Greenwich Poised to Continue to Attract Business, Residents

The Town of Greenwich continues to face many challenges—ranging from the economic recession to numerous natural disasters—but it remains a highly desirable destination to live and work.

That was the assessment of First Selectman Peter Tesei who gave his annual state of the town message to 145 members of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce Wednesday who gathered at the Milbrook Club in central Greenwich.

But it was a question regarding school safety that prompted Tesei to spend more than 10 minutes focused on the town's efforts for "zero tolerance of bullying" in the wake of the Aug. 27 suicide of Greenwich High School sophomore Bart Palosz. After years of what his family said was bullying and taunting by classmates, the 15-year-old Palosz shot himself after returning to his family's Byram home on the first day of school. 

Since the teen's death, there have been several efforts to heighten anti-bullying awareness in town schools and of the services available to students who are victims of bullying. There are continuing investigations by Greenwich Police with the Board of Education's review of the case now being handled by the town's law department. 

Tesei said parents send their children to school and other activities everyday hoping "they are happy and safe. Clearly that was not the case" for Palosz. He said the town's legal department pick up of the school investigation will ensure an impartial review by lawyers trained to ask questions.

"It is an examination of what incidents were reported, what was not reported, what can be validated, what actions or lack of actions happened," Tesei said. "The town of Greenwich has zero tolerance to bullying and this is not something to foist solely upon the schools."

He continued, "Everybody's responsible, not just the schools. Parents are responsible. ... We need to look into ourselves and what we do every day in the way we conduct ourselves ... children model adults' behavior." While highlighting several town agencies poised to help bullying victims — includingn Kids in Crisis, Family Centers and the Child Guidance Center — Tesei also castigated the use of social media to "anonymously (attack) ... don't hide behind a screen and keyboard ... "

Regarding the town's business climate, Tesei said it "faces many challenges—the economic recession, numerous natural disasters and the recurring challenges of having finite resources." The town has spent $420 million on several infrastructure projects ranging from rebuilding two firehouses and two elementary schools to the public safety building and pending upgrade of the emergency radio system, digital learning in the Greenwich Public Schools and the creation of the Cos Cob Park.

All of that continues to have Greenwich poised as a desirable place to live and work, Tesei said.

He said his Economic Advisory Committee is addressing and identifying weakness while capitalizing on the town's strengths which include a vast corps of "residents who volunteer and create public-private partnerships" including those involved in the rebuilding of The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home, the Greenwich Point Conservancy and the Junior League's Byram pool project.

Democratic First Selectman candidate Beth Krumeich asked for an update on what the town is doing in response to storm-related power outages as was experienced in the wake of Superstorm Sandy and last fall's unexpected snowstorm which crippled Connecticut Light and Power's service.

Tesei, who introduced several CL&P representatives at the meeting, said the town, utility and the state are continuing vegetation management around major power transmission lines. "Greenwich has one of the most dense urban forests in the country," Tesei said.

The utility also has installed equipment that transfers power sources to areas experiencing outages, while repairs are being made. There also is now a priority list of facilities and locations for emergency repairs, he said.