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RTM approves two Board of Health reappointments after debate over prior vote that struck noise ordinance
Summary
The RTM reappointed Sarah Madden and Maryanne Ramos to the Town of Greenwich Board of Health amid objections from members who cited the board's role in removing a town noise ordinance in 2023; supporters and committee chairs defended the nominees' qualifications and public-health experience.
The Representative Town Meeting reappointed Sarah Madden (position R2) and Maryanne Ramos (position R1) to the Greenwich Board of Health after a separate-calendar debate about both nominations.
Opponents cited the board’s 2023 vote to strike a town noise ordinance related to gas-powered leaf blowers and said that decision and the process used then warranted fuller scrutiny of these reappointments. Aaron Leonard, speaking for opponents, said the earlier episode “was a group of town residents, Quiet Yards Greenwich, who spent a lot of time petitioning the board of health… the board had a Zoom meeting the Thursday before the final RTM meeting of the term … and in 10 minutes voted to invalidate that rule.” He said the reappointments were a chance to seek assurances of greater collaboration and deliberation.
Supporters, including Board of Health Chair Dr. Sarah Gamble and several RTM members who served on interview panels, described the nominees as experienced, committed and qualified. Dr. Gamble told the RTM she had worked with the nominees throughout her tenure and said they had “demonstrate[d] the qualities needed for the town of Greenwich and the board of health.” Committee reports from the Health and Human Services Committee described interviews in which the nominees emphasized preventive health, community outreach and service to vulnerable populations.
Both reappointments passed. Sarah Madden’s nomination carried 154 in favor, 16 opposed, 15 abstaining; Maryanne Ramos’s renomination carried 160 in favor, 14 opposed, 12 abstaining.
The debate was procedural and political rather than legal: committee chairs reported that interview panels had recommended each nominee and cited their professional backgrounds. Several RTM members urged clearer appointments-dashboard transparency and better community notification of board actions going forward.
