02/27/08 - News Reports From The Greenwich Time

Hilfiger mansion hits market
An eight-bedroom, eight-bath house that a famous fashion fortune built in backcountry Greenwich is on the market for $28 million.

At Stone Hill, the gated estate of fashion icon and marketing whiz Tommy Hilfiger, fieldstone walls curve outward to embrace guests arriving at the 20,000-square-foot home. Beyond the allee of snow-covered trees is the imposing facade of stone and clapboard, with Ionic columns rising to the pediment....

... This is not Hilfiger's only recent real estate leap. A year and a half after buying a contemporary home on 150 feet of beachfront in East Hampton for $18 million, he resold the property for $26.5 million late last year, according to news reports. Hilfiger's engagement to former model Dee Ocleppo was announced earlier this month. Ocleppo is the former wife of famed '80's Italian tennis star, Gianni Ocleppo.

Hilfiger has been a town resident for more than a decade.

Review to set goals for grads
Superintendent of Schools Betty Sternberg is launching a comprehensive review of secondary education in Greenwich, to begin with a critical look at what skills and knowledge students should have as key milestones in middle- and high-school careers.

New principal to start at North Street in July
Superintendent of Schools Betty Sternberg appointed Charles Smith as principal of North Street School earlier this month, replacing longtime principal Betty Burfeind.

Audit of votes cast on new machines shows no mistakes
No mistakes were found during a state-mandated audit yesterday of more than 800 votes cast electronically at one town polling station in this month's Super Tuesday presidential primary.

Children's group objects to tax credits for movies
A pair of legislative committees yesterday considered a trio of bills aimed at expanding the work force for the state's burgeoning film industry.

State film division appoints new director
The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism has appointed a new director for its film division, George Norfleet, who was senior program manager of the film tax credit program.

Metro-North price hikes won't affect Connecticut
Fares in Connecticut will remain unchanged when Metro-North ticket price hikes begin March 1, officials said.

Social services providers say 'rescue fund' needed
There was a time when anyone who wanted to work for CLASP Inc., a Westport agency that runs group homes for mentally retarded people, was not allowed to take a second job.

Canine couture
What do you get when you mix a well-known dog behaviorist and canine center owner with a Switzerland-based technology company? Dog Gone Smart products.