Submitted by Elliot M. Alchek, Democratic Candidate for Re-election to the Board of Estimate and Taxation
My name is Elliot Alchek, and it has been a true privilege to serve on Greenwich’s Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) over the past two years. I currently serve on the Investment Advisory and Human Resources Committees, and I am a BET liaison to the Town Assessor.
For more than 3 decades, my wife Nancy and I have proudly called Greenwich home, raising our three children here. My commitment to public service arises from a genuine desire to preserve and enhance the qualities that make this town special for my kids and all generations.
As you may know, the BET is composed of 12 voting members—six Democrats and six Republicans. The party that earns the most votes in the election appoints the chair, who casts the tie-breaking vote and ultimately sets the board’s direction. For most of the past century, both the
BET and the First Selectman’s office have been led by Republicans, historically operating in a spirit of collaboration.
Unfortunately, that spirit has faded.
In recent years, the Republican-led BET has increasingly used its power to block forward-looking investments despite support from the bipartisan Board of Education, the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), and even the Republican First Selectman.
In the past year alone, there were 24 party-line votes decided by the Republican chair’s tie-breaking vote, including a controversial $4 million cut to the school budget. That decision led to changes in school schedules and the firing of teachers eliciting a strong rebuke from the RTM, which voted 147 to 37 (14 abstaining) to restore the funding.
This is not responsible leadership—and it does not reflect the priorities of our community.
Greenwich continues to rank as one of the best places to live in America, thanks to our schools, safety, infrastructure, and natural beauty. However, the town is falling behind on essential long-term investments needed to maintain its strength for future generations. Too often, critical projects are postponed or blocked, resulting in much higher costs and lost opportunities.
Central Middle School (CMS) and Old Greenwich School (OGS) are clear examples. Democratic BET members consistently voted to advance these projects, and only later did a few Republicans join them to form the necessary majority. At CMS, delays during the pandemic drove construction costs up significantly. Likewise, the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, which could have- and should have- been renovated over a decade ago for less than $10 million, was only recently finished at more than double that cost after years of inaction.
We can—and must—do better.
I’m running for reelection to ensure Greenwich embraces responsible, future-focused budgeting that reflects the will of its residents. Our town should invest wisely, govern transparently, and prioritize long-term value over short-term politics.
Thank you for your trust and support.
Sincerely,
Elliot M. Alchek, Democratic Candidate for Re-election to the Board of Estimate and Taxation