trucks” - located in the Town Hall lobby and on the second floor Town Hall (next to the Building Inspection Division entrance - will be available until June 1. In addition to donating food and household goods, donations may be made through our online campaign, which can be found HERE.
Central Greenwich detour alert
This week, the Board of Selectmen approved Aquarion Water Company’s request for road detours this summer as the water main along Brookside Drive is replaced.
The work is scheduled to begin June 13 with daily road closures in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Grove Lane to West Putnam Avenue. The first phase will detour traffic through Grove Lane, Dearfield Drive, West Putnam Avenue and through a portion of Brookside Drive.
The second phase detour will close Brookside between West Putnam Avenue and Field Point Road. Traffic will be detoured through West Putnam Avenue, Brookside Drive, Field Point Road and Prospect Street.
The project is expected to last about 12 weeks, depending on weather and other unforeseen circumstances. The utility is working with the professional offices in the area to minimize and disruption to building access.
Information regarding Aquarion construction projects can be found at on the Aquarion website.
COVID Update
As of today, Greenwich Hospital was treating 15 COVID-19 patients. Last week there were 8 patients being treated for COVID. a decrease of 4 from a week ago. The Yale-New Haven Health system has a total of 131 patients. Our public schools reported today there were new 44 cases reported. This week, a total of 118 new cases were reported in our schools. A total of 3,248 cases have been reported so far this school year.
According to the state, as of May 27, the total number of Greenwich COVID cases (since the pandemic began in March 2020) is 14,005. 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.
And one final note for this week. An email was circulated to the 230 members of the Representative Town Meeting this week regarding a decision made by the Tax Assessor in tandem with the Board of Estimate and Taxation to begin taxing faculty housing owned by Brunswick School. This decision did not involve the Office of the First Selectman. This has now become a legal matter as Brunswick has indicated it is appealing the tax assessment and we cannot comment further, upon the advice of our Town Attorney.
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Stay safe and wishing you the best,
Fred