History
50 YEARS AGO: Firemen earn up to $4,850

May 15, 2008

Ridgefield’s annual budget meeting in the East Ridge School Auditorium approved without change all the appropriations recommended by the Board of Finance, the May 15, 1958 Press reported.

The appropriations for the town (including the schools) totaled $1,233,506.16, making it the largest budget in town history. Among the items discussed at the meeting were appropriations for the four salaried firemen who earned between $4,530 and $4,850.

The police budget was also discussed. Judge Joseph Donnelly, on behalf of the Police Commission, defended the budget and said that despite the fact the state police maintained a barracks on East Ridge even with four town policemen, “The situation isn’t good. We are a busy little community.”

Francis D. Martin said that he hoped the Police Commission would not set up parking meters in town. “We just got rid of the hitching posts for horses,” he said, “let’s not set up hitching posts for cars now and spoil the most beautiful street in the country.”

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Mary Venus was “Bernadette” in the operetta “Bernadette of Lourdes,” which was put on by the third and fourth grades of St. Mary’s parochial school. The cast also included Patricia Johnson as the Blessed Virgin and John Sfondrini, Steve Carboni, Tommy Egan and Terrance Powers as the clergy. Dennis Moylan, Ralph Anderson, Joseph Knoche, James Tarsi and Terrance Barrett were acolytes.

The Ridgefield Playhouse on Prospect Street featured “The Young Lions” starring Marlon Brando, Dean Martin and Montgomery Clift.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Phelan of Barry Avenue announced the birth of a son, Thomas, and Mr. and Mrs. Eno Malucci of Danbury Road had a son, John.

Claudia Scala, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Scala, celebrated her sixth birthday on May 13 with a party at her home in the Nash Apartments.

The Women’s Big Pin Bowling League elected Miss Ruth Hurzler as president at the 29th annual dinner meeting at the Elms Inn.

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The Ridgefield Softball League roster included Ridgefield Supply’s team with Bob Tulipani, manager, John Tulipani, Art Bellagamba, Lou Bellagamba, Dick Powers, Gene Lavatori, Mel Makowicki, Dante Ligi, Walt Ryba, Pat Vozzo, Fibber Biagiotti and Einar Samuelson. Branchville’s team was managed by Lou Ridolfi and included Charles Pancrazio, Fred DeLuca, Milt Lindstrom, Gene Ridolfi, Walt Evans, John Forcelli, Bob Elliot, Fred and Bob Bonsignore, Ed Conklin and Ken Lawson.

Ridgefield High School juniors Geraldine Panozza, Ruth Steyn, Roger Warren, Judy Principi and Judy Thomas were elected to the National Honor Society.  Barbara Torcellini, Elaine Pierandri, Peter Tandy, David Luckett, Barry Peckham, Jay Paris and Charles Camp were sophomore probationary members.

Marine Pfc. Richard Serfilippi, son of Mr. and Mrs. Reno Serfilippi of Olmstead Lane, was serving at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Santa Ana, Calif.

John Lavatori and Mrs. Julius Santini were chairmen of the Italian American Mutual Aid Society’s annual spaghetti dinner. Deno Bellagamba was in charge of the club’s float for the town’s 250th anniversary celebration and Mario Frulla was in charge of organizing the annual Fourth of July field day event.