Ridgefield Sets Hearings On Leaf Blowers, Senior Tax Credits, Town Administrator

Leaf blower proposal moves to public hearing

The board voted 4-0 to schedule a Sept. 2 public hearing and Sept. 16 town meeting on a proposed ordinance restricting gas-powered leaf blowers during a "quiet summer" period.

The proposal generated discussion over whether golf courses should be exempt and whether residents should have limited periods when they could use gas-powered equipment.

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Selectperson Sean Connelly questioned a provision exempting golf course maintenance operations, saying he had understood an earlier 1,000-foot setback provision to address large properties without providing golf courses a complete exemption.

Selectperson Maureen Kozlark asked whether restrictions could be crafted that would allow golf courses to maintain their properties while limiting early-morning noise near homes.

Golf course representatives told the board that blowers are used for more than leaves, including removing grass clippings and sand from playing surfaces. Resident David Petrie, who said he lives on Country Club Road near Silver Spring Country Club, told the board that golf course noise had not been a significant problem for him and said blowers were important to course maintenance.

Selectperson Geoffrey Morris raised another concern: residents who already own gas-powered blowers would be unable to use them during the summer except under exemptions in the ordinance.

"Can't there be an hour, 2 hours on a Saturday?" Morris said, describing feedback he had received from homeowners.

First Selectperson Rudy Marconi questioned how such an exception could be administered, while Connelly said selecting a particular time would inevitably inconvenience some residents.

The board ultimately made only minor wording corrections before unanimously advancing the ordinance. The public hearing will provide another opportunity for residents to comment before the Sept. 16 town meeting.

Board debates how to recruit town administrator

Selectpersons also voted 4-0 to hold a Sept. 2 public hearing on the planned town administrator position, but the larger discussion centered on how Ridgefield should recruit candidates.

Marconi said he had previously favored initially advertising the job internally for 30 days before conducting an outside search. Other board members questioned whether limiting the initial search could prevent the town from comparing internal applicants with the broader candidate pool.

"I just wouldn't feel comfortable if we only get it in-house," Morris said, adding that the town might otherwise not get "the best person at the job."

Kozlark similarly said the goal should be to find "the absolute best candidate that we can" and that limiting the search could be a disservice to the town. Connelly said an internal candidate might ultimately prove to be the best choice but argued that comparing candidates would give the board greater confidence in its selection.

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Marconi said a municipal recruiter could assist the town, although the board discussed whether Human Resources Director Laurie Fernandez could handle parts of the process rather than paying a recruiter to screen every applicant.

By the end of the discussion, Marconi said the position would not be limited to internal candidates initially.

"We won't open it up inside first," Marconi said. "We'll open it up and go from there."

Board members indicated they wanted to hear Fernandez's recommendations before settling on details of the recruitment process.

Senior tax credit expansion advances

The board also unanimously scheduled a Sept. 2 public hearing and Sept. 16 town meeting on changes to Ridgefield's senior tax credit.

Under the proposal discussed Wednesday, the existing $1,048 credit would remain unchanged for those who qualify. Seniors with income below $85,000 could receive an additional $200 in the first year and another $200 the following year, bringing the total credit to $1,448.

The income threshold for the town's tax deferment program would increase to $100,000.

Marconi said the changes came too late for the current budget and therefore would take effect in a future fiscal year if approved.

Connelly questioned whether wording describing the additional credit was clear enough, but other board members favored leaving it as written. The board then voted 4-0 to send the proposal to the September hearing and town meeting.

Pension Commission could get two alternates

Another proposed ordinance change would add two alternate members to Ridgefield's Pension Commission.

Marconi said Pension Commission Chairman Chris Christensen requested the change to make it easier for the commission to achieve a quorum. The proposal calls for the two initial alternate terms to expire June 1, 2029, with subsequent terms lasting three years.

The board voted 4-0 to schedule a Sept. 2 public hearing and Sept. 16 town meeting on the change.

Kozlark expressed concern about placing so many hearings on the same September agendas, noting that the board would have to revisit much of the same material at the public hearings and town meetings.

"That's a lot of information," she said.

Board members agreed to keep an eye on the workload, with Marconi saying the Sept. 2 regular meeting could begin before the public hearings.

Town moves toward selling 29 Lakeview

The board also voted 4-0 to schedule a Sept. 2 public hearing and Sept. 16 town meeting on selling 29 Lakeview Drive, a property the town acquired after a lengthy blight case.

Marconi said the house has been demolished and the property cleaned up. He estimated the town would like to recover roughly $120,000 to $130,000 in expenses, including close to $70,000 in legal bills.

Connelly raised the possibility of using the property for affordable housing, including through Habitat for Humanity. Marconi said he had previously mentioned the site to the organization but had not received a response.

The board discussed whether spending additional money on engineering and septic approvals would make the property more marketable. Kozlark questioned putting more town money into the parcel before knowing what buyers would pay.

"Maybe test the waters now and see what we could get, possibly," Kozlark said.

Marconi said at least one person has already expressed interest in the property. The board will consider the potential sale at the September meetings.

Public safety proposals headed to Aug. 31 meeting

The board confirmed a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31 to receive recommendations from the Public Safety Facilities Committee.

Marconi said the Police Commission, police and fire chiefs and committee members have been invited. Committee representatives said they expect to transmit a draft final report to the selectpersons shortly before the meeting.

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The timing is significant because the Board of Selectpersons would have to act by Sept. 4 if it wants a public safety question on the Nov. 3 ballot, Marconi said.

Board members expressed concern about moving too quickly if cost estimates and building details are not sufficiently developed.

Kozlark said the town should not "rush onto the ballot in November" without adequate information, citing the need for schematics and firm costs following two failed public safety referendums.

Morris said he would favor a November vote if reliable figures can be developed by the deadline but said the town should not rush the process merely to meet the election calendar.

Connelly also asked for more detailed building layouts and updated emergency-response-time analyses for sites under consideration. Marconi said the consultant that conducted previous response-time modeling should be able to run similar analyses for new locations.

Other business

The board unanimously approved $10,967.06 in tax refunds and approved several sets of previous meeting minutes.

Selectpersons also approved a stormwater agreement, subject to an address correction in the document. The item had been added to the agenda at the start of the meeting.

During selectperson reports, Marconi said the town tree warden was reviewing the apparent removal of at least one town-owned tree associated with the Red Rooster development. He said an assessment would be conducted and a penalty could be imposed.

Marconi also reported that the Whistle Stop bakery space at the Branchville train station is vacant after its previous operator left. The town will have to determine what to do with the space, including whether to seek another tenant.