BET Thanks Michael Mason For Years Of Service

GREENWICH, CT — Michael Mason served on the Board of Estimate and Taxation for 18 years, and on Monday night, the board thanked him for those years of service to Greenwich.

Mason stepped down from the finance board and his role as chair earlier this month to begin his new job as Greenwich's consultant on labor contract negotiations. Mason intended to finish out his term on the BET, but he later acknowledged there was an "optics" issue if he served in both roles.

Mason was awarded the contract for his new job after the town issued a solicitation of Requests for Proposals for the position, which reports to the First Selectman. The Town received five proposals for the position. Mason's contract with the Town became effective July 1, 2021 and will run through June 30, 2023. He will be paid $12,500 per month as a subcontractor.

The BET voted to appoint a new Republican member on Monday night to fill the vacancy left by Mason, and Karen Fassuliotis, who served as vice chair under Mason for almost two years, was appointed as chair. Andy Duus was elevated to vice chair.

Calling Mason an "institution on the board" for almost two decades, Democratic caucus leader Leslie Moriarty thanked Mason for his contributions.

"He's devoted many hours over and above what would be typically required as a BET member and that standard has increased over the years," Moriarty said. "Mike was always accessible to all members here and to town employees. He put in the time to talk to people. Mike over the years developed many personal friendships with town volunteers and the employees, and I think he did his best to lead the BET with an even hand."

Moriarty pointed out that Mason was helpful to former BET member Jill Oberlander when she became chair three years ago. It was the first time in recorded history Democrats had control of the finance board in Greenwich.

Mason oversaw many changes in town while on the BET. Fassuliotis said that when Mason was sworn-in as a member of the BET in late 2003, the operating budget for Greenwich was about $250 million, and the capital budget sat at just $10 million. Fast forward to 2021, and Mason's final operating budget for the fiscal year 2022 weighed-in at almost $400 million, with a capital spending plan of almost $66 million.

"Mike was on the board for the financial meltdown of 2007 and 2008, and of course he led us through the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 which is still not over," Fassuliotis said. "The decisions he faced both as a board member and as chair during those times were challenging to say the least, but he took the criticism and the accolades in stride and the decisions ultimately voted on by this board allowed our town to lessen the impact to our tax paying residents, something other towns couldn't say."

Fassuliotis said she will miss Mason's texts at 1 a.m. asking if she was still awake so they could talk about BET matters. She also said she'll miss Mason's extensive knowledge of the town budget process

Calling Mason a "force of nature", Fassuliotis said Mason will be penning a memoir titled "18 Years On The BET."

"He will be a hard act to follow and I wish him well in his new endeavor," Fassuliotis said.

Mason said on Tuesday he caught the tail end of the BET meeting on Monday night and heard the comments from his former colleagues.

"I'm very thankful. I appreciate it," Mason said. "Everybody on the BET has had a huge commitment to the town. The town should be grateful for all of the members."