By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter
Earlier this week, during his State of the Town Address, First Selectman Peter Tesei characterized Greenwich as “strong and unified.”
At the end of his remarks, he revealed that he’d like to continue to serve as the town’s chief elected official for a seventh term.
Tesei was asked during the Q&A session if he’ll be running again in 2019. He was elected to a record sixth term in 2017.
“I like what I do, I enjoy it very much, otherwise I would not be here today,” Tesei said. “If you’re asking me today, I’d like to continue to do what I do, but the election is about a year away. My answer today, if you’re asking me, is yes.”
During his address at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in Old Greenwich, Tesei said Greenwich is strong and unified because of the people. He noted that while the nation is living in a time of division, Greenwich has remained focused on improving its communities.
“We have thrived because we have been united on doing what’s best for Greenwich, irrespective of outside influences and trends,” Tesei said. “We are strong because we are able to tune out what’s going on outside and focus on what’s best for this town of 62,000 people. For that, we are strong; we are united with a shared community that has the same goals.”
Tesei praised several committees which have made an impact on the community, such as the Disability Advisory Committee, Veterans Council and the Economic Advisory Committee.
“[The Economic Advisory Committee] is an incubator of ideas, ideas that have helped the town continue to thrive,” Tesei said, noting that it has improved the permitting process at Town Hall.
Tesei also spoke highly of the town’s volunteers, which are a vital part of the community. He pointed to the influx of new Representative Town Meeting members, and several citizen-driven initiatives, such as the reusable checkout bag ordinance and the ban on fracking waste, as highlights from this past year.
Tesei also said the town’s non-profits embody what Greenwich is all about, adding that the Greenwich Athletic Foundation has emerged as an important organization. They were able to successfully gift a new scoreboard to Greenwich High School and Cardinal Stadium.
“It seems minor, but in light of all the various requirements you have to go through to give gifts to our town and at the high school, it’s enabled all of us to enjoy the wonderful Cardinals football and all the various sports,” Tesei said.
With regards to neighborhoods, Tesei said that communities are seeing transformations. He said the town must find a balance between those who want to preserve neighborhoods and those who are looking to modernize it and provide amenities and living arrangements that are tailored to modern life.
The same balancing act needs to occur between schools and surrounding neighbors who want to preserve the character of their neighborhood.
“My message today is, while we want to support and listen to the neighbors’ concerns, we also want to recognize that schools are the lifeblood of this town. They bring youth, vitality and they provide for the next generation. I’m confident looking around this room and knowing the shared interest that all of us want to see these schools succeed. It’s in Greenwich’s interest,” said Tesei, noting the successful collaboration between the town and the GHS Hillside Road working group which has tackled the issue of parking at GHS.
Tesei also praised Greenwich’s delegation to Hartford with securing the funds for the new New Lebanon School, which is set to open in several months.
“That school is going to be transformative, and we’re going to look back and we’re going to have people say 10-20 years from now, ‘Thank goodness Greenwich made that decision.’ Thank goodness we made that investment because it will bring economic vitality and community life [to Byram].”
Tesei described the town’s amenities as being “vast.” He mentioned the new Byram Park Pool, the Greenwich Point Chimes Building restoration project, and the new Greenwich Historical Society campus as true gems around town.
But, while Greenwich continues to be a premier place to live and work, there are challenges ahead.
“The fact is, we are not a fantasy world. We have the very real problems that other suburban and urban jurisdictions do,” Tesei said. He mentioned the issue of domestic violence, the number one reported violent crime in Greenwich, as an ongoing challenge. The town has partnered with the YWCA of Greenwich, which provides critical domestic abuse services to residents.
The upcoming budget could prove to be difficult, and Tesei said all parties in town need to have an “honest, difficult, but direct dialogue.” Last week, the Board of Estimate and Taxation passed guidelines for the 2019-2020 budget that could raise the mill rate.
“What type of service levels would you be willing to relinquish in exchange for keeping your mill rate at a steady and predictable level? It’s not an easy decision, but it’s a decision that’s at the core of the value of our community,” Tesei said. “I know we’re going to do just fine, because we always have because we are civil, we are balanced and we care about the community.”
Tesei said as part of his vision for the town he wants to pursue more partnerships.
“We need to think about approaching corporate sponsorships. Never before have I seen a direct outreach to corporations to look to see if they wish to underwrite all or part of a public amenity,” he said. “You can have the ‘Pepsi Ice Rink,’ or perhaps, ‘Nestle Ferry Boats’. You name it. I would encourage you and welcome you to help me figure out how we can do this.”
With 2018 winding down, Greenwich will continue to try to grow in the future. Tesei believes anything is possible, as long as the town remains together.
“Greenwich is strong, and together, united, there is not anything we cannot do,” he said.
