Bipartisan Support on BET to Double Greenwich Property Tax Rate
One of the perks of being a realtor in Greenwich is meeting interesting people from all over the U.S. and the world. Last week, while showing high-end waterfront houses, I met a famous musician. We discussed the Greenwich Town Party and its history of hosting renowned musicians like Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, the Eagles, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. I mentioned that this year’s party was on May 25th.
The client found it amusing because his band was scheduled to play at MetLife Stadium on May 23rd and May 26th. Despite the late notice, I suggested that the Town Party could possibly accommodate him. With typical English reserve, he hesitated, but I assured him it would be no trouble and promised to make a few phone calls.
Unfortunately, the main stage was already fully booked with Mumford & Sons, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, and the Cameroons. However, I managed to persuade Bob Capazzo of Merlin to give up his band’s spot on the town stage at 10 am, on the condition that he received backstage photo rights and an interview.
Upon hearing this, my musician friend, who usually enjoyed sleeping in, agreed to the early start. He also expressed a desire to perform an acoustic set, inspired by Eric Clapton, and preferred a more intimate audience over the usual arena crowd filled with VIPs.
And that’s how Mick Jagger ended up scheduling an acoustic set on the town stage at 10 am for the first 100 purchasers of Community tickets.
BET in Surprise Move to Double Tax Rate
Over the past decade, Greenwich politics have become more partisan, but not to the extent that members won’t consider good ideas from the opposing party. With both sides claiming credit for the idea, the proposal to double Greenwich’s lowest-in-the-state mill rate appears to enjoy bipartisan support.
Some Republicans endorse the idea as a return to “pay-as-you-go” budgeting, reminiscent of previous decades. One dissenting Republican noted that with the town’s $174 million debt and current property tax revenue of around $420 million, a 41% increase in the mill rate could eliminate the debt in one year.
Democrats argue that given the high interest and inflation rates, investing in capital improvements now is prudent to avoid higher costs in the future. They propose allocating 59% of the increased taxes to build 13 new schools immediately, to prevent further cost escalation. For the 14th school, Old Greenwich Elementary, they suggest preserving its exterior while dropping a new school inside by helicopter.
Republicans question the feasibility of replacing all of the schools with $246 million. Democrats suggest doubling the rates for two years to complete the projects, enabling a large tax reduction thereafter, as new schools wouldn’t be needed for three decades.
Republicans advocate for a “One and Done” approach, while Democrats favor “Two for the Money.”
Army to Acquire Greenwich Point
The US Army has plans to relocate USAMRIID, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, to Greenwich Point. The Institute studies deadly pathogens such as Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fevers.
In the announcement, the commanding colonel highlighted the recent relocation of the Department of Agriculture’s National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility to Manhattan, Kansas from Plum Island NY. He pointed out that like Plum Island Greenwich Point is also a surrounded-by-water location. The existing guard house and narrow peninsula resemble USAMRIID’s security measures.
Additionally, the sandy beaches provide ideal training grounds for beach assault exercises. The colonel assured the reporters that compliance with Greenwich P&Z regulations, including FAR regulations, won’t be an issue. However, meeting the Green Area regulation might be challenging since most lab-area vegetation tends to turn brown.
Residents with scannable beach cards can still access the beaches on weekends, except during air or beach assaults. Families are advised to wear MOPP suits, which many already have from the Covid years.
Greenwich Restaurant to Receive Michelin Star
The Michelin Guide is rectifying its under-awarding of quality U.S. restaurants by adopting new award guidelines, entitled DEI-2. These guidelines prioritize diversity, entertainment, and recognition of Irish and Italian cuisine.
The Bruce Park Grill, known for its diverse late-night crowd and thin-crust Italian pizza, perfectly aligns with these criteria said the Guide representative. The bar offers entertainment with the oldest continuously active shuffleboard. The two “I” requirement he said is clearly met by Italian pizza from a bar owner of Irish heritage.
Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, however, was not happy about the Guide Michelin new DEI-2 policy. He was overheard saying, “How would they feel if I made it Quadruple D’s and started wearing a tux, got a Maserati, and did entire shows at upscale French restaurants.” He also said that Greenwich was “his” as he had already done Grigg Street Pizza and Il Pastaficio.
The owner of the Bruce Park Grill has denied that now that they are one star restaurant that they are considering changing the name to the Bruce Park Grille and Brasserie.
