Ridgefield Officials Plan New Citizens Committee On Public Safety Building

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Board of Selectpersons on Nov. 14 signaled support for creating a new citizens committee to reassess the town’s long-debated public safety building project, days after voters rejected a proposal to construct a combined police and fire headquarters.

First Selectperson Rudy Marconi convened the special morning meeting, saying the referendum’s defeat requires the town to “regroup” and determine a new path forward. He emphasized that while residents voted down the proposal, many have told him the condition of the town’s police and fire facilities remains a priority.

“These are very important parts of the community,” Marconi said. “We need to keep this on the front page and figure out how to move forward.”

Committee Would Start Fresh but Build on Prior Work

Members of the BoS agreed that a new committee — likely made up of five to nine residents — should evaluate potential sites, building needs, and long-term options. Marconi said the town hopes to recruit residents with construction, engineering, or related experience, though community members without technical backgrounds are welcome to apply.

Board members stressed that the group’s work would begin with information collected in recent years, including needs assessments and design documents that cost roughly $420,000 to develop. Several said the existing material should help shorten the timeline, though they cautioned that a new vote is unlikely within the next year.

Selectperson Sean Connelly said the town must remain open to all options, including one building, two buildings, different locations, or reusing existing facilities. “I feel like we’re at square one,” he said. “The most important thing is what the community will accept.”

Board Rejects Having Elected Officials Serve on Committee

Marconi and several board members said no elected officials should sit on the committee to avoid bias and allow residents to take full ownership of the recommendations. Police and fire officials would provide expertise as needed but would not serve as committee members.

Selectperson Barbara Manners expressed concern about excluding officials entirely, but the board ultimately leaned toward a resident-only panel. Marconi said the goal is “a clean start” after years of work on the previous plan.

Opportunities for Public Input Ahead

The board said the committee should host its own public hearings and charrette-style workshops, allowing residents to review ideas, discuss site options and help shape the eventual recommendations. Public comment directed to the board about the committee itself may be taken at future meetings.

Applications will be requested through a forthcoming town announcement. Marconi encouraged residents to explain the specific skills or experience they can bring to the project when expressing interest.

“This is the direction we’ll take,” he said. “Stay tuned, and if you’re interested, send us something.”

The meeting adjourned without a vote, as the purpose was to establish consensus on next steps.