RIDGEFIELD, CT — Ridgefield voters approved changes to the town's senior property tax relief programs Sept. 16, including a new income-based supplemental tax credit and a higher income ceiling for the town's elderly tax-deferral program.
Later in the evening, the Board of Selectpersons unanimously reappointed five members of the Public Safety Facility Committee and began refining the group's assignment for the next phase of work on possible police and fire facilities.
The Board of Selectpersons meeting and subsequent Special Town Meeting were held at Town Hall, 400 Main St. The town's official meeting page lists the Sept. 16 Special Town Meeting agenda and packet.
The Special Town Meeting approved two amendments to Chapter 317 of the town ordinances covering Ridgefield's senior tax credit and elderly tax-deferment program.
The first creates an additional income-based credit for residents who otherwise qualify for Ridgefield's existing senior property tax credit and whose annual individual income is less than $85,000. The amendment says eligibility for the additional credit will be determined annually. The existing program applies to qualifying homeowners age 65 or older who meet residency and other requirements.
First Selectperson Rudy Marconi told voters Ridgefield's existing credit is $1,048. He described the new benefit as an additional $200 initially, followed by another $200 as the change is phased in, ultimately bringing the total credit for qualifying residents to $1,448.
The second amendment raises the maximum household income for the town's elderly tax-deferment program to $100,000. Under that program, qualifying homeowners can defer some or all of their property taxes rather than having the taxes forgiven. The town secures the unpaid amount, and the taxes and interest generally become due when ownership changes or other eligibility requirements are no longer met.
Marconi said the current interest rate on deferred taxes is 3 percent simple interest. He said the prior income limit was $65,000 and that town officials ultimately chose to increase it to $100,000.
The Senior Tax Credit Committee spent months examining possible changes to Ridgefield's programs. Its earlier recommendations included increases to the basic senior credit, a supplemental means-tested credit, a longevity credit and expansion of the elderly deferment program. The proposals ultimately placed before voters were narrower than that original set of recommendations.
Discussion at the Town Meeting centered largely on how the income tests would work and who should qualify.
One resident questioned language in the deferment ordinance counting the income of other people living in a household, raising the example of a live-in caregiver. Another questioned how "income" would be defined and verified. Other speakers argued that means testing was either too restrictive or necessary to direct additional relief toward residents with lower incomes.
A Washington Street resident questioned why the supplemental credit uses an $85,000 threshold while the deferment program uses $100,000 and argued that the additional credit should instead go to all qualifying seniors. Other residents spoke in support of retaining an income limit, saying additional relief should be targeted to seniors with greater financial need.
Another resident argued that the program should account for older residents who rent rather than own homes. The ordinance before voters, however, applies the tax credit to qualifying residential real property.
The two senior-tax amendments were presented as one item and approved together. After an initial voice vote produced enough disagreement for the moderator to seek a clearer result, attendees voted by standing. Moderator Ed Tyrell declared the motion approved.
During the Board of Selectpersons meeting, the board voted 4-0 to reappoint Pamela Dunaway, Ed Tyrell, Stephen Scalzo, Adam Safir and David Brickley to the Public Safety Facility Committee.
The board did not approve a final revised charge for the committee. Marconi said it would be rewritten to provide more specific direction and then circulated for review.
Related: Out Of Time: Ridgefield Holds Off On November Public Safety Referendum, Seeks More Work On $55M Plan
Much of the discussion focused on how the committee should compare remaining public safety facility alternatives and explain them to residents.
Selectperson Maureen Kozlark said the public should be able to see alternatives in an understandable format before the town settles on a final proposal. Selectperson Sean Connelly similarly called for consistent information on factors such as location, size and cost.
Brickley said earlier committee spreadsheets could be simplified for public use. Dunaway said criteria such as response times and operational requirements could be used to compare alternatives and explain why particular options remain viable or were rejected.
Committee members and selectpersons described the remaining work as involving two principal sites and potentially three scenarios. Members also said the town should document its earlier review of other possibilities, including rebuilding at the existing police station, so residents can see why those options were not advanced.
Marconi said architectural consultant Kaestle Boos Associates would be asked to develop conceptual schematics to help police and fire officials evaluate potential layouts. He said alternatives ultimately need to be compared on an "apples to apples" basis.
No new site, construction plan, project cost or referendum question was debated or approved.
After the Town Meeting, Marconi briefed selectpersons on a newly identified shortfall in Ridgefield Public Schools' 2025-26 finances.
Marconi said about $160,000 in expenses associated with the prior fiscal year had instead been placed in the 2026-27 budget. He said correcting that treatment could turn an expected year-end surplus of approximately $19,000 into a deficit of about $142,000 to $143,000.
Related: Ridgefield Finance Board Flags $140K School Deficit, Special Appropriation May Go To Town Vote
A special appropriation from the general fund could be required. Marconi said the Board of Education would first need to notify the Board of Finance, which would have 15 days to act. A favorable recommendation could then lead the Board of Selectpersons to call another Special Town Meeting.
Officials were also examining whether other school accounts could cover the expenses within fiscal 2025-26 and avoid a special appropriation. No action was taken Sept. 16.
The board unanimously appointed Anne O'Brien to the Ridgefield Housing Authority. O'Brien told selectpersons that her professional experience included refugee resettlement and helping families obtain housing and other support services.
The board also unanimously reappointed Michelle Pallai to the Board of Ethics. Pallai said she has served on the board for nine years.
A Bennetts Farm Road resident raised concerns about unresolved drainage conditions after flooding at his home. Marconi said he would follow up with town staff and the town attorney.
The board also received revised language for the proposed town administrator position. Marconi said members would review the new draft and consider final approval Oct. 7.
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