Highlights From Wednesday’s Ridgefield Board Of Selectpersons' Meeting

• The Ridgefield Youth Commission (RYC) is a 16 member commission that advocates for the youth of Ridgefield. Included in the 16 members are youth members, youth and adult advisors and commission members. At Wednesday’s meeting, five of the youth members gave a presentation focused on mental health concerns among teens. As a tool to combat anxiety & stress, RYC is researching the idea of a meditation room in the High School, much like the one at Wilton High School that has proven very beneficial to students.
• When completed, the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) will be the longest trail in Fairfield County. The 30 mile path will connect Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk to Rogers Park in Danbury, passing through Wilton, Ridgefield, and Redding along the way. The NRVT Board of Directors President, Charlie Taney, talked to the Board about the Ridgefield Ramble, which will be the 1.5 mile stretch of trail in Ridgefield. Currently, the NRVT is awaiting on a consent letter from the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) before moving forward with permitting and the RFP process.
• The Branchville Schoolhouse is a Town owned historic building located on Old Branchville Road that was construction over one hundred and fifty years ago. The Ridgefield Historical Society (RHS) has partnered with the Town of Ridgefield on a preservation project that involves the restoration and maintenance of the building, which can then be used for the benefit of the community. The terms of the lease between the Town and RHS were discussed at Wednesday’s meeting.
• Pension Commission Chair Chris Christiansen and members Andrew Okrongly & Thomas Leonard updated the Board on the financial results from the pension plan, the budget and provided a comparison of Ridgefield’s plan to neighboring towns. The Pension Commission is responsible for the oversight of the investment activities of the trusts that fund the retirement-related defined benefit programs for Town employees.

Watch the full meeting at ridgefieldct.gov