Greenwich Selectmen Sworn Into Office

GREENWICH, CT — The Board of Selectmen for the Town of Greenwich was sworn into office on Wednesday night at the Arch Street Teen Center.

First Selectman Fred Camillo and Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, both Republicans, are back in office for a second term. Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan, a Democrat, is entering her first term.

After taking the oath from Judge Wayne Keeney, Camillo, a Greenwich native and the son of a United States Marine Corps drill sergeant, said he never could have imagined growing up and becoming first selectman. He reflected on the last two years, which he called "unprecedented."

"It was a difficult two years. But there's an old saying, 'Within every crisis lies an opportunity.' Boy, we had crisis after crisis, but that meant there was opportunity after opportunity," Camillo said. "Through resilience, determination and imagination, we not only got through them, we came out of them stronger, more unified, more effective and more efficient than ever before."

Despite the start of the first global pandemic in 100 years, flooding and superstorms that impacted the town, and civil unrest at the national level, Camillo said Greenwich was able to focus and accomplish important goals.

He mentioned enhancing local streets and making them more pedestrian friendly, establishing a blight ordinance to deal with dilapidated properties, increasing recycling and decreasing municipal solid waste, moving to outdoor dining, and implementing public/ private partnerships — especially for a new Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, and a new Greenwich Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) Station 4.

But the past is the past, Camillo said, and now it's time to focus on the future.

"I pledge to you, with your prayers, your patience, your passion and your partnership, that we'll continue on the road we started two years ago. We want to make sure that the door is open, and we'll continue to listen, learn and lead, so Greenwich, the greatest town in the nation, the town I love, will become even more of a destination in the years to come," Camillo added.

Rabin was sworn-in by Rich DiPreta, the former chair of Greenwich's Republican Town Committee. Rabin said she was "grateful" to serve the town for another two years.

She looked back on her childhood and the impact her grandfather, who was confined to a wheelchair, had on her life. He helped raise Rabin and her siblings while her single mother worked to provide for the family.

"And my grandmother was the kindest person I knew. They both instilled in me the notion to treat everyone with kindness and respect," Rabin added. "It's with that respect for my role that I commit to you that I will listen and look for ways to collaborate and compromise on solutions that benefit all."

As she enters her second term, Rabin said she will speak-up on things she believes will benefit the community.

"Whether it's support of our aging population or those striving to make ends meet, I want to make it easier for residents and businesses to avail themselves to all things Greenwich: the best place to live, work, stay and play," she said.

McGuigan, a former Representative Town Meeting member, was sworn-in by Rev. Mareta Hamre.

"I look forward to serving Greenwich with Fred and Lauren. I'm honored and humbled when I consider those who have served before," McGuigan said. "The office I've been elected to is larger than one person, and I feel empowered knowing I will not be alone. My door is always open, and I warmly welcome the community's guidance and advice."

McGuigan noted that she considers herself a "lifelong learner", and that she will listen, learn and work with people of all affiliations and backgrounds "to build working relationships, and seek input from the broadest range of perspectives."

L. Scott Frantz, a former State Senator for the 36th District, emceed the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday night. The ceremony featured the posting of the colors by the Greenwich Police Honor Guard and a performance of the National Anthem by Greenwich resident David Tovar.

Frantz worked with Camillo, a former State Representative in Hartford, for several years.

"A great town has to have fantastic leadership, and we're so lucky to have that in our town. We're one of the most respected towns in the state of Connecticut, and I'd argue nationally. We have great leadership in these folks here," Frantz said. "With Janet on the team, I think we have another two years of outstanding things to look forward to."

The new-look Board of Selectmen will hold its first regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 9.