Board of Estimate and Taxation

Recent Posts

Capital Projects Hearing Feedback: Fix the Process. Advance GHS Pool, Riverside School Reno, GHS 2nd Egress

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Thursday night’s capital projects public hearing, organized by current BET chair, Republican Harry Fisher and First Selectman Fred Camillo, had few surprises but for feedback that the entire process should be more transparent. The meeting lasted just one hour. It might have been longer if there was an option to testify remotely. On the dais, in addition to Fisher and Camillo were BET members Elliot Alchek, Matt DesChamps, Leslie Moriarty, David Weisbrod, Leslie Tarkington and Stephen Selbst.  

Not in attendance were Lucia Jansen, Nisha Arora, David Alfano, Scott Kalb or Karen Fassuliotis. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Schools, Sports, BET, Board of Estimate and Taxation, David Weisbrod, Doug Fenton, Frances Wu Nobay

Historic Greenwich Municipal Election Sees Finance Board Control Go to Democrats; Republican First Selectman Camillo Wins 4th Term

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At Bosco’s in Old Greenwich Democrats were joyful their party wrested control of the all-powerful finance board, the Board of Estimate and Taxation, and its chairmanship that comes with a tie-breaking vote. At Townhouse in central Greenwich, Republican First Selectman said he was honored to have won a fourth term along with running mates Lauren Rabin and Jackie Budkins. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Anthony Moor, BET, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Bob Chaney, Bosco's, Christina Downey, David Weisbrod

Fenton: Greenwich Schools, Facts About the School Budget

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“Sadly, several of the Republican BET candidates running for re-election have voting records and communications that display a fundamental lack of understanding of the budget drivers, as well as consistent antagonism towards our Town departments, Town Boards, Schools, and Greenwich residents.” – Doug Fenton Continue Reading →

Filed under: Letter to the Editor, BET, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Doug Fenton

Non-Incumbent Republican BET Candidates: This Week’s “Guidelines” Are Not Budgets

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“As the four new candidates for the Republican Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET), we wish to respond to the latest false claim that “we” have slashed teachers and funds from next year’s school budget. We have not even been elected yet.” – Sally Bednar, Josh Brown, Joe Kelly, Joe Pellegrino Continue Reading →

Filed under: Letter to the Editor, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Joe Kelly and Joe Pellegrino, Josh Brown, Sally Bednar

Alchek: Why I’m Running for Re-Election on Greenwich’s BET

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“In the past year alone, there were 24 party-line votes decided by the Republican chair’s tie-breaking vote, including a controversial $4 million cut to the school budget. That decision led to changes in school schedules and the firing of teachers eliciting a strong rebuke from the RTM, which voted 147 to 37 (14 abstaining) to restore the funding.” – Elliot M. Alchek, Democratic Candidate for Re-election to the Board of Estimate and Taxation Continue Reading →

Filed under: Letter to the Editor, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Elliot Alchek

After Camillo Redirects $50,000 in CDBG Funding to Housing Authority, RTM Votes to Delete the $50,000

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Tyler Fairbairn, who oversees grants for the town, had explained that if the  $50,000 in Community Block Grant Program funding for the Greenwich Communities painting project was deleted, the funds would be held in a contingency fund until the funds were designated to an organization, and that the only way the town would lose the funds would be to fail to spend them by the May 1, 2026 deadline. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Alexis Voulgaris, Alison Soler, Board of Estimate and Taxation, CDBG, CDBG advisory committee, David Snyder, Fred Camillo

In Party Line Tie Vote, BET Rejects Request to Revert to Block Grant Committee Recommendation

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All the BET Republicans said they supported the First Selectman’s decision to override the advisory committee on Community Development Block Grants. The committee said they had chosen projects with the greatest direct client impact and safety value. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Alexis Voulgaris, BET, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Fred Camillo, Greenwich Communities, Greenwich Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, Greenwich Community Development Block Grants