Ridgefield Candidate Profile: Alan Pilch For Wetlands Board

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Ridgefield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Ridgefield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Alan Pilch is running for a position on the Inland Wetlands Board as a Republican. For the past 11 years, he has been a member of the Ridgefield Conservation Commission.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

From the perspective of the Town’s natural environment, the Inland Wetlands Board needs to provide a better balance to the protection of our Town’s wetlands and water resources. I will also be an advocate for the use of low impact development techniques, which are stormwater management practices that seek to mimic natural processes for water resource protection purposes.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My 35 years of professional experience as a civil engineer (licensed in Connecticut and New York) and landscape architect (licensed in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island) on a wide range of projects would provide the Inland Wetlands Board with a person who can thoroughly understand the design of projects submitted to the Town.

As a member of the Ridgefield Conservation Commission (RCC), I have been the principal reviewer for the RCC of applications to the (formerly) combined Planning and Zoning Commission and Inland Wetlands Board. Frequently I was frustrated in these project reviews where the balance between land development and environmental protection has been skewed too far in favor of the former without sufficient consideration for the protection of wetlands and the natural environment. Professionally, I am very used to designing projects where the protection of the environment is a driving consideration.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have a broad range of experience that I feel would enable me to handle being a member for the Inland Wetlands Board. My professional experience includes the preparation of site and subdivision plans, stormwater pollution prevention plan reports and development of stormwater management plans (including extensive use of low impact development techniques), and wetland mitigation plans. In addition, I have considerable experience in the preparation of environmental impact statements and environmental assessment. Combined with my review of plans submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission/Inland Wetlands Board, all of these will suit me well for the position I am seeking.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe that my experience as a member of the Ridgefield Conservation Commission for these past 11 years and professional work would make me a worthy member of the Inland Wetlands Board.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Always be fair, considerate of others and be consistent.