Early success: The Old Greenwich School project
On January 7, a historic shift took place in our Town Hall.For only the second time in a century, Democrats on the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) hold the chairmanship—and the crucial tie-breaking vote.
With this new leadership comes the responsibility of managing our town’s budget. But importantly, it also brings a promise of transparency, efficiency and true bipartisanship.
The Democratic difference
We are already seeing the “Democratic Difference” in action. On January 20, the BET voted 12-0 to approve an interim funding request for the Old Greenwich School project. This unanimous support marks a turning point for a project that has historically faced friction.
In 2023, the Republican-controlled BET overrode Democratic support for school construction and repeatedly rejected and delayed funding for Old Greenwich School, adding millions of dollars in inflationary costs to the project. This isn’t just about building better schools; it’s about better governance. Your Democratic representatives are working to make sound, data-driven decisions that benefit every resident.
With the Democrats in the majority, there is now a bipartisan agreement to expand the Old Greenwich School project scope to include a 10% contingency and full replacement for roof sections near the end of their usefulness. Including the roof in the project scope makes fiscal sense and saves taxpayers’ money in the long run. The decision was backed by the kind of rational economic modeling our slate promised.
“We will improve transparency, create more opportunities for public input, and ensure that community priorities are heard,” said Chairman of the BET David Weisbrod. There is a shared desire among the new BET members to work more collaboratively. The new BET is off to a strong start, and we’re just getting warmed up!
Budgets tackle projects Republican BET neglected
First Selectman Fred Camillo and School Superintendent Toni Jones outlined the town’s mounting financial challenges as they presented their FY27 operating budgets and longer term capital budgets to the Board of Estimate and Taxation at a public hearing at Town Hall on Tuesday night. It was the BET’s — and the Greenwich community’s — first look at the budget.
BET Budget Committee Chair Laura Erickson assured the gathering that there will be transparency. The BET will review the numbers in detail, post the proposals on the town website, and continue deliberations on both operating efficiencies and capital priorities.
The First Selectman’s budget proposal included capital projects long-delayed under his administration and the Republican-led BET, such as replacing aging infrastructure, and building an ice rink to replace the aging Dorothy Hamill rink, which garnered the majority of public comment from parents and players.
For much of the meeting, Greenwich residents — including teachers, parents and students — addressed the BET about the much needed renovations at Riverside School. In addition, many speakers expressed concern about the reduction of 11.5 full-time equivalent teachers and staff positions at Central Middle and Greenwich High schools, which were eliminated due to declining enrollment. Dr. Jones cautioned that cost pressures are significant – particularly transportation, which rose 18%.
Among the other notable appeals, Selectwoman Rachel Khanna and her predecessor Janet Stone McGuiganemphasized hiring a sustainability officer for planning, energy and resiliency strategies. The officer could save the town money and address flooding risks and long-term infrastructure inefficiency in the face of the town’s vulnerability to climate change.
“Investing in our town is not just about meeting today’s needs, it’s about positioning our town for the future,” Khanna said. “A safer, more sustainable and better equipped Greenwich will attract families and businesses and keep our town thriving and fiscally sound.”
What we’re reading
Trump’s alienation of NATO threatens to hurt Connecticut’s defense industry, since he has prompted France’s Emmanuel Macron to call for Europe to avoid spending $80 billion on defense for Ukraine. This is just one of many ways Trump’s government is hurting our state.
For the first time in her life, Ruth Sherman, a public speaking professional, feels reticent to speak her mind, fearing her First Amendment rights are no longer protected.
Action Calendar
January 30. Converse.
Join Selectwoman Rachel Khanna for coffee and conversation at The Cafe at Greenwich Library. Hear about what’s happening in town and bring your feedback and questions. 101 West Putnam Ave. 1:00 p.m.
February 9. Get help.
Selectwoman Rachel Khanna is hosting CT Attorney General William Tong for a conversation about elder justice. Issues range from age-based discrimination in the workplace to scams and frauds, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Attorney General’s Office is here to help. The event will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwich Town Hall in the Cone Room (second floor). 101 Field Point Road.
| Volume 4, Number 31 • January 29, 2026 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |