Greenwich RTM Approves $481.2 Million Budget

GREENWICH, CT — Unlike marathon meetings in the past, the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting swiftly approved a $481.2 million, fiscal year 2024 budget Monday night by a vote of 197 in favor, seven opposed and two abstentions. The budget represents an increase of about $16 million over the current year's spending plan.

The reason for the relatively quick, two-and-a-half hour meeting was because just one item was cut without any debate. The town's legislative body voted 183 in favor, 13 opposed and nine abstentions to delete $950,000 which was put aside to design a new Dorothy Hamill ice rink.

However, should the project receive Municipal Improvement status from the town first, the money is expected to be put forward in the coming weeks or months as an interim appropriation.

Bill Drake, a Board of Estimate and Taxation member and chair of the Dorothy Hamill Rink User Committee for Design & Planning, sent an email earlier in the day Monday to RTM members urging them to support the Budget Overview Committee's (BOC) motion to cut the rink funds.

"Deleting this item... will allow the department of public works to bring the rink back in a month or a few months as an interim appropriation after municipal improvement approval by the Board of Selectmen, the Planning & Zoning Commission and the RTM," Drake explained Monday night during the RTM meeting.

"A methodical and close review in the next weeks of this project has everyone's support. It has the support of the selectman's office, it has the support of the BET, it has support of the Rink User Committee for Design and Planning, it has the support of many RTM members and many RTM committees," Drake added. "I hope it earns your support, too. Everyone wants a rink, and everyone wants MI to be done. So let's build a high quality project with your support, and everyone's support."

BOC Chair Lucia Jansen recounted the history of the rink project, its "erratic trajectory" and how it has gone through a few iterations, which has raised questions among planning & zoning commissioners, RTM members and other stakeholders in the rink project.

"Since 2021, the RTM has rejected, twice, the BET's proposed May budget appropriations with conditions that bypasses receiving [Municipal Improvement] since the RTM rightfully does not want to cede its budget authority to the BET," Jansen said. "I do want to state very emphatically and strongly. There is widespread support among RTM members for the Hamill rink replacement. Today there are sufficient funds for municipal improvement and everyone in this room is anxious for that to get done."

First Selectman Fred Camillo, a champion for a new ice rink in town, took to social media following Monday's budget vote.

"Another shout out to Bill Drake and the rink committee for getting the new rink project back on track," Camillo tweeted. "We look forward to MI status approval, interim appropriation, and ultimately a brand new Dorothy Hamill Rink in Greenwich! The reset was needed and greatly appreciated!"

The approved budget features a capital spending plan of $111.4 million.

Included in that, of note, is $67.5 million for Central Middle School replacement; $4 million for Greenwich High School soil remediation; $10 million for Western Middle School soil remediation; $800,000 for Julian Curtiss renovations; and $1.89 million for the replacement of the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center.

Before the budget vote, BET Chair Dan Ozizmir spoke briefly about the spending plan.

"The fiscal '24 budget represents values, priorities and required thoughtful choices. A successful budget should fund our operating budgets, invest in our community, respond to changes in circumstances and opportunities, and ensure that our taxes continue to be affordable and our debt burdens remain prudent," Ozizmir said. "I believe our fiscal '24 budget achieved all of these goals."

The RTM on Monday night also voted to a approve two bonding resolutions — one for capital at $94.6 million, and another for the sewer maintenance fund at $350,000.