Every two years, Greenwich, along with every other municipality in the state, holds local elections to fill positions in town government.
There are several positions up for grabs this election, which takes place on Nov. 5, headlined of course by the Board of Selectmen (BOS) and First Selectman.
The board is comprised of three people, including the first selectman, who is the full-time chief executive officer who is responsible for the administration of fire, fleet, Human Resources, Information Technology, Parking Services, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Works, Purchasing & Administration, and Law.
According to the Town Charter, the First Selectman “shall have the supervision and control and shall be responsible for the administration of all the affairs of such departments…” All other departments are under the supervision of independent Boards and Commissions.
The First Selectman is also responsible for Town labor negotiations (except for teachers’ salaries) and is an ex-officio member of all Boards and Commissions, as well as a voting member of the Flood and Erosion Control Board.
The BOS is considered the focal point of Greenwich town government. While it has many responsibilities, constituent contact with the public is perhaps the most important function of the board and overall office.
Since 2007, Peter Tesei, a Republican, has been the chief elected official in Greenwich, serving out a record six terms. He announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking reelection. John Toner, a Republican, announced he would not seek reelection as a member of the board.
Running for First Selectman on the Republican side will be Fred Camillo, a current State Rep. from District 151, along with Lauren Rabin, a member of the Board of Education, who will seek a seat on the BOS.
For the Democrats, Jill Oberlander, the current chair of the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) is seeking Greenwich’s highest office, with her running mate, Sandy Litvack. Litvack has been on the BOS since he was elected in 2017 after narrowly losing to Tesei for First Selectman.
The BET serves as the finance board for the town, and is comprised of 12 people, including one chair who has the power to break ties. For the first time in Greenwich history, democrats gained control of the board after the 2017 election.
The BET is responsible for the proper administration of the financial affairs of the Town including the issuance of the annual recommended budget and setting the Town tax mill rate.
The Board also acts on requests for additional appropriations, transfers and allotments made during the fiscal year.
The Republicans will put up incumbents Bill Drake, Andy Duus, Karen Fassuliotis, Debra Hess, Michael Mason and Leslie Tarkington.
Democratic candidates include: newcomers Laura Erickson and Miriam Kreuzer, filling spots left by Oberlander, and Tony Turner, who is not seeking reelection. Incumbents Elizabeth Krumeich, Leslie Moriarty, and Jeffrey Ramer round out the ticket.
The Town Clerk’s office is the official state recording agency for the Town. This includes vital statistics (marriage, birth, death) records, dog and shellfish licenses and all documents related to ownership of real property.
Running for reelection is Carmella Budkins, who has served as Town Clerk for 27 years. Challenging her will be Molly Salleeby, a current RTM member.
The Tax Collector office is charged with collecting real estate, personal property, motor vehicle and sewer assessment tax.
Howard Richman, a Democratic incumbent, is running for reelection against Republican challenger, Heather Smeriglio. Smeriglio is certified by the State of Connecticut as a Municipal Tax Collector. She spent four years working in the Tax Collector’s Office.
The Board of Education (BOE) is the governing body of the Greenwich Public Schools District. It consists of eight elected members serving four year terms, with four members elected every two years.
This year, for the Republicans, Joe Kelly, the former head rugby coach at Greenwich High School, is seeking a spot on the BOE, along with first-time candidate Karen Kowalski. Current member Barbara O’Neill is not seeking reelection, and Rabin is seeking a spot on the BOS.
With Meghan Olsson moving out of town and Jennifer Dayton not seeking reelection, current RTM member Christina Downey, former PTA Council President, Karen Hirsh, and incumbent Gaetane Francis are running for two seats on the Democratic side.
Members of the Board of Assessment Appeals are elected every two years. The purpose of the board is to hear property appeals for taxpayers who feel that the Assessor erred in the valuation of their properties.
The Republican candidates include incumbents Jack Kriskey, who is the chair, Mark Pruner and Jeff Reardon.
Real estate agent, Joseph Huley, is the lone candidate for the Democrats.
A civil constable’s primary responsibility is to be a process server and to serve court papers, such as eviction notices and notices of lawsuits. Civil constables are not paid by the towns where they are appointed or elected. They make money by charging the lawyer who has hired them to deliver the document.
Republican constable candidates include Martin Blanco, Donna Maloney, Bob Dustin and John Thompson. Dawn Fortunato and Don Romeo Jr., are Democratic candidates.
