Photo credit: Energy Assistance Information Meeting on GCTV
Greetings friends and neighbors
Last week, I hosted an informational forum at Town Hall with Greenwich Communities Chairman Sam Romeo, Department of Human Services Director Demetria Nelson, and Emergency Operations Director Joe Laucella. We were joined by elected state and Federal officials.
We discussed escalating winter energy costs and presented suggestions, advice, and recommendations for how residents and businesses might deal with them as well as advice as we face escalating energy costs as the Winter approaches. I also invited our elected state and Federal officials to join the discussion and look for any possible opportunities for assistance on those levels.
I thought it was very important to convene a panel for a public forum to reach out to all of our citizens and let them know that there is help available for those who will be feeling the crunch of high inflation and anticipated higher energy costs this winter.
To be sure, it was an event to show what is available on the town level, but I wanted to also reach out to our state and federal officials and invite them to be aware and have this information to get out to their constituents. It was also to let the public be aware of what role our state and Federal officials can play regarding this issue.
In the end, it is a team effort and I thank all those who accepted the invitation and participated
Watch a recording of the forum on GCTV YouTube
Review the Energy Assistance Programs on the GDHS web page
The Board of Selectmen Energy Management Advisory Committee invites you to a Zero Energy Ready building workshop on Monday, December 5 in person at Town Hall with access on GCTV and Zoom, from 7-8:30 pm.
This workshop will endeavor to demystify terms like Zero Energy Ready (very high energy efficiency), Net Zero Energy (the former with solar PV), and various pathways to get there like Passive House designs, DOE Net Zero, and LEED v4.1, the next generation standard for green building design, construction, operations, and performance.
Additionally, the workshop will offer case studies showing how these buildings can be built affordably, utilizing tried and true technologies, and provide substantial improvements in indoor air quality, operating performance, and energy cost savings over the life of the building. We’ll also touch on the substantial incentives that are available for such buildings. Finally, these energy-saving strategies can be applied not only to residential and commercial buildings, but also to Town and school buildings, both new builds and renovations. Register here.
We’ll have presenters from Steven Winter Associates, TSKP Studio, CMTA, Brightcore Energy and Eversource, all of whom have deep expertise in our area.
Utility Regulation in Connecticut: The Important Role of Pura
Join the LWV Greenwich and the Greenwich Tree Conservancy on Friday, December 9th at 12pm for a discussion on Utility Regulation in CT: The Important Role of PURA (Public Utilities Regulatory Authority) in discussion with the PURA chairwoman, Marissa Gillett. State Representative Steve Meskers will make the introduction and there will be a 15-minute Q&A following the presentation. Please submit your questions when you register.
Congratulations to the Greenwich Election Office
The Town of Greenwich Registrars of Voters is among the first 10 inaugural cohorts of Centers for Election Excellence, a recognition that Registrars Fred DeCaro III (R) and Mary Hegarty (D) are committed to leadership in election administration and looking to develop even more resilient, trustworthy, and voter-centric election administration practices.
Greenwich is currently the only jurisdiction in CT and New England to receive this designation.
Read more about the Center for Election Excellence and our Town Registrars.
‘Tis the season for giving… a gift of recreation
Have you started planning your gift list? Give the gift of FUN to a child in need through the Greenwich Parks and Recreation Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund provides Greenwich’s youth access to recreational programs. Our scholarship program provides income-eligible families exposure to positive experiences, and active lifestyles, as well as opportunities to gain and refine life skills through our recreational programs.
Consider a donation in honor or in memory of a loved one, or as a gift. Find out more here.
American Exchange Project for graduating Seniors
The American Exchange Project is a free opportunity for you (or a graduating Senior you know) to travel for eight days after their graduation to another part of the United States. The project operates with the express intent of reducing partisanship through domestic cultural exchange. It is headed by co-founder, David McCullough III, and includes professors Akhil Amar and Robert Putnam on their Board of Directors.
This is a great opportunity to get to know your peers across the country and better understand their local perspectives. You may also join a team when they welcome students from around the country to Greenwich and Fairfield County from July 26 to August 2, 2023, to experience our part of the world.
If you'd like to know more, please join an informational meeting at the Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room at 7:30 pm on December 7, 2022 in-person, or contact AEP’s Exchange Manager for Fairfield County, Aaron Hull at ct-fairfieldco@americanexchangeproject.org if you’d like to join online.
Greenwich Library: Signature Series: Tina Brown and Dr. Amanda Foreman
Hear from the legendary Tina Brown, who has been observing and chronicling the British monarchy for three decades. Her book The Palace Papers is full of powerful revelations, newly reported details, and searing insight gleaned from remarkable access to royal insiders. Brown will be joined by author Dr. Amanda Foreman, the royal contributor for CBS News. Register NOW to attend in person on Wednesday, December 7th, 7-8 pm in the Berkley Theater, or register for the Livestream if the theater seats are sold out.
The Historical Society holiday activities get into full gear this weekend with activities that will appeal to all age groups.
Shop the Winter Market at Christ Church through Sunday, December 3rd, enjoy a holiday puppet show (December 4), bid on a decorated Christmas tree in the Festival of Tabletop Trees (December 8-10) or join the Holiday Festival (December 10) for an evening with family and friends!
The Greenwich Historical Society and Bush-Holley House will be decorated for the festivities. Take a special guided tour of the Bush-Holley House and learn about Christmas in Cos Cob (December 3, 10 & 17) or enjoy the candlelit tours during the Holiday Festival! Learn more and register at www.greenwichhistory.org.
Don’t Drink and Drive!
The Greenwich Police Department and Riverside Service Inc are continuing their partnership this holiday season to make sure all our Town of Greenwich residents make it home safe, so from now until January 2, 2023, Riverside Service Inc is offering all Greenwich residents a FREE safe ride home for you and
your car so you don't drink and drive. To make arrangements for this service call the Greenwich Police Department non-emergency number: 203-622-8004.
More local events
Pancake Breakfast & Santa at BGCG Greenwich
Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich will host its Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 3rd at 4 Horseneck Lane from 8:00-11:00am. Registration is required.
In addition to pancakes and all the trimmings, there will be photos with Santa, holiday music, and face painting. Everyone in Greenwich is invited to this festive event, but children must be accompanied by an adult.
The cost is $10 per person for all adults and non-member youth. Children under 2 are free. Thanks to a generous community sponsor, Club Members who show their membership card will eat for FREE! Cash or check at the door. See you there!
Forgotten: Greenwich in the 1700s
On Monday, December 5th, the Horseneck Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution with Greenwich Library welcome Missy Wolfe, an avid historical researcher who has spent well over a decade researching and writing about Greenwich History. This popular historian will discuss her new two-volume set, The Great Ledger: Records of the Town of Greenwich.
Refreshments are available during a meet & greet with Missy (6:30-7:00 pm) and her presentation begins at 7:00 pm followed by a Q&A. Wolfe will be selling copies of Hidden History of Colonial Greenwich and Insubordinate Spirit by cash or check only. Register here.
Abilis Sip and Shop in Glenville
It’s officially the holiday season and that means a Holiday Sip and Shop at Abilis Gardens and Gifts at 50 Glenville Street on Wednesday, December 7 from 5-8:00 pm. Enjoy a 25% discount in the entire shop and support a good cause! Abilis Gardens & Gifts is a retail training site for adults with disabilities. Shopping at Abilis gives back to the community by providing much needed jobs and job training. Find out more on their website: https://www.abilis.us/gifts
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale thru Dec 4
GEMS Holiday Express: Sign up now
Dec 7: Medicare Open Enrollment Ends
Dec 18: Chanukah Celebration: Concert & Menorah Lighting
14th Annual Reindeer Festival through Dec 24
Spread Holiday Cheer to Veterans
Help Spread LIGHT and JOY this Holiday Season
Greenwich Dept. of Human Services - Holiday Fund
Roadway Opening Moratorium through January 2, 2023
Town Hall Elevators out of service
URGENT NEED FOR BLOOD DONATIONS
Battle of the Badges
Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 8:00 am - 1:30 pm
This contest and blood drive is a friendly competition to see which Greenwich emergency response organization can collect the most units of life-saving blood, through their own donations as well as through recruited donors. Located at the Greenwich Public Safety Complex: 11 Bruce Place, Greenwich.
Greenwich Hospital
Monday, December 5, 2022 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Hospitals and patients rely upon a steady flow of volunteer donors to receive life-saving blood donations, but the past two years have brought chronic blood shortages nationwide. The region’s blood supply currently stands at a 2-4-day level, which is well below the ideal level of 5-7-days. The blood drive will be held in the Greenwich Hospital Noble Conference Center, 5 Perryridge Road, Greenwich.
Greenwich Reform Synagogue
Monday, December 5, 2022 from 1:30-6:30 pm
We are happy to announce that Greenwich Reform Synagogue, 92 Orchard Street, Cos Cob is the new permanent location for our blood drives, which are conveniently scheduled on the first Monday of the EVEN numbered months; February, April, June, August, October, and December.
Donors are encouraged to make an appointment by going to www.RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RedCross.
TOWN HALL ANNEX
Affordable Housing Programs
Bid on Town Projects: RFPs & RFBs
Greenwich Library News & Events
Greenwich Public School District News
Parks & Recreation News
Pending Zoning Applications
Public Works Projects in your neighborhood
Senior Center & COA Calendar
Town of Greenwich Job Opportunities
Town Hall Meeting Calendar
Local COVID Updates
As of Thursday, December 1st, Greenwich Hospital is caring for twenty-two (22) COVID positive patients, two of whom are in the ICU and one is on a mechanical ventilator. The Yale New Haven Health System is caring for a total of 174 positive patients across five hospitals. More Covid-19 data is available from the Greenwich Health Department on the Town website.
Family Centers offers weekly vaccines and testing at Wilbur Peck Court, and the Connecticut Department of Health provides public mobile vaccine clinics.
FIND YOUR BEST FOREVER FRIEND
Meet Penn from Adopt-a-Dog
Penn was rescued from an area where there is an abundance of homeless dogs and not a lot of shelter space for them to go while they wait for their forever homes. He is good with kids and other dogs and will likely do well with cats with the proper introductions. We think Penn will be around 50-60lb full grown. He's in need of a foster or forever home! See more pics and find out how to adopt Penn.
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Stay safe and all the best,
Fred