A New Era For The Greenwich Board Of Estimate And Taxation

GREENWICH, CT — It's a new era for the Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation.

Last week, the finance board held an organizational meeting to appoint leadership positions and standing committees for the current term.

Board newcomer Dan Ozizmir, a Republican, was appointed as chair. He takes over for fellow GOP member, Karen Fassuliotis, who served in the position since last summer following the resignation of Michael Mason.

Ozizmir was appointed by a vote of 11-1, with Fassuliotis nominating and voting for herself.

During his first chair report, Ozizmir said it's "not the time to discuss policies, priorities, actions."

"Tonight is about putting in place an organizational structure for the upcoming 2022-2023 BET term. I feel we have accomplished that," Ozizmir said.

He said getting appointed as chair is "a great honor and responsibility. Something I don't take lightly."

Ozizmir recently served on the Representative Town Meeting as Chair of the Labor Contracts Committee and Vice-Chair of the Budget Overview Committee.

In recent years, the BET has often been divided on spending issues, especially during the annual budget process, which has seen many party-line votes. The chair of the board wields a powerful tie-breaking vote. The board is split evenly between Democrats and Republicans.

Last Tuesday's organizational meeting went swiftly and without objection from either party.

"As chair, I will be serving my 12 colleagues. I will listen, communicate, support and collaborate with them, and I know they will do the same to me and each other. I ask the body and professionals to have patience with me as I assume this new role," Ozizmir said. "I am heartened by the collegial spirit we have seen tonight. In the future, we will have debates, successes and failures, but if we hold to this positive feeling of cooperation and teamwork, we will do great things for this town we love so much."

Other Positions

Other Republican newcomers were also elected to leadership positions. Michael Basham was elected as Vice Chair of the BET, and Nisha Arora was elected as clerk.

"Mike has served at a senior level in the government and in business over his career. In particular, he has served on the RTM, and as chair of the finance committee, secretary of the labor contracts committee, and numerous other leadership positions. I couldn't hope for a better vice chair," said Ozizmir.

Leslie Tarkington, who will again lead the BET's Budget Committee, said Arora has great attention to detail, which will serve her well as clerk.

"Nisha is an active volunteer in our town on a number of non-profit boards. Her business background managing operations of technology for investment management firms sets her apart for the clerk position," Tarkington said.

Fassuliotis did not vote for either nominee.

Leslie Moriarty will again be the leader for the BET's Democratic caucus.

"There are many new faces on this board, and I'm looking forward to adding these new ideas and approaches to these issues. I think change is always healthy for a board so we don't get set in our ways," Moriarty said. "Greenwich as a town has many strengths, but we also have many challenges. I don't think we'll always agree on solutions, but we have to make progress in those areas that remain unaddressed."

Standing committees are as follows:

Audit Committee

• Basham, chair (R)
• Bill Drake (R)
• Jeff Ramer (D)
• David Weisbrod (D)

Budget Committee

• Tarkington, chair (R)
• Arora (R)
• Erickson (D)
• Moriarty (D)

Human Resources Committee

• Drake, chair (R)
• Miriam Kreuzer (D)
• Ozizmir (R)
• Stephen Selbst (D)

Investments Committee

• Drake, chair (R)
• Basham (R)
• Kreuzer (D)
• Weisbrod (D)

Law Committee

• Fassuliotis, chair (R)
• Selbst (D)

Policy and Procedures Committee

• Drake, chair (R)
• Selbst (D)