Selectmen Sworn In, New Term Begins In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — Members of the Greenwich Board of Selectmen were sworn in Monday night in a ceremony at the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, marking the start of a new term in office for incumbent Republicans First Selectman Fred Camillo and Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, and Democratic Selectwoman Rachel Khanna, a newcomer.

Over 200 members of the community, including residents and other local elected officials, gathered in the civic center's multi-purpose space for the ceremony which featured a presentation of colors, musical performances from resident Ruby Durant, invocations from faith leaders, and brief remarks from the board.

Camillo, a Greenwich native and former state representative, became the town's chief elected official in 2019, and handily earned re-election nods in 2021 and 2023.

The Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center served as a symbolic backdrop for Camillo, who has been a strong proponent of public/private partnerships to get big projects done in town.

Talks about building a new civic center stretched back as far as the 1980s, and in the mid-90s, the town put together a task force to work on coming up with plans for a new facility.

However, there was no movement on a potential project, and the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center fell further into disrepair.

A new $25 million facility opened in April.

Notably, the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation donated $5 million for naming rights to the entire building, and former state Sen. L. Scott Frantz and his wife, Icy Frantz, donated $500,000 for naming rights to the civic center's gymnasium -- donations that helped push the project across the finish line.

Camillo used his remarks Monday to remind many of the elected officials in the audience about getting projects done in a timely manner.

"We lost three decades and millions of dollars," Camillo said of the failed attempts at replacing the civic center. "The challenge to the town, and a lot of people in here who are public officials and volunteers, is getting to 'yes' quicker. That's the kind of money we don't get back. Yes, thoroughly vet, ask the good questions, the town has always done that and will continue to do that, but let's get it done quicker."

Democrats collected the most votes in November to earn chairmanship of the powerful Board of Estimate and Taxation for just the second time in recorded history. The chair holds the tie-breaking vote, which routinely comes into play during important budget deliberations.

Camillo said he believes there will be "a spirit of cooperation" on the BET going forward to keep taxes low and affordable and to get projects done so price tags don't escalate.

"This [civic center] is a great start but I always tell people, history doesn't remember the obstructions, history doesn't remember the slow-walkers. It remembers those who got things done by working together," Camillo said. "Two years from now, let us not talk about what we wanted to do, let us talk about what we did together. Thank you all, God bless, and let's get to work."

Rabin returns to the Board of Selectmen having been Camillo's running-mate since 2019. She looked back on the board's work in recent years and looked forward to continuing to serve all residents.

"Over the past six years, we've faced challenges, taken on big projects and made real progress together. We strengthened public safety, modernized technology and advanced school construction, improved accessibility and embraced the spirit of transparency that has brought more people into the process," Rabin said.

She noted the town will continue to focus on safe travel across town, support its schools, conduct thoughtful capital planning, advance "long-overdue" infrastructure improvements, and ensure residents can access and benefit town services.

"And we'll do it the Greenwich way that works best - respectfully, collaboratively and with an eye toward fiscal responsibility and long-term stability," Rabin said.

"My commitment remains the same as it did on day one - to show up, to listen and to work for every part of town, whether you voted for me or not. Greenwich never rests on past successes, and neither will I," Rabin added. "I will bring the same energy, optimism, and steady approach that has guided me since December of 2019. Because this is our shared home, and every decision we make together will strengthen it for today and for future generations to come."

Khanna comes to the Board of Selectmen after serving as state representative in the 149th District from 2022-2024. She previously served on the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting in District 10.

Khanna said she moved to the United States from France at the age of 8. Her mother insisted on sending her to school with gourmet sandwiches for lunch, but all she wanted was a bologna sandwich like her fellow classmates - who made fun of her English accent.

"Needless to say, I never imagined that one day I'd become a state legislator, and now selectwoman for Greenwich, which has been my family's home for the past 25 years, and where my husband and I have raised our four daughters, six dogs and two cats. It's a true honor to serve you in this new role," Khanna said.

Khanna noted her experiences growing up in the U.S. taught her "to seize opportunities, work hard, and do what was necessary to adapt to my new surroundings."

"So as selectwoman, you can count on me to never shy away from a challenge, to approach everything with an open mind, to listen, and to foster inclusion and belonging, because we thrive when we work together," Khanna added.

"The opportunity to serve as selectwoman is an enormous privilege, and I don't take it lightly. I'm here to serve everyone, across the age and political spectrums, and I'll look out for all the families and businesses who call Greenwich home. I promise to lead with transparency and accountability, and look forward to serving all of you."

Democrat Janet Stone McGuigan did not run for re-election to the board. She washonored during her final Board of Selectmen meeting last month.

The first scheduled meeting of the new Board of Selectmen is set for Dec. 8 at 4 p.m.