Speaking at Greenwich Town Hall on Friday, First Selectman Fred Camillo, at the podium, urged state lawmakers to pause housing mandates. State Rep. Tom O'Dea, state Rep. Hector Arzeno and state Rep. Steve Meskers, right, also spoke.  

GREENWICH — First Selectman Fred Camillo is urging state lawmakers to pause implementation of Connecticut's new housing law, arguing that utility infrastructure has not kept pace with population growth in Greenwich and elsewhere in Fairfield County.

Speaking Friday at Greenwich Town Hall alongside local and state officials, Camillo said recent complaints from residents about obtaining natural gas service — along with concerns about water-system capacity — illustrate why the state should slow its push for additional housing until infrastructure improvements are made.

"I'm asking the state legislature and the governor to put the brakes on the mandates," Camillo said, adding that more consideration needs to be given to infrastructure.

House Bill 8002, approved during a special legislative session last year, requires municipalities to prepare housing growth plans and offers incentives for communities that meet state housing goals. The law also includes zoning and planning changes intended to encourage more residential development, particularly near transit and on underused commercial properties.

Camillo said Greenwich has added roughly 5,000 residents over the past decade. He said homeowners have reported being told that new natural gas connections would cost more than expected or that propane should be considered instead, which he attributed to limits on existing gas infrastructure. He also said conversations with Aquarion raised concerns about the water system's ability to accommodate future growth.

There was no immediate comment from Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) on supply issues. 

Camillo argued those issues could increase the cost of future development, including affordable housing projects.

"A moratorium on zoning mandates throughout the state is immediately needed so work can be done to improve infrastructure and better meet the demand in the state," he said.

Several elected officials from Fairfield County echoed those concerns.

Darien Selectwoman Monica McNally said the state's housing policies do not adequately account for the demands additional development places on local infrastructure.

"The state's well intentioned push for more housing doesn't take into consideration all of the impact on local infrastructure," she said. 

New Canaan First Selectman Dionna Carlson pointed to this week's flooding in her town, arguing that additional pavement and denser development could worsen stormwater problems.

State Rep. Steve Meskers, D-Greenwich, who voted against HB 8002, said he shares concerns about utility capacity and believes Connecticut needs to address infrastructure needs as it plans for future housing growth.

State Sen. Ryan Fazio, R-Greenwich, the Republican candidate for governor, called for relief from what he described as unfunded state housing mandates, arguing that many municipalities "do not have the infrastructure to meet them."

Supporters of HB 8002 say the measure is intended as a long-term planning law rather than a mandate for immediate construction. Along with encouraging additional housing, the legislation establishes planning requirements for municipalities, expands state support for housing and infrastructure planning, and includes statewide zoning reforms such as eliminating certain parking minimums.

Erin Boggs, executive director of the Open Communities Alliance, has said Connecticut's housing shortage requires long-term cooperation among state and local governments and that the law provides a framework for increasing housing opportunities over time.

When signing the measure, Gov. Ned Lamont said municipalities would play a key role in achieving the state's housing goals.

The Greenwich Board of Selectmen plans to host a public forum in early September with representatives from electric, gas and water utilities to discuss infrastructure and service issues with residents.

July 25, 2026