Julian Curtiss 4th Graders Field Trip to Town Hall is Full of Surprises

On Wednesday morning Julian Curtiss School 4th graders had a fun field trip to Town Hall, which, fortunately they were able to walk to! The students from the homerooms of Stacey Fabion, Mary O’Connor and Vanessa Sylvester listended attentively to First Selectman Peter Tesei explain how local government works and give a breakdown of Town Hall’s departments.

Mr. Tesei pointed out the mural in the Town Hall meeting room, which depicts settlers meeting with the Indians to acquire a piece of Greenwich. He also talked about records housed in Town Hall going back to 1640, including births, deaths and weddings.

Mr. Tesei explained that his job is full time and paid, and that he is elected for one two-year term at a time, and that he and Drew Marzullo and John Toner comprise the three-person board of Selectmen.

“We pass ordinances that are like local laws,” he said. “For example, there is one right now that people would like amended that would give them greater time at the beach with their dogs.”

Peter Tesei gave a primer on local government to Julian Curtiss School 4th graders

Julian Curtiss School 4th graders visited Town Hall on Wednesday for a tour and session with First Selectman Peter Tesei. Credit: Leslie Yager

Explaining the RTM, Mr. Tesei said that the RTM is comprised 230 people who are all volunteers.

“People can run for RTM as long as they are 18, are a voter and live in Greenwich,” Mr. Tesei said. “They approve ordinances, approve people to boards that we nominate and one of their biggest responsibilities is to  approve the budget, which is all of the tax dollars that your parents pay.”

During the visit, Town Planner Mr. Tesei introduced, Katie DeLuca whose step-son was on the field trip. He also had a chance to introduce Parks & Rec Director, Joe Siciliano and Town Clerk Carmella Budkins.

After getting a primer on municipal government and an overview of  the departments inside Town Hall, the children visited various departments including the vault in the basement, where birth certificates and death certificates are stored.

town hall vault where records are stored

Julian Curtiss School 4th graders visited Town Hall and made a stop in the vault in the basement where births, deaths and weddings are recorded going back to 1640. The children were wide-eyed at the yellowed book of hand written records that preceded typewritten pages, and later digital archives. Credit: Leslie Yager

vault

In the vault in the basement records of births, deaths and marriages are stored dating back hundreds of years. Credit: Leslie Yager

group photo

In the vault in the basement records of births, deaths and marriages are stored dating back hundreds of years. Credit: Leslie Yager

vault in basement of Town Hall

In the vault in the basement records of births, deaths and marriages are stored dating back hundreds of years. Credit: Leslie Yager

Town Hall field trip

Julian Curtiss School 4th graders visited Town Hall on Wednesday for a tour and session with First Selectman Peter Tesei. Credit: Leslie Yager

Town Hall field trip by JC 4th graders

Julian Curtiss School 4th graders visited Town Hall on Wednesday for a tour and session with First Selectman Peter Tesei. Credit: Leslie Yager

Town Hall field trip

Julian Curtiss School 4th graders visited Town Hall on Wednesday for a tour and session with First Selectman Peter Tesei. Credit: Leslie Yager

Town Hall field trip

Julian Curtiss School 4th graders stopped for a group photo outside Town Hall on Wednesday before their tour of the building and meeting with First Selectman Peter Tesei. Credit: Leslie Yager

 


Image

Email news tips to Greenwich Free Press editor [email protected]
Like us on Facebook

Twitter

Subscribe to the daily Greenwich Free Press newsletter.