Ridgefield Voters Approve Land Purchase, Fracking Waste Ordinance Repeal At Town Meeting

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Ridgefield residents voted Wednesday to repeal a local ordinance banning hydraulic fracturing waste and approved a $750,000 appropriation to acquire property at 217 Danbury Road.

The actions came during the most recent Town Meeting, which included votes on both items. The fracking waste ordinance, originally enacted to prevent the disposal or handling of waste from hydraulic fracturing processes within town limits, is now rescinded. The land acquisition is intended to support town planning efforts, though specific future uses for the site were not detailed during the meeting.

A recording of the full Town Meeting is available on the town’s website here.

At a separate meeting, the Board of Selectpersons highlighted the success of Ridgefield’s first Commission on Aging Senior Expo, which took place in April at the Parks & Recreation Center. The event drew more than 500 attendees and featured 62 exhibitors. The Commission raised approximately $45,000, which will go toward improving transportation services for seniors in the community.

The Board also announced several appointments and reappointments to local commissions:

• John Richards to the Commission on Aging
• Derrick Schirm to the Ridgefield Housing Authority
• Kay Gelfman and Geoffrey Morris reappointed to the Economic & Community Development Commission

Preparations are underway for a townwide celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. The “Ridgefield Commemorates America at 250” (RCA250) Committee has scheduled a yearlong series of events beginning this July 4.

The Board also approved $3,405.75 in tax collector refunds.

The full Board of Selectpersons meeting can be viewed here.