At a virtual event called “Just The Facts: How Desegregate CT Would Impact Greenwich,” town residents can learn more about bills proposed in Hartford that could change zoning laws in cities and towns across the state.
The program will be at 1 p.m. March 31 on Zoom, through a collaboration of the League of Women Voters of Greenwich, the YWCA Greenwich and the Greenwich Association of Realtors.
Desegregate CT is a statewide group that describes itself as a coalition of neighbors and nonprofits “who believes in creating abundant, diverse housing in service of equity, inclusive prosperity, and a cleaner environment.” It has endorsed Senate Bill 1024, which is before the state legislature. The group says it would enable more diverse housing to be built throughout Connecticut, making the state more affordable and equitable.
But Greenwich officials have blasted the bill, saying it would take away local control when it came on decisions on projects. Margarita Alban, chair of the town Planning and Zoning Commission, said it would not create more affordable housing and would just allow developers to build more luxury housing. First Selectman Fred Camillo said that local municipalities are “under assault” by the bill.
Camillo, who said the town’s efforts to create more diverse and affordable housing are doing the job, is planning on testifying against the bill at a legislative hearing Monday.
Alban will be part of the March 31 discussion along with Sara Bronin, founder and lead organizer of Desegregate CT; Melissa Kaplan-Macey, state director of the Regional Plan Association; town Director of Planning and Zoning Katie DeLuca; and Thomas Heagney, a land use attorney in town.
Bronin said she hoped residents would take part and “get the facts about our proposals.”
The panel discussion will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
The free event is open to the public. Questions can be submitted on or before March 24. Registration is required by visiting lwvgreenwich.org.
Central Greenwich
The state Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public hearing at 6:30 p.m. March 31 about a bridge replacement project along Route 1 over Greenwich Creek.
According to the DOT, the bridge’s concrete slab and encased beam superstructure show there are large hollow areas, exposed and rusted rebar, active leaks and deteriorating concrete. These problems cause water to run onto Route 1 during major storms.
The $9.7 million project will be covered by 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds.
Under the current plan, the structurally deficient bridge will be replaced with a single span steel girder superstructure spanning about 38 feet. Route 1 will be raised about two-and-a-half feet for flood mitigation as part of the project.
The project will reconstruct about 850 feet of roadway on Route 1 and 200 feet on nearby Hillside Road. A stone arch dike, located 300 feet downstream from the bridge, will be removed to improve hydraulics.
Construction is slated to begin in the fall. Route 1 will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction with a left turn lane onto Hillside Road, which is a main way access to Greenwich High School.
To access the meeting, visit meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1480946226. A question-and-answer session will follow a presentation. For questions, contact Louis Bacho at louis.bacho@ct.gov. Plans for the project will be put on the town’s website at www.greenwichct.gov and https://bit.ly/2PP3dWG.
Greenwich
Trivia buffs eager for a challenge are invited to take part in the Greenwich Alliance for Education’s Trivia Night to benefit the Greenwich Public Schools.
From 6:45 to 9 p.m. March 19, participants will play six rounds of general trivia in this annual event.
“Trivia Night is a highlight of the Alliance’s annual fundraising calendar, and we are taking the fun virtual this year,” said Julie Faryniarz, executive director of the Greenwich Alliance for Education. “The 2021 event will raise even more funds for Greenwich Alliance Scholarship Fund through a generous $25,000 match.”
Teams will part via Zoom through dedicated breakout rooms and will submit answers online. Prizes will be awarded to the top two scoring teams, with a special prize for the best team name.
Sign up by visiting www.greenwichalliance.org. The cost is $50 per person, $100 per couple or $500 for a team of up to 10 players. The amounts are 100 percent tax deductible and benefit the alliance’s efforts to enhance programs throughout the Greenwich Public Schools.
Singles and couples will be matched with other players to form teams.
There will also be a silent auction with nearly 50 items up for bid, including trips to vacation homes in Kiawah Island and the Bahamas, dog training, a wine tasting with master sommelier Pete Bothwell, flower containers by Michele Moore’s Gardening, a Garden Catering Crab Shack and gift certificates from restaurants.
The bidding will open March 15 at greenwichalliance.schoolauction.net/trivia2021/catalog. It is open to the public, not just trivia participants.
For more information, send an email to Julie Faryniarz at julie@greenwichalliance.org.
Downtown
The owners of MIKU Sushi, located at 68 Greenwich Ave., strive to give back to the community.
K Dong and Steve Chen, who is also the chef, donated more than $10,000 last year to Kids in Crisis, Neighbor to Neighbor, the Breast Cancer Alliance, the Metro New York North Red Cross chapter in Cos Cob and the Bruce Museum.
As part of this program, MIKU creates a special menu item each month, with all proceeds from the sales benefiting a nonprofit partner.
Last month, they relaunched the giving campaign by donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Now, MIKU Sushi is choosing a different nonprofit partner each month, with March’s menu benefiting the Connecticut chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
In April, MIKU will partner with town resident Izabela O’Brien to help her Fearless Angel Project, with information at www.thefearlessangelproject.com. In May, New York Knicks legend Allen Houston of Greenwich will work with MIKU to benefit his foundation, which is online at https://fisll.com.
“My team really enjoys being able to share our nonprofit partners with customers,” K Dong said. “We’ve learned so much about the community and what really matters to our customers. Greenwich is truly unique, and we’re grateful for being a part of the community. Especially during a time like this.”
This month’s dishes include the Forget Me Not sushi appetizer, the 24/7 helpline sushi roll, the summer solstice special and the celebrating hope dessert.
MIKU is also awareness for the eighth annual Alzheimer’s Association Celebrating Hope virtual benefit, which is set for May 15. For information and tickets, visit www.celebratinghope.givesmart.com. For information on MIKU Sushi, visit www.mikugreenwich.com.
kborsuk@greenwichtime.com