‘A much-needed tool:’ Byram neighbors applaud new blight ordinance - Greenwich Time

The Byram neighborhood is celebrating the Representative Town Meeting’s recent passage of a new blight ordinance, hailing it as an example of what community activism can accomplish.

First Selectman Fred Camillo offered a “hats off” to all the citizens who got involved in the issue, and he thanked the RTM special committee that put together the ordinance, which was approved March 8.

“They did a terrific job coming up with a very compassionate but ultimately effective ordinance that is going to protect every homeowner in town while addressing the circumstances where someone may have fallen under hard times,” Camillo said.

Under the new ordinance, the town will appoint a blight officer to investigate complaints, which will go to a blight review board made up of town officials, including the police chief, fire chief, commissioner of human services, director of planning and zoning and health director.

The long-running fight to get rid of a partially collapsed house on Mead Avenue spurred development of the ordinance because of the lack of recourse under the town code. The structure was demolished in 2019, but the residents of Byram continued to push for the ordinance.

“The blight ordinance is an excellent example of what can be achieved if neighbors work together for a common good and their concerns are addressed by a town government willing to listen and act,” Byram Neighborhood Association Chair Joseph Kantorski said. “We are proud of the part the Byram Neighborhood Association has played in this effort. This very strong and compassionate ordinance is the result of that effort.”

BNA Vice Chair Liz Eckert used social media to draw attention to the problem on Mead Avenue. She and Lucy von Brachel, BNA secretary, also put together a petition that quickly garnered more than 250 signatures.

“I am so very pleased to see the tremendous progress made since that time and grateful to all that worked tirelessly to bring a blight ordinance to Greenwich,” Eckert said. “What began in Byram as an effort to address one property became a townwide initiative to address the blight issue throughout Greenwich. The new ordinance is a result of community effort and proof that by working together we can accomplish our goals.”

Von Brachel, a member of RTM and the subcommittee, said Byram residents had been frustrated about the town’s lack of a response.

“It took us at least 16 meetings over a number of months to get the job done, but our work was really well-received by our colleagues on the RTM, and the ordinance was adopted exactly as we submitted it,” she said. “We worked very hard to ensure that it provided a clear and fair process that was compassionate toward both the property owners and their neighbors. It also gives the town a much-needed tool to address challenging and complex cases of blight.”

Downtown

The deadline has been extended for residents to apply for the new parking permits designed for residents who live downtown. The cut-off date had been in March so the new permits could be issued for April 1.

The permits will cost $720 annually, but the amount will be prorated this year because of the April 1 start date. Parking permits in town typically last from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

The new permit program is limited to 100 people. However, according to Deputy Police Chief Mark Marino, who oversees the Parking Services Department, response has been limited.

As of Thursday, there were only 12 applications for the 100 spots. Marino decided to give residents more time to sign up. The cost will be prorated to whenever the resident get a permit.

Under the permit program, downtown residents will be able to park in 12-hour long-term spaces in municipal lots.

The Board of Selectmen approved the program in January. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more residents are working from home — and not moving their cars. The permit program will free up shorter-term spaces for shoppers and other visitors in the downtown while offering a parking solution to residents who have been feeding meters or moving their cars throughout the day.

In addition to extending the date for residents to get permits, Marino said he will also go before the Board of Selectmen on Thursday, March 25, to discuss a new parking permit program for merchants and employees in the downtown area.

Greenwich

Spring has officially sprung in Greenwich, but the winter storms of winter will not soon be forgotten as the town of Greenwich the recently concluded its annual snow sculpture contest.

The contest returned in earnest this year after several seasons of little to no snow in Greenwich. The Parks and Recreation Department reported that it received 44 entries in the contest. They came in the form of pictures from residents, who showed off the sculptures they had designed during the snowy winter.

The winning entry came from Yuka, Naoya and Chikako Ogawa, who created “A Hand Standing Snowman.” The sculpture of a smiling snowman on its head with branches for arms and a special “stay safe” message. It was on display outside the family’s home.

Patricia Troiano, recreation supervisor for the town, said the winner emerged from a close contest that was decided by the judges.

“Thank you to all of the participants who had some fun outdoors this winter season,” Troiano said. “It was a winter like none other! The few snowstorms this year left ample snow for building and opportunities to get out of the house. We had the most entries we’ve ever received for this annual contest.”

And even while celebrating the snowy contest, Troian6o was quick to remind residents that sign-ups are open for the town’s spring activities. To register, visit www.greenwichct.gov and find the Parks and Recreation page under town departments.

Central Greenwich

The demand for help with food services in town has skyrocketed due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help, the Junior League of Greenwich hosted a special event to raise funds to help people who are experiencing food insecurity.

On March 7, the league held its Spring It On-Sunday Supper, raising more than $7,000 to support its food insecurity initiatives. It is providing meals for teenagers and establishing a community garden at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, where children of all ages can learn about gardening and harvesting vegetables for snacks and cooking classes.

League Communications Director Meredith Vachon said that 77 families took part, either by buying a meal, purchasing paper products or making a direct donation.

The meals were ordered in advance, with participants choosing from among grilled salmon over a medley of fingerling potatoes and sauteed spring vegetables; red wine short-braised ribs; or pesto pasta primavera. The food was prepared by the mother-daughter catering team of Simply Delicious, and all orders included a bottle of wine from Cap, Cork and Cellar.

Participants could choose a meal that served two, four or six people.

“We are extremely grateful to our community and league members who supported our Spring it On - Sunday Supper,“ league President Clarena McBeth said. “It was a wonderful event in collaboration with several local businesses to benefit food security efforts in Greenwich. Food security has become a challenge for many this past year, and we are delighted the proceeds from this Sunday Supper will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich’s after-school teen programs and community garden.”

The league noted that the event took place during Women’s History Month and near International Women’s Day. Simply Delicious and Paper Greats, which provided sustainable paper products to be purchased as part of the event, are women-led local businesses.

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