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Peter Tesei's Remarks to the RTM
December 10, 2007: Good evening Mr. moderator and ladies and gentlemen of the RTM. First, I wish to congratulate all of you who were elected or re-elected to the RTM - I look forward to continuing to work with you as First Selectman.
I also want to take a moment to update you on several matters before the town:
1. WATER CONSERVATION - reservoir levels for Aquarion Water Company's Greenwich System remain just below 27% keeping the Town of Greenwich and several other surrounding towns under a Drought Advisory. Typically, water levels are at 70%. According to the Drought Response Plan adopted in 1995, once reservoirs levels fall to 25%, a Drought Watch will be issued and all of the towns serviced will put in place mandatory restrictions. Along with Greenwich, this includes the Town and City of Rye and the Villages of Rye Brook and Port Chester. Representatives from the towns and the water company will continue to meet every two weeks until the drought advisory is lifted.
2. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS COMMITTEE - I have spoken of the need to increase the transparency of the Capital Improvement Project process and I request each arm of our Town government (RTM, BET & BOE) to select one of their members to act as an Ex-Officio member on the CIP Committee. It is my hope this small measure will help to broaden understanding and support for this Plan.
3. NOMINATIONS TO BOARDS & COMMISSIONS - There are 33 nominations pending before the Board of Selectman. The new Board has begun to interview incumbents and will act this Thursday (12/ 13) on approximately 1/3 of the nominations. Given that 2/3 of the Board of Selectmen is new, we want to take the time and care to properly review the nominations.
4. HAMILTON AVENUE SCHOOL - I am taking an active role in seeing that this project gets on track. Any further delay impacts the school district's focus. There will be an interim appropriation submitted by the Building Committee, which should complete the project. At a later date - the Building Committee will address issues between the contracted parties and reconcile the differences. Our first priority is to see that the project is completed by the end of this school year.
5. 2008-2009 Budget - Town Departments have submitted their budget requests as of December 1st, per our Charter. I will be reviewing them over the next several weeks and sitting down with Department Heads to discuss them in detail. Generally speaking the outlook on the overall budget is good - there are some challenges we will address during the course of my meetings with Department heads.
Thank you for the time accorded this evening. I look forward to working with you during the 08-09 term.
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