Mens Youth 8+ receives their bronze medal

Womens Youth 8+ receives their silver medal

Womens Youth Lightweight 4+

Womens Youth Lightweight 8+ receives their gold medal

Mens Youth Lightweight 8+

Womens Youth 4+

Mens Youth 4+

USRowing Youth National Championship Trophies

Recently seven boats from Greenwich Crew competed at the highest level on a 2,000 meter course at Nathan Benderson Park at USRowing’s Youth National Championships at  in Sarasota Florida.

The team performed better than ever before,  with 27 of their 51 competing athletes finishing on the podium.

The Women’s Lightweight 8+ defended their national title, earning another gold medal and finishing roughly four seconds ahead of the rest of the field. The lineup was Lydia Garnett (cox), Elle Krywosa, Sophia Gilroy, Darby Loveless, Allison Millspaugh, Madelyn Brody, Lillian Johnson, Harley Marks, and Brooke Legenzowski. The Women’s V8+, comprised of Molly Lundberg (cox), Lucy Koven, Isabel Wilkowski, Natasha Neitzell, Jessica Hooper, Ellarie Talgo, Olivia Schnur, Katie Turk, and Alexa Zavattaro, also repeated their silver medal finish from last year’s National Championships, again placing second.

For the first time in program history, the Men’s V8+ also earned a spot on the podium, placing 3rd in their event. The boat consisted of Alex Chung (coxswain), Michael Steinthal, Matt Phillips, Ted Frascella, Peter Scott, Will Wright, Quinten Cohen, Duncan Cavanaugh, and Sam Terry. The Men’s Varsity head coach, Cary Wasserman, could not be happier for this crew.

“I’m so proud of the guys and how they handled the regatta and race situation,” Wasserman said. “In the Varsity 8, we knew the field was insanely fast, perhaps the fastest field ever. Our plan was to have the guys keep their heads down and focus on themselves. They executed a beautiful race.”

In addition to the three Greenwich eights that finished on the podium, four other boats successfully competed for the team at the 2019 Youth National Championships.

The Women’s Lightweight 4+ (Lilly Adamo, Abby Lucier, Alex Wilkowski, Jenna Brendel, and coxswain Victoria Fu) finished 2nd in the C final and 14th overall.

Furthermore, the Women’s Varsity 4+ (Anna Meurer, Chloe Segal, Emma Simpson, Anna Brause, and cox Christina Minyo), also placed better than ever before, finishing 2nd in the B final and 8th overall.

As one of the final races of the regatta, co-head coach, Heidi Hunsberger, commented that the Varsity 4+ was the last crew from the Women’s side to race.

“The Varsity 8+ and Lightweight 8+ had just received their medals, and they ran off the podium to cheer on the 4+ in the last 500m of the race,” stated Hunsberger. “The love and support the rowers show each other after a year of tough intersquad competition is something [the coaches] are so proud of.”

For senior captain Isabel Wilkowski, achieving such stellar results holds a special place in her heart. “It was amazing to see how much depth our team has, and that hard work has paid off. I couldn’t be prouder of all my teammates,” said Wilkowski.

On the men’s side, their Lightweight 8+ (Summit Gillespie (cox), Quentin Bazar, Zachary Hatzis, Ronan Mazaud, Trent Boone, Michael Walding, Jacob Millspaugh, Mark Razanau, and Charlie Ellis) placed 5th in the B final and 11th overall. Furthermore, the Men’s Varsity 4+, consisting of Mark Lorenz, Noah Brehm, Owen Lee, Ryan Bucaria, and Will Quinlan (coxswain), won the D final and placed 19th overall.

With temperatures reaching over 90°F and humidity hitting above 90% most days, the conditions in Sarasota made achieving such results no easier.

“[The high heat and humidity] were challenging, and all our athletes handled competing and recovering in extreme weather very well,” noted Starr. “Our boats were able to get faster over the course of the weekend and adapt to the racecourse.”

Much more than the team’s numerical placements, Greenwich Crew athletes and coaches take the utmost pride in the positive team culture and camaraderie that has been established within.

Women’s co-head coach, Catherine Starr, attested to this, commenting that the most rewarding part of Youth Nationals was watching the athletes act as each other’s cheerleaders and support system.

“Being part of something bigger than yourself is humbling and so enjoyable all at once⁠—but getting to tag along on this journey with your athletes and see them develop is just so cool and special,” Starr said.

Looking to the new year, Greenwich Crew hopes to continue building and do it all again. It’s all about finding an “untouchable base pace speed,” said Starr.

Wasserman couldn’t agree more.

“While we are graduating an amazing group of seniors, we have a young team that knows the ropes and has a great work ethic,” Wasserman said.

Fall registration for Greenwich Crew opens August 1st. For more information, go to greenwichcrew.com.

For official results please see attached link.

Online results: https://www.herenow.com/results/#/races/20597/results

On Thursday, June 13 Greenwich Police on patrol in Byram came upon an occupied Audi A4 2003 with heavy front end damage stopped along the side of Byram Shore Road around 2:30am.

Police say the driver, David Juarez, 22, of Pemberwick Road, had signs and symptoms of intoxication.

Juarez was unable to perform field sobriety tests to standard. He charged with DUI.

His bond was set at $250 and he has a date in Stamford Superior Court on June 27, 2019.

The Greenwich Pen Women, a branch of the National League of American Pen Women, will present three “Open Mic” events, beginning June 26 at the Cos Cob Library.

“With so many writers and creative artists in the Greenwich area, these Open Mic performances will offer them an opportunity to share their work with a wider audience,” says Diane Morello, Greenwich Pen Women program director and Letters member.

The Greenwich Pen Women Open Mic events are a first for the organization of writers, visual artists, and musicians. Hosted at local public libraries, the events enable writers and other artists to learn from one another and potentially to collaborate.

An Open Mic performance is a live event coordinated in real time. As participants arrive, they sign up for a five-minute time slot to read words of flash fiction, memoirs, poetry, scenes, lyrics, book chapters, and blog entries. Artists and musicians can use five minutes to share inspiration behind a painting or even to share a piece of music.

The Open Mic event schedule is Wednesday, June 26, 7:00pm at the Cos Cob Library (120 Putnam Avenue, Cos Cob); Saturday, July 13, 3:00pm at the Byram Shubert Library (21 Mead Avenue, Greenwich); and Monday, October 21, 7:00pm at the Perrot Memorial Library (90 Sound Beach Ave, Old Greenwich).
For more information, contact Diane Morello, dkmorello@gmail.com.

Gianella Anyosa wrote thank you notes to multiple organizations who awarded her scholarships totaling $8,500. She came to Greenwich from Peru when she was 5, learned English in Greenwich Schools and is excited to attend UConn Storrs in the fall and pursue a career in medicine. June 14, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

The Greenwich Scholarship Association has concluded its allocations process and scholarship recipients received their awards at Greenwich High School on Friday, June 14. Each year, GSA matches need-based scholarships from more than 100 local sponsors to help students bridge the gap between rising college costs and their funding resources.

Sign up for the free Greenwich Free Press newsletter

This year, GSA connected 122 students with scholarships totaling more than $500,000.

This year, instead of a many hours long ceremony in the auditorium, the awards were distributed individually to students over the course of the afternoon in the media center.

Stephanie Ramos who grew up in Greenwich, attending Parkway, Western Middle School. She was awarded $3,700 in scholarships and is excited to study illustration and animation in college in the fall. June 14, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Stephanie Ramos who grew up in Greenwich, attending Parkway, Western Middle School before GHS said she was thrilled to have received multiple scholarships totaling $3,700 as she sat in the media center writing her thank you notes.

“I’m going to my top school,” Stephanie said with a smile. “That is thanks to all the scholarships I got. I’m going to the Maryland Institute College of the Arts and will study illustration and animation.”

“These scholarships are really going to make a huge difference. My family needs all the help they can get and I’m very happy to pitch in for tuition,” she added.

Stephanie received scholarships from The Hopetown Scholarship Fund, The PTA Council Scholarships/Parkway Elementary School and the GSA Charton & Lyman Reynolds Scholarship Fund.

Gianella Anyosa was also busily writing five thank you notes on Friday in the media center. “I received a total of $8,500 in scholarships and I’m going to UConn Storrs. My parents don’t know yet but they will be very happy. It’s so important to us because we’re immigrants,” she said, adding that she moved to Greenwich from Peru with her family when she was five and spoke no English. “I learned English in school at New Lebanon and then Cos Cob.”

“This is our American Dream. I want to pursue a career in medicine and I know it will put a financial burden on my family but they encourage me,” she said. “My parents sacrificed so much for me, I am so grateful to them. And I’m grateful to for these scholarships. They allow me to pursue my dream.”

Gianella said she just completed her senior internship at Greenwich Hospital where she said she worked with nurses for an “eye opening experience.”

“The nurses showed me the actual hospital and I formed some good relationships,” she said.

GSA was founded in 1972 as an umbrella organization to support the administrative needs of nearly 30 separate scholarship funds set up by local community organizations and families. Today, GSA manages scholarships from more than 100 sponsors and its own endowment of over $6.5M. GSA matches qualified students with needed funds without any fee. Awards are allocated based on individual review of each student’s educational costs, financial aid received and family ability to meet costs, including consideration of a written application and a personal interview.

The work of GSA is done by approximately 25 board members who give more than 1,500 volunteer hours each year in administering the application process, reviewing candidates and matching awards to students.

Gianella received the John G. Vrabec Shadow Foundation Scholarsip, the John Zumbo Memorial Scholarship, the Dr. William and Mrs. Eduvina Henningar Memorial Scholarship, the Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship and the Millstein/Driscoll Family Scholarship.

More information can be found at www.greenwichscholarship.org.

The GSA been able to fund over $500,000 per year without doing fund-raising. They receive donations each year from local community organizations, civic groups, local businesses and families with memorial awards who have been consistently funding awards, in some cases for 25 or 30 years.

The GSA is privileged to have 110 sponsors who give amounts determined by the sponsor as “named awards” to students meeting their criteria.

GSA has designed a selection process that includes a written application and a personal interview. Because we are an all-volunteer organization with few expenses, we do not charge our sponsors for this service.

The funds are not divided evenly among the qualified recipients. Instead each student receives an amount determined by the cost of his chosen school, the amount of the financial aid offered by that school and the family’s ability to meet the costs of college.

Scholarship funds are sent directly to the college or university where the student will attend.

Students who receive these funds are deserving of assistance when all forms are completed, the personal interview and distribution meeting are attended and the student’s grades, activities and character suggest a worthy investment in the student’s future.

Kyle Taylor. June 17, 2019 Photo courtesy Greenwich Police Dept

Greenwich Police have made a second arrest of a man suspected of trying to steal tires and rims at car dealerships in Greenwich back on Sept 20, 2018.

On June 14 Kyle A Taylor, 29, of Highland Place in Yonkers turned himself in on an active arrest warrant.

Around 3:15am on Sept 20, 2018 police were alerted to the thefts, and when they arrived, at least two suspects fled the scene.

One suspect engaged the police in pursuit, which ended when his 2014 Audi A5 crashed into a phone pole. The driver then fled on foot, eluding police.

A lengthy investigation developed probably cause to believe that the suspect driving the car was Mr. Taylor and an arrest warrant was obtained.

He was charged with Engaging Police in Pursuit, Evading Responsibility, criminal Mischief 1, Larceny 2, and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny.

His bond was set at $100,000 and he was assigned a date in Stamford Superior Court on June 28, 2019.

Last week Greenwich Police arrested a second man for allegedly stealing tires and rims on Sept 20, 2018. Officers from the warrants and extraditions unit had learned from a confidential source that a Tasheem Williams, 33, of Hamilton Ave in Yonkers, NY would be at a location in Norwalk. Williams was arrested at 20 North Main Street, taken into custody and processed brought to Greenwich for processing.

He was charged with Criminal Mischief 1, Larceny 2, conspiracy to Commit Larceny 2 and Interfering with an Officer/Resisting Arrest.

Williams was unable to post his $100,000 bond and was held at police headquarters. He has a date in Stamford Superior Court on June 17, 2019.

The Retired Men’s Association of Greenwich (RMA) will host State Representative Stephen Meskers speaking on “State of the State: Connecticut Crossroads to Growth,” on Wednesday, June 19 at 11:00am sharp.

State Representative Meskers (D-150) will discuss his views on healthcare reform and the proposal to introduce tolls on Connecticut highways. He will also address the energy markets, the budgetary process, and the pros and cons of boosting state revenues by increasing taxes on estates, property, and capital gains.

Representative Meskers has a BA from Fordham University in Economics and Spanish, and an MBA in Finance from the Lubin School at Pace University.

Prior to entering the House, Representative Meskers had a 35-year career in emerging markets at Irving Trust, Chemical Bank and Banco Santander. His role as head of fixed income sales at Banco Santander provided him with exposure to macro-economic policy and regulatory reform in various emerging economies.

The program takes place at the First Presbyterian Church, 1 West Putnam Ave. The Greenwich Retired Men’s Association offers a free program every Wednesday that is open to the public.

The Innis Arden Cottage will be one of the focal points of the Experience the Sound event at Greenwich Point on June 23, 2019. The event is free and open to the public – no beach pass required. Photo: Leslie Yager

The Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission is organizing the 13th annual “Experience the Sound” event at Greenwich Point on Sunday, June 23 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, with more participants than ever.

The family-friendly event is free and open to the public – no beach pass required. Children will also enjoy face painting from Faces by Wells.

The theme of the event is “From Streams Through Soil to Sea.”

At one end of Greenwich Point, at Innis Arden Cottage, the  Bruce Museum’s Seaside Center will be open for the season and volunteers will share information about a variety of sea creatures.

Plastic bag full of plastic bags, a thing of the past in Greenwich.

Outside Innis Arden Cottage a number of organizations will have tables set up, including BYOGreenwich, who worked to get Greenwich’s ordinance adopted to ban plastic bags in retail outlets. Also, their Reusable Carryout Bag Initiative encourages retail establishments to have reusable bags available for purchase.

Since Greenwich passed its plastic bag ordinance, many other towns in Connecticut have followed suit including Hamden, Mansfield, Middletown, New Britain, New Canaan, Norwalk and Stamford. Westport passed a plastic bag ban a decade ago.

Like BYO Greenwich, Skip the Straw  aims to increase awareness about the impact of single-use plastics and to protect ecosystems, the environment and the economy through community outreach and education.

Plastic waste enters rivers and the Long Island Sound, and litters our neighborhoods, choking economies, harming wildlife and impacting public health.   Skip the Straw Greenwich encourages residents and businesses to take simple steps to protect the beauty and health of these natural resources and stem the tide of litter and waste… one straw at a time.

Also look for volunteers from Audubon Greenwich, whose mission is to engage and educate people to conserve, restore, and enjoy nature—focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.

Folks from Project Limulus are all about horseshoe Crabs! Project Limulus, run by Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, studies the Long Island Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) population. Everyone is invited to participate in the research by reporting sightings of tagged Horseshoe Crabs.

Archeologist Earnest Wiegand will demonstrate a number of historical artifacts found in the region. He is a Professor of Archeology, Geology and Sociology at Norwalk Community College, and his area of specialization is in northeastern prehistoric and historic archeology.

There will also be a table with representatives from UConn. Greenwich’s Shellfish Commission and Conservation Commission have a partnership with UConn in which researchers monitor Greenwich Cove, which is something of a laboratory in itself.

They seek to pinpoint sources of pollution, study underwater shellfish farms and look at the ways climate change is impacting Long Island Sound. The ultimate goal of the partnership is to preserve the health and beauty of Long Island Sound.

Calf Island Conservancy will be on hand to provide information about their programs and educational opportunities for summer fun. Calf Island is the largest offshore island in Greenwich and is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.

Another of the Shellfish Commission’s partners in conservation is the Friends of Greenwich Point who will have information about their projects including sand dune and habitat restoration, nature education, and preservation.

Free Shuttle Bus
Because the event spans the entire park, the Shellfish Commission has organized a free air conditioned shuttle bus from Innis Arden Cottage to the board-a-boat area near the Old Greenwich Yacht Club where people can tour Ed Stillwagon‘s Atlantic Clam Farms eco-friendly shellfishing barge.

The barge was built with cutting edge technology that improves the water quality and biodiversity of the Sound while collecting clams. Atlantic Clam Farms will supply oysters for the free raw bar from 1:00 to 4:00 (or while supplies last).

Stella Mar Oysters, will be also supply oysters to raw bar. Stella Mar Oysters farm contributes to a thriving ecosystem in Long Island Sound. As a direct result of their farm, essential habitat evolves for other species to live in.

✓ Stella Mar Oysters filter up to 50 gallons of water per day.

✓ For every oyster consumed from their farm, three more are created in the wild.

✓ Each oyster is touched over 20 times before being sent off to market.

Oysters from the free raw bar at the Experience the Sound event. Photo: Leslie Yager

Shucking oysters at the rawbar at the Experience the Sound event. Credit: Leslie Yager

Photo: Stella Mar Oysters website

Also stop by the Town of Greenwich Police Boat, which used by the Greenwich Police Marine section to provide law enforcement and emergency services on Greenwich’s 31 miles of coastline.

The Old Greenwich Yacht Club will also be open during the event. Membership in the family-oriented club is open to all Greenwich residents with an interest in boating, regardless of knowledge, ability or boat ownership.

Established in 1943, OGYC provides the opportunity for town residents to get out onto the water, whether by sail, power or paddle.  For a modest membership fee Greenwich residents can enjoy educational, cruise, race, and social events that enhance skills and promote fellowship among boaters. The foundation of OGYC is its 350 member families, their commitment to the Club and their volunteering spirit.

You’ll also want to meet JP Velotti of East Coast Kelp Farm. Kelp is a unique new crop harvested from Long Island Sound.

Though kelp won’t be showing up at farmers markets just yet, the long, frilly green-brown ribbons gathered by the boatload in Long Island Sound have the potential to fuel a locally grown edible seaweed market. Mr. Vellotti plants and harvests kelp in underground beds leased from the state. Kelp thrives in cold water, and is ready for harvest just as the summer boating season gets under way. Perfect timing for Experience the Sound!

Guests will also be able to tour the teaching vessel of Long Island Sound the schooner SoundWaters, which is a representation of a three-masted, 19th century sharpie schooner.

SoundWaters works with 146 schools and organizations across Long Island Sound.

On the schooner, Long Island Sound is both the classroom and playground for students who learn about both science and sailing.

The Astronomical Society of Greenwich will have free telescope demonstrations for solar observation, finding the crescent Moon, Venus, and perhaps even Jupiter in the daytime sky, and will be providing information about the ASG and ecological aspects of astronomy such as reducing light pollution.

Other participants include Trout Unlimited, who will be providing free fly casting lessons for adults and children. Trout Unlimited is a grassroots conservation organization dedicated to improving the ecological health of rivers and streams throughout the state. Their motto is, “If you take care of the fish, the fishing will take care of itself.”

These are just some of the 40+ groups participating in Experience the Sound 2019.

Some of the others include The Astronomical Society of Greenwich, Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Co,  The Emily Fedorko Foundation, Greenwich Conservation Advocates, Greenwich Green & Clean, Greenwich Historical Society, Greenwich Land Trust, Greenwich Point Conservancy, Greenwich Crew, Greenwich Community Sailing, Greenwich Community Gardens, Greenwich Tree Conservancy, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ski & Scuba Connection, The Sportsmen’s Den, Greenwich Harbor Management Commission, V-Sculls Rowing Club of Old Greenwich,

Working through the Department of Health the Shellfish Commission monitors the Town’s shellfish beds, and does water checks at 36 different points every six weeks, plus additional sampling after weather events, or pollution events. Samples are taken to the State Bureau of Aquaculture in Milford for analysis. The on-shore beds are open from mid-October to mid-May, the offshore beds are open year-round.

Microplastics and Long Island Sound

The Greenwich Shellfish Commission has been working with UConn to quantify the micro plastics in Long Island Sound and assess their impacts.

Plastic waste is accumulating rapidly in freshwater and marine environments
throughout the world, and urbanized watersheds, and Long Island Sound is particularly vulnerable.

When exposure to light and physical processes combine, plastics degrade into microplastics that become poisonous “biocides” in their own right and may attract other contaminants such as PCBs, pesticides, and heavy metals.

In phase 1 of their research, Greenwich waters were analyzed for presence if microplastics.

Microplastics were found to be pervasive in Greenwich Harbors (Cos Cob Harbor, Greenwich Cove, Greenwich Harbor, and Byram Harbor) with inorganic (metals) absorbed to a greater extent than were organic (pesticides and PCBs) contaminants.

These contaminants can potentially accumulate in shellfish such as oysters that filter large quantities of water daily.

Phase 2 will be to look at potential presence of microplastics in shellfish. They will break microplastics into different categories, determine sources of microplastic pollution and characterize their fate, including possible uptake by shellfish or deposition into sediments.

Phase 3 is to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Greenwich Cove later this year to look at a healthy oyster bed and see how quickly and efficiently oysters remove nitrogen.

Greenwich Interim Superintendent Mayo made a good call on keeping graduation of the class of 2019 outdoors. Not only did it not rain, but the sun came out.

Sign up for the free Greenwich Free Press newsletter

See also:

GSA Presents $500,000 to 122 Students, Minus the Fanfare

GHS Senior Athletes Make One Last Stop in the Gym Before Graduation

Outpouring of Gratitude for Ralph Mayo, “Everybody Knows Ralph”

Incoming GHS Student Government Leaders Introduce Themselves

GHS Football Head Coach Marinelli Departs for Collegiate Ranks: This is a football town, and I was honored to be in charge”

Mr. Ian Tiedemann with students in the Federal Reserve Challenge and Euro Challenge. June 13, 2019. Photo: Leslie Yager

GHS social studies teacher Ian Tiedemann explained the origin of the Economics Club, which he said was founded by a group of sophomores who wanted to have their own club and participate in competitions.

“At first I said no thank you. I had a child on the way and had taken over leading the Model UN group which is a lot of work,” recalled Tiedemann who is one of Greenwich Schools Distinguished Teachers. “But they persisted until I said okay, let’s see how it goes.”

He recalled how every Thursday they came after school, they learned the economics and took part in their first competition and they came in first in Connecticut.

Tiedemann said that since then, the group has been expanded to students in 9th through 12th grade, and have evolved into a full program with 9th and 10th graders participating in the Euro Challenge, and 11th and 12th graders competing in the Federal Reserve Challenge.

Tiedemann explained that at the heart of both of those competitions is monetary and fiscal policy and the challenge of implementing them, whether in a Euro area of 19 different countries that use the same currency, or in the United States where 12 different federal reserve regions have very different backgrounds and needs.

“Students take on roles. They have to cooperate. They have to suggest policies,” he said, describing the team work that is necessary for success. “Sometimes they have to debate, and they all have to do it within a certain time frame that makes it really challenging.”

Tiedemann has spent over 100 hours this year with the students including staying until 5:00pm after school and traveling with the students into New York City five times for competitions.

“Ultimately I’ve gotten to see them grow and they would deserve recognition whether they did well or not,” he said. “But by the way, they did really well.”

Tiedeman chronicled the growth of the two groups, saying that in the first years both groups came up short. In early years neither group was invited back to compete in a second round.

However, last year the Euro Challenge made the semi-finals and finished 4th in the entire competition. This year they again made the semi-finals.

Also, this year at the Federal Reserve Challenge group made it to the semi-finals and placed third.

“They went from being also-rans, some of them having no knowledge of economics, to being the elite in competitions every bit as worthy of winning as any of the other teams,” Tiedemann said.

Greenwich High School class of 2019 commencement speaker Rob Mathes delivered a rousing speech at Monday night’s graduation in Cardinal Stadium.

As the ominous clouds that had threatened to move the ceremony indoors evaporated and the sun beamed down on 677 graduates and their families, seated on 1,200 rented chairs, Mathes announced in a full voice, “Quizzes, term papers, early morning practices, all nighters, mid terms, finals, essays, applications and opportunity blocks are over! You’ve done it!”

Mathes, who has strong ties to the school, comes from a family of teachers. He said his father George Mathes taught instrumental music from 1970 to 1995 and won the Distinguished Teacher, and that his mother Joan Mathes and her identical twin sister Joyce Kelly have taught piano and bassoon respectively to hundreds of GHS students and are still teaching now at age 85. His late uncle Arthur Kelly taught math in Bella house for 30 years. His mother in law taught English in Sheldon House.

Mathes and his wife Tammy, are both members of the class of 1981, and their three daughters are all GHS graduates, with their youngest, Lily a member of the class of 2019.

He, now an Emmy winning, Tony and Grammy nominated music arranger, composer, producer and director, said back in 1981 his band and jazz ensemble director Carmel Signa and composition and electronic music teacher Ann Modugno were his “north stars,” who gave him encouragement and inspiration. “They are legends to me,” he said, adding that a few years ago, after he co-producing two records for Sting  orchestrating and musically directing Sting’s Broadway Show The Last Ship, he was visited by his north stars.

“Not long after opening night Ms. Medugno and Mr. Signa came to see it. I met them at the stage door and they seemed very proud of me. I said to them, ‘Let me take you inside to meet Sting. He knows you’re here,'” he recalled. “This is Sting, 16 time Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member formerly of the legendary band, The Police.”

“And they did not seem at all excited. With that firm and direct voice of Ms. Medugno’s that I remember from senior year, I heard, ‘We are not here to see Sting. We came all this way to see Robby Mathes.’ I’ll never forget it.”

His fondness for Greenwich High School came through. “I love this place,” he said.

As for his advice to the class of 2019, he demurred. “You’re smarter and quicker, and you deal with a much more complex world,” he said.

Sign up for the free Greenwich Free Press newsletter

Instead he shared advice to his 18 year old self. “Ssshhhh, chill out. Listen. People around you have entire worlds to offer up. Listen hard.”

Second, he said, “Be kind to yourself. Give yourself a pass every once in a while. Your future will not be a straight line. You will screw up.”

“I was a total goofball in 1981, and somewhat pleased with myself,” he said, adding that his band was called ‘Revelation.’

“Which by the way is a terrible name for a band. Not even a Christian rock band would call themselves Revelation,” he joked, adding that the band’s repertoire included 1 song by Lynyrd Skynyrd, 2 songs by The Beatles, 1 song by Blue Oyster Cult and 27 songs by the Doobie Brothers.

“The Doobie Brothers were a great band, but Led Zeplin they were not,” he said, going on to make fun of the lyrics to songs he wrote back in 1981.

Mathes said after high school his plan was to go to Berklee College of Music, put together a band and get a record deal.

He described an incident  during freshman year that would serve to change his “grand plans.”

At Berklee he went to the tape library one night and turned in the catalog number for a classic jazz record by John Coltrane.

“I put the tape in and immediately heard an orchestra. Very confused, I was about to get up and bring the tape back and ask the librarian, ‘What the hell is this?’ But something stopped me. I listened. These were sounds I had never heard before. This was not John Coltrane, nor was it Beethoven, which my parents played incessantly. What was it? It was Gustav Mahler’s 6th symphony and it was amazing.”

“I still planned on getting that record deal, but I had to understand what was behind those sounds, that music. I left Berklee to study with a classical composer named Myron Fink, and it led me down a winding path,”he recalled.

He said he learned how to write for strings, horns and choir, and met legendary record producer Phil Ramone who had produced Paul Simon and Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Pavarotti and Tony Bennett.

“Fortunately for me he got me to work with all of those people in one capacity or another. That led to working with other heroes like Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder, Yo-Yo Ma and Elton John,” Mathes said. “I eventually musically directed the Obama inauguration. How in God’s name did that happen? All of this because I didn’t take a recording back to the librarian at Berklee. I listened, and it changed everything.”

Mathes said he never got a record deal.

“Record companies would listen to my songs and say, ‘It’s music for musicians. Radio won’t play it.'”

“I went to bed with tears in my eyes more than a few times. Looking back it seems meant to be. Eventually I got to work with legends. But tell that to someone in their 20s without a crystal ball,” he said. “I felt like a complete loser. And the tougher I was on myself, the worse I behaved towards the people around me.”

“You are going to drive down dead end streets both personally and professionally. Your path will be circuitous. Be kind to yourself and by connection,the people around you. That constant voice of self hatred back then was incredibly debilitating. You do need to be tough on yourselves sometimes, but not to the point where you are incapacitated.”

Mathes said one of his greatest teachers at GHS was an English teacher named Anton Anderson.

“He was a shining example of kindness and patience. I turned in a half-assed paper once, and he told me that it was not at all good. But he added that there is something in there that is. It’s the part that feels like it comes from you. You have time. Develop that and you’ll be great. I wish that the voice inside of you will sound more and more like Mr. Anderson’s – a discerning but kind voice.”

Mathes repeated his advice of dead ends and winding roads.

“Follow your dreams,” he said. “And put the damn phone down!”

“Realize that truly great things on planet Earth – in the arts, in sports, in business, in public policy – are only created by groups of people working together in community, who listen to each other, take care of each other, and are kind to each other. Our paths are winding and circuitous. You’ll be alright. It’s okay.”

Mathes wrote a song in honor of his daughter Lily’s graduation called A Cup of Cool Water, which was performed by the GHS Chamber Singers.

“Each of you is a cup of cool water, and I celebrate you,” he said. “Go rock this world. Thank you.”

See also:

PHOTOS: GHS Class of 2019 Shines at Graduation

GSA Presents $500,000 to 122 Students, Minus the Fanfare

GHS Senior Athletes Make One Last Stop in the Gym Before Graduation

Kitselman Celebrated as Greenwich Schools Teacher of the Year

Outpouring of Gratitude for Ralph Mayo, “Everybody Knows Ralph”

Letter to the editor submitted by Monica Prihoda, District 6, Old Greenwich

To the Editor:

Safety has become a major safety issue in Old Greenwich on both Highview and Park Avenues as increasingly both streets become primary cut throughs to avoid Sound Beach Avenue traffic.

Our beautifully paved new streets include “regulation” 3 inch raised speed bumps. The smooth pavement enhances speeding and the reality is that these speed bumps, along with unattractive warning 25 MPH and “Bump” signage DO NOTHING to stop cars speeding.

Pedestrian accidents have occurred as recently as this morning!

When residents from both avenues email The Traffic Department we are told that regulation will not permit higher bumps and police may be posted – temporarily from time to time as they have been in the past – to no avail.

Twenty years ago a Highview neighbor and I got together a signed petition from Highview residents for speed bumps.  We went to The Traffic Department.

We were told regulation would not permit bumps!  Highview was given 25 MPH traffic signs instead – and even then we asked for 15 MPH. The speeding continues to date even with signs, subsequent speed bumps and accidents.

These are not cranky complaints from curmudgeons with nothing else to do.

They are legitimate residents’ safety concerns confirmed by accidents.

If speeders don’t respect safety, signs and low, ineffective speed bumps, then other measures must be taken to provide safety for the greater good.  More and higher bumps and fences on side streets perhaps?

As a Founding Father said:

“Nothing is written in stone. “Regulations can and should be changed to embrace safety and popular opinion.

Respectfully,
Monica Prihoda, District 6, Old Greenwich

A Public Hearing was held on Thursday, June 13 ,20 19 at 12:00 PM for three Norway Maples trees, specifically one approximately 10″ DBH (Diameter at Breast Height), one 14″ DBH, and one 17″ DBH posted for removal at 0 Indian Field Road.

As required by Chapter 451 , Section 23-59 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a public hearing was called because appeals objecting to the removal of these trees were received within 10 days of their posting. The tree removals were requested by Eversource.

Letters of objection were read into the record. Comments were made by participants objecting to the removals.

Eversource presented a new plan regarding the access way located at 0 Indian Field Road.

In light of the new plans, it is my decision not to remove these three Norway Maples trees, at this time.

This is the final decision of the Tree Warden of the Town of Greenwich. Let it be known that Chapter 451, Section 23-59 of the Connecticut General Statutes states “the Tree Warden shall render his decision granting or denying the application, and the party aggrieved by such decision may, within ten days, appeal therefrom to the superior court or the judicial district within which such town or borough is located.”

This decision will be posted in the lobby of the offices of the Parks and Recreation Department located on the 2nd floor of the Town Hall, the lobby of Town Hall, the Town Clerk’s office, and the Town of Greenwich website www.greenwichct.gov/AgendaCenter Parks & Recreation-
Public Tree Hearing.

It will also be sent to persons present at the Public Hearing and to those who appealed the posting of these trees for removal.

Independent Science Research winners from Greenwich High School were honored by the BOE. Science Teacher Andy Bramante gave short summary of each of the impressive projects. Photo: Leslie Yager

At Thursday’s final BOE meeting for the year, GHS science teacher Andy Bramante gave short summaries of specific independent science research projects from another successful year for the Science Research program.

For the tenth year running, at least one GHS student was selected as a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar.

At the CT STEM Science Fair held in early February, four GHS students participated among 300 participants from the lower Connecticut area, ultimately competing for three Intel ISEF finalist awards. GHS students won two of the three.

At the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair in mid-March, 17 GHS students competed and an astounding 16 of these kids were selected among the top 15% of projects, as fair finalists, and went on to win more than $85,000 in scholarships and cash, and five of the six ISEF spots that are awarded to the best projects.

At the Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities symposium, or JSHS, four of the top five prizes were awarded to GHS researchers, inluding four trips to compete at the National JSHS. There, among the winners from all other states, GHS students received first and second place finishes, totaling more than $20,000.

On the same day, 11 student researchers participated in the NCC Science fair, taking five of the top ten prizes. Two of the research students were selected for prestigious 2019 summer research programs; one for RSI and MIT, and another for the Simons program at SUNY Stonybrook.

And, finally, only weeks ago five GHS students competed among 1,200 of the brightest young minds at Intel ISEF in Phoenix. Results were once again outstanding.

Energy conservation remains at the fore of our efforts to find alternate energies, and lessen our reliance on fossil fuels. Cynthia Chen developed a Smart window thin film using Tungsten-doped Vanadium Dioxide films that would allow infrared sunlight heating of home in the winter, but block it in the summer months.

Halla Clausi developed a rapid,portable, and solar powered detection system for Breast Cancer. In her device, low levels of CA15-13 antigen in a patient’s saliva can distinguish between the normal, healthy condition, as well as stages 1 through 4 of the disease. Her device holds promise as a rapid breast cancer detection system for both developed and underdeveloped regions.

Unlike many of our projects in science research, Sam Florin‘s was more mathematical in scope and focused on Gerrymandering, which is the creation of unfair voting districts for political gain, so that the number of seats received by a party is intentionally misaligned with the percentage of the popular vote.Sam developed a new metric based on graph theory that can examine and assure appropriate alignment of districts, so that it better represents the population relative to the surrounding region.

Many of us depend on plastic utensils and Styrofoam plates for our summer picnics and barbecues. These materials persist in our landfills for hundreds of years. Tyler Fox developed new insulative tableware from cornstarch and a water-repellant thin film, that offers the same insulative properties as Styrofoam, however it decays in a landfill in only days.

Hannah Goldenberg completed a two-year study where she discovered many of the harmful components of e-cigarettes, including significant amounts of diacetyl, which causes irreversible lung damage, known as popcorn lung. She went in to discover that the 50+ harmful components of e-cigarette vapor induce Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Bennett Hawley discovered that bacteria within the gut of the common waxworm can digest, or break down land-fill pollutants such as water bottle plastics and aluminum foil into harmless organic compounds in only days, as compared to the 450 years needed for these persistent pollutants to normally decay.

Hiba Hussain developed a new treatment for heart disease,often caused by accumulation of plaque within a patient’s arteries. Hiba engineered a nanotherapy that can magnetically deliver lipase, a fat dissolving enzyme often found in the pancreas, to the arterial blockage, where her newly devised Smartphone app and sensor would detect plaque dissolution in only minutes.

Recent research findings by Dr. Sam Ramsey (who visited Greenwich High School this spring) has provided compelling evidence that the disappearance of our honey bees can be attributed to the infestation of beehives by Carroa desructor, a bee-specific parasite (mite) that draws the fat bodies (or liver) from honey bees and their larvae. Bee fat bodies are responsible for many important functions that provide overall health to our honey producers, including resistance to pesticides. With these findings it is clear that varroa mites are responsible for Colony Collapse Disorder. In Raina Jain‘s research, she developed a dual-function thymol-emittingbee-hive entrance way that will remove (and kill) varroa mites that are attached to passing bees simply from the rubbing action as bees pass through the holes of the entrance way.

Dengue fever infects close to 400 million people per year, progressing to dangerous stages for many due to lack of detectioninthose regions where it is prevalent. Matt Jester developed an inexpensive, rapid bioluminescent-based biosensor that can detect Dengue at its earliest of stages, in the most remote regions, simply with a few reagents and a flashlight, so that treatment can prevent progression of the disease.

In Autumn Kim’s research, she developed a new honey bee venom peptide (mellitin) PLGA nanotherapy that can successfully cross the blood brain barrier to selectively target cancer cells based on their cell wall lipid content. To date, effective anticancer agents have been unable to pass through the blood brain barrier.

There are dangers posed by liquid electrolytes of lithium ion batteries, and the depletion of lithium as a natural resource, due to reliance on portable devices that use lithium batteries. Alex Kosyakov devised a new battery technology which is the basis of his startup company, that solves both problems. he developed a solid-state sodium-ion battery that is safe, and can be recharged many times over, so that they are particularly useful for renewable energy grids (such as solar,wind, or wave energy generators).

Bacterial contamination of water supplies is an issue that leads to serious illness, particularly in underdeveloped regions. Nick Liu designed an accessory and application for both Android and iPhone smartphones, to convert that typical smartphone into a bacterial in-water detector so that water is easily and rapidly tested, and pollution data is shared via GPS so that remediation can take place right away.

Universal methods to treat cancer reamain difficult due to the specificity of the many forms of the dsease and the desire to eradicate cancer cells while leaving neighboring,healthy cells unharmed. Collin Marino dreamed of and later engineered a unique, precise personalized treatment scheme using deoxyribozymes as nucleic acid probes and molecular logic gates. In his genetic-based cancer treatment, mutations that lead to the formation of cancer calls are detected, triggering formation of cytotoxic proteins during nucleic acid translation. These proteins kill only those cancer cells with the identified mutation.

Water pollution is the focus of Shun Sakai‘s project. Bacterial water contamination particularly by cholera, can cause serious intestinal illness. Shun developed a rapid, simple and effective water filtration device, based on silver nanoparticles, embedded in sari cloth, that when electrified, removes nearly all of the bacteria to make the water safe.

With over 40 million contact lens wearers in the US along, many are susceptible to sight-threatening infection due to poor lens hygiene. Justin Speaker developed an inexpensive and effective lens cleaning system based on the use of riboflavin and UV light, that prevents growth of even the most progressive infectious organisms.

Cheap and easily available renewable energy remains difficult to remote regions. Zachary Wang developed an inexpensive and green biophotovoltaic energy system, made of recycled water bottles and 3D printed flotation grid-holders,that can provide useful energy for those who live nearby to ponds and rivers simply by placing the 6-8 water bottle grid in the standing water.

Although skin melanoma is treatable, it still accounts for nearly 80% of skin cancer related deaths due to poor detection and diagnosis, often by time consuming and expensive biopsies. Melissa Woo tackled this problem and developed a portable smartphone-based system where thermal and color images of the suspected lesion are taken and analyzed by the phone in seconds to produce a diagnosis with >99% accuracy.

Early diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease can lead to better quality of life through management of the symptoms as well as a cure through research with those afflicted in the earliest stages of the disease. For these to occur early diagnosis must be simple and sure. Kyle Xiong developed a computer algorithm that can provide a certain diagnosis of the disease, based on patient data and test results that are currently only marginally successful.

A plaque in memory of Steven Sudell was unveiled at Western Middle School on June 18, 2019. Photo: Ryan Bologna

A plaque was unveiled above the kindness rock garden at Western Middle School in dedication to Steven Sudell on Tuesday.

Barbara Jacowleff, who taught an advisor base class that dedicated their community service for Steven, described what the kindness rock garden means for Western Middle School.

“The rock garden was created as a tribute to Steven but also in an effort to keep his legacy of compassion alive,” Jacowleff said, adding that the garden represented who Steven was as a person and will help the Town remember him.

The kindness rock garden at Western Middle School. June 18, 2019 Photo: Ryan Bologna

“We want Steven to be remembered as someone who represented the heart of Western Middle School and exemplified compassion,” Jacowleff said.

The kindness rock garden was put in front of the school to encourage people to be kind to each other and set the tone for the day as students walked in.

Jacowleff said that before she met Steven, she asked the class what they wanted to do for their community service and every student in the class wanted to raise money for him. This led to the Steven Sudell Sprint, which raised $8,000 in three weeks.

The class also sold warrior t-shirts throughout Greenwich with the help of assistant teacher Nicole Pincus, which raised $4,000 for Steven in three weeks.

Jacowleff said the community’s overwhelming response was what her realize how special Steven was. She also cited an instance when a girl at Western gave her a letter to give to Steven when he was undergoing treatment.

Jacowleff read the letter before passing it along to Steven. She said the letter described a time in elementary school when the girl had felt like an outcast and sat alone at lunch. She said Steven noticed this and went to sit with her at lunch. Within a few months that student had a table full of friends to sit with.

Jacowleff said Steven not only displayed toughness, but also was caring for everyone else, evident in his fundraiser selling socks and creating drawings to brighten other people’s days.

“When Steven was battling cancer, instead of laying in bed feeling sorry for himself he was raising money,” Jacowleff said.

Steven’s close friend Jack Ryan spoke at the unveiling and said the garden and plaque represented the way that Steven treated everyone around him.

Steven’s mother Amy Sudell said that it meant a lot to her that the whole school rallied around the family. She also said that she hopes that the garden can make days easier for students as they walk into the school.

Photo of Steven’s parents Paul and Amy Sudell, and brother Tyler Sudell at the plaque unveiling at Western Middle School. June 18, 2019 Photo by Ryan Bologna

Jacowleff joked that Steven’s mother was like a “garden gnome” because she is always going through the rocks and making sure they aren’t chipped.

The bronze plaque in the front of Western Middle School was paid for through fundraising, which Jacowleff noted was a reflection of the Town’s continued support of the Sudell family.

“It’s a testament to how well-loved the Sudell family is in the Town of Greenwich,” Jacowleff said.

Soon to be headmaster of Greenwich High School, Ralph Mayo shares advice with the Class of 2019. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Interim Superintendent of Greenwich Schools Ralph Mayo said the last time he stood up on the podium at a GHS graduation was in 1999 when he was interim headmaster at GHS.

“Ironically I’ll be back next year as the interim headmaster of GHS,” he said, going on to thank Richard Piotrzkowski. “I needed someone to step up this year to run this building and it’s not an easy building to run.”

He said since his own GHS graduation in 1971, 48 years ago, much has changed.

“That field you occupy was a baseball field. All 714 of us graduated on the field where the current baseball field is located,” he said. “You, the class of 2019, have earned this type of magical event. You’ve excelled as our tradition dictates, in the arts, on these athletic fields, in the classroom, and demonstrated respect for your teachers and peers. What a wonderful group of young adults you have become!”

Mayo said his graduation took place at a time of turmoil in the US and around the world. “Your graduation is similar in many respects,” he continued, adding that advancements in technology have impacted the world.

“In 1971, the microprocessor, the internet and email were just recently invented. Imagine. …However as high school seniors we didn’t notice much because movies were $1.50, gasoline was 40¢ a gallon, and more importantly we were given the right to vote at 18 years of age.”

Mayo’s advice was simple. “Be kind and empathetic towards others and volunteer wherever you can. At GHS students this is not what we expect, but what we demand of you,” he said.

Interim GHS headmaster Richard Piotrzkowski had advice for the class of 2019. Photo: Leslie Yager

Mr. Piotrzkowski described the class of 2019 as diverse, competitive, creative, hard working, high achieving compassionate and resilient.

He said the class of 2019’s 677 students hailed from 34 different countries with 20 languages spoken at home; 63% participated in academic and athletic teams, with 23 FCIAC championships and 27 state championships; 98% participated in the arts, earning numerous awards and producing outstanding musicals and dramas, amazing band, orchestra and choral concerts; 596 members completed internships throughout the community and 28 members completed senior projects; and over 60% took and passed at least one AP course.

“Your class has shown extreme resiliency, especially to water related events,” Piotrzkowski joked. “The science flooding in the fall resulted in longer trips to the bathroom. The leak in PAC foyer resulted in one winter choral group and winter athletes become successful road warriors. And water, over time, contributed to the erosion of our Cardinal Stadium bleachers, but allowed us to have this intimate setting for you and your families to be a little bit closer together during the ceremony.”

“Time is a precious commodity. Please take risks. Step out of your comfort zones, but whatever path you choose, take the time to enjoy the journey one day at a time, one moment at a time.” – Richard Piotrzkowski

Monique Nikolov one of the two valedictorians gave a speech at GHS class of 2019 graduation. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Coaledictorian Monique Nikolov said she had planned to talk about the concept of “community” until she realized she didn’t know the names of half of the class.

“Even though we may not know each other personally, I figure we can at least relate through our experiences,” Monique said. “When we first walked through the doors of the glass corridor our freshman year, I don’t know about you, but everything seemed a little overwhelming. The student center was a little too big. Classrooms were too numerous, and the endless array of trophies in the hallways seemed like a little too much.”

“As we’ve all grown older this has changed. The student center seems just about the right size….Now that we’re graduating we have to do this all over again. We’re all going to have to walk through a new, intimidating glass corridor filled with too many people, too much talent and too much room for insecurity. Whether this hallway happens to be in an airport as you make your way toward gap year, in a new building where you start a new job, or in a university, it’s all going to be new, terrifying, and unknown.”

Monique said even though beginnings are scary, there is satisfaction in having done it once before at GHS.

“Everything gets easier as you grow into who you truly are. And I may not know all your names, but if you’ve made it this far, you’ll be able to walk through your next glass corridor with ease. Maybe not right this moment, but one day.” – Monique Nikolov, covaledictorian

Monique, who was also class treasurer said the class of 2019 gifted the school a set of red benches for the PAC, and had presented Mr. Piotrzkowski with a Stanley Cup that said “Champion Interim Headmaster.” Student activities director Karen Foster was presented with a megaphone “to amplify her Cardinal pride at every event,” and two seniors received $1,000 each in a scholarship from the class of 2019.

James Heavey, Daniel McDermott, Eva Moore, Jovita Li and Monique Nikolov at Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Anna Meurer gave one of the salutatory addresses. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Bennett Hawley (center) at Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jamie Yee flanked by Brigid Barry, Kathleen Stowe and Gaetane Francis. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Kenleigh Merritt is ready to get her diploma. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Sign up for the free Greenwich Free Press newsletter

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich High School class of 2019 graduation in Cardinal Stadium. June 17, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Photo courtesy Greenwich Police Dept

The US Attorney for the District of Connecticut, John H Durham recognized eight Greenwich Police Officers this week for their exceptional work in bringing three Federal criminal cases to successful resolutions.

Detective Robert McKiernan was recognized for his work in US vs Jodi Zils Gagne. Gagne, a former Bristol Attorney, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for stealing $169,000 from conserved persons.

Detective McKiernan was also recognized for his work in US vs Thomas Murtha. Murtha, a former Bridgeport attorney, who stole approximately $2 million from more than 20 individuals, including law clients, friends and family members.More than $516,000 of the stolen funds were for the benefit of an individual with mental health issues. Murtha was sentenced to 78 months in prison for his crimes.

Sergeant Thomas Kelly, Sergeant Kristopher Shockley, Detective Anthony Fiscella, Detective Christopher Libasci, Detective James Manning, Detective Kyle O’Neill, and Detective Brian Perusse were recognized for their work in US vs David Byers.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 19, 2017, Byers, wearing a bandana over his face and displaying what appeared to be the handle from a handgun, robbed a Gulf gas station in Nesconset, NY. On April 20, he robbed a Chase Bank branch in Stony Brook, NY. On April 24, Byers, wearing a bandana over his face and displaying what appeared to be a handgun, robbed a Citgo gas  station here in Greenwich and on April 25, again wearing a bandana over his face, robbed a Chase Bank branch in Greenwich. Then, on April 26 he returned again to the Chase Bank branch in Greenwich and robbed it for a second time.

On April 28, 2017, Greenwich Police spotted Byers driving in Town and attempted to apprehend him, but Byers drove away at a high rate of speed, subsequently abandoned the vehicle on I95 and evaded police on foot.

Byers then stole another vehicle in Port Chester, NY, placed a stolen license plate on the vehicle and proceeded to drive to California.

Pennsylvania State Police attempted to apprehend Byers there by deploying a tire deflation device, but Byers was able to abandon the vehicle and flee on foot. He then stole a pickup truck that had keys in it. At a rest stop, he stole Maryland license plates, put them on the truck and continued to drive west.

On May 1, 2017, Byes engaged the Arizona State Police in a high speed chase before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Byers was finally arrested in San Diego, CA on May 2, 2017, and has been sentenced to 88 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his crimes.

See also:

David Byers Sentenced for Robbery Spree, Cross-Country Pursuit

Greenwich Police Work Leads to Sentencing of Conservator Who Stole $169K+

Intense Manhunt for Bank Robbery Suspect Moves from Greenwich to Pennsylvania

Greenwich Robbery Suspect Arrested in California

Awaiting Extradition of Greenwich Robbery Suspect, GPD Describe David Byers as “A Menace” and “Prolific Thief”

1075 East Putnam Avenue sold from Ernest J Gentile Realty to 1075 Post Road Realty, LLC , which is registered to Debra Ponzek and Gregory Addonizio on Oct 11, 2017 for $3,500,000

Aux Delices does not have Town approval for their second floor seating and their outdoor dining.

A stop work order on the building at 5 Riverside Lane where the applicant seeks to open a fish store, bread bakery and jewelry store.

View of 1075 East Putnam Ave from building under construction at 5 Riverside Lane.

St Catherine of Siena Church visible behind 5 Riverside Lane in Riverside.

At the June 11 P&Z meeting an attorney for the owners of Aux Delices in Riverside presented an application which seeks to bring the high-end retail deli into compliance for its second floor dining at 1075 East Putnam Ave by changing its use from Retail Food Establishment to Restaurant.

They also seek approval for seasonal outdoor patio dining, and approval to resume construction of a 10,943 sq ft building at 5 Riverside Lane, where a Stop Work order was recently issued by the Town.

Technically Aux Delices is permitted as a “retail food establishment,” which per regulations imposes a limit of 12 seats, and obviously has a lower parking requirement than a restaurant.

Coverting to “restaurant” would allow for more seating and require more parking.

Specifically they seek to expand seating to 8 seats on the first floor, 24 seats on the second floor and 10 seats for the outdoor seasonal dining on the patio – totaling 42 seats.

They own the property next door at 5 Riverside Lane and seek to share parking and egress with that site.

The applicant seeks to make right with the Town on three issues.

The former Riverside Flooring building at 5 Riverside Lane was demolished without Town approval.

The upstairs dining at Aux Delices was never approved by the Town.

The outdoor dining in the patio area was built without approvals.

A significant challenge is that Aux Delices itself will have deficient parking as a result of the proposal, and that would impact the 3 new retail uses inside the building they hope to resume building: a fish market, jewelry store and Cobs Bakery. The new building is on the same footprint as its predecessor.

The building at 1075 East Putnam Ave that is home to Aux Delices also features a frame shop and an office on the second floor, and a nail salon on the first floor.

The building was constructed in the 1920s.

During the discussion, P&Z chair Margarita Alban said she’d fallen on the top step to the second floor seating area and that the building inspector had visited the establishment and reported that the top riser does not meet code.

“I took a flyer on the top riser with an entire tray of food. There was soup all over the walls. That’s the reason I raised this. I happened to have fallen there,” Alban said.

Architect Rudy Ridberg said, “We have no change of use for the space. The second floor now is business use and a frame shop which uses different stairs. …We don’t have a requirement to change the stairs.”

After discussion, Alban said, “The stairs can be fixed.” She moved the conversation to the parking deficiencies.

Attorney Tom Heagney said the nail salon has operated at 1075 East Putnam Ave since early 1990s and since then the parking requirements have increased.

“When they went in you didn’t have the same requirement of 2 parking spaces per station. If you (calculate parking requirement) on a square footage basis, it would be compliant,” he said, adding, “Jody (Jody Couture, Greenwich’s zoning enforcement officer) said you can get where you need to be.”

He explained that the owners of Aux Delices also own 5 Riverside Lane and they prefer not not merge the two properties, but rather create cross easements for parking and egress.

He said exiting onto Riverside Lane to the traffic light at East Putnam Ave is preferable to exiting directly onto East Putnam Ave.

“Currently we are 17 spaces deficient at 1075. By combining the two parcels (1075 and 5 Riverside Lane) we would be only 13 spaces deficient. …We’re proposing uses that would require 44 spaces. We’re  adding 10, so we’re 4 spaces to the good.”

Alban said if the applicant adds 24 seats upstairs, plus outdoor seating, and 10 spaces from the other property they are indeed deficient 13 spaces. But, she said, “You are reducing the deficiency.”

Commissioner Nick Macri was skeptical. “What we’re looking at is we’re getting marginally better with the parking but this particularly site has an exceptional traffic pattern and I think we’re going from a destination retail to now two more intensive retail uses,” he said. “The balance is off. We’ll have more cars on the site coming to these two new retail spaces and we’re not making the parking any better.”

“Our regs don’t differentiate between a more active and less active retail outlet,” Heagney said.

Commissioner Dave Hardman said, “Balducci’s is quite busy. Both Aux Delices an Balducci’s are very successful.”

Heagney said his client wants the new businesses to compliment Aux Delices.

“He wants to make sure his business is not harmed by who he brings on as a tenant,” he said.

Also, Heagney said the employees of the nail salon arrive by van.

“You’re showing reduction in non-conformity, but it’s bad for business if people can’t find a place to park. Maybe hold off on the increase in seating,” Mr. Hardman said, adding, “On a parking spot basis I think this site can be really stressed. …You have the ability not to do the additional seating upstairs. That brings the parking requirement from 7 to 17.”

“I think we’re becoming more compliant, but it could be more so if we eliminated 10 seats inside the restaurant at the times we have the outdoor dining. So there would be no more than 32 seats dining,” Heagney said.

Commissioner Andy Fox said idea of adding a fish market reminded him of a previous situation at Fjord Fish Market.

“(Engineer) Tony D’Andrea would remember we have Déjà vu of fish and garbage,” Fox said.

Back in 2016 Mr. D’Andrea represented the building landlord, Michael Taylor, who proposed moving the dumpsters behind Fjord to the north, and away from the back door in order to make the rear entrances of Fjord and Fleishers and the Greenwich Cheese Company the de facto front entrances. At the time Mr. Taylor had received a cease & desist order from the Town for “newly placed dumpsters without an enclosure.”

At the time Ms Alban said there had been complaints about overflowing, smelly dumpsters, especially from the fish market. In the end the applicant was approved for dumpsters inside a locked enclosure with an explicit agreement on conditions of garbage disposal.

The commission asked the applicant about Aux Delices catering, deliveries of fish and procedure for disposing of garbage with a new fish market.

Greg Addonizio, who purchased 1075 East Putnam Ave with his wife Debra Ponzek on Oct 11, 2017 for $3,500,000, assured the commission all Aux Delices Catering is done out of their Stamford facility.

Victor who works for Aux Delices said they only take deliveries until 10:00am and that garbage is picked up daily, except for Sundays.

“As far as fish,” Victor said, “Normally my fish business happens early in the morning. I get to the Fulton Fish Market by 1:00am and am back by 4:00am. My plan is to treat all the fish garbage and not use a dumpster but use a cooler and drive them to the Greenwich transfer station. I know fish can be in the dumpster only a certain amount of time.”

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, the co president of the Riverside Association, Liz Peldunas said members of her organization were “very curious and interested” in the application.

“The Riverside community wants the Post Road to reflect a character of place,” she said. “When I heard about the project I was excited.”

Peldunas said the intersection of Riverside Lane and East Putnam Ave is designed to handle significant traffic.

“I understand the parking constraints and I trust the property owner does too,” she said. “I leave it to your best judgement about what goes on that site.”

Peldunas said having non-chain establishments is a plus for Riverside.

“We wouldn’t be the poor step child of Cos Cob and Old Greenwich any more. We would have a place.” – Liz Peldunas, Riverside Association co-president

“Maybe this is the start of something good for the Post Road.  It puts us closer to creating a look that is consistent, so we don’t look like a mutt forever in Riverside,” she said. “It could all start to hang together and look good. We want a sense of place in Riverside.”

There was discussion of potential conditions of an approval including reducing seating by 10 seats inside when the patio is in use, installing a ballard to protect diners on the patio, providing a handicapped spot, no overnight storage of vans, creating cross easements for the two properties, and no seating at the bakery.

After the discussion,the commission “closed” the applications but did not take a vote. They will do so at a future meeting.

Neighbors Weigh in on Cos Cob Hub Dumpster Proposal: “It Stinks!”

Eversource issued a reminder that as part of their upgrades to the electric distribution system in the town of Greenwich they will begin to replace more than 400 utility poles with stronger, thicker ones and install more than 20 miles of new underground cable and overhead wire.

They say the new lines will add redundancy to the electric system, enabling Eversource to more quickly re-route power, reducing the frequency and length of outages, if they occur.

“We’re always working to serve our customers better and that means doing what’s needed to ensure they have the energy needed to run their businesses and live their lives,” said Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom in a release.

“This is a significant investment that when completed, will result in an even stronger, more resilient electric grid that will reliably serve more than 28,000 Greenwich customers well into the future.”

Work is underway in many parts of Town.

New overhead lines and utility poles are being installed along West Putnam Avenue (between Pemberwick Road and the Jeep dealership); Weaver Street (from Chapel Street to Glenville Road); Glenville Road (between Weaver Street and Riversville Road) and Riversville Road (from Glenville Road to Hardscrabble Road).

The projects are expected to be complete by late 2020. This work is separate from the Greenwich Substation and Line project, which includes a new 115-kilovolt electric transmission line being installed on the south side of town and a new substation being built on Railroad Avenue later this year.

As always, Eversource said they, along with their contractors, will work closely with community leaders to minimize possible interference with community events and mitigate any potential traffic disruptions wherever work is being done.

The Town of Greenwich will present firework displays at Binney Park and Greenwich Point Park. Both displays are scheduled for Saturday, July 6, with a rain date of Sunday, July 7.

The Binney Park Show will start at approximately 9:10pm and the Greenwich Point Show will begin at approximately 9:35pm.

It is strongly recommended that anyone planning to attend either display and especially the Greenwich Point display arrive early and bring a working flashlight.

Binney Park Fireworks are open to everyone. No Park Pass required. Follow the instructions of Police Officers who will be assisting drivers, pedestrians and bikers. There are a number of nearby lots that are available for parking on a first-come, first-serve basis, including Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, Old Greenwich Train Stations, Perrot Memorial Library and Old Greenwich School.

There will be No Parking on the entire length of Binney Park Drive, from Wesskum Wood Road by the tennis courts to Arch Street near the railroad tunnel on the day of the fireworks. Parking for vehicles with handicap permits will be provided in Binney Park near the tennis courts and will be under the direction of Police Officers beginning at 4:30pm. Please show permit to the Police Officers for assistance.

Greenwich Point  Fireworks. Normal rules for access to Greenwich Point will be in effect. Valid Park Passes for 2019will be required of residents all day and single entry pass and single entry parking passes will be required of non-seasonal pass holders until 5:00pm.

After 5:00pm, non-seasonal pass holders will only need a single entry parking pass. Single entry passes and single entry parking passes for non-seasonal pass holders may be purchased at Eastern Greenwich Civic Center or Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center, Monday –Friday, (except Holidays) from 9:00am–6:00pm only. Residents who have updated residency status for 2019may purchase single entry tickets online. Tickets must be printed and presented at the gate. Please note that Greenwich Point will be closed once parking has reached its capacity or 8:30pm, whichever comes first.

Greenwich Point will still be open to walkers, joggers and bicyclists under normal regulations. 

It is important to remember that once the Parking has reached capacity and the Greenwich Point is closed to vehicles, cars will not be permitted in or near Greenwich Point.

This means you will not be able to drop-off or pick-up passengers before or after the event.