Editor’s note: At the beginning of the July 13 Selectmen meeting, Greenwich First Selectman announced that Paul Cappiali’s agenda item requesting a waiver for the insurance requirement for alcohol on private property during St. Roch’s Feast was withdrawn.
The July 13 Board of Selectmen meeting agenda is lengthy.
Three items under new business concern the St. Roch’s Feast.
One is a first read for a request from feast chair Frank Cortese for temporary closure of St. Roch Avenue. That is an annual request.
Another item on the Selectmen agenda is from Paul Cappiali. It is a first read for a request for waiver of Parks and Recreation Department’s permit requirement for St. Roch’s Feast Procession which takes place on Sunday morning at the close of the feast.
Mr. Cappiali, who serves as the town’s harbor master, is a member of the feast committee and, according to the church website, is in charge of the multiple parish raffle.
First Selectman Fred Camillo is also on the feast committee and is listed as the Municipality Coordinator.
The feast is Aug 9-12, but vendors need access to the Field on Aug 5 to set up.
A third item regarding the feast is a request from Paul Cappiali “for a waiver of Parks and Recreation Department’s insurance requirement for alcohol on private property during St. Roch’s Feast.”
The feast has traditionally taken place on both sides of St Roch Ave including the Ham Ave School field and church property and typically features a beer garden on church property, with tables in the middle of the road – hence the road closure request.
Though the insurance policy requirement is actually a Town of Greenwich policy rather than a Parks & Rec policy as stated in the agenda item, the topic of alcohol being served at the feast came up at recent Board of Education meetings.
In March the Board of Education tabled their vote on the church’s use of school property, after questions about permits, process, a proposed $29K Irrigation System Gift, and proposed $10K and $5K donations to the Hamilton Avenue School PTA.
BOE member Christina Downey said she did not believe the BOE had authority to issue a permit for use of the school’s field.
“Specifically the use of the field, which Parks & Rec is not permitting, is why this is before the board today,” said Blaize Levitan, BOE COO.
Mr. Levitan said Parks & Rec had indeed said no to a permit for use of the field, but then deferred to the BOE. He said if the BOE approved it, Parks & Rec would walk it through the process including insurance, risk management, police and fire, etc.
“I love that you’re checking with us, but I don’t believe this is really our job unless there has already been a ‘no,’” Kostin said.
Mr. Cappiali was asked whether a one month delay would hurt his negotiations with vendors.
“I’m afraid of using the vendor we’ve been using for the last few years,” he said, adding that a more reputable vendor wouldn’t even consider working with the feast without use of the field. “Covid shut down a lot of these carnival companies so there’s very few choices.”
In advance of the BOE March meeting, Father McIntosh of St Roch Church wrote a letter to the BOE saying the church had contracted with Commerford & Sons for rides and games.
Jackie Budkins, who is the Greenwich Town Clerk, is on the feast committee and is in charge of Amusement Rides.
“I am pleased to announce that St. Roch Church has contracted with a new amusement ride vendor. In past years we were stuck with a sub-par vendor because no other vendor would consider our event due to its small size,” McinTosh wrote. “…Commerford has newer, cleaner and more reliable equipment than our previous vendor. We are confident that replacing our previous vendor with this highly respected vendor will translate into a safer and more enjoyable atmosphere. We are grateful to you and the Greenwich Board of Education for affording us the opportunity to pursue Commerford as our ride and games vendor.”
The BOE vote was tabled until the April BOE meeting.
At the April BOE meeting, Karen Kowalski presented a motion to approve use of Hamilton Avenue School field, basketball court and parking deck for St Roch’s feast.
Discussion touched on enforcement of the district’s no alcoholic beverage policy on school grounds.
“I think some blanket language around following all the policies and procedures of Greenwich Schools,” said Kathleen Stowe. “For example, you can’t drink at our schools.”
Ms Kowalski said someone might inadvertently bring an alcoholic beverage from the feast’s beer garden across the street and she didn’t want the feast committee to be “dinged,” for that violation.
“They do serve alcohol on their facilities and people do walk across,” Kowalski said. “I actually believe that there were board members that also got a beverage and walked across and had alcohol on the facilities.”
Text of the final motion mentions following GPS policies.*
“The Greenwich BOE recognizes the value of the St Roch annual fest for the Hamilton Avenue School Community. The Board hereby agrees that the St Roch Church is permitted to use the Hamilton Avenue School field property, field court, and parking facilities for its annual feast on August 9-12, 2023. The St. Roch Church shall 1) Seek and receive the event permit from Parks & Recreation; 2) proactively begin to work with TOG Risk Manager 30 days in advance of annual feast; retain or hire 3) retain or hire Greenwich Police Department for event security, and any additional security subject to GPD official request and 4) return the fields to their pre-feast condition and *5) agree to follow Greenwich Public Schools Policies.
“It wins 7-0-1,” Kowalski said.
Christina Downey abstained from the vote.
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