Submitted by Matthew Totero, Old Greenwich
My name is Matthew Totero, and I have been a resident of Old Greenwich for approximately 21 years. I am also the parent of three Greenwich public school students.
I am writing to express my strong support for the Town of Greenwich to undertake a full and independent audit of municipal spending practices, particularly in light of recent proposals to cut critical public school services in response to budget pressures.
Before we inconvenience families who rely on these services and contribute significantly through local taxes and our children, it is only responsible to ensure that every dollar spent by the Town is being used efficiently, transparently, and without waste. Across all levels of government, wasteful and even fraudulent spending can be a significant drain on budgets.
In fact, at the federal level, the Department of Government Efficiency and other oversight initiatives have identified and saved taxpayers billions of dollars annually by rooting out improper expenditures and streamlining operations. If such savings can be found at the federal level, there is every reason to believe a similar exercise could uncover meaningful efficiencies here in Greenwich.
An independent audit would not only potentially identify areas of waste and mismanagement but would also reaffirm the Town’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency. It would send a strong message that Greenwich prioritizes smart governance over quick, painful cuts that directly impact students, families, and our community’s future.
I respectfully urge the Board of Estimate and Taxation and Town leadership to consider commissioning a full audit before implementing cuts that could have long-term adverse effects on the quality of life and education in Greenwich.
Thank you for your attention and for your commitment to our community.
Thank you,
Matthew Totero