Greenwich Parks Worker Suspended Following Argument, Machete Threat

A 70-year-old part-time Greenwich Parks and Recreation employee has been suspended following an argument with a co-worker in which a machete was swung at the co-worker , according to police and town officials.

According to Greenwich Police, Basil C. Passerelli, of 30 Homestead Ln., Greenwich, is facing several charges stemming from the argument that was reported about 9:25 a.m. Friday. Police responded to the parks department maintenance shed at Byram Park where witnesses told police that Passerelli got into an argument with a co-worker that turned physical.

Passerelli is accused of pushing the victim, a man who police said is in his 50s, then placed his hands on the victim's throat before he "threatened the victim by swinging a machete in his direction," according to a police report. The victim did not seek medical treatment, police spokesman Lt. Kraig Gray said.

Passerelli was charged with brandishing a dangerous weapon, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree strangulation, third-degree assault and threatening. He was released after posting $500 bond and issued a July 25 date in state Superior Court in Stamford.

Parks and Recretion Director Joseph Siciliano said Passerelli is "a part-time park gardener who works two days a week in Byram Park. He has been placed on suspension pending my formal review of the police report. Then I will make some determination of his status."

Siciliano said he did not know what precipitated the argument.

He also said Passerelli worked full-time for many years as a parks gardener until retiring and then being hired on a part-time basis, according to Siciliano.