Statement from Board of Estimate and Taxation Democrats following a press conference at Town Hall on Tuesday evening.
In a surprise move, today the six Republicans who make up the majority on our town finance board dropped an unprecedented list of draconian cuts to our town’s proposed budget—cuts that would devastate everyone from seniors to school children, and ice skaters to homeowners in flood prone areas.
The severity of these cuts is unnecessary
● First Selectman Fred Camillo put the proposed town budget together because he knew it reflects what we need to protect and preserve our quality of life.
● The bipartisan school board overwhelmingly approved, in a 7-1 vote, a common sense schools plan that closely looked at every dollar.
● In the last few weeks residents from across Greenwich came out in support of it.
Everyone, it seems, wants this budget except the six Republicans on the Board of Estimate and Taxation. Now, only the BET Democrats are standing up for you. We refused to go along with this last-minute voting charade until we all can understand what these cuts will mean. Among the $17 million in BET Republican cuts include:
A $4 million cut from Greenwich public schools. Our board of education representatives say to preserve core academics, they will be forced to consider the following:
● Reducing PE and sports programming
● Reducing music and arts
● Reducing teachers
● Even then, maintaining the effective academic programs will be impacted.
Across-the-board cuts are aimed at town services include traffic and transportation infrastructure, public health and safety, parks and rec, funds to plan a new ice rink, environmental initiatives, and flooding mitigation.
Also a proposed reduction in staff at the town’s Nathaniel Witherell senior center would drop of its rating to a single star.
As it stands, these six Republicans have the votes to ram these cuts through. They’ve refused to negotiate. It’s time for you, our neighbors and friends in Greenwich, to make your voices heard.
Democrats are holding the line, but on Thursday when the Board of Estimate and Taxation meets again, there’s nothing stopping the cuts except you.