RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Board of Selectpersons unanimously approved a revised charge for the town's Public Safety Facilities Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 7, directing it to develop and compare options for new or renovated police and fire facilities while concentrating its efforts on a proposed combined facility on Danbury Road.
The board also reviewed a request from Ridgefield Public Schools for additional space for its prekindergarten program, discussed the next charter revision process and received a recommendation to use more than $26,000 left over from the town's 250th anniversary celebration to restore historical markers.
The Public Safety Facility Committee's revised charge calls for further examination of a combined police and fire facility at a standalone fire station at that location, and alternatives involving the existing police headquarters or a new police facility.
Related: Ridgefield Public Safety Committee Moves Ahead With Four Facility Concepts, New Response-Time Study
First Selectperson Rudy Marconi and other board members emphasized that the committee should provide enough information to explain why alternatives were considered or rejected without requiring equally detailed engineering studies for every option.
Selectperson Sean Connelly said the final presentation should allow residents to understand the committee's reasoning.
"It's all about the transparency, getting all as much out there as we possibly can," Connelly said.
Director of Public Works and Facilities Jacob Muller said the committee's architectural consultant, Kaestle Boos Associates, was already working on conceptual plans for several configurations. The committee expected to receive a project timeline and preliminary sketches at its next meeting.
The board clarified that the committee should evaluate the Danbury Road property without assuming the town could acquire adjoining land it does not own. It also agreed that renovation estimates for existing police and fire buildings should be considered if those options were viable.
Commissioners discussed limitations at the existing fire station on Catoonah Street, including inadequate space for expansion and parking.
North Street resident Chuck Hancock questioned the cost of studying multiple alternatives and urged the town to keep the eventual project cost near $50 million. He also objected to considering a police station on the former Schlumberger property, citing an earlier town study that emphasized economic development, cultural uses and open space.
Board members said the property should remain among the alternatives evaluated, although that did not mean it would be recommended.
The revised committee charge was approved without opposition. The board directed that the amended document be circulated for final review before being sent to the committee.
The Board of Selectpersons also acknowledged a formal request from Superintendent Susie Da Silva for additional facilities to accommodate Ridgefield Public Schools' prekindergarten program.
See Also: Ridgefield P&Z Approves Railroad Safety Work, Boehringer Storage Structure
In a Sept. 14 letter read by Marconi, Da Silva said existing facilities were inadequate because of increasingly complex student needs and growth in certain student populations.
The school board asked the town to acquire or make available additional space, subject to any required Town Meeting approval.
Marconi estimated that the program might need approximately 8,000 to 10,000 square feet. He said the town should consider repurposing an existing municipal building rather than purchasing property, leasing space or constructing a new facility.
"I don't see the necessity of going out and leasing or in fact purchasing," Marconi said.
Selectperson Maureen Kozlark questioned the request in light of declining district enrollment and asked for more detailed information about classroom needs and available space in existing school buildings.
Other board members agreed that the school district should provide supporting information before the town considers specific properties.
Board of Finance Chairman Michael Rettger said Da Silva and two colleagues had recently presented information about the issue to the finance board and could make that material available.
The selectpersons discussed inviting school officials to a future meeting but did not establish a date or authorize a property acquisition.
Representatives of the Ridgefield Commemorates America 250 Committee reported that the town's anniversary programming had concluded with a remaining balance of $26,486.56.
Committee representatives said the group organized or supported 54 programs and events, culminating in a July 4 celebration at Ballard Park.
The committee recommended using the remaining funds to restore and update Ridgefield's Museum in the Streets, a collection of outdoor historical displays.
Committee members said some existing markers had deteriorated and additional locations could be considered in consultation with local historical organizations.
Committee members also asked the town to preserve photographs, documents and digital materials from the anniversary celebration.
Marconi said the remaining money would be handled through a special revenue account and that the board could determine its eventual use. He suggested that the funds might help support a matching program for additional donations.
No vote was taken to allocate the $26,486.56. Marconi said the board would discuss the recommendation at a future meeting.
The selectpersons agreed to begin soliciting residents interested in serving on the town's next Charter Revision Commission.
Rettger told the board that the charter requires a new commission every four years. He recommended starting the organizational process early to avoid delays encountered during the previous review.
Marconi said the town would issue a notice inviting interested residents to submit their names and qualifications.
The board discussed organizing the commission in 2027. No members were appointed during the meeting.
A proposed ordinance regulating gas-powered leaf blowers will return to the board's agenda Oct. 21, Marconi said.
During public comment, residents spoke in favor of restrictions. Fairview Avenue resident Susan Betterly argued that battery-powered equipment offers a practical alternative to gas-powered blowers.
Later, board members discussed revisions to the draft ordinance following a public hearing that drew substantial comments both for and against the proposal.
Related: Ridgefield Leaf Blower Proposal Draws Sharp Debate Ahead Of Sept. 16 Town Meeting
Selectperson Barbara Manners cautioned against moving too quickly, citing the divided public response.
Morris raised concerns about the costs landscapers could face in replacing equipment and suggested that a phase-in period might warrant consideration.
Marconi said the revised proposal included substantive changes based on public feedback, including adjustments to operating-time provisions.
No vote was taken on the ordinance. The board plans to continue reviewing it Oct. 21.
The board unanimously reappointed Bob Knight to the Economic and Community Development Commission. Knight, the commission's current chairman, was absent from the meeting. The vote was 5-0.
Marconi said the town was preparing to advertise for a new town administrator and would circulate an updated recruitment brochure for board members' final review.
The board also discussed extending the current golf professional's contract through March 2027 to allow a transition to a successor. Marconi said an amendment would be prepared for the board's consideration; no extension was approved that night.
A proposed tax refund of $23,732 for Toyota Industries Commercial Finance was held for additional explanation. Marconi said he wanted clarification of the underlying tax adjustment before proceeding.
The board approved its Sept. 16 meeting minutes, 4-0, with Manners abstaining. The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
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