Submitted by Monica Prihoda
To the Editor:
KUDOS to ALL RTM members who voted to claw back $50,000 in CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding the RTM originally allocated to three non profits, but the First Selectman redirected it to the housing authority, “Greenwich Communities”
RTM voices that merit special note are the Health & Human Services Committee who know a thing or two about fairly directing funds to safety needs vs. cosmetic wants: HSS Chair Alison Soler, David Synder and Victoria Martin Young.
It was noted that Greenwich Communities, though deserving to be on the list each year, had more “nice to have” vs. strong needs requests this year. Again Kudos RTM.
On the subject of the RTM votes to approve a SOMR (Sense of the Meeting Resolution) with a message to BET – sadly in most cases the 6 Republican BET members with the tie-breaking vote from Chair Harry Fisher – KUDOS to the RTM for recognizing the town’s capital planning process is broken and it’s time for a change and more transparency.
Noteworthy RTM voices here were RTM members James Waters (Budget Overview Committee), Cheryl Moss (D8 chair and Public Works committee chair), Dan Quigley (Land Use Committee chair), Anthony Moor (Transportation Committee chair who is running as Democratic candidate for First Selectman), again Alison Soler (Health & Human Services Chair), Steve Rubin (Chair of Education Committee), and Katherine LoBalbo (Chair of Parks & Rec committee).
Also, the RTM voted to pass (107-32-11) a SOMR for the BET and First Selectman to present at the RTM September meeting – not year end ’25 – and to allow ALL BET members to be involved in drafting budget guidelines. This allows the RTM the time and transparency to process and thus better gather, prioritize, update and present capital projects to stakeholders – that’s us residents/”We the People.”
By the way, “Remember come November Local Election time.” Maybe even run for the RTM and BET! New blood welcome!
Thank you to the RTM. I’ve been there, having served several terms in Old Greenwich District 6. You learn a great deal how Greenwich Town Government runs and who the players are in each District. It’s quite eye-opening!
KUDOS, KUDOS, KUDOS RTM!
Respectfully,
Monica Prihoda