Contributed photo.
A diamondback turtle - they're making a comeback at Greenwich Point Park.
Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
Remembering First Selectman Rebecca Breed
It is with great sadness that we honor the memory of our former First Selectman Rebecca Breed who passed away this week. During her six-year tenure on the Board of Selectmen Rebecca faced incredible challenges with dignity and grace. She was first elected to the Board in 1979 as a Selectman, she was elected First Selectman in 1981, followed by a second term as Selectman from 1983 to 1985.
First Selectman Breed led Greenwich during one of the most challenging times in history, and for that, all Greenwich residents owe her a debt of gratitude. Only the passage of time can provide the proper perspective for the reflection necessary for a true assessment.
Her love for her hometown of Greenwich never abated as she continued to volunteer long after her tenure in Hall ended nearly 40 years ago.
The legacy of her commitment to community is evidenced by her support over the years of many causes, most especially the Boys & Girls Club Greenwich, with the annual Thanksgiving Dinners and summer ice cream socials. Countless children are the beneficiaries of her philanthropy.
We send the Breed family our love and sincerest condolences at this most difficult time. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 22 at Christ Church Greenwich.
Celebrating Juneteenth
It was a great turnout this afternoon for the Town’s inaugural Juneteenth commemoration in front of Town Hall.
About 75 people joined me and our Board of Selectmen, members of our state Delegation and other Town officials to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation. It was Union Army General Gordon Granger who delivered the news in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.
I am proud that Greenwich has joined the national effort to promote and enhance the unity and spiritual strength that brought African Americans out of slavery and sustained their dignity and prosperity to the present day. I thank all those who participated in the proclamation presentation and flag-raising program, including our police chaplain and pastor of First Baptist Church Rev. Thomas Nins and YWCA Greenwich CEO Mary Lee Kiernan.
In honor of the holiday, the Juneteenth flag will fly in front of Town Hall until the morning of June 21.
Do the turtle!
Do the turtle – they walk slowly, please drive slowly.
With recent conservation efforts for cleaner waters the Diamondback Terrapin has inhabited Greenwich Cove in larger numbers over the years. During the nesting season, we are now seeing them crossing the road looking for nesting areas in two locations: the entrance causeway near the gate house and the small parking lot near the Holly Grove. Terrapins nest through June and July. We ask that all beach goers be respectful of this creature and keep an eye out as you drive through.
The Diamondback Terrapin is the only species of turtle that lives in brackish, coastal tidal marshes and estuaries. Females tend to grow to be a length of 7.5 inches, while smaller males tend to reach 5 inches. They are considered harmless.
Time to renew licenses, permits
Dogs
June is “Dog License Renewal Month” in Connecticut. This means that each year during the month of June owners must renew their dog’s license. Registering your dog can be done in person or through the mail. The dog license is valid from July 1 through June 30. All dogs over 6 months old living in the Town of Greenwich must be licensed with the Town Clerk’s office. The annual fee for a spayed or neutered dog is $8; an unaltered dog is $19. A person who moves to Greenwich whose dog was previously licensed in another Connecticut town may transfer the registration for $1.00. For questions, please contact the Town Clerk’s office at 203-622-7897 or via email: Town.clerk@greenwichct.org More information can be found here.
Alarm registrations
Fire and burglary alarm registration renewal forms have been mailed. Visit https://www.greenwichct.gov/alarmpayment to pay the $20 annual registration fee that’s due July 1. The late fees are expensive: $70 beginning August 1; $220 beginning September 1. All alarm devices, including self-installed devices purchased online, calling for a response from either the Police or Fire Department must be registered with the Alarm Administrator. Details can be found here.
Dump permits
Remember to purchase your Holly Hill Transfer Station permit by July 1. You can purchase your permit for July 1, 2022 through June 20, 2023. Applying online is fast and convenient. Click this link and you will be done in just a few minutes.
COVID Update
Today Greenwich Hospital reported it was treating 7 COVID-19 patients. Last week there were 10 patients being treated for COVID. The Yale-New Haven Health system has a total of 78 patients.
Our public schools reported today 26 new active cases in the district. This week, a total of 47 new cases were reported in our schools. A total of 3,439 cases have been reported so far this school year.
According to the state, as of June 17, the total number of Greenwich COVID cases (since the pandemic began in March 2020) is 14,300. Another Greenwich resident has been attributed to COVID, bringing the number of resident deaths to 124.
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.
Greenwich Interfaith Blood Drive
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. That’s the reason why four local churches – First Baptist, First United Methodist, Congregation Shir Ami and First Presbyterian - have joined forces to help save lives both locally and nationally. The Greenwich Interfaith blood drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, June 18, at First Presbyterian, 1 W. Putnam Ave. For an appointment, log onto redcrossblood.org, use code FPCG or call 1-800-733-2767.
Electrify your life expo
Join in on the e-fun, Saturday, June 18, from 11 a.m. 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.
C’mon – Let’s get crabby
Celebrate International Horseshoe Crab Day! On Saturday, June 18th from 2pm - 4pm by the beach near the Old Greenwich Yacht Club, join Sarah Coccaro of the Greenwich Conservation Commission to learn about horseshoe crabs.
Horseshoe crabs greatly benefit our coastal ecosystem. International Horseshoe Crab Day is a worldwide day to raise public awareness about the challenges that these ancient species face for survival. On June 18th, help Sarah count horseshoe crabs and discover more about their habitat, diet, history, lifecycle and conservation.
Swing by and chat with Sarah near the OG Yacht Club dock between the parking lot and the Chimes Building anytime between 2 and 4pm. This is an informal Q&A event with no formal presentation.
Waterfall cleanup
Greenwich Green & Clean along with its community partners will be sponsoring a Community Cleanup Day on Saturday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Eastern corner of Greenwich High School facing East Putnam Avenue. The cleanup is the first phase of The Waterfall Project. More details can be found here.
Summer rains, clean the drains
It’s almost summer, and that can mean thunderstorms and cloudbursts bringing short and intense rainfall. Keep your gutters and drains cleared, and please keep garden debris, yard clippings, children’s toys, and other material out of storm drains and waterways.
You wouldn’t believe what DPW finds in drains and sewers – and I see it every day when I walk to the gym. I also want to take this opportunity to remind residents that stormwater may not be pumped into the Town’s sanitary sewers. It will create capacity issues and lead to backups, so please keep stormwater and sewage separate.
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Stay safe and for all of those who are celebrating, Happy Father’s Day.
Fred