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Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
Help minimize the noise
The warmer weather is now allowing us to open our windows and let in Mother Nature. Nothing beats the fresh air blowing inside our homes – except for one thing.
My office is receiving more complaints about the noise generated by gas-powered leaf blowers. Our municipal code is very specific on the terms of leaf blower use. The code applies to private use as well as professional landscapers and prohibits the use of multiple leaf blowers being used in our neighborhoods.
Under Section 6B-6 of our municipal code, “Commercial and/or residential property parcels of one-quarter (1/4) acre or less may only be serviced by one (1) gasoline-powered leaf blower at any given time.”
It also mandates, “No person shall operate or permit the operation of any gasoline-powered leaf blower between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.”
I hope that our residents will respect these regulations which are designed to protect the health and safety of all.
I also am looking forward to receiving more details from the grassroots group Quiet Yards Greenwich which is researching best practices for reducing use of gas-powered leaf blowers and the use of alternative landscaping measures. The group, whose members include the First Selectman’s Sustainability Committee, the Greenwich Conservation Commission, residents and landscapers, gave its initial presentation to the Board of Selectmen in March. It can be found here.
Move for the CCI fundraiser
Community Centers Inc. will be sponsoring a Move for CCI fundraiser on Sunday June 5. CCI has served the neediest residents of Greenwich since 1955, and to continue this mission, asks the community to sign up to walk, run, bike, swim, or move any-which-way you want, to where you want to, to benefit CCI. If you're not feeling up to a Move for CCI, sponsorships are just as appreciated! For more information please go to www.CCIGreenwich.org.
Bruce Museum construction update
The Bruce Museum will be closed to the public from June 4 to July 9 for scheduled construction. While the physical space is closed, the museum is offering many virtual programs via www.brucemuseum.org. I am looking forward to seeing the progress that will be made during this closure.
Share the road
My office has received emails from residents concerned about cyclists not sharing the roads as they ride our bucolic thoroughfares. I want to take this opportunity to remind cyclists that for the safety of motorists – and your safety, please share the road and ride single file. Taking up an entire lane by riding in a pack endangers lives unnecessarily.
COVID Update
As of today, Greenwich Hospital was treating 15 COVID-19 patients. Last week there were 10 patients being treated for COVID, an increase of 2 from a week ago. The Yale-New Haven Health system has a total of 124 patients. Our public schools reported today there were new 38 active cases in the district. This week, a total of 72 new cases were reported in our schools. A total of 3,282 cases have been reported so far this school year.
According to the state, as of June 2, the total number of Greenwich COVID cases (since the pandemic began in March 2020) is 14,090. The number of residents whose deaths have been attributed to COVID increased by 1 to 123.
Did you know that you can order 8 free at-home COVID test kits? Learn more and submit a request via this link with the U.S. Postal Service.
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.
Save the date: upcoming events.
The Greenwich Botanical Center (GBC) is hosting its annual Grandiflora Garden Tour on June 10th and 11th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout Greenwich and neighboring towns. Since 1958, the Grandiflora Garden Tour has been a highlight on the GBS event calendar and is a key fundraiser for the nonprofit. For more tour information and tickets here.
Pride flag-raising: The 2022 LGBTQ Pride flag-raising and proclamation presentation will be held at Town Hall at noon June 12.
Electrify your life expo: Join in on the e-fun, Saturday, June 18, from 11 to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the Cos Cob train station. It’s being organized by Town of Greenwich Conservation Commission, Sustainability Committee, the EV Club of CT, Quiet Yards Greenwich, Pedal Greenwich, Live Green, Clean Cities and Wilton Go Green. Details can be found here.
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Stay safe and wishing you the best,
Fred