On the Greenwich Agenda: Snow, Picnic & Camping Reservations, Funding for the Fire Department

It’s a big week ahead in Greenwich this week — especially for the Greenwich Fire Department.

As government and schools return to work following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch effective at noon, Tuesday, Jan. 21 through 6 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23. A storm is expected to begin dropping snow early Tuesday afternoon and continue through the night. Total accumulations have been set at four to eight inches, with winds gusting up to 30 mph and temperatures falling into the teens.

Fire Department HQs Funding

The Board of Estimate and Taxation is set to hear recommendations on which contractor to hire to build the new fire headquarters that will complete the Public Safety Complex on Havemeyer Place. 

Superintendent of Building Alan Monelli said last week that three qualified bidders submitted bids in the $15 to $17 million range. Last year, the BET conditionally set aside the money for the project. The money would be released for the project once bids were received. Monelli said he will make his recommendation on bidder for board approval at the Tuesday, Jan. 21 meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room.

Parks and Recreation Department Picnic/Overnight Camping Reservations

You know that spring is approaching when the Department of Parks and Recreation  holds its annual reservations day for picnics and overnight island camping. It all starts at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the Cone Room located on the second floor of Town Hall.

• Reservation fees are payable in full at the time of reservation and may be paid by cash (exact change only), check (made payable to Town of Greenwich), or credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover).
• Proof of residency is required at time of reservation.
• Person making reservations must be a Greenwich resident, 21 years or older, and must be part of the picnic group or overnight camping group that they are reserving.

Fees for picnic areas — Greenwich Point Clambake, Greenwich Point Cowbarn, Byram Park Clambake, Pinetum Picnic area, Bruce Park Woods Road picnic area — are $175.

Fees for overnight camping areas — Island Beach and Great Captain Island — are $40 for reservations and $16 per person.

Capital Improvement Program Projects Hearing

The second public meeting of the Capital Improvement Program Projects committee will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 in the Hayton Meeting Room, the third floor of Greenwich Town Hall. There will be a review of the projects under consideration for the 2014-2015 capital improvement program.  

Solarize Greenwich Informational Workshop Jan. 22

Homeowners interested in learning more about Solarize Greenwich can attend an informational workshop on Wednesday Jan. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the GADC River House, 25 River Road Ext. in Cos Cob. Renewable Resources, the official installer for Solarize Greenwich, in coordination with the Conservation Commission, will be hosting the event to answer questions about the program and how solar works.

The Solarize program reduces the cost of solar by leveraging group discounts. As the number of homeowners who install solar increases, the price drops for everyone in Solarize Greenwich, encouraging buyers to tell their neighbors about the program. In

order to participate in the discounts offered through Solarize Greenwich, residents must sign a contract by Feb. 18. With the deadline fast approaching, residents who are interested should plan to attend the workshop.

For information contact Greenwich Conservation Director Denise Savageau at 203-622-6461 or email: denise.savageau@greenwichct.org.

Other meetings scheduled for this week include the Board of Selectmen at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 and the Planning and Zoning Commission at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.