A threat to town volunteers, and half a million dollars from your pocket for his ego
Greenwich residents should understand two things about the lawsuit First Selectman Fred Camillo has waged against the Board of Education (BOE) for 20 months now.
First, this case is no longer about anything—except the First Selectman’s desire to intimidate and punish. The claims at the heart of the lawsuit have long been resolved, yet Camillo refuses to drop it. And the cost? More than half a million dollars in legal fees—money that could be going toward our schools, public safety, or other essential town services.
Second, this case is dangerous—for anyone who volunteers for our town or our schools. In court, the First Selectman is arguing that elected, unpaid volunteers on the school board should foot the bill for the BOE’s legal defense—out of their own pockets.
A lawsuit about nothing
The First Selectman’s complaint made two assertions: that an October 2024 emergency BOE meeting was improperly noticed, and that Camillo’s buddy, Paul Cappiali, should fill a BOE vacancy. Both issues have been resolved. The Freedom of Information Commission ruled last year on the notice question, and Cappiali has been on the BOE since the November 2025 election.
There’s nothing left for a court to decide, and as plaintiff, Camillo can end the lawsuit at any time by simply withdrawing it. Instead, he’s keeping it alive—rejecting mediation and settlement offers and filing more and more papers in court—because dropping it would deprive him of the public capitulation he craves.
The threat to every volunteer
Connecticut law requires the town to indemnify all public officials and volunteers for actions taken in their official capacity—a basic expectation for public servants.
The town has paid Camillo’s legal bills while refusing to release already appropriated legal funds available to the BOE for its defense. His lawyers are now arguing in court that volunteers aren’t entitled to a town-funded defense at all. If the First Selectman can strip legal protections from any volunteer who crosses him, every board and commission member in Greenwich serves with their savings and their home on the line.
‘Settlement offer’ as political theater
From the outset, the BOE has tried to resolve this unnecessary and costly case. Recently, on May 28, it voted to pursue settlement and delivered an offer through the attorneys. Camillo rejected that offer and sent his counterproposal only to the Republican BOE chair, bypassing the lawyers. The BOE chair sat on the offer for 12 days then ambushed the BOE with multiple versions of a document only hours before their June 22 meeting. The offer was never posted publicly, as required for board meeting agenda items.
At that meeting, BOE members were asked to vote on terms they had had no meaningful opportunity to review with legal counsel—and without clarity on which draft version was even before them. Unsurprisingly, the result was deadlocked.
Camillo’s counter proposal itself went far beyond the scope of the case—seeking changes to BOE policy that would expand the First Selectman’s authority, and leaving volunteers personally exposed to legal costs despite protections guaranteed by state law. Camillo’s “offer” was a political stunt and now it’s being hidden from the public.
The bottom line
This costly court case demonstrates that Fred Camillo will allow his personal pride to override good governance. Fred Camillo started this lawsuit. Only Fred Camillo can withdraw it. Twenty months and half a million dollars later—it’s past time.
Connecticut Democrats deliver: ‘No-excuse’ absentee voting is here!
This year marks a historic milestone for our democracy with the launch of “no-excuse” absentee voting! Adding to our successful 2024 rollout of early in-person voting, Connecticut Democrats continue to lead the charge to expand citizens’ most fundamental right.
Beginning with the August 11, 2026 primary, not only will voters be able to vote early, they’ll join the 37 other states that allow their voters to mail in an absentee ballot without providing any excuse. (See the graphic below for a primary timeline.)
Unlike state Republicans, Democrats built a system that works for real people:
- Parents and caregivers juggling tight family schedules.
- Workers and commuters who leave for work before polls open and return after they close.
- Students and travelers or anyone who cannot make it to the polls in person.
Looking out for their constituents
While our local reps Steve Meskers and Hector Arzeno (and former rep Rachel Khanna) worked tirelessly alongside their Democratic colleagues in Hartford to modernize our election system, Republicans Ryan Fazio and Tina Courpas consistently opposed these efforts. Rather than look out for their constituents, they echo their national party’s meritless claims of voter fraud.
Our voting rights law passes at a time when the Trump administration is suing Connecticut (and 20 other states) to seize our voter data and weaponizing the Postal Service to stop mail-in voting. While Congress and a conservative Supreme Court continue to dismantle voting rights with the obvious intent of making voting harder, Connecticut Democrats are making it easier.
And don’t worry about recent SCOTUS rulings on late mail-in ballots — Connecticut’s rule remains protected and unchanged: all ballots must be received by the Town Clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
So, if you want to vote absentee, request your mail-in ballot early, fill it out, and return it via regular mail or your local secure drop box.
Easy peasy!
What we’re reading
Yielding to the tobacco industry, the New York Times reports the Trump administration has gutted our successful federal tobacco control programs. Like vaccines, it is the most recent effort to roll back programs that have long been considered public health triumphs.
If you’re a fan of soccer, then you’ve had an exciting couple of weeks! We’ve been following The Athletic’s World Cup coverage to make sure we don’t miss a single, exciting moment!
Action Calendar
July 12. Join us.
This is your chance to get to know our fantastic Democratic candidates running for State House and Senate. Sunday, July 12, 4-6 p.m. at a private residence in Greenwich. Address will be shared upon RSVP.
July 14. Fête.
Join the Alliance Francais of Greenwich and our local leaders for a cherished tradition as we raise the French flag at Town Hall to commemorate Bastille Day! There will be a formal proclamation and flag-raising, we’ll sing both national anthems, and conclude the celebration with a delightful petit déjeuner (breakfast) provided by Raphael’s Bakery. 9 a.m., Greenwich Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road.
July 15. Meet.
Greenwich Democratic Town Committee meeting. Open to all local Democrats. Special guest speaker State Representative Matt Blumenthal. Join us 7:30-9 p.m. in the Meeting Room at Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road.
August 6. Get social.
Our 4th Annual DTC Wine & Cheese get-together is happening again! Save the date and stay tuned for more details coming soon!
| Volume 5, Number 2 • July 9, 2026 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |