Submitted by Phyllis Behlen, Central Greenwich
To the Editor:
On November 4, I’m voting for all 6 Democrats for the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) because the Republican-led board keeps making shortsighted moves that cost Greenwich more in the long run.
This spring, Republicans pushed through a drastic, last minute $4.1 million cut to Greenwich Public Schools on a 7–6 vote, using the chair’s tiebreaker. Parents and educators warned about larger classes, staffing losses, and schedule disruptions—and even the First Selectman called the proposed cuts “disastrous.” That’s not prudent budgeting; it’s chaos.
The pattern goes beyond schools. In recent budgets, the GOP majority also targeted funding for key public-safety and infrastructure needs—moving to trim items like police/911-related equipment and cutting or deferring dollars for sidewalks, flood hardening, paving, and other basics. That’s penny wise, pound foolish in a coastal town facing heavy traffic and rising flood risk.
The town’s broader process has suffered, too. Walkouts, last-minute proposals, and a flood of resident complaints followed this year’s BET meetings. The RTM took the unusual step of passing a strong resolution urging the BET to reconsider the school cut—evidence of how far off-track things have drifted.
Meanwhile, years of delay have driven up costs on major projects. After two decades of wrangling, the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center needed millions more to get finished—exactly what happens when a board delays, dithers, and then pays the premium.
Greenwich deserves budgeting that’s fact-based, steady, and transparent—not last-minute cuts, political theater, and higher bills later. I want a BET that plans ahead, protects core services like schools and public safety, and invests wisely in the infrastructure we all use every day.
That’s why on November 4, I’ll be voting for a change in the BET and voting Row A for all 6 BET Democrat candidates. Our town can do better—and our families, children, seniors, and all taxpayers deserve better.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Behlen
Central Greenwich
Note: The deadline to submit letters to the editor about candidates for consideration in the Nov 4, 2025 municipal elections was Oct 28, 2025 at 12:00 noon. This letter was submitted before the deadline.