RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Board of Selectpersons on July 15 reviewed preliminary recommendations for Ridgefield's long-term public safety facilities, advanced a proposed seasonal restriction on gas-powered leaf blowers, appointed a new member to the Economic and Community Development Commission, and approved the town's annual independent auditing firm.
The board also unanimously approved an annual resolution authorizing First Selectperson Rudy Marconi to execute the town's Emergency Management Performance Grant paperwork and unanimously ratified the Board of Finance's recommendation to retain CliftonLarsonAllen as Ridgefield's independent auditor.
Before beginning the regular agenda, Marconi announced that the board had voted during an earlier special meeting to hire Stephen Scholz, a volunteer firefighter, as a career firefighter/EMT.
The board also removed two items from the agenda: a vendor permit request because the applicant had not yet obtained a required health permit, and a proposed annual lease for 217 Danbury Road, which will instead be revised as a month-to-month agreement because of ongoing discussions related to the Public Safety Facilities Committee's work.
Board of Finance Chairman Mike Rettger asked the selectpersons to approve the annual appointment of CliftonLarsonAllen as the town's independent auditor, describing the vote as a charter-required procedural step.
Rettger said the firm audits the town, Board of Education and Ridgefield Library and has served the town continuously through its predecessor, BlumShapiro, for roughly 15 to 20 years. The audit fee for the coming year is $128,000, about a 3 percent increase over the previous year.
Rettger said the town has been satisfied with the firm's work and noted that relatively few firms specialize in municipal audits.
The board approved the appointment unanimously.
The board discussed a draft progress report submitted by the Public Safety Facilities Committee, which has been evaluating options for future police and fire facilities.
Related: Ridgefield Panel Debates How to Evaluate Future Police, Fire Facility Options
Marconi said the committee had examined numerous potential sites and building configurations but had not yet reached a final recommendation. He said one potential property under consideration could not be discussed publicly because of possible real estate implications.
Selectperson Barbara Manners said the report fulfilled one of the committee's scheduled milestones by documenting its work to date rather than presenting a final recommendation.
Selectperson Sean Connelly said the committee had developed objective evaluation criteria but expressed concern that a plan involving three separate facilities could increase long-term operating costs compared with a single building.
Fire department representatives told the board they believed multiple stations could function effectively depending on how operations are ultimately structured.
Marconi said the committee continues working toward presenting a proposal that could potentially be considered by voters later this year, though ballot deadlines may require parts of the schedule to be accelerated.
The board reviewed two draft proposals that would prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers during the summer months while allowing electric equipment.
Intern Brady Manning summarized research comparing ordinances adopted by other Connecticut municipalities. His draft proposal would prohibit gas-powered leaf blowers from Memorial Day through Labor Day while exempting agricultural operations, golf course maintenance and emergency work.
Connelly presented a similar draft ordinance with seasonal operating periods and additional restrictions on hours of operation.
Board members discussed combining elements of both proposals into a single draft ordinance for Town Attorney Jason Penn to prepare before the board's August meeting.
Marconi said the proposed ordinance would not affect electric leaf blowers.
The board also discussed a proposed municipal purchasing policy encouraging town departments to replace handheld gas-powered landscaping equipment with electric equipment as existing tools reach the end of their useful lives, while retaining exceptions for equipment needed for larger jobs or emergencies.
No vote was taken on either proposal.
The board unanimously appointed Pamme Jones to the Economic and Community Development Commission after hearing a presentation from commission Chairman Bob Knight.
Related: Ridgefield ECDC Advances Cultural District, Business Tracking
Knight said the commission has begun developing a commercial real estate vacancy tracker, is working on a potential redevelopment project at the former Schimenti Construction building at 650 Ethan Allen Highway, continues organizing its Tiger Shark Tank entrepreneurship competition, and is expanding work on Ridgefield's Cultural District.
Jones said Ridgefield recently was selected, along with Bristol, to participate in a state pilot program that will provide consulting assistance to help communities develop long-term strategies for managing cultural districts.
She said the commission also is moving forward with public art initiatives, including artwork on traffic signal control boxes and development of a cultural district logo and branding.
During public comment, environmental scientist Allen Hershkowitz urged the board to restrict gas-powered leaf blowers, citing health, environmental and noise concerns while encouraging the town to consider transition assistance for landscaping businesses.
Another resident asked state legislators representing Ridgefield to attend future Board of Selectpersons meetings to provide updates on transportation issues in Hartford. Marconi said state Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto was scheduled to meet with local officials the following day to discuss Route 7 safety following recent fatal crashes.
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