Greenwich Tax Collector Heather Smeriglio To Run For Re-Election

GREENWICH, CT — Heather Smeriglio announced this week she will run for re-election to the position of tax collector for the town of Greenwich.

In an announcement, Smeriglio's campaign team noted she will hold a campaign kickoff event at the St. Lawrence Society in Cos Cob on May 1. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Smeriglio, a Republican, was elected to the position of tax collector in 2019 and is the first woman to hold the position in town. She noted this week she was excited to run again for the position this year.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is to work alongside my team to provide outstanding customer service to our Greenwich residents," Smeriglio said to Patch. "During the past year with the [coronavirus] pandemic, times have been very trying for all of us. I feel in some small way I have been able to help our residents with the 90-day deferral program, and I'm encouraged our collection rate has remained steady."

Speaking by phone Thursday, First Selectman Fred Camillo said he was very happy to see Smeriglio run for re-election this year as she has, in his opinion, done an outstanding job thus far.

"Not only has she done an outstanding job," Camillo said to Patch, "she does it with a smile, and she did it during a year that needed some smiling."

Camillo also recalled when Town Hall reopened last year, after temporarily closing due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Smeriglio was the first smiling face those returning to work would see each day.

"That meant a lot," Camillo said. "Her positive attitude really is something that is felt by all, especially in a year that needed a lot of smiles...she's just really a wonderful colleague, a terrific tax collector, and we're lucky to have her."

Camillo said he planned to attend Smeriglio's campaign kickoff event in May and looked forward to supporting her.

According to Greenwich Republican Town Committee Chair Dan Quigley, the RTC expects its incumbent office holders to run again in this year's election, which includes Camillo, Selectwoman Lauren Rabin and Town Clerk Carmella Budkins. Smeriglio, however, is the only incumbent to announce her intention to run in November's election thus far.

"A search and vetting committee has been formed and is in the early stages of reaching out to people who have either expressed an interest in a committee position," Quigley said to Patch, "as well as those whom they think could make excellent candidates. We will aim to have our slate of candidates nominated in July for the upcoming elections."

Greenwich Democratic Town Committee Chair Joseph Angland said Thursday no public announcements have been made yet concerning candidates in the upcoming election.

"Our nominating committee will begin meeting with potential candidates soon," Angland said to Patch, "and our slate will be endorsed at our July 21 meeting. I suspect names of candidates will generally become available in May or June."

Smeriglio began her career in the tax collector's office in 2013 as an account clerk, working directly with residents at the public counter. She later learned all systems in the office and attended classes to become a Certified Connecticut Municipal Collector.

"The past two years have presented obvious challenges with the threats presented by the [coronavirus] pandemic," the campaign's announcement reads. "Systems had to be modified and fluid to protect both the general public and town employees. Heather responded both measured and logically to protect all involved without any disruption in services to town taxpayers. She also studied, lobbied for and implemented deferments provided in the governor's executive orders without any disruption to anticipated revenues for the town of Greenwich."

Smeriglio lives in the Cos Cob area of town with her husband and son.