You asked, Rudy Marconi answered.
We took your most pressing questions to the First Selectman, and received responses on food trucks, elementary schools, traffic, and more.
Upon being asked about his plans to solve the food truck debate in Ridgefield, Mr. Marconi responded that he intends to find out what neighboring communities are doing about food trucks parking across from restaurants. Marconi’s interns also created surveys in order to assess whether citizens preferred the trucks in Ridgefield, or not.
Regarding the issue of traffic flow on Main Street, the First Selectman was delighted to report that the state has already completed its survey work for the project and is currently in the design phase. Key components of this project include adding essential protected left turns onto Bailey Avenue and Catoonah Street. This $6 million endeavor will be funded 80% by the Federal Government and 20% by the state of Connecticut. There have been no permanent changes yet, and all alterations will be voted on by the town before final decisions are made.
To address concerns about the tree removal on Main Street, Marconi noted that many of the trees were planted in 1976, when the street was last refurbished; he feels that it is beneficial to replace them while the town undergoes the traffic flow project.
Concerning the $200 price tag on parking at Ridgefield High School, Mr. Marconi explained that expanding the parking lot would only be possible if the town were to limit busing services, as Ridgefield expends roughly $4-$6 million each year on this alone. So, until bus services are reduced, RHS parking will remain at its current, steep price.
Although rumors have been circulating about the closure of a Ridgefield elementary school, Marconi promptly cleared them, stating that all of the current elementaries will remain open.
Long term, the First Selectman is looking to add additional fire departments in areas of Ridgefield with more elderly residents, for example, Route 35. He commented on the fact that the 65 years and older population of Ridgefield increases by 3% each year, so adding EMS services in new areas of town would be beneficial, as well.
In 2021, an upgrade to the Police Department will be due, and a potential combination of the fire and police depts. may become a possibility, as well.
What about paving Ridgebury and Canterbury roads? Marconi stated that the paving of the Ridgebury and Canterbury roads will be left up to the Highway Department, and recommends that all inquirers direct their questions there.
Finally, on the departure of General Electric from the state of Connecticut, Marconi commented that 600 of the jobs have been relocated to Norwalk, and that maintaining small business throughout the state plays a vital role in compensating for the loss.