Key Findings: Ridgefield Public Safety Committee Reviews Resident Survey

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Public Safety Facilities Committee reviewed results of a townwide voter survey and advanced its planning process for future police and fire facility options during an April 2 meeting.

The survey, commissioned after voters rejected a $77 million combined public safety facility referendum in November 2025, found that while most residents agree current facilities are outdated, cost remains the primary barrier to support.

Survey shows voters unconvinced, not opposed

Consultant Bob Walker of Surveys & Forecasts, LLC, who conducted the survey, said 35 percent of respondents would support a similar proposal if held today, compared with 39 percent who voted in favor in November. Another 43 percent remain undecided, while 22 percent would vote no.

Related: Ridgefield Public Safety Facilities Panel Advances Planning, Weighs Costs And Timeline

“The key finding really here is that the quest for the facility… isn’t necessarily lost,” Walker said. “It’s simply not yet persuasive enough.”

Walker said 82 percent of respondents agree the town’s police and fire facilities are outdated, indicating broad consensus on need.

However, cost was cited in 60 percent of open-ended responses and in 74 percent of comments from those opposed to a future proposal, making it the dominant concern.

Walker said the findings suggest a “persuasion problem, not necessarily a rejection problem,” with undecided voters representing the key group to influence.

Cost outweighs location and design concerns

The survey found total project cost, site cost and personal tax impact were the most important factors shaping voter decisions, while location and traffic ranked lowest.

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Location concerns appeared in 24 percent of open-ended responses but did not emerge as a primary driver compared to cost.

Walker said voters who support a future project are more focused on improved emergency response times and coordination, while opponents and undecided voters prioritize affordability.

Committee emphasizes clearer messaging

Committee member Pamela Dunaway, who is coordinating the outreach, said the results reinforce the need for clearer communication with residents.

“We need to be specific… with scenarios, pros and cons,” Dunaway said, adding that the presentation will be posted publicly on the town website.

Dunaway said she was encouraged that even some voters who opposed the previous referendum appear open to reconsidering a revised proposal.

Here's how they do it in Wilton…

The committee also heard from Patricia Temple, co-chair of the Wilton Police-Town Hall Building Committee, who described how that town developed and approved a new police facility.

Temple said Wilton’s approach focused heavily on documenting operational gaps and communicating them clearly to voters.

“We focused on needs and deficiencies. That’s what we led with,” she said.

Related: 'Not Easy': Ridgefield Public Safety Facilities Committee Reviews Needs & Timeline

She said the process began with a study group in 2017 and included multiple rounds of needs assessments, with police staff helping scale back initial proposals to control costs.

Temple also emphasized outreach efforts, including tours and presentations to community groups, as key to building support.

Committee advances planning framework

The committee agreed to organize its work into “tiger teams” to evaluate three options outlined in its charge:

• Renovating or expanding existing town facilities
• Constructing separate new facilities for police and fire
• Building a combined public safety facility

Members said each option will be analyzed using consistent criteria, including cost, operational needs and site feasibility.

Next steps focus on needs assessment and costs

Committee members said finalizing a detailed needs assessment remains the top priority, with a draft expected within two weeks pending input from police and fire leadership.

The group also approved up to $4,000 for consulting support to help analyze cost scenarios.

Members emphasized that any future proposal must be clearly justified and financially realistic.

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“Nothing is coming out of this committee… unless we can stand up in front of a packed auditorium at Veterans Park and defend it,” Chair Wally Martinez said.

Public engagement remains a challenge

Dunaway said viewership of committee meetings has declined in recent weeks and encouraged residents to participate, including touring existing facilities.

“I think seeing what exists is very important,” she said.

The committee is considering additional outreach efforts, including scheduled public tours and targeted engagement with residents.