Photo courtesy of Westchester County.
We have arranged for Westchester County officials to hold a community forum about the pending update of the Westchester County Airport Master Plan. We hope that you mark the calendar to join the discussion on what is on the horizon.
Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
The proverbial dog days of summer certainly are upon us. The heat and humidity prompted the opening of our cooling centers at various Town facilities this week. And with the forecast of this sticky weather trend continuing into early next week, the centers will remain available through Tuesday, August 9.
The National Weather Service forecast includes daytime temperatures reaching the mid-90s and overnight low temperatures in the mid-70s.
Details on the hours for each location – our libraries, the Public Safety Complex and Town Hall - can be found here. People are advised to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated and seek indoor cooling stations if possible. Statewide, you can call 2-1-1 to find the nearest location.
Please check on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors. Please do not leave pets inside vehicles even with the windows open.
Election sign protocol
With the August 9 primaries just days away, we can see candidates are taking advantage of using election-related campaign signs as their expression of free speech. The signs are allowed on public property subject to reasonable guidelines and should be limited to candidates who are on the Tuesday ballot.
The Town policy sets forth the process to be followed if signs need to be removed for public health and/or safety concerns. The specific guidelines of this administrative policy can be found here on the Town website.
All election related campaign signs are to be removed by their owners within forty-eight (48) hours following an election to which they pertain. If not so removed, the Town may remove and dispose of them following such forty-eight (48) hour period. Thank you in advance for following the process.
And in case you missed it – Aug. 9 primary information
On Tuesday, August 9 there will be a Democratic Primary and a Republican Primary. Only registered Democrats and registered Republicans may vote in their respective primaries. Unaffiliated voters are not eligible to vote in the primaries.
All voters can vote either by absentee ballot or in person. Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Registrars of Voters recently sent a card to all registered voters indicating voters' voting districts and state assembly districts. Some voters state assembly districts have changed as a result of redistricting which occurs every 10 years.
Please note that for the Aug. 9 primary elections only, four polling places are changed.
- District 3 will vote at the Hamilton Avenue School cafeteria.
- Districts 7 and 7A will vote at Greenwich Library lower level.
- District 8 will vote at the Cos Cob School gym.
- Districts 11 and 11A will vote at the Parkway School cafeteria.
Eligible voters may request an absentee ballot. Information on how to obtain a ballot from the Town Clerk’s office may be found here.
And to assist voters in need of an August 9 primary absentee ballot, the Town Clerk’s office will offer special in-person office hours tomorrow, Saturday, August 6. Ballots will be available from 9 a.m. to noon.
Outdoor dining survey
The Planning and Zoning Department is soliciting residents to complete an online survey about the outdoor restaurant dining that has been available since the onset of the COVID pandemic in spring 2020.
The 10-question survey will help inform the Planning and Zoning Commission as it rewrites the regulations to accommodate the desires of our community while protecting health and public safety.
If you have any questions or concerns about the survey or about outdoor dining in general, you can contact Katie.DeLuca@greenwichct.org, Town Planner or Shanice.Becker@greenwichct.org, Planner I. More information and a link to the survey can be found here.
Please do not feed the birds
A message from our staff in the Conservation division of the Environmental Affairs Department: You can help waterfowl by NOT feeding them. Waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, are wild birds that can locate natural food sources throughout the year. Feeding creates numerous problems, not only for people, but also for the birds. Well-intentioned people erroneously believe that feeding is beneficial to waterfowl, but it often has negative ecological, environmental, and social consequences.
The DEEP Wildlife Division has developed a “Do Not Feed Waterfowl pamphlet” that outlines the detrimental effects on feeding Canada geese and other waterfowl. For more information, please visit CT DEEP’s website.
COVID Update
Greenwich Hospital reported today that there are 3 patients being treated for COVID and a total of 132 in the Yale New Haven Health system. According to the state, as of August 4, the total number of Greenwich COVID cases (since the pandemic began in March 2020) increased to 15,359, an increase of 93 cases from a week ago. The number of residents whose deaths have been attributed to COVID remains at 125.
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.
Town, schools finalists for awards
Business Insurance, an international publication that prints information on risk management, insurance and other related topics recognizes those top in the industry annually with its U.S. Insurance Awards program.
Finalists are selected by senior Business Insurance staff from nominations submitted to the publication. The Town of Greenwich and Greenwich Public Schools has been selected as a finalist for the 2022 Risk Management Team of the Year. A panel of risk managers will assess the finalists, and the winners in each category will be announced at an awards event in New York City on Sept. 14.
Upcoming events
Teen night for middle, high school students
The Greenwich YMCA will host a free teen night in collaboration with several community partners from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. August 12 at the YM’s facility, 50 E. Putnam Ave. It will include an open swim, basketball, games, prizes, music and pizza. Youth development professionals, life guards, and community volunteers will assist in facilitating activities and ensuring the safety of program participants. Parents are required to complete waivers for youth participation. Details and the waiver will be available on the YMCA website which can be found here.
YWCA self-defense class
The Greenwich YWCA will host a self-defense class for teens and adults age 15 and older at 10 a.m. August 13 at the YW, 259 E. Putnam Ave. Participants will learn techniques and strategies to disable a threat and escape to safety. To register, please use this link.
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I want to make one final note on the community comments regarding the graphic young adult book at Greenwich Library. I have received many comments regarding my stand the book is inappropriate for young teens and should be made available in the adult section of the library rather than the young adult section. While most are supportive of that, I do find it disheartening that some have resorted to disrespectful and vitriolic commentary, and name-calling rather than having a civil discourse on the matter. It is my hope that when future issues arise, civility will prevail regardless of our opinions.
Stay safe and cool, and wishing you all the best.
Fred