New Board of Selectmen Sworn In

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Sandy Litvack joins the Board of Selectmen, replacing Drew Marzullo (Richard Kaufman photo).

By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter

Last Friday at Town Hall, the newly-elected Board of Selectmen was sworn in, signifying the beginning of a new two-year term.

Returning to the board are Republicans John Toner (selectman) and Peter Tesei, who is entering an unprecedented sixth term as the chief elected official in the town of Greenwich.

Democrat and newcomer Sandy Litvack will take a seat as a selectman after falling short in the First Selectman’s race in November. Litvack replaces fellow Democrat Drew Marzullo, who failed to receive re-election following an incident at the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets back in August.

After being sworn in, Litvack thanked his supporters and said he’s looking forward to working collaboratively with Tesei and Toner. He noted that his experiences will allow him to bring a fresh outlook to the board.

“I believe that I can bring to the town of Greenwich skills, experiences and a point of view that is different than what has been before me,” Litvack said.

Litvack said he will be available and do the right thing for the residents of Greenwich. He also said it’s important to keep politics in Greenwich civil and respectful going forward.

“We can disagree, and we will disagree, but we can do it without being disagreeable,” he said.

Toner will begin his second full term on the board, having replaced the late Dave Theiss in 2014. Toner reflected on the past three years as a selectman and called the job “fulfilling,” namely because he’s been able to impact many lives in his native town.

Toner said he’s grateful to be working with Tesei for another term and looking forward to becoming more acquainted with Litvack.

“The new term finds the town of Greenwich in good shape, financially and physically,” he said. “My intention is to continue to work with the boards, commissions and organizations that I have in the past and to take on new roles as they arise.”

Toner specifically said he’s excited to join the New Lebanon Building Committee on an ex-officio basis. Groundbreaking for the new New Lebanon School took place yesterday.

With his wife, Jill, by his side, Tesei took the oath which officially started the clock on his record sixth term as First Selectman.

“I remain humbled and thankful to the citizens of the town of Greenwich for once again placing their trust and confidence in me by allowing me to serve a sixth term,” he said.

Tesei said he hopes to keep Greenwich on the map as the premier municipality to live, work and raise a child in. He noted the town’s ability to come up with a budget despite the historic budget impasse in Hartford, and called the town “financially sound.”

Looking into the future, Tesei said the town will continue to work with schools, human service agencies and the police to address the burgeoning problem of addictive prescription painkillers that are affecting young residents in the area. He also said the town is on target to complete the total rebuilding of its website, which will help improve customer experience.

Tesei said he will help lead the fight on a variety of issues threatening the town, such as Eversource’s plans to build a new downtown substation and the National Railway Administration’s proposed high-speed rail project that would impede on some of Greenwich’s most historical and preserved property.

However, Tesei said forwarding the town’s progress over the next two years can’t be done by the board alone, and that support from the community doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Your support is appreciated not only today, but throughout the course of the next two years,” he said.

Leora Levy, the Republican National Committee head for the state of Connecticut, led the swearing-in ceremony.

“Our town of Greenwich is a beautiful mosaic comprised of people from different cultures, traditions and philosophies,” she said. “Our entire town is like an impressionist painting. There are many different individual strokes, vivid colors, that might seem to clash. But if you look at them as a complete picture, a magnificent scene, a work of art and a successful, unified community results.”

Levy said that the focus of town employees, board members and elected officials is constantly on doing what’s best for the people of Greenwich.

“It’s part of what makes Greenwich so exceptional,” she said.

 

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