Board of Estimate and Taxation

Recent Posts

Special BET Meeting to Reconsider FY ’21 Budget Amounts to Lengthy Argument over Robert’s Rules, Adjournment

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The BET held a special meeting via Zoom on Tuesday afternoon with just one item on the agenda: to reconsider FY 21 approved budget before it gets sent on to the RTM for approval. The special meeting was scheduled at the request of Democrats on the BET after an outcry from public school parents over cuts to the education budget. The Republican controlled BET had voted last week during a contentious meeting to cut $3 million from the education budget leaving it at current academic year spending levels. The Democrats had proposed instead a $700,000 cut. Despite the meeting lasting only about 40 minutes, and almost 400 people listening on mute, most of the session was taken up by arguments over motions, Robert’s Rules of Order, and consulting the new Town Attorney Vin Marino. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Schools, BET, Board of Estimate and Taxation, David Weisbrod, Jeff Ramer, Karen Fassuliotis, Laura Erickson

First Selectman’s Proposed 20-21 Budget: What’s Cut? What’s Funded?

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Cuts include police directing traffic on Greenwich Avenue. New would be “Pay As You Throw” at the dump. Residents would not have to pay to to recycle, but would be required to purchase special bags for their trash at local retailers. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Board of Education, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Cardinal Field, Cardinal Stadium, Central Middle School, Dept of Public Works, Dorothy Hamill Rink

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS: Why there is no debate for Greenwich BET

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“Voters do determine which majority party will control BET decision making. Of the 12 candidates on the ballot, voters may choose any 6. The party receiving the most total votes becomes the majority party, which then elects the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and often, the Secretary. The Chairman receives a second, tie-breaking vote in most decisions.” – Sandy Waters, President, Greenwich League of Women Voters Continue Reading →

Filed under: Letter to the Editor, BET, Board of Estimate and Taxation, League of Women Voters Greenwich, Sandy Waters

Letter: Greenwich’s 1953 Schools Are the Result of Town’s Debt Policy

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“If Republicans again block any update to the town’s ‘debt policy’ at the BET’s ‘decision meeting’ later this month, they could pay a heavy price in November, and November isn’t far away. Tick-tock.” – Mike Warner, Past Chair of the RTM Finance Committee Continue Reading →

Filed under: Letter to the Editor, BET, Board of Education, Board of Estimate and Taxation, BOE, debt policy, Mike Warner, northwest firehouse

Letter: A Call to Leadership. Say “No” to Artificial Turf!

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A Message to the Board of Education, Board of Selectman, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Planning and Zoning Commission, RTM.
“Leadership requires making bold decisions because you value and seek to protect the welfare of the community’s citizens rather than lauding the number of playable hours on a field.” – Susan Rudolph, Greenwich Continue Reading →

Filed under: Letter to the Editor, Board of Education, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Board of Selectmen, Planning & Zoning Commission, Representative Town Meeting, Susan Rudolph

Republican BET Members Share Budget Discussions and Priorities

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Bill Drake, Debra Hess, Karen Fassuliotis

The six members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation ask the Board of Education define programs with well-defined measurable goals and discontinue or change those programs with minimal student benefit. “It is time for the BOE to re-examine headcount growth and the rising costs of schools.” – Michael Mason (Caucus Chair), Leslie Tarkington, Bill Drake, Andy Duus, Karen Fassuliotis, Debra Hess Continue Reading →

Filed under: Letter to the Editor, Andy Duus, BET, Bill Drake, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Debra Hess, Karen Fassuliotis, Leslie Tarkington

Greenwich Republican Candidates Differentiate Themselves at Crowded BET Primary Debate

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In a 90-minute debate candidates shared ideas for funding capital projects, finding efficiencies, watching head counts, and controlling pension and health care costs. There was also talk of running schools in a period of declining enrollment and running a “private, money-losing nursing home.” Continue Reading →

Filed under: Government, Andy Duus, Bill Drake, Board of Estimate and Taxation, Debra Hess, Karen Fassuliotis, League of Women Voters of Greenwich, Leslie Tarkington