Submitted by Karen Fassuliotis
Dear Mr. Raabe,
Thank you for your letter (Raabe: Ms. Fassuliotis – How do we all get the 30% “Town Benefit” reduction you enjoy? Feb 17, 2026) and for keeping this conversation going—it’s exactly the kind of open dialogue Greenwich needs on taxes and affordability.
Let’s set the record straight: not everyone is economically as fortunate as you. While some in our town benefit from substantial wealth, hedge fund success, or multiple properties that buffer them from rising costs, countless middle-class families, working professionals, and long-time homeowners are feeling the real pinch from higher property taxes, assessments, and the escalating cost of living here.
As a solo attorney who has dedicated decades to this community—including four terms on the BET, many years on the RTM, and countless pro bono hours representing vulnerable residents through the Greenwich Probate Court (earning the Robert G. Krause Pro Bono Award multiple times)—I know firsthand what it means to prioritize service over income. Those unpaid hours advocating for people who aren’t well off or couldn’t afford representation meant much less earning potential for me, yet I did it because Greenwich is worth fighting for. That’s the reality for many of us who give back to our community without fanfare, unlike you.
The “Town Benefit” you keep harping on is not some elite perk or “30% discount for the privileged.” It is a straightforward, targeted, eligibility-based local tax credit under Greenwich’s Senior and Disabled Homeowner Tax Relief Program, designed specifically for residents age 65 or older (or totally disabled) who meet strict income limits—typically under $83,500 gross for 2024—and other criteria like primary residency and assessed value caps. This program, along with the state’s elderly credit (up to $1,250 max, graduated by income) exist because our town values supporting seniors who’ve built this community over decades, helping them stay in their homes instead of being priced out. It’s community empathy in action, funded through our shared system, not a handout to the fortunate few.
So now that you and the rest of Greenwich know that my income wasn’t great thanks to my commitment to this town, I make no apologies for utilizing a program created precisely for people in my situation: seniors on more modest or fixed incomes who’ve given back extensively, often at personal financial cost. It’s community support in action, funded through our shared tax system—just like schools, roads, and services that benefit everyone.
Your efforts to portray this legitimate relief as hypocrisy or to dismiss voices calling for fiscal responsibility and middle-class protections won’t succeed. I will keep speaking up for transparency in town spending, fair taxation, and an affordable Greenwich that works for everyday residents—not just the wealthiest. The fight for a town where the middle class can thrive, seniors can age in place, and families aren’t priced out is too important to silence.
If you’re truly interested in these programs (beyond using them as ammunition), reach out to Assessor Lauren Elliott’s office. They’ll outline the eligibility rules, income thresholds, and application window (February 1–May 15 each year). These are transparent, merit-based options for those who need them.
I’m committed to a Greenwich for all its residents: the middle class, seniors, young families, and everyone who’s invested their time, energy, and heart here. That’s not going to change. And your attempts to silence me will not happen.
Sincerely,
Karen Fassuliotis