Greenwich selectmen table flag slate vote, review harbor rules
Board of Selectmen · Meeting of January 8, 2026
Greenwich selectmen table a vote on the town's 2026 flag-raising calendar for two weeks. First Selectman Fred Camillo walked through a growing list of annual flag requests, now dozens strong, saying the board reviews it yearly in part because "the meanings of flags have changed." Selectman Lauren Rabin said the town's flag policy, adopted last July, requires 30 days' notice and review at two meetings before approval. Jenny Larkin of the Harbor Management Commission presented mooring-regulation revisions ahead of a February 9 public hearing, telling the board "you are not required to vote on these revisions." Selectman Rachel Connor reported Wastefree Greenwich will launch a smart-bin food-scrap recycling program in March; food waste makes up 22 percent of the town's trash.
The board approved December 23 meeting minutes 3-0 twice and adjourned 3-0.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 919 words
Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of January 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
The Full Article
GREENWICH — January 8, 2026 — The Greenwich Board of Selectmen opened its first meeting of 2026 by approving routine December minutes, then turned to two pieces of unfinished business: a first read of this year's town flag-raising calendar and a set of proposed revisions to the town's 2017 mooring regulations.
No dollar figures or contested tallies dominated Thursday's session. The board voted 3-0 twice to approve minutes from its December 23 regular and special meetings, then heard updates on the Central Middle School and Julian Curtis School building projects, a March launch date for a new food-scrap recycling program, and an appeals process for the town's new school-zone speed cameras.
The Full Story
First Selectman Fred Camillo opened with a brief update, noting a ribbon-cutting for a new veterinary eye center and a meeting with credit rating agencies that he said went well. He is scheduled to present certificates to Greenwich High School championship teams Monday and to speak at events for the United Way, the Greenwich Association of Realtors and the Riverside Association later in January.
Selectman Lauren Rabin told the board that the Citizens Police Advisory Committee will sit on an appeals panel for drivers who contest school-zone speed camera tickets, giving residents a third layer of review after the camera vendor and Greenwich police officers each check the data. Rabin also said the Central Middle School building committee has hit unexpected costs tied to insufficient water flow from Aquarion Water Company and additional fire-safety work required by the town's new fire marshal, adding expense to the project beyond original estimates. She noted an open seat on the Nathaniel Witherell board, with applications available through the town's volunteer portal.
Selectman Rachel Connor thanked the Department of Public Works and Greenwich police for their response to a December 26 snowstorm she said was the region's biggest since 2022. She said Wastefree Greenwich will launch a "smart bin" food-scrap recycling program in March, placing secure, QR-code-accessible units at Binney Park and Cos Cob Park. Food waste makes up 22 percent of the town's trash, Connor said. She also reported that the Julian Curtis School building committee's elevator and front-entrance phases are nearing completion, with bidder interviews for a third phase set for next week and a contract award expected by the end of January.
Jenny Larkin, representing the Harbor Management Commission's mooring committee, presented redlined revisions to the town's 2017 mooring regulations, developed over roughly four to five hours of committee review in coordination with Harbor Master Paul Capelli. Larkin said the commission has independent authority to set the regulations and does not need board approval, but is giving selectmen 30 days' notice ahead of a public hearing scheduled for February 9.
"You are not required to vote on these revisions, and I confirmed that with the town attorney yesterday," Larkin said.
Camillo then opened discussion of the 2026 slate of approved flag raisings, a list that has grown from roughly eight annual flags to dozens of requests as traditions like Columbus Day and St. Patrick's Day raisings have been joined by newer requests. He said the town now reviews the list annually in part because the meaning of some flags has changed over time, citing a police flag he was warned against re-flying because of its adoption by an extremist group. He said the town owns most of the flags outright, including armed-services flags obtained through the Department of Public Works, and that the American Legion's Post 29, under John McCormack, will take a larger role organizing veterans' flag ceremonies this year.
Rabin noted that the board's flag policy, adopted last July, requires 30 days' advance notice and review at two regularly scheduled board meetings before a new flag request is approved.
"We do want to ensure that we have a transparent and fair process for all," Rabin said.
Camillo said the flag slate will return for a vote in two weeks after members and the public have time to review it.
"I don't particularly like having cameras all over the place either, but if it gets people to slow down, I think that's a good thing," Camillo said of the speed camera program.
Why It Matters
Two long-running capital projects picked up added cost and schedule detail Thursday. The Central Middle School project now carries extra expense tied to water-supply and fire-safety requirements the town says it must absorb to keep the school safe, though no total figure was given. The Julian Curtis School project is entering its final construction phase, with a contractor selection expected January 23 and a contract award by month's end. Residents will also see the town's new speed-camera appeals process take shape, giving drivers a formal path to contest tickets before the Citizens Police Advisory Committee.
Key Motions & Votes
- Vote: Approve minutes of the December 23, 2025 regular meeting Tally: For: 3, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 3 - Vote: Approve minutes of the December 23, 2025 special meeting Tally: For: 3, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 3 - Action: First read of the 2026 Town of Greenwich flag-raising slate — Continued to the board's next meeting, in approximately two weeks, for a vote - Action: Harbor Management Commission mooring regulation revisions — Referred to public hearing scheduled for February 9, 2026; no board vote required - Vote: Adjournment Tally: For: 3, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 3
Source
Greenwich Community Television: Board of Selectmen meeting, January 8, 2026