Summary

Committee Revises Proposed Town Budget

GreenwichMar 3, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The committee approved multiple changes to Greenwich's proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budgets, including removing $3.5 million for a multi-use trail project that will not proceed, adding $296,657 for a replacement police boat, and appropriating $300,000 for Sound Beach volunteer fire equipment and a support vehicle.

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Resiliency Infrastructure Improvement Project

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Board of Estimate & Taxation Budget Committee

Topics discussed

TransportationBudget & TaxPublic Safety

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What this means

The votes changed proposed operating and capital spending but did not constitute final adoption of the town budget. The committee reduced or deferred several projects and expenses, while adding funding for public safety, records-request staffing, and emergency equipment. The Byram River bridge, Dorothy Hamill Rink, employee health costs, and certain outside-entity conditions were left for further review or action at the full Board of Estimate and Taxation's March 31 Decision Day.

Key decisions

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Reduced the Law Department budget by $12,000 by eliminating print subscriptions.
Reduced Fire Department water service funding by $100,000 to $1.37 million.
Increased Police Department general services funding by $124,640 for approximately 1.3 positions, including an additional public-records clerk and a full-time property and evidence clerk.
Reduced Health Administration temporary salaries by $48,328 to $15,608 in a 3-1 vote.
Reduced debt principal and interest repayment by $1.077 million to reflect amortization of the 2026 bond premium.
Reduced Nathaniel Witherell electric service funding by $85,199 to hold it at the fiscal year 2026 level; the facility's census was reported at approximately 150 of 202 beds.
Approved a new $1.1 million capital project appropriation to acquire a water-supply tanker for the Round Hill Volunteer Fire Company.
Appropriated $300,000 for the Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Company: $150,000 for a support vehicle and $150,000 for fleet optimization and rescue equipment.
Added $296,657 for a replacement Police Boat 124.
Removed $3.5 million from the fiscal year 2028 capital plan for the Greenwich-Stamford multi-use trail project, which the committee said will not proceed.
Removed $400,000 for the Grigg Street bollard sidewalk project.
Deferred the $250,000 Resiliency Infrastructure Improvement Project by one year.
Removed $420,000 for Horseneck Building demolition to allow consideration of alternative municipal uses and broader facility planning.
Reduced the proposed deletion for Roger Sherman Baldwin Park from $1 million to $750,000, leaving $250,000 in the budget.
Left the proposed employee health premium increase of $1.505 million unresolved after the motion was withdrawn for further review.
Took no vote on the Dorothy Hamill Rink replacement project; anticipated conditions include review of the operating plan, Municipal Improvement approval, and a private fundraising objective.
Made no change to the current $4 million appropriation for the Byram River bridge project, while noting the town's share could approach $10 million over two budget years and that conditions may be considered later.

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