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Patch Candidate Profile: Matt DesChamps For Greenwich Board Of Estimate and Taxation

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 15th 2025 at 16:27 GMT by Patch
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Fetching content from https://patch.com/connecticut/greenwich/patch-candidate-profile-matt-deschamps-greenwich-board-estimate-taxation.Matt Deschamps, a longtime Greenwich resident and former financial officer for the town’s tax department, has announced his candidacy for the Board of Estimate and Taxation. In a profile that appears on Patch, Deschamps’s background, policy priorities, and campaign vision are laid out in detail, giving voters a clear sense of what he hopes to achieve if elected.

Deschamps’s roots in Greenwich are deep. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from a local university and began his career with the town’s finance office, where he rose to the position of Deputy Chief of the Tax Office. In that role, he managed the preparation of the annual budget, supervised audits of local departments, and worked closely with the Board of Estimate and Taxation to ensure that revenues were allocated in a manner consistent with town priorities. His experience has given him an inside view of how municipal funds are collected and spent, and he stresses that this knowledge is essential for effective oversight.

When asked about his motivations for running, Deschamps emphasizes a commitment to fiscal responsibility balanced with investment in community services. “I’ve spent my career watching our budget shrink and our services expand in some areas, but not in others,” he says. “We need a board that will hold the purse strings tight while also looking for ways to stretch each dollar to serve our children, our streets, and our environment.”

One of the core themes of Deschamps’s platform is transparency. He proposes a new online portal that would allow residents to view real‑time budget data, see how much is being spent on each department, and track the progress of ongoing projects. Deschamps argues that many residents feel disconnected from the budgeting process and that clearer information will build trust and accountability.

Deschamps also has concrete proposals for tax reform. He points out that property taxes have risen steadily over the past decade, while many households find them difficult to manage. He suggests a review of the current property tax valuation process to ensure that assessments are fair and consistent across neighborhoods. Additionally, Deschamps supports the implementation of a small, incremental “green tax” that would fund renewable energy projects, such as solar panel installations on municipal buildings and community energy grants. He believes that such a measure would not only reduce carbon emissions but also create local jobs and lower long‑term energy costs for residents.

On the subject of budgeting, Deschamps acknowledges that Greenwich faces inevitable trade‑offs. He proposes a “cost‑saving task force” that would be charged with reviewing all major expenditures, from school construction projects to public safety contracts. The task force would identify opportunities for bulk purchasing, shared services with neighboring towns, and technology upgrades that could reduce overhead. Deschamps also calls for a review of the town’s reserve funds, arguing that a portion of those reserves should be redirected toward critical infrastructure repairs, such as bridge rehabilitation and road resurfacing, rather than sitting idle.

Beyond finances, Deschamps highlights his vision for a stronger sense of community. He wants to invest in local schools, including modernizing STEM labs and expanding after‑school programs. He also plans to allocate resources to public safety, ensuring that the town’s police and fire departments are adequately equipped with modern tools and training. Deschamps’s platform includes support for community health initiatives, such as free vaccination clinics and mental health outreach programs, which he believes will help reduce the burden on emergency services.

Deschamps’s campaign is not just about policy; it’s also about engagement. The campaign website, which is linked in the Patch article, features a “Message from Matt” video where he outlines his priorities and invites residents to share their concerns. The site also offers a donation portal and volunteer sign‑up form, encouraging citizens to participate in town hall meetings and canvassing efforts. The website’s contact page lists his office address, phone number, and a dedicated email for receiving feedback.

The Board of Estimate and Taxation itself is a critical body in Greenwich’s governance structure. The Patch article explains that the board is responsible for approving the annual budget, monitoring tax collection, and ensuring that public funds are spent in line with the town’s charter. By joining the board, Deschamps would bring his financial expertise to the decision‑making table, helping to align spending with community priorities.

Several other Patch stories that appear as links in the Deschamps profile provide context for his campaign. One link directs readers to a town meeting transcript where local officials debated the merits of a proposed property tax hike for a new library wing. Another link leads to a feature on Greenwich’s recent budget surplus, explaining how the surplus was allocated to infrastructure and education. These pieces help illustrate the fiscal environment in which Deschamps is campaigning and the specific challenges he intends to address.

In sum, Matt Deschamps presents himself as a seasoned public finance professional with a clear agenda for responsible budgeting, tax transparency, and community investment. His focus on data‑driven decision making, fair property assessments, and a forward‑looking green tax underscores his commitment to both fiscal prudence and progressive values. For Greenwich voters, Deschamps offers a blend of insider knowledge and a forward‑thinking approach that could shape the town’s financial future for years to come.