Greenwich selectmen expand Commission on Aging, approve flag requests

Board of Selectmen · Meeting of July 9, 2026

Greenwich selectmen expand Commission on Aging, defer crane parking closure. The Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 to grow the Commission on Aging from seven to nine members, with Selectperson Rachel Khanna calling the change a way to make the board "more proactive." Selectwoman Lauren Rabin pushed developer Peter Radman of A.P. Construction to reconsider closing 78 municipal parking spaces on a weekend for a tower crane at 19 Benedict Place, warning Saturday is "a huge shopping day for Greenwich Avenue." First Selectman Fred Camillo said "there was probably no great time" and sent the request back for a second read July 23.

The board also approved flag raisings for the Ecuadorian community on Aug. 7 and GEMS' 40th anniversary on July 15, a conflict waiver for law firm Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky, and five board appointments, all unanimously.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,414 words

Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of July 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

First Selectman's and Selectwomen's Updates

Background and stakes: agenda items 3 and 4 give the first selectman and the two selectwomen a standing slot to report on town operations between voting items, and this meeting fell the week after the July 4 holiday and a weekend storm.

The question before the body: no vote was taken; these are informational reports.

Substantive content: First Selectman Fred Camillo credited Parks and Recreation for the July 4 weekend fireworks, held July 2 to avoid a forecast storm on the holiday itself, and thanked GEMS, the fire department, DPW and police. He praised Town Emergency Operations Director Joe Laucella and Jenny Larkin for keeping residents updated through a weekend storm and heat wave, calling Laucella "probably the best in the State of Connecticut." Camillo announced Mike Bocchino as the new Golf Course Operations Director at Griffith E. Harris Golf Course, working alongside golf pro Patrick Massi, and thanked DPW's Luigi Romano and Tom Caruso for the July 4 Town Hall ceremony setup. He reported the new DeCicco's supermarket in Glenville has stocked shelves and secured nearly all permits, with one outstanding land-owner issue before it can open. Camillo also described a statewide natural gas capacity problem affecting some renovation and new-construction projects; he said he met with Connecticut Natural Gas after Greenwich residents ran into capacity limits on rebuilt homes, and that Greenwich was the only municipality that had raised the issue with the utility, which he said also involves capacity constraints at Eversource and Aquarion. He said department heads, including staff member Margarita Albin, are working to ensure permit applications check capacity before approval. Separately, Camillo discussed a state law restricting municipalities from requiring off-street parking for projects of 16 units or fewer, which he said the town is working to address. He noted Greenwich earned a Tree City USA designation and that the town is pursuing wetlands restoration work at Mianus Pond in Cos Cob, including a possible water circulator recommended by the environmental affairs director, identified in discussion as Liz Beth Evans, and pruning work by the town's tree warden, identified as Greg Kramer.

Selectwoman Lauren Rabin reported that Central Middle School's new building is on track for students and staff to move in the third week of August, calling the final push "down to the wire." She said a new building committee will be needed for a Greenwich High School project involving a new pool, tennis courts and access driveway, with an application posted on the Selectmen's Nomination Advisory Committee website; she said the goal is to have the committee approved by the Representative Town Meeting in September. Selectperson Rachel Khanna reported on a ribbon cutting for a new iron fence at historic Putnam Hill Park, named for Revolutionary War figure Israel Putnam, and a ribbon cutting for new 24-hour smart composting bins at Binney Park, a partnership between the town's Conservation Department and Waste Free Greenwich. Khanna said she had fielded questions about solar panel installation at the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center and was told by DPW's Luigi Romano that the vendor, Green Skies, is working through permitting. She reported the Julian Curtiss School Building Committee has completed phases one and two, with a cafeteria renovation underway and a ribbon cutting planned for Sept. 14, and that Old Greenwich School's interior renovation and playground installation are proceeding.

The deliberation: Rabin connected the town's fireworks timing to a broader point about infrastructure: "A place needs the infrastructure before it has the development and not the other way around," she said, "which maybe that's too much common sense." Camillo agreed, tying the remark to his concerns about state housing mandates outpacing utility capacity.

Procedural steps and outcome: none; informational only.

Implications and what is next: the gas capacity issue and 16-unit parking mandate remain open policy concerns Camillo said the town would continue to press with state utilities and legislators. The Julian Curtiss ribbon cutting is scheduled for Sept. 14.

Old Business: Ecuadorian Flag Request

Background and stakes: this was a second read, continued from the June 25 meeting when the original requester could not attend.

The question before the body: whether to approve raising the Ecuadorian flag at Town Hall.

Substantive content: Juan Paredes, a town employee and member of the Ecuadorian Civic Committee of Fairfield County, a nonprofit that supports arts, culture, education and scholarships, requested the flag be raised Friday, Aug. 7, at 11:30 a.m., with a ceremony lasting 30 to 45 minutes.

Procedural steps and outcome: Rabin moved to approve the Aug. 7 flag raising; Khanna seconded. The board voted 3-0 to approve.

Implications and what is next: the ceremony is open to the public Aug. 7.

Old Business: Flag Policy Amendment

Background and stakes: Khanna first proposed clarifying language for the town's flag display policy at the June 25 meeting, working with Assistant Town Attorney Laura McGeachy, after fielding recurring questions about the flag-request process.

The question before the body: whether to hold a second read and vote on the amendment.

Substantive content: Khanna said she had received public comments she wanted to review with McGeachy before proceeding, and McGeachy was out of town.

Procedural steps and outcome: no vote taken. The item was continued to the July 23 meeting.

Implications and what is next: the policy, last revised July 24, 2025, remains unchanged pending the July 23 second read.

Old Business: Commission on Aging Expansion

Background and stakes: Khanna, the Selectmen's liaison to the Commission on Aging, first brought this request to the board June 25 on behalf of the commission itself, which cited growth in Greenwich's senior population and a desire to add members with skills such as marketing and elder-care expertise.

The question before the body: whether to approve expanding the commission from seven to nine regular members.

Substantive content: Khanna said the Commission on Aging, a resource for older adults since 1975, had already voted to approve the expansion at its own meeting and needed the Selectmen's sign-off. She noted an odd-numbered board avoids tie votes, an approach the town has used recently for other boards, including the Energy Management Advisory Committee.

The deliberation: "There is a sense that a larger board could do more and be more proactive," Khanna said. Camillo agreed. Recording Secretary Ken Borsuk noted the town still needs to formally document the change in governing paperwork, working with Lori Contadino, though Camillo clarified the vote could proceed regardless since no Representative Town Meeting approval is required.

Procedural steps and outcome: Rabin moved to approve; Khanna seconded. Approved 3-0.

Implications and what is next: the Commission on Aging can now recruit up to two additional members; interested residents were directed to the Selectmen's Nomination Advisory Committee website.

New Business: Tower Crane Variance, 19 Benedict Place

Background and stakes: A.P. Construction Company is building a new apartment development at 19 Benedict Place and, per its written request in the meeting packet dated ahead of the hearing, sought permission to close a municipal parking lot and extend construction hours over a weekend in October to erect a tower crane.

The question before the body: whether to approve closing the Benedict South municipal lot and extending construction hours on Oct. 3 and 4, 2026, and if so, which schedule to use.

Substantive content: Peter Radman of A.P. Construction, who appeared with colleague Ryan Sullivan, said the crane would replace a mobile crane that would otherwise need to be brought in and reset daily, and would remain on site roughly 18 months, coming down at the start of 2028. Parking Services has already approved closing the Benedict South lot, which Radman said totals 78 spaces south of Lewis Street, for Oct. 3 and 4. The company presented two schedules, one spanning Friday through Monday and a shorter Saturday-through-Sunday option, saying it preferred the two-day version. A.P. Construction is also seeking use of a private lot between the project site and St. Mary's Church, and said it would coordinate with the church on Sunday parking.

The deliberation: Rabin pushed back on a weekend closure, noting Saturday is a heavy shopping day on Greenwich Avenue and Sunday brings church traffic. "How about not do it on a Saturday, which is like a huge shopping day for Greenwich Avenue," she said, adding the company might "want to disrupt that area the least" given both church and shopping traffic fall on the weekend. Camillo acknowledged the point but noted weekday closures would also disrupt business traffic: "There be a lot of people using the Avenue during the work week and there was probably no great time," he said, while indicating he would prefer the work be done in two days rather than three. Camillo said he would ask Deputy Chief of Police Jim Bonney to review whether any conflicting events were scheduled for that October weekend and to explore a "Plan B" for the lost spaces, such as shuttling.

Procedural steps and outcome: this was a first read; no vote was taken. Camillo said the board would revisit the request July 23, giving the public a chance to weigh in.

Implications and what is next: the closure would affect 78 municipal spaces for up to two days depending on which schedule the board ultimately approves; A.P. Construction said it would post signage in advance and has arranged tow-truck standby for the closure period.

New Business: GEMS Flag

Background and stakes: GEMS is marking the 40th anniversary of its founding as Greenwich's ambulance corps.

The question before the body: whether to approve flying the GEMS flag and waive a second read given the time-sensitive July 15 date.

Substantive content: GEMS Executive Director Tracy Schietinger requested the flag be raised July 15 at 1 p.m. on the Town Hall steps, with the public invited.

The deliberation: Camillo said the town was "blessed" to have GEMS and credited the organization's response times with saving "many, many lives."

Procedural steps and outcome: the board waived the second read. Rabin moved to approve; Khanna seconded. Approved 3-0.

Implications and what is next: the flag-raising ceremony is set for July 15 at 1 p.m.

New Business: St. Roch's Feast Road Closure

Background and stakes: St. Roch Church has held its summer feast, and an accompanying road closure, for close to a century; the board reviews the closure annually as the town's traffic authority.

The question before the body: whether to approve closing St. Roch's Avenue between Hamilton Avenue and Alexander Street for the feast, Aug. 12-15.

Substantive content: Father Peter Lenox, pastor of St. Roch Church, requested the closure for feast hours of 5 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Khanna asked whether an agreement between Hamilton Avenue School and the church covering potential property damage had been signed for 2026; Lenox confirmed it had, with paperwork and police, fire and insurance approvals still in process. Khanna requested copies of the permits and insurance agreements once finalized. Rabin noted the board had not previously requested such copies from the church or other event organizers.

The deliberation: Resident and property owner Laureen Taylor, appearing by Zoom and identifying her family's ties to Greenwich's Byram section, asked whether a Religious Services Permit applied to the feast's separate Sunday procession and statue-carrying tradition, held Aug. 16. Camillo told her the procession was not part of the road-closure request under consideration and declined to expand the discussion. "This is nothing controversial," Camillo said. "It has nothing to do with the procession. This is a tiny road closing from Hamilton Avenue to Alexander Street."

Procedural steps and outcome: this was a first read; no vote was taken. Camillo said the item would return for a vote July 23.

Implications and what is next: the closure, if approved, would run through the four days of the feast; the separate Sunday procession is not part of the town's review.

New Business: 299 Riverside Avenue Historic Property Study

Background and stakes: Historic Properties of Greenwich submitted an application to the Historic District Commission proposing the Captain Charles Hendrie House at 299 Riverside Avenue for local historic property designation.

The question before the body: whether to appoint the Historic District Commission as a study committee to investigate the designation.

Substantive content: Jackie Wetenhall, executive director of Historic Properties of Greenwich, told the board the house, built around 1840, is one of the town's earliest examples of Greek Revival architecture, sits on 0.67 of an acre, and originally anchored an 80-acre parcel later split by a rail line built in 1848. A submitted report identifies the property on an 1890 town map under owner Joshua Hendrie and calls it likely the oldest surviving Hendrie family house in town.

The deliberation: Camillo said he had not realized the property, near the town's Hendrie Avenue, was as old as described. Rabin noted the value of historic maps in tracing Greenwich's founding families.

Procedural steps and outcome: this was a first read; no vote was taken. Camillo said the board would take it up again July 23.

Implications and what is next: if the study committee is appointed, the Historic District Commission would review the property before any formal designation vote.

New Business: Wallace Center Interior Renovation Presentation

Background and stakes: the Wallace Center, home to Greenwich's Commission on Aging programming, has been the subject of a multi-year renovation design effort; architects told the board the project is nearing completion of its design phase.

The question before the body: this was a presentation, not a vote, intended to update the board before the project goes out to bid.

Substantive content: Thomas Arcari and Erika Roberts of Quisenberry/ArcariaMalik, LLC, of Farmington, presented near-final floor plans. On the lower level, the firm proposed expanding underused space into additional multi-function and arts-and-crafts space with new patio access. On the upper level, administrative offices would move from the building's south side to the north, freeing the south-facing space, formerly offices, for an expanded exercise and fitness area connected by an operable partition to an adjoining activity room, effectively doubling the center's concurrent programming capacity within the existing footprint. The plan adds a members' lounge, described as new social space the center currently lacks, and a smaller conference room usable by both staff and members. Roberts presented interior renderings showing upgraded finishes, new lighting, acoustical wall panels, and glass panels to bring natural light into a currently dark main corridor. Arcari said the project is being coordinated with a separate town sustainability and energy-upgrade initiative for the building, including designing the new heating and cooling system to allow future integration with a geothermal field.

The deliberation: Lori Contadino, identified by Camillo as a leader on the project and of the Commission on Aging and Wallace Center, along with members of the Friends of the Wallace Center, told the board the group is preparing to launch a capital campaign because of concern about a potential funding gap between the design as presented and available construction funds. Camillo called the renovation "very much needed" and "overdue."

Procedural steps and outcome: no vote was taken; this was informational.

Implications and what is next: the firm said it intends to move the project out to bid soon; the Friends of the Wallace Center capital campaign will attempt to close any remaining funding gap.

New Business: Conflict Waiver, Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky, LLP

Background and stakes: a June 22, 2026 letter in the meeting packet, signed by attorney Adam J. Blank of the firm, explains that Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky represents the town in two pending property tax appeals in Connecticut Superior Court, identified in the letter as LDD Properties LLC v. Town of Greenwich and Rocky Point Club Inc. v. Town of Greenwich. Separately, the letter states, owner Connecticut Land Holdings, LLC has asked the firm to represent it on permitting and a sewer-repair dispute involving three subdivided lots at 106 Glenville Road.

The question before the body: whether to waive any conflict of interest under Rule 1.7 of the Connecticut Rules of Professional Conduct so the firm can continue representing the town while also representing the private client.

Substantive content: Town Attorney Barbara Schellenberg told the board this is standard practice for law firms guarding against a future conflict, said a different attorney would handle the land-use matter with no overlap, and said the client would separately sign its own waiver.

The deliberation: Schellenberg said "there really is no clear conflict at this point in time," but framed the waiver as routine due diligence. Camillo agreed the board should continue its practice of voting on such waivers.

Procedural steps and outcome: the board waived a second read. Rabin moved to approve the waiver; Khanna seconded. Approved 3-0.

Implications and what is next: the firm may now represent both the town in its pending tax appeals and Connecticut Land Holdings, LLC in the Glenville Road land-use matter.

Appointments and Nominations

Background and stakes: the board routinely fills vacancies and renews terms on town boards and commissions, typically after Selectmen's Nomination Advisory Committee vetting conducted in executive session at prior meetings.

The question before the body: whether to approve five appointments and nominations submitted in advance.

Substantive content: Rabin moved, in a single combined motion, to appoint Tom Afton as a new regular member of the Energy Management and Advisory Committee (seat R9) for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2029; to nominate Mary Shaw Marks as a returning regular member of the Historic District Commission (R4) for a term expiring Oct. 31, 2031; to nominate Troy Johnson as a new alternate member of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency (A1) for a term expiring Oct. 31, 2028; to nominate Arthur Delmhorst as a returning regular member of the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals (R2) for a term expiring Oct. 31, 2030; and to appoint Nancy Duffy as a returning regular member of the Selectmen's Nomination Advisory Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2029.

Procedural steps and outcome: Khanna seconded; the board approved all five appointments 3-0 in one vote.

Implications and what is next: all five terms take effect immediately, filling seats on four boards.

First Selectman Fred Camillo, presiding, present. Selectwoman Lauren Rabin, present. Selectperson Rachel Khanna, present. Recording Secretary Ken Borsuk, prepared the minutes. Town Attorney Barbara Schellenberg, presented the conflict-waiver request.

Public commenters and presenters: Juan Paredes, town employee, Ecuadorian Civic Committee of Fairfield County, requesting the Ecuadorian flag raising. Peter Radman, A.P. Construction Company, requesting the tower crane variance; appeared with colleague Ryan Sullivan. Tracy Schietinger, GEMS executive director, requesting the GEMS flag raising. Father Peter Lenox, pastor of St. Roch Church, requesting the road closure for St. Roch's Feast. Laureen Taylor, former Greenwich resident and current property owner connected to the Byram section, spoke by Zoom on permitting questions. Jackie Wetenhall, executive director, Historic Properties of Greenwich, presenting the 299 Riverside Avenue study request. Thomas Arcari and Erika Roberts, Quisenberry/ArcariaMalik, LLC, presenting the Wallace Center renovation design. Lori Contadino, Friends of the Wallace Center and Commission on Aging leadership, spoke on the capital campaign.

A.P. Construction Company — general contractor for 19 Benedict Place, requesting the tower crane parking variance in item 6(a). Ecuadorian Civic Committee of Fairfield County — nonprofit Juan Paredes represented in the flag-raising request. GEMS (Greenwich Emergency Medical Service) — marking its 40th anniversary, subject of the flag request in item 6(b). St. Roch Church — organizer of the annual St. Roch's Feast, subject of the road closure request in item 6(c). Historic Properties of Greenwich — nonprofit that submitted the application to study 299 Riverside Avenue for historic designation. Quisenberry/ArcariaMalik, LLC — Farmington-based architecture firm presenting the Wallace Center renovation design. Friends of the Wallace Center — support organization planning a capital campaign to close a funding gap in the renovation project. Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky, LLP — law firm granted a conflict waiver in item 6(f) to represent both the town in tax appeals and a private client in a Glenville Road land-use matter. Connecticut Land Holdings, LLC — owner/contract seller of 106 Glenville Road identified in the firm's June 22, 2026 waiver-request letter. Connecticut Natural Gas, Eversource and Aquarion — utilities Camillo cited in describing a statewide capacity issue affecting Greenwich building projects. Waste Free Greenwich — town partner on the new smart composting bins at Binney Park referenced in Khanna's update.