The Representative Town Meeting (RTM) of the Town of Greenwich voted on labor agreements and a solar power purchase indemnity during its evening session.

The RTM voted 165 to 5, with 2 abstentions, against a motion to reject the town’s negotiated collective bargaining agreement with the Silver Shield union for Greenwich police officers — a procedural framing that means the contract moves forward as negotiated. Mike Mason, a town staff member who presented the item, described the measure as the labor contract covering fiscal years 2024–2027 and summarized changes to wages and health‑care contributions. James Waters, chair of the Budget Overview Committee, said the contract covers 55 personnel and that the committee expected total costs of approximately $93,000,000 over three years.

The same pattern occurred for a GMEA (Greenwich Municipal Employees Association) reopener adjustment that targets the dispatchers’ salary schedule. The RTM voted 167 to 3, with 3 abstentions, against a motion to reject that item; that vote result allows the negotiated change to stand. Josh Brown, reporting for the Labor Contracts Committee, and Waters described the dispatcher change as removing the bottom four steps of the salary schedule so new hires start at a higher step; the committee noted there are 15 dispatcher positions and 11 current employees, which has driven overtime and staffing strain.

On a separate agenda item, the RTM approved, 151 in favor, 4 opposed and 17 abstaining, the use of an insurance policy to provide the indemnification required by a proposed power purchase agreement with GreenSkies LLC for solar panels at the Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center. Kate Bush, town administrator, read the resolution language noting the town would enter a power purchase agreement and that risk management could obtain insurance to satisfy indemnity obligations. Greg Zorthian, chair of the Finance Committee, reported committee estimates that the town would save about $22,000 a year and roughly $400,000 over the contract term; Cheryl Moss, chair of Public Works, said the indemnity insurance would cost about $3,000 a year.

Votes on the consent calendar — a set of appointments and appropriations designated for unanimous action — carried 167 to 0 with no abstentions. The RTM also agreed by unanimous consent to postpone three individual nominations (items 1, 5 and 9) to the RTM’s April 2025 meeting.

Why it matters: Accepting the negotiated police contract moves a large multiyear personnel cost into force; the dispatchers’ schedule change aims to address recruitment and retention for a small but critical public‑safety function; approving insurance to back a third‑party solar PPA clears a legal hurdle that allows the town to pursue on‑site solar at a municipal building while limiting the town’s direct indemnity exposure.

Votes at a glance

- Item 15 — Silver Shield (Greenwich Police Officers) collective bargaining agreement (reject motion): vote to reject failed. Tally: in favor (reject) 5, opposed 165, abstaining 2. Outcome: contract proceeds as negotiated.

- Item 16 — GMEA reopener (dispatchers) (reject motion): vote to reject failed. Tally: in favor (reject) 3, opposed 167, abstaining 3. Outcome: negotiated salary‑schedule change proceeds.

- Item 17 — Use of insurance to provide indemnification in power purchase agreement with GreenSkies LLC (Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center): passed. Tally: yes 151, no 4, abstain 17. Outcome: RTM approved use of insurance to satisfy the indemnity requirement.

- Consent calendar (items 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14): adopted by recorded vote 167–0–0. Items included multiple appointments and appropriations (see clarifying details).

- Combined calendar (items 1, 5, 9): postponed to April 2025 by unanimous consent.

Committee reports and key details

- Labor Contracts Committee (Josh Brown) reported it voted against rejecting the police contract and described the agreement as a three‑year deal with wage adjustments and stepped increases in employee health‑care contributions (no change in year one, a 0.7 percentage‑point increase in year two and a 1 percentage‑point increase in year three, described in committee testimony as reaching about a 16% employee contribution). The committee said it was comfortable with the negotiated terms.

- Budget Overview Committee (James Waters) said the police contract covers 55 personnel and that the town is beginning to see savings from moving that department out of a defined‑benefit plan; Waters repeated the committee’s estimate of approximately $93 million in total costs over three years and said committee members did not believe arbitration would produce a better result.

- Finance Committee (Greg Zorthian) praised the presented contract as averaging under a 3% per‑year wage increase and reiterated the projected energy savings for the GreenSkies agreement.

- Legal and Rules (Eleanor committee report) and Parks & Recreation (Catherine La Balbo) raised process and information‑availability concerns about the GreenSkies agreement, but several committees recommended approval after asking questions. The power purchase agreement term reported to the RTM was 20 years with an option for a five‑year extension; GreenSkies would own and maintain the solar panels and the town would buy the generated power.

Clarifying details and next steps

- Police contract: committee summary put three‑year total costs at about $93,000,000. Health‑care employee‑share increases described by committee testimony: no change year one, +0.7 percentage points year two, +1 percentage point year three (to roughly 16% employee share). Union ratification was reported by staff.

- Dispatchers: 15 budgeted positions; 11 employees currently serving; the negotiated change removes the bottom four salary steps so the starting step is higher.

- GreenSkies PPA: reported projected savings of roughly $22,000 per year and about $400,000 across the reported contract term; indemnity insurance cost reported at about $3,000 per year; contract term 20 years with option to extend five years; GreenSkies LLC retains ownership and maintenance of solar panels.

- Consent appropriations called out in the meeting: $15,000 for office supplies (item 12), $76,000 (item 13; planning & zoning account A17151300 per the call), and $150,000 for a used fire truck (item 14). Several appointments to town boards and commissions were confirmed for terms noted on the call.

The RTM postponed three individual nominations to the April 2025 meeting by unanimous consent. With votes concluded, the moderator adjourned the meeting.

Sources: RTM meeting reports and committee statements recorded in the official meeting transcript.