Ridgefield Letter: Thoughts On Reorganizing Town Government To Be More Efficient and Maintain All Assets

Like every organization, Ridgefield needs to look at how it is providing services, and determine what is the most cost-efficient way to deliver the best services and maintain its assets. The objective is to use all the tools at the Board of Selectmen’s disposal to deliver better services at a better cost. I plan to work on this issue with my fellow Board of Selectmen from the following three dimensions.

The recently closed Depot Road is an example of challenges Ridgefield faces when it does not take care of its infrastructure and assets. This new problem will cost Connecticut and Ridgefield taxpayers 2.2M. We also need to determine why have we have not built the additional parking on Governor Street after the taxpayers have approved the funding almost two years ago? Why have we not utilized all state STEEP grant money the State has given us? Although taxpayers and citizens approve capital items, town government either did not execute the direction or in the case of the bridge, maintain the assets.

To improve our town buildings, bridges and roads, I would recommend the creation of a Municipal Buildings, Bridges & Road Commission. This area clearly needs focus and accountability. In the case of all town buildings, including schools, and town bridges, an inventory needs to be taken of all these town assets. We need to assess the dollars being spent and then immediately implement a regular maintenance and improvement program.

On Ridgefield’s town roads, we should look at how effective the 30 million spent over 20 years has been used. All town roads should be assessed from 1-5 and put an accelerated program in place to upgrade the roads and bridges most in need of repair.

To streamline town government, we can implement the same tactics that are used in the private sector. This would include true zero-based budgeting, benchmarking employee salaries and benefits versus the Connecticut marketplace, and avoid duplication and overlap. This is an on-going process in the private sector. This would apply to professional services as well as participation in local buying cooperatives.

When I previously served as Board of Finance Chairman, we used this approach. Ridgefield saved money in audit fees and bond council costs. This should apply to all town purchased services. In the case where we are not getting enough value, such as our membership into Connecticut CCDM and COST lobbying organizations, we should drop them unless they take forward a Ridgefield agenda to change 830-G and other laws that hurt our property values. I would also look at leveraging “interlocal agreements” to share resources and cost with other surrounding towns. We should also look at refinancing the 60 million in town debt, in light of generation low-interest rates.

Ridgefield is truly a great town and we should run it as efficiently as possible. You have my commitment to do this. Please vote for me this November 5.

Joe Savino - Board of Selectmen Candidate

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Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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