Attorney rejects $4.3-million refund petition

Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Tuesday, 06 March 2012 05:47

A petition calling for the town’s $4.3-million CL&P refund to be returned to taxpayers has been rejected as invalid by the town.

Ed Tyrrell, who led an effort that got the petition signed by nearly 500 Ridgefielders, is deeply frustrated.

“The right to petition has been eviscerated,” he said. “If you cannot petition on an issue such as this, a simple issue about what to do with the taxpayers’ money, you cannot petition about anything, anymore.”

The petition was rejected by Town Attorney David Grogins, who objected to specific wording he said he’d warned Mr. Tyrrell should be taken out of the petition. Mr. Tyrrell did amend his petition, twice, but problems remained.

New officer, cars dominate discussion of police budget

Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Wednesday, 29 February 2012 05:22

Refilling an officer’s position empty since 2008, replacing radio dispatch equipment, and new cars — six for police patrols, one for animal control — were the focus of budget discussions between Police Chief John Roche and the Board of Selectmen recently.

The Police Department’s $4.9 million operating budget request for 2012-13 seeks restoration of an officer’s position left unfilled for five years. It also incorporates annual police car replacements that previously had been in the capital budget.

It is part of a $32 million budget request to the selectmen that would increase spending on town departments by 2.95% next year.

Three veteran officers retired earlier this year, and are being replaced with new hires at the bottom of the pay scale.

Marconi thinks tax hike could be held below 2%

Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Monday, 27 February 2012 05:26

A tax increase with a ‘1’ before the decimal point — although closer to 2%, in truth — is within reach, according to First Selectman Rudy Marconi’s back-of-the-envelope math.

Energy savings are a big part of keeping cost increases down.

Mr. Marconi said Tuesday he’s been trying to figure where the line has to be held on spending to come in with a reasonable tax increase.

“I figured 2.71% with the school and 2.4% with the town, with no contribution from fund balance, would yield a possible 1.95% tax increase,” Mr. Marconi said.

Ridgefield Press Pages 19-24 February 16, 2012