Politics & Government
Ridgefield Selectpersons Approve June 22 Meeting On Pickleball Courts Funding
State funds for a proposed pickleball project never materialized. Ridgefield officials say they'll build the courts anyway.
RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Board of Selectpersons voted unanimously June 10 to hold a public information meeting later this month to explain plans for the town’s proposed pickleball courts project after a state grant expected to offset part of the cost was not awarded.
The board approved scheduling the informational session for June 22 following a discussion about whether additional public input was needed before moving ahead with bonding authorized through the town’s budget referendum. The motion passed 4-0.
First Selectperson Rudy Marconi said town counsel and bond counsel advised that the town has legal authority to proceed with the project even though the anticipated state grant was not received. He said referendum language approved by voters contemplated the possibility that grant funding might not materialize and allowed the town to move forward using bonding.
Marconi said the purpose of the June 22 meeting is to provide residents with information about the project and explain why the town can proceed without the grant. He said town counsel recommended against holding a formal town meeting on the matter because a vote could conflict with authority already granted through the referendum process.
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Selectperson Sean Connelly questioned whether residents should have an opportunity to weigh in on the additional cost to taxpayers now that the grant funding is unavailable. Connelly said he was uncomfortable proceeding without first acknowledging publicly that the town would need to cover the grant amount.
"Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should," Connelly said.
Other board members said the informational meeting would allow residents to ask questions and understand the project’s financing.
Board members discussed how much the project would cost and reviewed earlier funding decisions. Town officials said the project’s total cost is estimated at roughly $900,000, with some related infrastructure work being covered separately by the town. Officials noted that an anticipated $310,000 state grant was not awarded and that the town learned of the decision only after the budget referendum had taken place.
Marconi and others also noted that the pickleball project has drawn significant community interest and support over several years.
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