Camillo Unveils Proposed $543.5 Million Budget For Fiscal Year 2027

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo and school officials presented their proposed spending plans for 2026-2027 to the Board of Estimate and Taxation Budget Committee on Tuesday night, officially kicking off this year's budget process.

Camillo presented a town budget that weighed in at $543.5 million which represents around a $27 million increase over the current year's budget of $516.4 million. The proposed spending plan is just $960,106 over the non-binding guidelines previously set by the BET.

The proposed budget would have a mill rate of 12.765. BET guidelines suggested a mill rate of 12.591.

The mill rate is used to calculate property taxes. According to Camillo's presentation, a taxpayer with a $1 million assessed home value would have a $724 increase in property taxes.

In his budget presentation, Camillo said the operating side of the spending plan continues services for residents, while the long range capital budget gets projects done that are important to the community.

Camillo went through several capital projects that are included in his budget.

Island Beach Ferry Hull & Keel Replacement

Included in Camillo's proposed budget is $600,000 for replacement work on the Island Beach Ferry.

"These boats are expensive. They're actually fire boats. To replace them is a lot of money, so we're looking at ways to do this efficiently. The ferry is over 60 years old, so you can imagine it needs some work," Camillo said.

Hamill Rink Replacement

The proposed budget features $1.2 million for design work and $40 million for construction on a new Hamill rink within Eugene Morlot Memorial Park.

The Hamill Rink Task Force recently voted to recommend the "flip" option to build a new rink in the park, which was chosen as the proper location for a new rink after 12 potential sites and nearly 200 Town-owned parcels were reviewed by the task force, according to the town.

The original rink was built in 1972 as essentially a slab of ice with boards, Camillo said, noting the piecemeal fashion of the facility has led to disrepair over the years to the point a replacement is needed.

Camillo, a big proponent of public/private partnerships, said he's been speaking with private individuals and foundations who have pledged to help with the cost of the project. Camillo noted a desire to "chip away" at the price tag not just through anchor donations, but naming rights opportunities.

Roger Sherman Baldwin Park

Often cited as a favorite project of Camillo's, $10 million is included in the FY27 budget proposal for design and construction work to enhance Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.

Camillo has had visions of enhancing the property and giving residents views of the water that haven't been seen in 70 years, along with more green space and walking paths.

Parks and Recreation operations have been at the park for decades, and trucks are routinely parked on the waterfront property, which Camillo said is "arguably the most expensive real estate in the town of Greenwich."

Two foundations are interested in helping the town lower the price tag, Camillo said, but a "big hold up" for the project is trying to relocate Parks & Rec. trucks.

The Transfer Station could be a potential location for the trucks, but Camillo said there would be some difficulties.

"That is something we've been talking about since the 1980s. The flow doesn't work down there, it's hard, really, to manage everything, so that's a big expense. No one is rushing to give us a donation to fix up the dump unfortunately, so that may be on us," Camillo said. "But we're still looking to see if there's any federal or state dollars there in the form of grants, but it's imperative we get moving on this."

Camillo said he believes "there's broad agreement across the BET and the office of the first selectman that this is really a worthwhile project."

Greenwich High School Soil Remediation

Camillo said $2 million is earmarked for the final year of the GHS soil remediation project. It includes additional field 2 work, and final sampling and regulatory paperwork.

The town has spent nearly $35 million on the lengthy soil remediation project over the years. Camillo said the completion of the project will help the town with field shortage issues.

Julian Curtiss Renovation

There is $3.3 million for Julian Curtiss School renovations. The money is for Phase III, funding to continue ADA work, and Phase VI, machinery and millwork.

Other notable projects include $350,000 for Dearfield/Grove Culvert improvements to enhance drainage and prevent flooding; $4 million to contribute to the Byram River Bridge replacement projects; and $4 million for design and architecture and engineering costs for the Greenwich High School pool replacement.

School Budget

Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools Dr. Toni Jones and Board of Education Chair Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony presented the proposed FY27 operating budget of $207 million, which is around $232,000 below BET guidelines. The revised FY26 operating budget was $200.8 million.

Two key challenges this year, Jones has said, are contractual salaries ($5.20 million increase) and transportation costs ($2.35 million increase).

The proposed capital budget for GPS is $17.8 million, and includes $10.4 million worth of maintenance capital upkeep projects, and $7.3 million in major projects (GHS pool, Julian Curtiss School).

Included in the proposed spending plan is a reduction of 11.5 full-time equivalent positions.

Other proposed reductions include decreasing the summer school program by $500,000, slashing $150,000 from utilities, and reductions in accumulated vacation/sick days and print shop supplies.

A public hearing lasted for a little over an hour following the presentations from Camillo and Jones.

The majority of residents spoke in favor of the new Hamill Rink and encouraged the BET to support the project.

On the school side, several residents spoke about the much-needed renovations at Riverside School. There is $43 million projected in FY29 for the project.

The Riverside School Building Committee was recently formed, and is scheduled to meet next on Feb. 4.

Budget documents and schedules for upcoming budget work in Greenwich can be found here.