Overcast 40°

SHARE

Ridgefield To Cast Ballots On Charter Changes, Property Sale

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. -- As Ridgefield voters head to the polls Tuesday, they will be casting ballots for close-to-home candidates who represent the town in the state's General Assembly as well as on proposed changes to the Town Charter and whether to sell the town-owned 12-acre Schlumberger property.

Photo Credit: File
Daily Voice

When it comes to the General Assembly, the town of Ridgefield includes two districts in the state House of Representatives and one in the state Senate.

Here are the races: 

  • House District 111: Longtime Republican incumbent John Frey is facing a challenge from Democrat Sky Cole 
  • House District 138: Republican incumbent Janice Giegler is running against Democrat Henry Hall. This district also includes part of Danbury
  • Senate District 26: Democrat Philip Sharlach is challenging longtime Republican incumbent Toni Boucher. This Senate district also includes parts of New Canaan, Redding, Westport, Weston, and Wilton. 

The ballot also includes seven questions that propose making changes to the Town Charter.

Here are the yes or no questions: 

  • Shall the Town Charter be amended to make certain technical and administrative changes?
  • Shall the Town Charter be amended to make the Town Treasurer an appointed position?
  • Shall Town Charter be amended to make the Tax Collector an appointed position?
  • Shall  the Town Charter be amended to provide that the acceptance of any property require an environmental review at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen?
  • Shall the Town Charter be amended to provide that the Parks and Recreation Superintendent and his/her staff be deemed a department of the town for the purposes of general administration and human resources?
  • Shall the Town Charter be amended to provide that any town agency, including the Board of Education, that requires an additional appropriation for a capital expense seek Board of Selectmen approval?
  • Shall the Town Charter be amended to give responsibility for the capital budget for the town to the Board of Selectmen subject to the authority of the Board of Finance to eliminate or reduce any capital item and to increase any capital item with the concurrence of the Board of Selectmen?

Voters will also decide the fate of the more than 12 acres of land and buildings owned by Ridgefield on Old Quarry Road known as the Schlumberger property. The controversial proposed sale is to Sky Dome through a lease/sale agreement for a total price of $3.45 million.

In the race for probate judge, Republican Joseph A. Egan Jr. is running against Steven Boa DeMoura, a Democrat. 

Hope S. Wise, a Republican, and Cynthia A. Bruno, a Democrat, are running unopposed for registrar of voters.

The race of the U.S. House of Representatives pits incumbent Democrat Jim Himes against Republican challenger Dan Debicella.  

In the race for governor, Ridgefield residents will join voters statewide in choosing between incumbent Democrat Dannel Malloy and Republican challenger Tom Foley. Other statewide races include lieutenant governor, comptroller, secretary of the state, attorney general and treasurer. 

Residents who are not sure of their House district can check the town website here.

Ridgefield voters can see a sample ballot here at the website for the Secretary of the State's Office. 

to follow Daily Voice Ridgefield and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE