Dear friends and neighbors,
It’s hard to believe that we are already almost done with the first month of 2023 but things are certainly accelerating here in the Town of Greenwich, particularly when it comes to the work in setting a new municipal budget for 2023-24.
2023-24 Budget Presentation
On Tuesday night I made my proposed budget presentation before a packed audience at Town Hall at a hearing from the Board of Estimate and Taxation’s Budget Committee. I outlined our vision for the coming year and discussed the challenges we face in this economic climate given the contractual obligations driving our operating budget and the impact of major projects like a new Central Middle School on the capital budget.
Overall I have proposed a 3.42 budget increase that provides for continued security patrol at our public schools and meets a historical level of capital request at $124.1 million, including a new Central Middle School, Western Middle School soil remediation and continued investment in town infrastructure, including paving and maintenance of roads. My proposed budget request has a mill rate of 11.614, which is a 2.96 percent increase. The mill rate recognizes the impact to residents.
We are slated to have $403.2 million in capital projects over the next five year and we have our eyes on future projects like a new municipal ice rink and revitalization of our beloved Roger Sherman Baldwin Park which can give us views of the waterfront like we haven’t had in decades once we remove the Parks and Recreation building there. That is something I aim to do in future years as part of long-needed improvements to Holly Hill Resource Recovery Facility, which many of us more commonly call the dump. We can move the Parks and Rec building there and revitalize the shoreline park, which is some of the most valuable real estate along the East Coast.
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The full PowerPoint presentation I made on Tuesday night has been posted online at www.greenwichct.gov for anyone to see including our focus on school capital items like the new Central, renovation of Old Greenwich School and the overdue soil remediation at Western Middle School. We also continue to look ahead at potential uses for the Havemeyer Building on Greenwich Avenue and I have formed an advisory committee to tackle this issue.
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The video from Tuesday, including the full public hearing, is now available on GCTV’s YouTube page.
The Budget Committee is beginning its month of budget hearings on Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. with a meeting with the Board of Education to consider the Greenwich Public Schools’ capital and operating budget. Given the town-wide focus on schools, especially Central Middle School and Old Greenwich School, we expect this will be a very informative meeting. Members of the public are permitted to attend the hearing at Town Hall but these are not public hearings and audience members will not be able to speak during the hearings unless recognized by the Budget Committee’s chair.
Those that cannot attend the Budget Committee hearings will be able to watch them live on GCTV as well as streaming on the GCTV YouTube channel.
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Brothers Brook Stormwater Meeting
Last week there was a public meeting with the Department of Public Works over the ongoing issues in town stemming from the impact of storm water.
This is something our residents have been struggling with and I personally have felt the impact of flooding several times over the years on my home. I understand the frustration our residents feel and the need to take action.
Last week’s meeting specifically focused on the Brothers Brook drainage area including the neighborhood near Francine Drive, Hillside Drive, Echo Lane, Ridgeview Avenue, Andrews Road, Old Church Road, and Plow Lane. I want to thank DPW for having this meeting so they could hear from residents. Even though DPW’s flood study is not complete yet, much of it has been done and the department was able to answer a lot of good questions from residents.
During this meeting, DPW discussed opportunities explored to mitigate flooding in this area including replacing the North Street bridge, which is part of my budget request, reviewing downstream impacts and alternatives, investigating potential improvements to bridges in the area and providing drainage systems modifications alternatives to the Flood and Erosion Control Board.
Dealing with flooding is never easy but DPW was honest about what it can do as a department and what it can’t do. DPW also discussed what individual residents can do to protect their homes and mitigate against flooding. When you have a brook that runs through your private property people can have it cleaned themselves to minimize the collection of debris. In addition, alternatives were discussed that described improvements residents can make to their properties such as elevating their homes to protect themselves when they are located in an area prone to flooding.
There will be more to come on this soon.
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Local historian Missy Wolfe will be speaking at Town Hall on Monday, Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. for what will surely be a fascinating discussion of our Town’s history.
Missy specializes in speaking about colonial-era Greenwich history and as a town native it is clear when you hear her presentation what a passion this is for her. She has published three books, The Great Ledger, Volumes 1 and 2, Hidden History of Colonial Greenwich, and Insubordinate Spirit, which are definitive histories of this town’s founding and development.
Now she is once again bringing her expertise for the public to hear and I urge anyone interested in learning more about our Town’s history to attend this free event. I think everyone will find something valuable in her presentation.
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Tax Office extended hours for Feb. 1, 2023 deadline
The deadline for the January property tax payments is next week. Greenwich residents who received a tax bill for January have to have their payments made or postmarked by the end of that day and any payments received or postmarked after Feb. 1 will be considered delinquent and interest penalties will be added.
As a reminder, the Tax Collector’s Department at Town Hall will have extended hours to help people with questions and make payments. The department, which is located on the first floor, will be open for special Saturday office hours on Jan. 28. People will be able to come in between 9 a.m. and noon that day to make payments in person.
The department will also be open late on Wednesday, which is the deadline day. The Tax Collector’s office will be open until 7 p.m. that day.
More information about town tax payments and the opportunity to pay online is available on the Tax Collector's website.
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AARP Tax Assistance at Town Hall
The time is coming for people to pay their federal and state taxes as well and once again the AARP Foundation will be providing free tax assistance to people who need it.
This “tax-aide” program is particularly suited for our residents over the age of 60 and both low-income and middle-income residents in Town. But this is open to anyone who needs it with no age or income limitations. You do not need to be an AARP member for it.
People will be able to use this program to get their taxes done for free but it is by appointment only. Anyone interested in utilizing this excellent program should call 203-548-7710 or email greenwichtaxaid@gmail.com.
The program is being offered from Feb. 1 until April 14 and appointments are available on Tuesday through Friday during that period between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The work will be done here at Town Hall in the Hayton Conference Room on the third floor.
For anyone who needs pre-appointment forms can get them at Town Hall at both the front desk in the lobby and in the Human Services Department. They are also available at the Senior Center at 299 Greenwich Avenue.
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Greenwich Parks & Recreation Announces OnePass
Already our thoughts are looking ahead to summer and getting out to our amazing beaches, parks and golf course and using all our incredible town facilities. This week the Department of Parks and Recreation unveiled its OnePass system that will make things so much easier for our pass holders.
Instead of having different passes for different facilities, the OnePass consolidates everything into one easy to use card. Starting this week, residents can go online and decide what option they want to purchase and whatever they decide will be good for the entire 2023 season.
People can sign up on www.greenwichct.gov/webtrac and more information is available at www.greenwichct.gov/onepass. Questions can also be emailed to gnpnr@greenwichct.org.
This is an exciting initiative and we can forget about the days when we used to hunt around our homes trying to find where we left the different passes. It’s great that we will be able to make it easier for our residents to make use of the beautiful facilities we have here.
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Volunteer for Vine-cutting at Greenwich Point Park
And while we are already dreaming of warm, sunny days at the beach, hard work is underway to make Greenwich Point look as beautiful as possible. The Friends of Greenwich Point is in the middle of an effort to do vine cutting, which is an important part of maintenance of the area, and they are looking for volunteers to come help.
Vine cutting is taking place over the course of January, February and March and the next date set is this Saturday, Jan. 28. Work will be taking place at Greenwich Point from 10 a.m. to noon and anyone interested in volunteering can email FOGPvolunteer@gmail.com and they will let you know the location for the work.
If you are not available that day but still want to help, there will also be upcoming dates on Feb. 23 and 25 and March 23 and 25. Anyone who wants to volunteer their time for this needed effort can bring their own clippers or loppers but the Friends will also have their own on hand that can be used. Volunteers should wear long sleeve shirts, pants and bring work gloves.
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And I would be remiss if I did not give special kudos to our new Employee of the Month.
Angie Kaether serves as the customer service representative in the First Selectman’s Office and she is the one answering the phone, helping people in need of assistance when they come to the office, preparing all our proclamations and certificates of recognition and basically keeping the First Selectman’s Office running.
We would not be able to do the work serving the public without her and that was especially true at the end of last year when she was literally doing the work of two people while some open positions were being filled. She is immensely deserving of this honor and I was proud to be able to give her this special thank you for all of the hard work she’s done and is continuing to do.
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Detective Ryan Beatie is named the Greenwich Police Department Officer of the Month for his Excellent Police Work identifying the suspect in a sexual assault investigation.
On December 24, 2022, Greenwich Police responded to a local residence on a request to check on the welfare of a subject. Responding officers located the patient, who was subsequently transported to the hospital. The next morning officers were able to interview the patient and began to suspect that she was the victim of a violent rape. Detective Beattie was called in and took over the investigation.
Being Christmas morning, normal resources, including manpower and court access, were minimal. Despite this, Detective Beattie identified the suspect, seized evidence, developed probable cause, obtained an arrest warrant, and took the suspect into custody all before midnight.
Read more on the Greenwich Police Department website.
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How can Greenwich schools mitigate their climate impact and adapt to the effects of climate change?
American public schools use nearly 480,000 diesel school buses, serve over 7 billion meals annually, and are one of the largest energy consumers in the public sector. Transitioning to more sustainable operations in these areas provides environmental benefits and learning opportunities for students.
On Wednesday, February 1 at 7-8 pm, join Waste Free Greenwich and Wilton Go Green for a webinar on how the education sector can lead on climate solutions in Connecticut. Explore the Aspen Institute's K12 Climate Action plan and This Is Planet Ed initiative to learn how education systems can reduce their carbon footprints through energy, transportation, and food and discover how Mansfield Public Schools are reducing their climate impact and saving money through their new net zero school building.
Panelists include: Laura Schifter, Senior Fellow, This Is Planet Ed at the Aspen Institute; Peter Dart, Superintendent, Mansfield Public Schools, and Randy Walikonis, Chair, Mansfield School Building Committee
Register for the webinar here.
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Citizens Comment Survey from Greenwich Police
The Greenwich Police Department is always seeking feedback from the community it serves. We are seeking input, either positive or negative; regarding the performance of our employees as well as the programs and initiatives we conduct.
We also desire to receive any ideas or suggestions from the public regarding how police services can improve and positively impact the Greenwich community. Take the survey here.
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SummerFare is an evening for exhibitors for public and private elementary, middle and high school students and their parents to hear from various organizations about summer programs, internships and camp opportunities. Additionally, there are STEM and college programs at this event. In 2022 over 85+ exhibitors and a record breaking 625+ attendees joined us. We are expecting another great turnout for this much-anticipated event. Find out more.
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Red Cross Blood Drive
The need for blood donors in the community is always strong and once again town resident Gary Silberberg is spearheading a blood drive for the Red Cross.
The drive will be held on Feb. 6 at Greenwich Reform Synagogue, which is located at 92 Orchard Street in Cos Cob, from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Anyone interested in being a donor can book an appointment online at www.RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Those that do sign up are advised to drink a lot of water in the days leading up to the appointment and eat green, leafy vegetables and red meat, if possible, to build up your hemoglobin.
Then on the day of the appointment, people can sign onto www.RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to get through the process more quickly. This is an important service people can provide and it can save people’s lives.
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USA TODAY is ranking the top 10 Reader's Choice for favorite city park in 2023 and Bruce Park has been nominated! Last year Bruce Park was ranked #8, let's move it up on the list! Cast your vote for BRUCE PARK today (and every day) until the contest ends on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, at noon.
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Christmas Tree Recycling Ends Jan. 31: Please remember to remove all ornaments tinsel, lights, and stands before disposing of trees. Wood chips will be available to residents at each collection site. Residents only, no commercial haulers. Find drop-off locations and more about tree recycling.
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Weekly Local COVID Updates
Greenwich Hospital is caring for 6 (-9) COVID positive patients as of Thursday, January 26, 2023. None are in the ICU. The Yale New Haven Health System is caring for a total of 135 (-125) COVID 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.
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Find Your Best Forever Friend
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Meet Joe Cocker, who is at Greenwich Animal Control waiting for his forever home! Joe is a sweet and handsome (look at that smile!) cocker spaniel, about 10 years old. He will happily sit by your side in return for belly rubs and pets! Joe has some health issues: he has a quirky gait and will do best in a home with fewer stairs. He also needs medication and a prescription diet. One visit with Joe will show you that the love and companionship he gives will far exceed his special needs. Please stop by to meet him at 393 North Street, Greenwich or give us a call at 203-622-8229!
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Have a great weekend!
All the best,
Fred
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