Greenwich High School Scholastic Art Award winners were honored at the Board of Education meeting. Left to right: Diana Martinez, William Owens, Jamie Yee, Garrett Sheehan and Delfina Gomez. March 28, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

During Thursday’s BOE meeting student recognition, ten Greenwich High School students who received Scholastic Art Awards were honored.

GHS art teacher Julie Nixon said three students received Honorable Mentions, two received Silver Key awards for their portfolios, and five received Gold Key awards for single entry.

Of the gold award winners, one received the Connecticut Art Education Association (CAEA) best in Photography Award and two received scholarships to the Hartford Art School, and Silver Key winners also received scholarships to the Hartford Art School.

Now in its 96th year, the Scholastic Art & Writing awards is the largest, longest running and most prestigious recognition program for creative young people in the United States.

The awards have an impressive legacy, dating back to 1923 and a noteworthy roster of past winners including Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford and Joyce Carol Oates.

This year 2,800 students entered works from 45 schools in Connecticut.

Also honored was the 2019 Boys Swimming & Diving team. Their Coach Terry Lowe said the team won the FCIAC, State LL and State Open Swimming Championship.

GHS Gymnastics Team was honored at the March 28, 2019 BOE meeting. Photo: Leslie Yager

 The Greenwich High School gymnastics team was also honored. This year they placed first in the FCIAC Championship, first place State Championship and received the All-American Team Award from the National  High School Gymnastics Association.

See also:

Mayo to Assume Interim Greenwich High School Headmaster Position

Hamilton Avenue School Students Heads to Odyssey of the Mind World Finals

Tree Hearing Scheduled for Trees Slated for Removal at Hamilton Avenue School

This story has been updated to reflect that Byram Terrace Drive is in Pemberwick, not Byram.

At the last P&Z meeting the commission voted on whether an illegal basement apartment at 74 Byram Terrace Drive in Pemberwick could continue to be rented if it was deemed an “affordable” apartment under the state’s 8-30g statute.

The application was submitted after the owners received a Cease and Desist order from the Town’s Zoning Enforcement Officer. They have since removed the kitchen fixtures from the apartment, which is actually not below ground.

At issue was interpretation of the 8-30g regulation that the apartment be “comparable” to the other two units, which rent at market rates.

By state law, all CT towns are required to have 10% of their housing “affordable” and until that time, the 8-30g statute is an incentive as it exempts owners or builders from local zoning regulations, unless the development would “significantly threaten public health or safety.”

One issue the commission considered was parking. Currently there are two spaces inside the garage and four spaces outside. The tenants in all three units have been juggling their cars in the garage and driveway, and spilling out into the street to the annoyance of neighbors.

Attorney for the applicants John Heagney said if the commission wanted two additional parking, his clients would pave two parking spaces coming off the driveway and into the front yard. That would eliminate some of the congestion at the end of Byram Terrace Drive, which is a dead end street.

Commissioner Victoria Goss pointed out that if the applicant puts parking in the front yard, the regulations require adequate screening.

“We can certainly add screening. There is room for screening,” Heagney said.

On the question of whether the basement unit was “equivalent,” the applicant’s attorney said Connecticut courts have emphasized quality and workmanship. He said although the proposed affordable apartment would be smaller than the others, it would have comparable workmanship.

“We looked at a case out of Berlin where the developer wanted to designate some units as affordable without finishing their attics. The court said that was not comparable workmanship,” Heagney said, adding that since his client removed all the kitchen fixtures, the only unit with brand new kitchen fixtures will be the affordable unit. “All the other units will have slightly more dated appliances,” he said.

“We looked at the legislative intent when statutes were passed, and we believe the commission has a wide range of discretion,” Heagney added. “We feel it is a comparable style to the other units in the building,”

The affordable apartment will have a separate entrance on the side of the building.

There was discussion about whether the unit would be priced at 80% of median income of the area, not the state, or 60% of the median income.

If they charge 60% of median income, the unit counts as one affordable unit toward the town’s goal. If they charge 80% of median, it only counts as half a unit.

“Obviously it’s something our clients would like to make a fair rent from,” Heagney said. “We are dealing with low numbers when you take the statewide median income.”

Town planner Katie DeLuca said, “We don’t have a policy regulation under this because you’re coming in under 8-30g.”

Heagney said Ms. DeLuca had suggesting looking into a similar program in Trumbull that town first undertook since the early 1990s. “They’ve been designating every accessory or in-law apartment that comes in under their P&Z as an affordable unit, restricting it to 80% of median income of the area, not the state median.”

Rent for a one bedroom apartment at 80% of median income is $1,335 a month or $1,083 for 60% of median income. That is a difference of $252 per month.

The commissioners said it’s important for Greenwich to make progress toward complying with the state’s 10% affordable  housing goal and at that point, the town will be exempt from the 8-30g applications.

Heagney said the apartment is approved as “affordable,” the applicant would agree to a long term deed restriction.

Mr. Macri moved to designate the apartment as a set aside development pursuant to 8-30g at the 80% rate with the additional two parking spaces in the front yard screened and set back as far from the street as possible.

The vote was 4-1 with commissioner Nick Macri voting against and Margarita Alban, Peter Levy, Andy Fox, and Victoria Goss (alternate for Dave Hardman) all voting in favor.

See also:

Effort to Make Basement Apartment in Duplex-Style House “Affordable” Meets with P&Z Skepticism Jan 11, 2019

On Monday night the Greenwich Town Hall meeting room was packed for an hour long joint RTM committee meeting, the topic of which was a sense of the meeting resolution against tolls in Connecticut.

The resolution was submitted by Laura Gladstone who is not a member of the RTM who was able to put her resolution in front of the RTM by fulfilling the requirement of gathering 25 signatures of registered voters.

Among those signing Gladstone’s petition were State Rep Fred Camillo, (R-151), former State Senator Scott Frantz, Icy Frantz and BET member Karen Fassuliotis.

Proponents of the resolution were represented by Patrick Sasser, and those against the resolution were represented by Joseph McGee, of the Business Council of Fairfield County. Each had 10 minutes to present their case. That was followed by Q&A, and then the committees dispersed to discuss and vote on the resolution.

A “yes” vote indicated support for the anti-toll resolution.

A “no” vote was against the anti-toll resolution, which did not necessarily mean support of tolls. In the Land Use committee meeting, for example, several members said they didn’t have enough information to form an opinion.

Committee votes were as follows:

Land Use voted against the resolution: 4 yes and 7 no.

Legislative and Rules voted against the resolution: 5 yes and 7 no.

Transportation voted in favor of the resolution: 6 yes and 4 no.

Public Works voted in favor of the resolution: 9 yes and 1 no, with one abstention.

Finance (the committee voted to take a vote on the resolution on Monday night). Their vote was 9 yes and 3 no.

The resolution will go before the full RTM on Monday, April 8.

Laura Gladstone presented her resolution to several RTM standing committees on Monday after having received 25 petition signatures. April 1, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Gladstone’s resolution said tolls would pose a “substantial burden” on the people of Connecticut and drivers would avoid “costly tolls,” resulting in increased traffic and pollution on local roads and neighborhoods.

The resolution also said, “residents of Greenwich already pay more in taxes and fees than most residents in states around the country.”

Gladstone said Greenwich is the largest town in the state geographically, and contributes the most to Hartford, and a resolution against tolls would send Hartford a strong message.

“Connecticut tolls are an antiquated idea that does not work,” Gladsone said, adding that tolls would impact Greenwich residents who commute to other parts of the state and vice versa.

She said tolls would “limit vacations for their families, sports for their children and even mortgages and rent payments.”

Gladstone cited a recent study by Sacred Heart University that showed that 54% of people polled would avoid tolls and take local roads.

State Rep Fred Camillo (R-151), who recently announced he seeks the nomination of Republicans to be their candidate for First Selectman, argued in favor of the resolution against tolls. April 1, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Rep (R-151) Fred Camillo said Massachusetts has a hard time collecting toll payments from out-of-state drivers who do not have transponders (E-ZPass).

Camillo said golf passes and a beach cards are both examples of user fees because residents have a choice as to whether to purchase them, but tolls are another story.

“We have the money there and have been diverting it every single year,” Camillo said of the Special Transportation Fund. “We voted for a lock box. It goes into effect July 1….There is money there, and there are other ways to do this. Keep the weigh stations open. They’re never open. Let’s give it a chance to let the lock box on the special transportation fund work.”

Patrick Sasser, who founded NoTollsCT, spoke in favor of the resolution against tolls. April 1, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Patrick Sasser, a career firefighter in Stamford who owns a small excavating business, is the founder of NoTollsCT.

Sasser faulted Governor Lamont for running his campaign on a promise to toll trucks only, and changing his mind.

He said Connecticut has the 7^th highest gas taxes and that residents already pay their fair share to use the highways.

Sasser said Hartford has mismanaged use of those revenues.

Further, he argued that tolls calibrated to charge more during peak travel times, “congestion pricing,” will force vehicles off highways and onto local roads.

“Forcing them off will double or triple the traffic in cities and towns,” Sasser said, adding that not all business owners will be in a position to pass the cost of tolls onto their customers.

Joseph McGee, Vice President, Public Policy and Programs for the Business Council of Fairfield County spoke against the anti-toll resolution and in favor of tolls. April 1, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Joseph McGee, from the Business Council of Fairfield County, an organization he said has opposed tolls in the past, rebutted Mr. Sasser, saying Connecticut’s need to upgrade transportation infrastructure is urgent.

“We went through this when Ella Grasso was Governor and the Mianus Bridge fell. You’d think we learned a lesson from that, but we haven’t.”– Joseph  McGee, Business Council of Fairfield County

“We’re the business organization that led the fight against tolls 30 years ago,” McGee said. “We’ve shifted our position….We need to invest in transportation. Whether it’s a user fund or a tax is almost immaterial. We need to plan for the future. A confident people invest in their future.”

“If you want to go to bond using general funds that go into operating – this state has put everything on the state’s credit card. You have to give Governor Lamont some credit for putting the state on a ‘debt diet.’ Bonded debt comes out of your pocket as taxpayers.”

He said the choice is between raising the gas tax or taking sales tax revenue and diverting the funds to transportation.

“Tolls are the best way tot go,” McGee said. “Whether it’s 30% or 40% paid for by out-of-staters, it’s time they pay their fair share.”

“Is an 18-wheeler going to get off I-95 to save 25¢?” he asked.

McGee said his organization is comprised of member companies with a total of 35,000 to 40,000 employees.

“Our organization is for investment in infrastructure. Why? If you look at economic growth, Connecticut is one of the slowest growing states in the nation. Only Wyoming and North Dakota have been slower over a 10 year period.”

“During the recession our companies had hundreds of jobs that could not be filled, and one of the key issues in Connecticut is transportation infrastructure. Our highways and rail system are not in good repair,” McGee said, adding that the cost of congestion is $1,200 per year, per person in increased fuel costs and lost time. “Our congestion on I-95 is one of the highest ratios of lost hours – 50 hours a year of people being late to work.”

“On the railroad system, there are four bridges that are 100 years old,” McGee said. “Last summer the bridges had to be manually closed because they froze in place from the heat. This is not acceptable on the New Haven line which is the main line between new Haven and Boston.”

“These bridges need to be replaced and are a billion dollars each,” McGee said.

McGee said that in Hartford the entire I-84 viaduct, which is essentially a bridge, needs to be replaced, which will cost billions of dollars.

“The ‘mix-master’ in Waterbury, where I-84 comes in, is estimated to cost $7 billion, because the interstate system of the 1950s and 1960s is past its useful life,” he said.

Lastly, McGee said congestion pricing is intended to make the traffic flow better.

“You use a pricing mechanism to get trucks that don’t need to be there out,” he said.

During Q&A, Don Conway asked, “How you guarantee this money collecting at the tolls is actually going into that lock box?”

“When you do tolling – these are federal highways – you have to negotiate a contract with the Federal Highway Administration,” McGee said. “Forget the lock box. The contract with the FHA is ironclad. The money raised from tolls goes only to highways or congestion mitigation.”

Speaking in favor of the resolution against tolls was George Logan, (R-17) whose district includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge.

State Senator George Logan (R-17) was asked what happened to the $650 million diverted from the Special Transportation Fund.

“We have a Special Transportation Fund that is currently fully funded for four yeas. With tolling in Connecticut you wouldn’t see valid revenue for at least 5 years. …We are paying millions that go to Hartford. Why aren’t those transportation dollars being spent in Fairfield County? There is nothing in the mindset of the legislators in Hartford. They haven’t been using transportation funding to fix the roads and bridges in Fairfield County, and I’d argue that would continue with tolls.”

“We have to have a fact-based conversation,” Mr. McGee replied. “We have a state budget that is audited. We know what we spend on transportation every year. We are spending a $1.2 billion on transportation projects every year. It’s not that we’re diverting it all. We’ve diverted some, but the bulk is spent on transportation. It’s just not enough money to repair an aging highway system.”

Speaking against the anti-toll resolution was State Senator Alex Bergstein (D-36) whose district includes Greenwich and parts of both New Canaan and Stamford. April 1, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Senator Alex Bergstein, vice chair of the transportation committee, said the problem is 40 years in the making.

“As my colleague Senator Logan pointed out, you’re not going to get results in two years. Politicians in the legislature are on a two-year campaign cycle. They want you to vote for them in two yeas. This is not politically expedient. It’s the responsible solution to something that took 40 years to accumulate. We’re sending a positive signal to the market by going on a debt diet, and a positive signal to the business community.”

“The cost of not doing tolls will be even higher,” she continued. “If we don’t put in a new source of revenue that may be even be more than 50% paid for by out-of-state drivers, and invest in infrastructure transformation, we are not going to be able to grow our economy and attract new economies here.”

McGee responded to a question about impact of tolls on Connecticut residents, saying, “There’s a 30% reduction if you are a Connecticut resident, and if you are a frequent user there’s another 20% reduction. That’s 50% off the stated fare.”

“We keep having magical numbers about out-of-staters,” Sasser said. “First it was 30%, then 40%, and now the Governor is saying 50%. They are using numbers that fit their narrative, that fit their awful plan, that will effect the working class, the working poor of the state.”

As for Camillo’s assertion that Massachusetts can’t collect their tolls from out-of-state drivers, Bergstein said, “Connecticut drivers are the biggest offenders of not paying their Massachusetts tolls because we don’t have tolls in Connecticut and a lot of Connecticut drivers don’t have transponder (EZ Passes).”

“There is no silver bullet or magical source of funding,” Bergstein said. “The fact is, we don’t have the funding for the major upgrades that are needed. I fully agree that projects need to be run more efficiently and the costs of projects in Connecticut are too high.”

Bergstein also said costs need to come down and there needs to be greater accountability for how tax dollars are spent.

“There is no question that public funds have been mismanaged in the past,” she said. “I want to change that. We need to come together and support responsible long term solutions to these complex problems.”

The resolution next goes before the entire RTM on April 8.

About 50 neighbors turned out the P&Z meeting where applicants on Byron Rd seek to add FAR to plans for new construction that factor in FAR from a parcel encumbered by a water access easement to dozens of neighbors. Photo: Leslie Yager

At Tuesday night’s Planning & Zoning meeting dozens of Old Greenwich residents wearing “Shore Acres” stickers opposed an application from Nicole and David Areson for a final coastal site plan to construct a new, 4,500 sq ft house and driveway at 17 Bryon Road. A house dating back to 1934 has already been demolished from the property.

House at 17 Bryon Rd, now demolished. Photo: Assessor’s office at Greenwich Town Hall

The house at 17 Bryon Road has been demolished to make way for new house. Photo: Leslie Yager

Proposed home, approximately 4,500 sq ft will be in the AE (13′) flood hazard zone. the ground floor will not contain any habitable space and will be open or contain flood vents.

The Aresons bought the property for $1,855,000 from Trevor and Francine Nightingale on Aug 24, 2017.

The neighbors say the applicants are not entitled to expand their FAR based on their parcel with deeded access way to Greenwich Cove for their new house.

The Aresons hold the title to the parcel, but it is encumbered by a water access easement for about 56 neighbors.

The applicants have a 14,000 square foot lot, but if it has a private road through it, they can only use 7,000 for FAR.

Also, the Aresons want to pave a driveway over part of the access way.

While some of the disputes with neighbors are civil matters, and no one denies the Aresons have title to the access way to the water, the main issue for P&Z is whether the access way is actually a road.

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The applicants cite a letter sent over 10 years ago from former Greenwich zoning enforcement officer James Maloney saying the access way was not a road.

That letter was used in a P&Z decision to approve an application from a neighboring lot owner at 15 Bryon Rd.

“In a nutshell, if the access way was a road, the new house proposed for lot 28, which is known as 15 Bryon, would have to be set back further,” said the Aresons’ attorney Melissa Klauberg.

“It was determined by the zoning enforcement officer that the access way was not a road, and the commission approved the application without the additional setback,” said Klauberg, who worked with Mr. Maloney at the time, adding that no one appealed the decision.

“We are not an arbiter of what is in a deed and what isn’t,” said P&Z chair Margarita Alban. “We’re about the zoning regulations. But we have the responsibility of figuring out if something is a road or not.”

Klauberg said her clients purchased property from the Nightingales two years ago and acknowledge that a number of neighbors have easement rights across the property for access to Greenwich Cove.

Slide showing the access way to Greenwich Cove around 1965. The photo shows boats, a treehouse, tire tracks and a car.

Access way today. April 3, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

Klauberg said though neighbors have rights of access to the water, that does not include rights to a dock, which she said has been deemed illegal by the DEEP. She said the dock is the Aresons’ responsibility and that if a child were injured playing there, it shouldn’t be the responsibility of her clients.

“The neighbors also do not have the right to store their boats, kayaks and other items on the easement area,” Klauberg continued. “They only have the right of access to the water.”

Klauberg said that while the previous owners, the Nightingales, let neighbors leave their personal items on their property, that was out of “neighborly kindness.”

“The right of access to the water does not give someone the right to leave their personal items on the easement area or to congregate on the easement, and certainly no right to have a neighborhood party on the easement,” Klauberg said.

Furthermore, she said the easement is for water access and does not include a view of the water.

“The easement does not give you the right to play games of I Spy or practice yoga on the dock. …The fact that the Nightingales permitted their property to be a gathering place does not mean they were legally required to do so.” – Melissa Klauberg, attorney for applicants

She said the Aresons offered to improve the access way, possibly with paving, to add landscaping, and offered to repair and replace the dock to bring it in compliance with the DEEP requirements, but, she said, the neighbors rejected the offer.

“The Aresons have been harassed, and their proposal to make the access way more attractive, accessible and safe has been out and out rejected,” she said.

Neighbors insist the information presented to ZEO Maloney 10 years ago was not accurate. They presented research to the commission going back to 1922 when the subdivision was first created to argue the access way is indeed a road.

Klauberg said there is misinformation in the neighborhood about the Aresons’ intentions. She said her clients recognize and acknowledge the neighbors’ easement rights for access to the water, but debate the extent of the assess rights. However she said, that was a civil matter, not a zoning matter.

After Tony D’Andrea presented a proposal for drainage, Ms. Alban said DPW had an issue with the driveway location and said it was “not accessible.” D’Andrea said even if there is a driveway there, it would remain wide open. “The only traffic coming out of this is a single car,” he said, adding that he would work it out with DPW.

Conservation comments from Aleksandra Moch included concern about access to the dock and taking care not to damage adjacent Oak trees. D’Andrea disagreed with Ms. Moch’s suggestion that the access path be reduced to “a 5 foot wide cart path,” and said that the proposed 14 ft wide driveway width is within Town regulations.

“It’s for this commission to decide, not the former ZEO in a letter confirming attorney Klauberg’s statements, which were not completely factual.” – Chip Haslun, attorney for the Shore Acres neighbors

Attorney for the neighbors Chip Haslun said two years ago he wrote a letter to Tom Ward, attorney for the prior owners, indicating the stub was actually a road as laid out in the original 1922 subdivision, and that the Aresons were aware of the historic use of the access way.

Haslun also pointed out the road has never been taxed at all by the Town of Greenwich.

“I think that is in recognition that it is a road and not part of a developable piece of land,” he said.

Haslun said former ZEO Maloney was relying on attorney Klauberg’s representations to him, quoting her as saying at the time, “a neighbor” may have had rights over the easement area and the Nightingales had given permission to others to use the property, with no mention at all the dozens of other Shore Acres neighbors with deeded access dating back to the 1922 subdivision.

Dave Hawkins, a longtime Shore Acres neighbor presented his research on deeds in the neighborhood, saying they specified water access. Photo: Leslie Yager

Shore Acre Drive neighbor Dave Hawkins said Ms. Klauberg misrepresented the facts to ZEO Maloney, including that the lot was a vacant, undeveloped and inaccessible to motor vehicles.

“It’s clearly not a vacant lot. It’s a right of way and an extension of the paved part of shore Acre Drive and contains an improved gravel road bed that is used by motor vehicles,” he said. adding that there are removable bollards at the opening of the driveway. He shared a 1925 sales brochure created by the developer advertising all the lots as “waterfront” because there is a strip along the water included in the easement.

“This was a waterfront development. It was called Shore Acres for a reason,” he said. In 1924 the developer transferred some of the roads in the development to the Town, but the Town declined to take over the stub. “You can’t just do away with a road designated on a recorded map. And you can’t do away with it based on a ZEO letter based on inaccuracies.”

Hawkins said the first non waterfront deed was written in 1923 and stated, “It’s together with an easement right and privilege, in, over and upon the streets, roads, beach, waters of Greenwich Cove and plots for the benefit for lot owners.”

Hawkins said by 1932 Ben Lockwood had sold 56 lots and all the language in the deeds reflected the water access. He said nowhere do any deeds refer to vacant land, but rather to “Shore Acre Drive.”

He said Town Grand Lists have consistently identified Shore Acre Drive as extending to Greenwich Cove, albeit a private portion of the road.

Map from 1927. Yellow reflects the easements via the stubs and along the shore of Greenwich Cove in the original subdivision.

“We’re not making this stuff up,” Hawkins said emphatically. He said a survey from Mr. D’Andrea’s firm in 2007 was not labeled vacant lot. “It’s labeled Shore Acre Drive. That recognition has disappeared entirely. But that’s a matter of wishful thinking, not reality.”

“The neighborhood has enjoyed for almost 100 years the use of the entire length of Shore Acre Drive to access the waters,” he said.

P&Z director Katie DeLuca asked what the Aresons’ deed states for the stub.

“Their deed states they were conveyed the grantor’s interest in that portion of Shore Acre Drive that lies westerly of Shore Acre Drive,” Hawkins said. “It says the parcel in question is referred to as ‘that portion of Shore Acre Drive.'”

Hawkins said the Aresons have “a heavily encumbered title to a road.”

The neighborhood has no formal community association, but over the years Hawkins said neighbors have gotten together to do clean ups and dock repairs.

“It’s a very neighborly operation and it has worked. This lot was the home of one family from 1949 to 2017 and everything worked well,” Hawkins said.

“It’s gotten complicated and I think you should do something to rectify it,” commissioner Peter Levy said.

Paul Pugliese, a resident of Shore Acres since 1992, said residents pay higher tax assessments because of their water rights, proximity to water and views of water. “It’s a significant amount,” he said.

Mr. Pugliese said Ben Lockwood conveyed all the other roads in the original subdivision to the Town, except for the Shore Acre Drive stub and Sunset Road stub, which remained private roads that were not deeded to the Town.

“Had the original developer decided it was a path to the water and not a road, it could have been 10 ft wide – it would have been a path to the water and he would have had a larger, more valuable lot.”

Pugliese said Ben Lockwood was ahead of his time, creating these access strips to the Cove for the benefit of the entire subdivision. He said Lockwood also created a 10 ft strip along the water connecting the two stubs and connecting them to the adjacent neighborhood.

Pugliese said if P&Z determine the stub to be a road, the applicants have to observe side yard setbacks, which in this case wold be 14 ft because it’s an undersized R12 lot.

He said placing the driveway on top the right of way is problematic. The DPW recommended a driveway not align with the intersection.

“It’s also in the jurisdiction of the DEEP,” he continued. “And, there is a reasonable alternative, which is to have the driveway on the southern side of the lot and elevate it so it floods less.”

“In addition, kids are always walking up and down that path and riding bikes and walking, and having a driveway there is a safety issue. Backing out of the driveway would be a serious problem.” – Paul Pugliese

Also, Pugliese argued that if the applicant is allowed to put their driveway partly on the right of way, they would likely park cars in it, obstructing views and access to the water.

Mark Strauss, a neighbor from nearby North Street, said he grew up in the neighborhood and, counter to what Ms. Klauberg said, he argued that to his knowledge there was “never a mess of boats” and “never has there been parties or a big gathering” on the access way  since the 1980s.

He said the neighbors’ deeds vary but all specify water access.

In Klauberg’s closing remarks she said her clients own the dock, but that it has been deemed illegal by DEEP. She said the neighbors will no longer have access to it.

Klauberg said the access way has never been taxed but the Aresons went to the Assessor’s office to add themselves to the tax rolls.

“They went to the Assessor to correct the field card and were told that could not be done until a map was filed.” She said her clients filed a map, showing that the they own all that land, and showing it had an easement.

“The assessor said, ‘Oh great, now we can tax it,'” Klauberg said.

“The town will tax the highest use,” DeLuca said. “If the assessor sees five kitchens, she will tax it, regardless of whether there are zoning violations.”

“We’re just correcting the records,” Klauberg said. “They have rights to walk all over the 50 feet. The easement is for access to the water. It’s not a playground.”

If the commission finds the stub is a private road, the applicant will not be able to use it toward their FAR calculation.

At the end of the discussion, the application was left open and the P&Z commission asked the attorneys for each side to submit a brief summarizing all their key points.

It’s time to verify residency for all Parks & Rec programs and activities in 2019!

If you have already taken care of residency and renewals for 2019, Parks & Rec says you’re all set, but they remind residents that the prerequisite for participating in all Parks and Recreation offerings, including summer camps, youth and adult sports, facility rentals, park/beach pass, tee times, golf membership, etc, requires periodic Greenwich Residency Account Renewal process to remain active.

A Greenwich Residency Account includes all members of the Greenwich household.

Greenwich Residency renewals are required once annually during the calendar year.

Primary account holders are required to provide two proofs of residency.

Seniors with an active Senior Park/Beach Pass valid through December 31, 2019 are not required to provide proof of residency until the new senior residency/pass renewal cycle begins in 2020.

All other family members who will turn 25 years of age and older are required to provide one proof of residency.

Beginning January 1, of each year, residents with a Parks and Recreation Greenwich Residency Account may Click Here to login and upload documents.

All major credit cards accepted for purchases online.

Should you need customer service assistance, please e-mail: gnpnr@greenwichct.org

Please help Parks  Rec spread the word by sharing with your family, friends, and neighbors. For current Parks and Recreation information Click Here

Exterior with heated pool at 4 Laurel Lane Spur

4 Laurel Lane Spur
Greenwich, CT 06830

OPEN HOUSE:
Sunday, April 7th 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Listed at $2,925,000
GreenwichMLS #105275

5 Bedrooms
4 Full Baths
Single Family
Built in 1972; Renovated in 2018

Listed by: Katherine Donnelly
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Tel. (203) 536-3267
Email: Katherine@kdonnellyrealty.com

This mid-country Georgian Colonial offers sophisticated luxury, with rooms washed in sunlight. There are five bedrooms, four baths, and two powder rooms. There are also two fireplaces and a four car attached garage.

The home has a brick exterior and a wood shingle roof, and is located on a serene cul-de-sac. The 3.42 acre setting allows for quiet enjoyment of nature.

Located south of the Merritt Parkway, Laurel Lane Spur is just minutes from downtown Greenwich, the commuter train, I95 and shopping.

Step inside the double height grand foyer and take in the quality and character that are evident in every interior detail.

There are high ceilings and hand carved moldings, custom walnut inlaid floors, custom built-ins and a back staircase. There is a lot to love in this 7,918 square foot home. All square footage is above ground.

There is a professional grade kitchen with butler’s pantry, walk-in pantry, and a laundry room with a sink. The kitchen features a Viking double oven with a warming drawer and two Bosch dishwashers.

The grand sized rooms feature oversized windows in rooms including a floor to ceiling bow window with built-in corner cabinets in the dining room.

The luxurious master suite is situated on the first floor and has an adjoining expansive spa with custom built-ins, soaking tub, full shower with bench, double vanity, make-up area and water closet.

There is an elegant recessed staircase to the second level with four double bedrooms, two full baths, and plenty of walk-in closets, as well as double and single closets. The second level foyer also has an oversized storage closet as well as two full walk-in attics to round out the abundant storage.

The fully finished “walk-out” lower level has the same quality finishes as the first floor public rooms. You will be pleased with the lower level second family room with fireplace, game room, gym, office, bonus room and custom bar with counter.

This home has plenty to celebrate with both indoor and exterior areas including an Ipe deck off the kitchen and a blue stone terrace directly off the lower level via three sliding glass doors.

Greenwich offers low real estate taxes, and is known as a safe place to live. The Town offers an ideal lifestyle that make many happy to call this 50 square mile community their home.

This home is districted for North Street Elementary School, Central Middle School and Greenwich High School. There are also several private schools to choose from.

There are a number of public and private country clubs with golf courses, yacht clubs, equestrian trails, four public libraries, beaches including Greenwich Point, and of course the wonderful Bruce Museum with its new playground. There are abundant public tennis courts and ballfields which offer hours of enjoyment to our residents.

Double height Grand Foyer at 4 Laurel Lane Spur in Greenwich.

Full finished lower level with a 2nd family room at 4 Laurel Lane Spur in Greenwich.

Professional kitchen with oversized windows and built-ins at 4 Laurel Lane Spur in Greenwich.

Dining Room at at 4 Laurel Lane Spur in Greenwich.

Dining Room at at 4 Laurel Lane Spur in Greenwich.

Living room at at 4 Laurel Lane Spur in Greenwich.

Master Bedroom with Cove Lighting at 4 Laurel Lane Spur in Greenwich.

Master spa at 4 Laurel Lane Spur in Greenwich.

Katherine Donnelly is a Global Luxury Specialist at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and has been serving the Greenwich real estate market since 2004, winning various awards including membership in Coldwell Banker’s International Presidents Circle as she was ranked within the top 6% of all sales agents.

As a long time Greenwich resident, she loves to share her market knowledge and the amenities of this special community with others so that they may also experience a wonderful lifestyle.

Katherine may be reached with questions or to schedule a private tour at (203) 536-3267 or Katherine@kdonnellyrealty.com

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 25-28, 2019

184 Shore Rd, Old Greenwich from Greenwich Shore Road LLC to Michael Rudder on March 25, 2019 for $3,850,000

17 Connecticut Ave

17 Connecticut Ave from 17 Connecticut Avenue, LLC to Marisa Iasenza on March 25, 2019 for $1,475,000

6 Marks Road

6 Marks Road from Duane and Joan Grubert to RWC Investments LP on March 25, 2019 for $1,360,000

325 Riversville Road

325 Riversville Road from Bank of New York Mellon to CT Preservations Inc on March 26, 2019 for $850,000

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49 Lockwood Ave from John and Lucille Morris to James Morris Jr on March 26, 2019 for $1,935,000

351 Pemberwick Rd Unit 505 from Catherine Pica to Jeffrey Nolletti on March 26, 2019 for $640,000

7 Grove Street

7 Grove Street from Gabriela Wis to Christopher Surel on March 26, 2019 for $600,000

50 Lafayette Place Unit 2C from Livia Farina and Bruno DiFilippo to Victoria Quatrone on March 28, 2019 for $310,000

29 Revere Road

29 Revere Road from Thurston and Clarice Smith to Soon Bok Lee on March 28, 2019 for $1,200,000

31 Saw Mill Lane

31 Saw Mill Lane from Douglas Jordan, Executor of the Estate of Jerry N Jordan to Terry L Conrad on March 28, 2019 for $3,700,000

See also:

P&Z Watch: Illegal Apartment in Byram Becomes Legit as “Affordable”

Next for the Wrecking Ball in Greenwich: 1931 French Style Brick Mansion

Pruner on Greenwich Real Estate Trends: “Front Country” Along Post Rd and I95

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 21-22, 2019 

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 18-19, 2019

Glenville Rd Corridor: Weird Geometry, Missing Sidewalks, 15,000 Vehicles a Day

581/585 West Putnam Ave Developers Sacrifice Supermarket, Push Ahead with P&Z

P&Z Review Stipulation Agreement on 143 Sound Beach Ave: A Good Compromise

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 15, 2019

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 8-12, 2019

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 1-4, 2019

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, Feb 28-March 1, 2019

Greenwich resident, Quentin Ball, is launching the first-ever Colony Grill One Mile Community Run to benefit local nonprofits including MAC Angels Foundation, Don Bosco Community Center and Caritas.

“This fundraiser is a great opportunity to raise awareness about nonprofits in the community while generating revenue for our respective organizations,” said Quentin Ball, the MAC Angels Executive Director. “We appreciate the sponsorship of Colony Grill and look forward to partnering with them for this race.”

The race is on April 6 at 8:00am and starts at the Port Chester police station.

Colony Grill is hosting an after-race event at their restaurant for participants.

All levels of runners and walkers are encouraged to participate. Families especially are encouraged.

For more information, go to www.macangels.org

MAC Angels has been supporting individuals and families living with ALS since 2010.

Since its inception, MAC Angels has helped over 550 families.

Click here to register for the run.

With a pizza unlike any other, Colony Grill provides simple enjoyment, exceptional hospitality, and abundant civic leadership to the communities in which our restaurants are located.

Colony Grill is located at 35 Abendroth Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 28-29, 2019

15 Watch Tower Lane

15 Watch Tower Lane from Estate of Michael Galella to Robert Mancini and Jane Sandra Mancini on March 28, 2019 for $1,010,000

15 Palmer Street Unit 10 from Jon Erensen to Laura Chong Dalton on March 28, 2019 for $569,000

16 Norton Lane

16 Norton Lane from Wendy Fockens to Steven Chubak on March 29, 2019 for $2,800,000

51 Forest Ave #102 from Juan Martinez-Arraya and Roxana Lorena Carrasco to Jennifer Chang on March 29, 2019 for $1,200,000

29 Talbot Lane

29 Talbot Lane from 29 Talbot Lane, LLC to John Tarkazikis on March 29, 2019 for $800,000

15 Ferris Drive

15 Ferris Drive from Brookfield Relocation Inc to Kamil Zdunek on March 29, 2019 for $830,000

15 Ferris Drive from Nicolas Vaquer and Maria Laura Laureti to Brookfield Relocation, Inc on March 29, 2019 for $882,500

36 Sherwood Ave

36 Sherwood Ave from Diana Litchfield and John Player Crosby to blank on March 29, 2019 for $1,345,350

70 Soundview Drive Unit 3-South from Beacon Hill II Investments, LLC to Beacon Hill Capital LLC on March 29, 2019 for $3,090,000

See also:

P&Z Watch: Property Rights Struggle Bubbling Up at Shore Acres

P&Z Watch: Illegal Apartment in Byram Becomes Legit as “Affordable”

Next for the Wrecking Ball in Greenwich: 1931 French Style Brick Mansion

Pruner on Greenwich Real Estate Trends: “Front Country” Along Post Rd and I95

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 21-22, 2019 

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 18-19, 2019

Glenville Rd Corridor: Weird Geometry, Missing Sidewalks, 15,000 Vehicles a Day

  Planning and Zoning was presented an application on Tuesday from Balducci’s attorney John Heagney for 24 seats of outdoor dining at the Riverside supermarket.

Specifically, they seek six tables – four outside the front of the building, and two on the side of the building for customers and staff who want to sit outside during their breaks.

The application hit a snag pretty quickly.

In the Town’s regulations, the outdoor dining definition refers to dining related to a restaurant or retail food establishment.

Balducci’s is neither.

“We are neither a restaurant or retail food establishment,” Heagney acknowledged.

Balducci’s, which opened in 2013 at the former Hay Day Market at 1050 East Putnam Ave got permission in 2014 from P&Z for a renovation and addition to the building to attach Balducci’s wine & spirits store.

They received one of the last remaining liquor store permits allotted by the state to Greenwich.

Connecticut has limited the number of liquor stores in individual towns since 1986. The state allows one package store permit for every 2,500 residents. Greenwich is entitled to 24 permits.

Balducci’s pleasant customer parking experience is the envy of other upscale markets where parking is short supply and tempers flare. They certainly have space for outdoor seating.

The problem is Balducci’s is not classified as retail food store because it is over 4,000 sq ft in size.

It is classified as a supermarket.

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The Town’s definition of outdoor dining is “a seasonal use ancillary, contiguous to an eating establishment (restaurant or retail food establishment).”

“I think this is a unique situation the Town hasn’t had to deal with yet. It’s something other supermarkets such as Citarella and Whole Foods may consider in the future,” Heagney said.

Per regulation 6158, a Retail Food Establishment are permitted to have 12 seats and Heavney said his client would be willing to step down to 12 outdoor seats as a condition of approval.

Right now that isn’t even an option.

“Because of the rest room facility and hand washing, the 12 has been established, and before we grow that, we need to have an internal discussion with the health department because you’re now creating dining and with no restrooms requirements, etc,” Mr. Fox said. “So we can’t do it in a vacuum.”

Commission chair Margarita Alban suggested Mr. Heagney talk to the health department and come to the commission with a proposed text amendment to the regulation.

“I’ve got no problem with the concept of it,” Alban said.

Ms. DeLuca suggested the applicant might propose to amend the text of the regulation by adding the “grocery store” to the section that deals with outdoor dining.

Or they might figure out some sort of retail food component to the supermarket.

“We did meet with the health department,” Heagney said. “They said this was not in their purview because it is a supermarket.”

“You are in a catch-22,” Alban said. “The Health Dept has ruled on retail food establishments with 12 seats have to have the right kind of hand washing. Once you have a regulation to which you are complying, then the Health Dept can tell you what you need to do.”

“I think we can fix this easily if you come back with a proposed text amendment,” Alban said.

“Then I would ask that we be considered for the additional seats as well (for a total of 24),” Heagney said.

DeLuca said with outdoor dining at a restaurant, people are actually being waited on.

“But that’s not what you are proposing. There is no one waiting on them or cleaning their table after they leave,” DeLuca said. “We have done outdoor seating as opposed to outdoor dining.”

Alban said her concern was that P&Z has permitted some establishments to have some outdoor seating and the number of seats subsequently climbed.

“There’s a few that have grown from outdoor seating and it’s evolved,” Alban warned.

The application was left open.

Sophia Scarpelli is hosting an event at her shop Sophia’s at 1 Liberty Way in Greenwich on Wednesday, May 1, from 6:30pm to 9:00pm to support equality for girls and fight sex trafficking by supporting Plan International USA.

“One million girls are trafficked every day,” Scarpelli said. “And 30-75% of women and girls in developing countries are victims of gender-based violence.”

Sophia’s has partnered with the New York City leadership council of Plan International USA to present a vintage evening in her Greenwich boutique.

The event is a chance to shop, mingle, sip wine and learn about the extraordinary work that Plan International USA is doing to ensure equality for girls.

Sophia’s is an eclectic shop with a wide selection of gifts, vintage jewelry and apparel.

Sophia will donate a percentage of sales to Plan International USA which is a 501(c)3 non profit. Plan International uses a multi pronged systemic approach adapted to each community to combat sex trafficking.

Sophia’s, established in 1981, is a destination for costume rentals, and sales, vintage clothing, jewelry and gifts. The shop is located at 1 Liberty Way. (2030 869-5990.

An application has been submitted by Ryan Ryan Erb to the Town of Greenwich building department to demolish and remove “partial structure” of the three-bedroom bungalow at 26 Chapel Lane.

The house is on .26 acre on quiet cul-de-sac that leads to the water.

It was built in 1912.

The house last sold for $1,035,000 in December 2018.

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According to the building dept at Greenwich Town Hall since the house was built before 1940, demolition requires a 45 day wait, which started on March 6, 2019. The end of the 45 day wait is April 19 and the first date the permit is eligible is April 20, 2019.

Meghan Lynch, Aiden Bucaria, Penny Lazar proudly show their medals. Photo courtesy Coach Nick Cavataro

Sparked by three division high point awards and more than 48 medals, including 28 gold medal efforts, the Greenwich YWCA Dolphins Swim Team closed out the 2019 Sunkissed Junior-Senior Swimming Championships of the USA with a decisive second place finish.

The Dolphins contingent accumulated 1,984-points, in the three and one-half day, 60-event program. The meet formally known as the YWCA National Championship meet, was held at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina.

The defending champions, Empire Swim Club of New York won their tenth consecutive title with 3,658 points. The Zeus Swim team of Norwalk (1,369); Montclair YMCA of New Jersey (1,151); YWCA Flying fish of Illinois (918) and the host Team Charlotte (866) rounded out the 16-team field.

The Dolphins’ high point winners included Meghan Lynch, 15, who was the only swimmer of the 650 competitors to win all 6 individual races. Lynch – swimming in the Senior Open division took home gold in the 200-Freestyle at 1:48.94; 500-Free at 4:51.26; 1000-Free 10:02.40; the 200-Individual Medley at 1:59.86; 200-Breast at 2;12.29; and, the 400-IM at 4:13.71, all in meet record time.

Penny Lazar, 12, swimming in the 13-and-under Junior Division took home four golds, a silver and bronze medals. Lazar’s wins came in the 100-Free at 54.43; 200-Free at 1:56.14; the 500-Free at 5:06.50; 200-Butterfly at 2:10.06. Lazar took silver in the 100-Backstroke at 1:01.61 and Bronze in the 200-Back at 2:11.93.

Aiden Bucaria, 13, grabbed four golds and a pair of silver medals in his six races. The golds came in the 200-free at 1:52.35; 200-IM at 2:05.44; 200-Breast at 2:18.58 and 100-Free at 50.85. The silvers were in the 100-Breast and 50-free with respective times of 1:04.94 and 23.40.

Kate Hazlett, 18, swimming in her last Dolphins short course meet grabbed individual five golds taking the top spot in the 50-Free at 22.99; 100-Free at 50.11; 100-Back at 54.56; 100-Butterfly at 55.15 and the 200-Back at 1:59.00 as well as fifth in the 100-Breaststroke at 1:05.80.

Abby Bleil, 13, won the Junior 100-Breast at 1:07.61 and took silver in the 200-Breaststroke at 2:26.16.

The Dolphins Senior Girls quartet of Samantha Ennis, Lynch, Hazlett and Samantha Scott took gold in the 200-Medley Relay at 1:45.30. The 400-Free Relay took gold with Lynch, Scott, Madeleine Holden and Hazlett combining for 3:25.93; and, Lynch, Scott, Avery Sammons and Hazlett won in the 200-Free Relay at 1:35.20.

The Junior Girls relays dominated, taking gold in all four events. Rory Keller, 12; Bleil, Lazar and Anabelle Guarnera, 13 clocked at 1:54.18 in the 200-Medley Relay; the quartet of Keller, Bleil, Lazar and Campbell Steere, 13, won the 400-Medley at 4;10.13. the 200-Free Relay team of Guarnera, Percy Wayne, 13, Daisy Decker, 13, and Lazar touched forts at 1:42.53 as the quartet of Lazar, Steere, Wayne and Guarnera won the 400-Free Relay at 3:41.86.

The Dolphins’ Senior Boys quarter of Max Meissner, 15; Alexander Hazlett, 15; Parker Scott, 17; and Ryan Jee, 15, took third in both the 400-Medley at 3:31.07; 200-Medley at 1:35.67 and 400-Free Relay at 3:10.79.

Other Dolphins winning Medals included: Ava Baine, 12, took silver and bronze in the 100-Butterfly (1:02.48) and 200-Butterfly (2:17.26) respectively. Alexander Hazlett, 15, claimed silver in the 200-IM (1:55.41) and 100-Free (47.66) and bronze in the 50-Free (21.64) and200-Free (1:41.96). Max Meissner, 15, took bronze in the 400-IM (4:09.02); Parker Scott, 17, took silver in the 100-Butterfly (50.87); Samantha Scott, 17, gained silver and bronze respective in the 50 and 100-Free at 23.80 and 51.63). Campbell Steer, 13, took gold in the 100-IM (1:03.43); silver in the 200-IM (2:16.16) and Bronze in the 100-Breast (1:08.33).

Other Top 15 scorers included: Jane Cary, Daisy Decker, Samantha Ennis, Annabelle Guarnera, Sarah Huber, John Jee, Ryan Jee, Rory Keller, Helena Kennedy, Audrey Lin, Matthew Lourenco, Brendan O’Brien, Emma Robinson, Willa Sarcone and Percy Wayne.

Other participants included: Olivia Baine, Caitlin Bedell, Mitchell Goldstein, Ellie Holden, Madeleine Holden, Olivia Knapp, Francesca Maldonado, Emma Marshall, Luke Merrill, Emma O’Connor, Daniela Pompa, Julia Pujadas, Emma Robredo, Avery Sammons, Ben Schinto, Alessandra Serbaroli and Jack Wolpers.

A passerby admires the artwork of Beatrice J Drouhin during Art to the Ave, May 4, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager

Opening night of the 22nd annual Art to The Ave festival is set for Thursday, May 2 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

The festival is collaboration of local stores in the Greenwich Avenue area and local artists, made possible by the Greenwich Arts Council.

Each May, with the overwhelming support of the Greenwich business community, the Arts Council turns Greenwich Avenue into a strolling gallery. 

The evening launches a truly spectacular show as musicians and street performers fill the street entertaining strollers. 

Most stores host receptions for the hundreds of visitors who attend to preview the work of over 120 artists. The artworks selected by the retailers remains in place through Memorial Day, so there is ample time for viewers to experience the “gallery” that downtown Greenwich becomes. 

All the art on display is for sale.

Greenwich High School bands played outside the Arts Council. May 4, 2017. Photo: Leslie Yager

Scotty, aka My Balloon Guy, was prepared to entertain children outside Bank of America. May 4, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, April 1-3, 2019 transcribed from the Assessor’s office at Greenwich Town Hall

16 Palmer Street

16 Palmer Street from Anna Marie Barone, Estate of to Daniel Gil on April 1, 2019 for $770,000

25 Park Ave

25 Park Ave (0870)from Jay Stuart Louden to Breezemont 25, LLC on April 1, 2019 for $1,075,000

50 Lafayette Place Unit 2F from Rolf Koehnen and Marie Koehnen to Melissa Moye as Trustee of the Hilton J Moye Jr Trust FBO Micaela Moye on April 1, 2019 for $485,000

55 Pemberwick Rd

55 Pemberwick Rd from Donald and Jo-Ann Whyko to Nashwan Hyder on April 1, 2019 for $925,000

12 Glenville Street Unit 205 from Tootsie Pop, LLC to Sergey Kosyakov on April 1, 2019 for $480,000

77 Gregory Rd

77 Gregory Rd from Richard and Rosemarie Zivic to Mark Maletz on April 2, 2019 for $1,084,850

34 Talbot Lane

34 Talbot Lane from Michael H Kuehne and Ariana Horton to Elmer and Sheila Pacia on April 2, 2019 for $535,000

51 Old Kings Highway Unit 15 from Gatti Adriana Dercalousdian to Xiachang Miao on April 2, 2019 for $542,000

7 Fairway Lane

7 Fairway Lane from Jessie A Gilbert Trustee of the Louise Florence Lamont Revocable Trust to CLT Fairway, LLC on April 2, 2019 for $2,675,000

66 Halsey Drive from Network Development Company LLC to Minbin Long on April 2, 2019 for $2,300,000

113 South Water Street

113 South Water Street from Patricia McNair and Philip Masi to Outer Curtain Wall, LLC on April 2, 2019 for $1,250,000

57 Park Ave from Sunset Holdings, LLC to Robert Petrausch on April 2, 2019 for $2,250,000

135, 137, 139 Valley Drive

135, 137, 139 Valley Drive from Estate of Charles W Trippe to Serenity Estates Holdings LLC on April 2, 2019 for $4,600,000

17 Carriglea Drive

17 Carriglea Drive from AQH LLC to 17 Carriglea Drive LLC on April 3, 2019 for $2,450,000

2 Oneida Drive, The Harbor Unit C-3

2 Oneida Drive, The Harbor Unit C-3 from Leonard Marx to Paul Voller on April 3, 2019 for $3,750,000

51 Ridge Street

51 Ridge Street from Kathleen Ruff and Seth Ruff to Lisa Goodrich Page Trustee on April 3, 2019 for $1,905,000

See also:

P&Z Watch: Property Rights Struggle Bubbling Up at Shore Acres

P&Z Watch: Illegal Apartment in Byram Becomes Legit as “Affordable”

Next for the Wrecking Ball in Greenwich: 1931 French Style Brick Mansion

Pruner on Greenwich Real Estate Trends: “Front Country” Along Post Rd and I95

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 21-22, 2019 

Up to the Minute Greenwich Property Transfers, March 18-19, 2019

A public hearing will be held by the Tree Warden of the Dept of Parks & Recreation – Division of Parks & Trees at Town Hall on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 12:00 noon in the Parks & Rec conference room. The subject is the proposed removal of trees at Hamilton Avenue School

(The trees are located on Hamilton Ave School property, which is next to the Two door Restaurant and the new housing development on its flag lot.)

The deputy tree warden said that the Contractor, Pecora Bros, who are developing the flag lot behind the Two Door Restaurant, requested the removals of the trees.

Following State Statute, the deputy tree warden posted the trees.

The trees are Pine Trees and Blue Spruce.

Mr. Pecora has a proposed planting plan for the area.

the deputy tree warden said he will listen to the proposed planting plans as well as objections from the public.

Any person, firm or corporation objecting to the removal is requested to be present.

Winter is finally behind us now and spring is in the air.

Come to the special Spring Patio Sale at the Greenwich Exchange at 28 Sherwood Place in Greenwich on Saturday April 13 from 10:00am to 2:00pm, and check out the collaboration with Patty’s Portico.

Patty Strazza specializes in outdoor furniture restoration and sales. She offers a unique powder coat finish that is long lasting and features a variety of colors.

Strazza said that she is known for restoring outdoor wrought iron patio furniture, but once people realize there is potential to restore much more than a patio set, their eyes turn perhaps to the fireplace set, a peeling radiator, metal casement windows, chandeliers, iron beds, lanterns, garden gates, and more.

come check out the outdoor garden furnishings this Saturday.

The Back Courtyard is at the Greenwich Exchange, a non-profit groups help women achieve economic stability through the consignment and sale of their high quality, hand-crafted items, has been the best kept secret in Town for decades.

The Back Courtyard boasts plentiful wrought iron patio sets from Patty’s Portico, including the name brands Brown Jordan, Woodard and Salterini, all in a charming setting.

The sale is April 13 from 10:00 to 2:00pm at The Greenwich Exchange, 28 Sherwood Place. Delivery available. (20) 869-0229.

As the 230 strong Representative Town Meeting members filed through the lobby to the meeting at Central Middle School, it was hard to miss the anti-tolls crowd. April 8, 2019 Photo: Leslie Yager

UPDATE: This article has been updated to reflect that the vote on the SOMR was 101-89.

On Monday night, after nearly three hours of comments, mostly in the allotted three minutes per speaker, over 40 people shared opinions on a resolution against tolls in Connecticut.

Around 10:30pm, the full RTM took a vote.

But they did not vote on the resolution. Instead, they voted on a motion to postpone the resolution indefinitely.

The vote was 101 to postpone indefinitely, and 89 against postponing. There was one abstention.

The anti-tolls group, many who are part of No Tolls CT, are passionate. Monday night they were a visible presence with literature and posters. Again Hillary Gunn’s now famous yellow and red “No Tolls” knitted hat was hard to miss.

Having staged numerous rallies across the state, and making their presence felt in Greenwich with no tolls lawn signs, a strong social media presence and online petition, the result of the vote to postpone had to have been disappointing.

Last week, when five RTM committees took individual votes on the anti-tolls measure the results were close but more favorable to the anti-tolls movement.  (Land Use voted against the resolution: 4 yes and 7 no. Legislative and Rules voted against the resolution: 5 yes and 7 no. Transportation voted in favor of the resolution: 6 yes and 4 no. Public Works voted in favor of the resolution: 9 yes and 1 no, with one abstention. Finance voted 9 yes and 3 no.)

This week, the motion to postpone the resolution indefinitely was made early in the meeting, after both the proponents of the anti-tolls measure represented by State Senator George Logan from the 17th district which includes Ansonia, and the opponent of the measure, State Rep Steve Meskers (D-150) each had ten minutes so present their case.

Logan noted that nine communities out of 169 in Connecticut have passed resolutions against tolls. He warned that with toll gantries on I95 and the Merritt Parkway, Greenwich residents will have safety and environment concerns resulting from drivers coming off the highways and using local roads.

In fact that was a key theme of the anti-tolls proponents.

Logan also said that in addition to paying the cost of tolls, Greenwich residents who often get on I95 at one end of Town to drive to the other, will also get the squeeze when businesses pass the cost of their tolls on to customers.

“People will quit their jobs or find alternate routes through local roads. Many people are having a hard time paying for gas,” Logan warned. “People on fixed income will suffer the most.”

State Rep Steve Meskers spoke before the RTM as an opponent of the anti-tolls resolution. April 8, 2019

Meskers said Republicans and Democrats are concerned about the poor state of Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure. He said to bring roads and rails to “an acceptable standard,” $65 billion needs to be invested over next 30 years.

“That equates to roughly $2 billion of spending annually on our failing infrastructure, which includes roads, bridges and mass transit.”

He said the $65 billion figure came from the Republican Prioritized Progress Plan, which calls for borrowing $750 million annually in general obligation bonds to cover the needed expenditures. Over 10 years that adds $7.5 billion to the debt balance and over 30 years roughly $22 billion in additional debt with no other source of repayment than you, the taxpayers.”

“This added debt burden will jeopardize our credit rating and scare off private investors in our state,” he added.

“Let’s not add more debt to the mix,” Meskers continued. “I think Governor Lamont’s debt diet makes good sense. Without tolling, we face a funding shortfall to address our infrastructure problems.”

“I don’t think we should put state and federal issues regarding legislation on the call. Our RTM has been non-partisan,” said Lucy Krasnor of District 5, adding that putting Sense of the Meeting Resolutions (SOMRs) on issues that are not Greenwich centric, but rather state or national issues, such as paid family leave, would set a precedent.

“What will be next month’s SOMR? Early voting? Where will it end? The RTM should deal with important maters that deal with out Town,” Krasnor said.

Also she said there wasn’t yet enough information to take an informed vote. “We have not had public forums, educational meetings about this matter. The bills in Hartford are not finalized….If you don’t like tolls, call your representatives.”

A few of the speakers in favor of postponing indefinitely included Candace Garthwaite, Laura Kostin, Mary Ellen Markowitz, Karen Giannuzzi, Rachel Khanna, Lucy von Brachel, Denise Savageau, Stephanie Barrett, Lorelei O’Hagan, Gina Gladstein, Miriam Kreuzer, Bob Brady, Molly Colombo, Aaron Lenhart and Doug Wells.

Ms. Kostin said, despite the anti-tolls lawn signs, “I have gotten only one email for the SOMR and one against. While the proponents may be outraged, my district does not appear to be.”

Karen Giannuzzi warned the issue has become a distraction.

“Everyone should stay in their own sand box,” she said. “If you have a strong feeling, go to your state legislators.”

Speaking in favor of the resolution against tolls was Frank Farricker, a lifelong Greenwich resident, who said, “As a Democrat, I believe government has a strong role to play in making society better. We do need to make upgrades on our infrastructure, but we must do this in a way in which all 3.5 million residents share equally…”

Farricker said tolls will increase income inequality. “I believe it will be a social injustice and expand burdens on the less fortunate, particularly in cities, …and particularly impact the working poor for whom our state practically mandates long drives.”

He added that Greenwich’s high home prices push working poor out of Town, and that, for example, thousands of workers at Greenwich Hospital and Greenwich Schools who commute to more affordable towns will be asked to pay more.

“I believe this burden would reroute traffic through our Town,” Farricker said, adding that congestion pricing is a theory designed for long distance travel.

Stamford resident Patrick Sasser, founder of No Tolls CT, said the anti-tolls movement included Democrats. He said he was proud that his city was one of the first to approve a non partisan resolution against tolls.

“It is time the local municipalities have a voice and speak up,” Sasser said. “Connecticut is the second highest taxed state. We have almost 100,000 signatures on our online petition, and 7,000 written statements to the Transportation Committee.”

A second prominent Democrat, John Blankley, described Connecticut’s failing infrastructure as “a legacy problem.”

“We’re all responsible. In the end, roads benefit all of us. It’s a collective responsibility,” he said. “Tolls will hit the little man. They’re regressive and bad for business.”

Lucy von Brachel said it was unwise to “send messages through an RTM resolution.”

“With the plastic bag ban, we did research through committees and that brought compromises,” she continued, adding, “This is not yet fleshed out.”

Former Greenwich Conservation Commission director Denise Savageau said, “Fairfield County has the worst air quality east of The Mississippi. Most of it comes from traffic on I95. To have a fear that all of a sudden this traffic will spill into Greenwich? It’s already happening. Increasing traffic and pollution on local roads is already there. It won’t change. People are already getting off the highway every time it’s congested.”

Steve Kolenberg, from the Stamford Board of Representatives, said the anti-tolls movement in his city was non-partisan.

“You in Greenwich have a unique opportunity to be one of the most direct democracies in the country,” he said, speaking in support of the anti-toll resolution.

Karen Fassuliotis also spoke in favor of the resolution. “I’ve heard from teachers and town workers. Your vote on the SOMR will let them know it’s not okay that they pay more for the privilege of working here. We’ll all pay more for goods and services.”

David Cox from District 6, speaking against the resolution said, “Some motorists may decide to use local roads, but current laws prohibit through truck traffic on our roads. Tolls encourage carpooling.”

He said congestion pricing will encourage trucks to drive at off-peak times, and that technology can give credits to those in need.

Tolling is the surest way to keep the lock box locked,” Cox concluded.

Speaking in favor of the resolution was Republican Harry Arora, who ran against Jim Himes for Congress in the last election. “It’s a regressive tax that will create two classes of people – those who use the side roads, and those who use I95.

“Compared to the rest of the state we spend disproportionately higher per capita and per mile on transportation,” Arora said.  “The challenge is not that we don’t spend enough, but we don’t spend effectively.”

Republican Ed Dadakis said he’d been stopped in the grocery store and received multiple emails from people fearful of tolls.

“I’m in full agreement with my good friends Frank Farricker and John Blankley,” he said to laughter. “There is no more bi-partisan issue than the toll issue. …The problem in Connecticut is not that we tax or toll too little, but that we spend too much. These tolls and other proposals to tax show no signs of spending slowing down.”

State Rep Fred Camillo (R-151) said, “While the resolution is non binding, it is important for a Town as significant as Greenwich to send a message. I was here when the Mianus Bridge fell. People worked with Governor O’Neill (a Democrat) to set up a special transportation fund, which has been raided year after year after year. It’s still being raided,” he said. “The money is there. …Send a strong message to the General Assembly that we cannot afford another mistake like tolls.”

Monica Prihoda quoted a line from a song in The Music Man, “‘We got trouble right here in River City,'” she said. “Greenwich could be River City. There is a distinct smell of partisanship evident by the proliferation of no tolls signs that have popped up all over Greenwich. If the proponents of the SOMR against tolls are so concerned with the impact on low and middle residents, why not a SOMR to increase minimal wage substantially?” she asked.