New BET Leadership Prioritizes Unity and Open Dialogue in Addressing Greenwich’s Fiscal Challenges
In the wake of the internal Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) leadership elections, Harry Fisher and Karen Fassuliotis have emerged as pivotal figures in shaping the future of Greenwich’s fiscal governance. Fisher, elected as Chairman, and Fassuliotis, as Vice-Chairman, bring to the table a shared vision of collaboration and effective communication.
Everyone who serves on the BET is a volunteer. The BET, like the Board of Education (BOE) and the Representative Town Meeting (RTM), are unpaid volunteer positions.
Harry Fisher, reflecting on his new role and the expectations that come with it, stressed the importance of collective success. “I want to make sure that everybody on the BET succeeds,” Fisher asserted. His approach is focusing on enhanced communication. “My objective is to have success through better dialogue with all parties, whether it’s Democrats, Republicans, Independents. We’ve got to have more talking,” he emphasized, acknowledging the challenges that come with differing viewpoints. “We may not agree on issues, but we’ve certainly got to have more open discussions.”
The Vice-Chairman, Karen Fassuliotis, echoed Fisher’s commitment to dialogue and collaboration, particularly in light of the upcoming financial challenges. “We’re going to have some challenges to fill some budget gaps that are left from [federal] funds,” Fassuliotis stated. She stressed the necessity of a cooperative working environment, “We’re looking to basically restore the bipartisan government that I think that the people in town expect from our board.”
The November election results showed Fisher at the top of the polls for BET incumbents with 9,628 votes, closely followed by Fassuliotis with 9,483 votes. The Democratic candidates, led by Leslie Moriarty with 9,371 votes, also showed strong performance, underscoring the town’s expectation for bipartisan governance.
Fisher’s vision extends beyond just the BET’s internal dynamics. He aims to improve the broader relationships within the community. “I’m also interested primarily in the success of the town and getting rid of all the acrimony. I hope for better relations among the BET and we’ve got to work with Fred [Camillo]. We have a lot to get accomplished very quickly,” he said, acknowledging the need to work closely with all branches of town government.
In terms of actual policy implementation and committee assignments, Fisher’s strategy appears to be inclusive and balanced. The assignments cover a range of expertise, ensuring that each committee can effectively address the specific challenges it faces.
The way forward for the BET, under Fisher and Fassuliotis’s leadership, is marked by a commitment to open dialogue and pragmatic decision-making. As Fassulotis put it, “I said to my Democratic colleagues, ‘Look, we may not always agree, but at least we will have a conversation’ – If we don’t agree, I’m not going to be sacrificing my values, and I told them that upfront but if we can find some compromises then at least we can move forward.”
This leadership change comes at a crucial time for Greenwich, as it navigates the post-pandemic economic landscape. The emphasis on bipartisan cooperation and effective communication by Fisher and Fassuliotis heralds a potentially transformative era for the town’s fiscal management and community relations.
