Greenwich Election 2021: Fred Camillo For First Selectman

GREENWICH, CT — Election Day on Nov. 2 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Greenwich.

Patch reached out to candidates for local office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the town.

Republican Fred Camillo, 59, is running for First Selectman in Greenwich.

Occupation: First Selectman, Town Of Greenwich

Experience: State Representative, 151st District

Family in government: Not currently. Cousin of late former Congressman Al Morano ( 4th District, CT ) and last former State Representative and State Senator, Michael Morano ( 151st District and 36th District )

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

There are several important issues that the town faces now, and they include delivering projects that continue to have a private partnership component; the decades old problem of flooding; and fighting to retain local control of zoning.

Regarding P3s, it is critical that we continue on this path so that we fund the many projects needed and desired that enhance our town, and that save the taxpayers from footing the full bill. We have begun that process with several partnerships in the past two years, including the biggest donation ever to our town that will help fund a long overdue project.

Concerning the flood issue, I have formed a weekly task force that is looking at every area impacted by flooding. We are assessing, developing plans to resolve wherever possible, and estimating costs associated with any plans.

Lastly, I have testified before state legislature, debated proponents of bills aimed at stripping towns and local residents of the ability to control local zoning, and worked with legislators and local officials to keep the town in compliance with current state law. This was all in defense of local autonomy.

The issue is not going away, so I will continue to work with our P&Z, Greenwich Communities, and others in town government to achieve the affordable housing goals that the state has set in addition to advocating with state officials to consider the problems 8-30g and recent state legislative attempts are doing and will continue to do to our town's ability to keep open and green spaces as well as deal with the exacerbating of the flood issue with more impervious surfaces that come with construction.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

I bring a private business background, close to four decades of civic service, experience as a local legislator on the RTM, 11 years in the state legislator as an assistant Republican leader, the chairmanship on many boards, and the honor of serving the last two years as First Selectman to the voters.

Accomplishments:

We have accomplished many of the goals stated in 2019, and have done so while leading our town during the worst pandemic in over 100 years. We have moved new projects forward, getting long stalled ones done, and continue to look at things in a way that both respects our past and embraces a bright and bold future.

A blight ordinance was passed, environmental initiatives such as more recycling items added to our list of materials not going into the waste stream, a waste disposal committee, an energy management committee, sustainability committee, two electric vehicle charging stations at Town Hall, the first ever for our town, saving the air rights to a valuable town asset while maintaining a working relationship with partner/developer, addressing the nearly $5 million waste disposal cost/deficit with a new system that nearly covers the full cost, pedestrian friendly business districts, beautification projects with private partnerships, a reorganized GFD, enhanced GPD, and community forums/public hearings for each part of town are just some of what was accomplished these past two years.

Other issues:

Communication, whether in weekly e-blasts to the town's residents, or in the form of public hearings, or attention to each and every part of town through focus groups/committees dedicated to public safety and aesthetic enhancements has, I believe, defined Lauren and my first term in office. We listen, we learn, and we lead.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

A fourth generation resident, I have served my hometown throughout my whole adult life. Whether as a volunteer or as a public servant, public service is my passion. Each position I take, or cause I advocate for, is done with a strong sense of pride in my hometown, with a vision for a future that promises to make Greenwich the best town in the nation, and even more of a destination.