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Greenwich

The town is considering major changes to its commercial zoning regulations — and it is looking for public feedback on the plan.

A public workshop is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 13 at Town Hall. The goal is to introduce the project as a whole and gather preliminary feedback from residents, Town Director of Planning and Zoning Katie DeLuca said.

This effort — “a major rewrite” of the commercial zoning regulations — would clarify the language in the town’s definitions in several key areas of town planning and zoning and “simplify and expedite the process,” DeLuca said.

The workshop is open to the public, and residents can learn more about the plan and what the changes might mean.

The town has been working with Fitzgerald and Halliday, an outside consultant firm, for a year. The public feedback is an important part of the process, DeLuca said. The department is at least a year away from taking the proposed changes to the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

The Byram Neighborhood Association will hold an election during its meeting June 13 as it looks for a new slate of officers.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church. A slate of officers has already been nominated: Joseph Kantorski for chair, Matt Popp and Robert McKnight

The League of Women Voters of Greenwich has bestowed member Deirdre Kamlani with its highest honor, The Mary Award.

The award, named in memory of Greenwich residents and league members Mary Lou Woods and Mary Sullivan, honors those who have done “outstanding work to fulfill the league’s mission of promoting better understanding of major public policy issues.”

Kamlani received the award this past Thursday at the league’s annual dinner, which was held at the Riverside Yacht Club. A past banking executive, she has also worked as a policy adviser and an academic researcher while living in Europe and Asia as well as the United States. Since joining the league nearly 20 years ago, Kamlani has made public policy education and citizen engagement the centerpieces of her work.

She was praised for organizing large forums in town that have focused in nonpartisan ways on issues such money in politics, citizen advocacy and the national popular vote compact.

Also, Kamlani has worked to involve students in these discussions. In 2017, she and Harvard Business School Professor David Moss put together a program at Greenwich High School in which students, teachers and community members worked together with the Harvard case study method to focus on pivotal episodes of democracy in American history.

The program was such a success in Greenwich that Kamlani is now working with the Harvard Case Method Project to bring it to a national level, an effort that has involved more than 270 leagues across 34 states.

“I was truly honored and humbled by this recognition,” Kamlani said. “It’s been a real privilege to be part of an organization with such a storied past and critical mission, and I feel most fortunate to serve on a collegial and supportive board in a community that values our work.”

Downtown

A special1 event in town will focus on emergency preparedness, particularly on what Greenwich seniors should do to be ready in case of a disaster.

The free event will begin at 1 p.m. June 11 at the Greenwich Senior Center, 299 Greenwich Ave.

The Greenwich Department of Health put together the event through its new emergency preparedness coordinator David Fraszka. It is billed as an interactive discussion with seniors about what they need for an emergency event and how to properly prepare.

Topics of discussion will include: phone numbers to know, extra medication, supplies for pets as well as emergency food for the home. Tips will be shared about communicating with neighbors and family in case of an emergency and putting together an evacuation plan if you have to leave your home.

All seniors who attend will receive free flashlights and medication holders along with other emergency planning materials.

For more information, email David Fraszka at dfraszka@greenwichct.org or call 203-622-7857. Fraskza, who was hired in March, is a sergeant with the Yonkers Police Department where he serves a patrol supervisor. His work in Greenwich includes working with community agencies and organizations on public health planning for emergencies.

To share your community and neighborhood news with the Greenwich Time contact Staff Writer Ken Borsuk at 203-625-4428, or at kborsuk@greenwichtime.com