Greenwich BET Fills Republican Vacancy And Elects New Chair

GREENWICH, CT — During a special meeting on Monday night, the Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation filled the vacancy left by Republican Michael Mason, who stepped down earlier this month to begin a new role as the town's labor negotiations leader.

The board voted 9-0 with two abstentions to appoint Republican Harry Fisher to the 12-person finance board, which is split evenly between the two major parties. Town Clerk Carmella Budkins made a house call and swore Fisher in at his home in Greenwich following the vote.

Fisher, a lifelong resident of Greenwich, has previous experience in town government and on the BET. He served on the Representative Town Meeting from 1986-1992 and became chair of District 10. He was then elected to the BET where he served on the Budget Committee and as vice chair from 1992-1998.

Fisher will serve out the remainder of Mason's term, which ends on Dec. 31, 2021, and he has no intentions of running for re-election. Fisher was asked by Mason who is the former chair, and new board chair Karen Fassuliotis, if he would volunteer.

"I decided I had the time and the energy and the ability to do it, so it seemed to make good sense," Fisher said on Tuesday, adding that he believes his prior experience on the board, and in recent years as a participant in public hearings, will help him navigate the last few months of the term.

"I've kept in touch with Michael [Mason] over the years, and I've appeared before the board to speak on major issues. I've stayed involved from the periphery," Fisher said.

BET member Debra Hess formally nominated Fisher for the position during the special meeting.

"Harry has remained involved in what's happened with the BET. He's been to many of our public hearings," Hess said. "I think Harry would be a good addition to fill the vacancy."

Laura Erickson, a Democrat, said he abstained because she's not familiar with Fisher.

"I've met everyone on the Republican side over the years so they're all very familiar to me. The Democrats I don't know so well, but I intend to get to know them," Fisher said on Tuesday.

Mason said he was pleased with the BET's decision to approve Fisher.

"Harry is a terrific civic volunteer," Mason said. "I've always had a relationship with him where we've been exchanging information about what's going on. I think he's the perfect fit to fill the vacancy to finish out the term. I think he'll be a big help to the caucus and to Karen Fassuliotis who has had to assume a lot of new roles very quickly."

Fassuliotis, who served as vice-chair for Mason, became chair on Monday night after the BET voted 9-0 with three abstentions from Jeff Ramer, Leslie Moriarty, and Krumeich.

Republican Andy Duus was elevated to the role of vice chair after an identical vote.

Fassuliotis said in her Chair's Report during the regularly scheduled BET meeting that she will look to her colleagues for help in finishing out the current term.

"I never expected to be in this position that I find myself in today. I know I will be looking to all of you to help me as we continue to finish up our terms of office. One thing I've observed during my tenure on the BET is that although my colleagues across the aisle may have differing visions as to what our town finances should be, I can say with certainty that the one thing each and every person on this board has a deep love of the town we call home," Fassuliotis said.

"We may differ on how we get there, but we have a deep-rooted belief that our town is the best place to live, work, raise a family and retire. Why else would we all be spending countless hours debating and voting on budget matters as part of a non-paid all volunteer board?"

Democratic Caucus Leader Leslie Moriarty welcomed Fisher, Fassuliotis and Duus into their new roles.

"This board has important work to do in the months ahead. I and the rest of our members will work collaboratively with Karen as our new chair, Andy as our new vice chair, and we welcome Harry Fisher as the new BET member," she said.

The BET is now off for the summer as far as meetings are concerned. They will reconvene in September, likely in-person for the first time in months.