Greenwich Officials Say Good-Bye to Town Administrator

When the Greenwich Board of Selectmen met last week, it was the last meeting in which they were to call upon Town Administrator John Crary for his guidance and advice.

The 65-year-old Crary capped his public service career on Friday when he officially retired from the post he had held since 2007.

First Selectman Peter Tesei led a standing ovation for Crary at the selectmen’s May 14 meeting. Later that evening Crary was feted by Tesei and the selectmen, and about 60 town officials and employees who gathered at the Milbrook Club.

Among the retirement gifts was a large caricature of Crary standing in front of Greenwich Town Hall and a clown sitting at the rooftop pergola. “He is a fan of clowns and we thought he would enjoy this,” Tesei said.

Crary announced his retirement last December and said he would stay through the municipal budget process. The budget process culminated with the May 11 approval by the Representative Town Meeting.

Greenwich Board of Education Managing Director of Operations Ben Branyan of Stratford has been appointed Crary’s successor. Branyan will take over July 1.

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