Greenwich Selectmen Sworn In

It seemed fitting that the Greenwich Board of Selectmen were sworn in on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend Sunday evening as they thanked family, friends and supporters for their overwhelming support that led to their election.

Greenwich Republicans and Democrats gathered at Town Hall for the standing room only swearing in ceremony for First Selectman Peter Tesei and Selectmen Drew Marzullo and John Toner. The gathering drew dozens of town employees, department heads, members of the Board of Estimate and Taxation, Board of Education, the Representative Town Meeting, as well as the town’s federal and state legislative delegation. State Rep. Livvy Floren was the master of ceremony.

There were jokes and political pokes made during the speeches. However, the underlying theme in the speeches by all three men was a commitment to continue the spirit of bipartisan cooperation to continue to move Greenwich ahead.

After being sworn in by Connecticut State Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald, Marzullo said, “I look forward to our continued collaboration and spirited debate.” That collaboration, said the Democrat who’s beginning his fourth term, is the “reason our board is successful.”

Marzullo said his goals for the next two years include the building of a backcountry fire station in the town’s northwest corner and to build a new New Lebanon School. Marzullo joked that after Tesei beat his Democratic challenger Frank Farricker with 75 percent of the vote, “another priority is to have the board approve the widening of the doors to Peter’s office so that he can fit his head in.”

Toner, who was sworn in to his first full two-year term by Town Clerk Carmella Budkins, said he was thankful for the support of voters and promised “to work enthusiastically for all citizens of Greenwich.” Toner was appointed in January to fill the vacancy created by the death of Selectman Dave Theis who was in the middle of his third term.

As she has four previous times, former First Selectman Rebecca Breed administered the oath of office to Tesei, who described her as his political mentor.

“I am thankful and humbled that the people of the town of Greenwich have placed their trust in me,” Tesei said.

Tesei said that the Nov. 3 election shows “a resounding mandate to retain our beloved Greenwich as the premiere community to live and raise a family.” After thanking his wife Jill “for being the ultimate team player,” Tesei took a moment to chastise his opponent. Without naming him, Tesei said, “We have seen a lack of respect … This town needs us to be a cohesive body and to maintain civility and respect.”

Tesei then quoted President John F. Kennedy, who in his 1961 inaugural speech said, “So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”

His priorities for the next two years include additional staffing for the Greenwich Fire Department as well as building the backcountry fire station, Tesei said. Tesei challenged the 12-member Board of Estimate and Taxation, most of whom attended the ceremony, to “make a sincere decision” on the fire house. “We have given you all of the information and data.”

Tesei also pledged to work on making improvements on the aging Cardinal Stadium at Greenwich High School and to “continue to advocate for a later school start.” The Greenwich Board of Education is contemplating whether to change school start times for high school students.

During his invocation, the Rev. Ian Jeremiah of St. Michael the Archangel parish, recalled Theis and “to bless him in God’s arms as we come upon the anniversary of his passing.” To honor his memory, Tesei played a recording of Theis’s favorite song, Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the USA.’ Many in the crowd sang along.

Photos: The Nov. 29 swearing in of Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei, Selectmen Drew Marzullo and John Toner. Credit: Barbara Heins.