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Each project individually costs less than $100,000.
To assist in a speedy meeting, the moderator, resident Sharon Dornfeld, suggested that the projects be voted on according to department. Only Parks and Recreation received any 'nay' votes, and because the five projects were voted for in a group, it was unclear which project garnered the 'nay' votes.
Among the questioned projects questioned was the $13,000 drainage system proposed for Mamanasco Lake.
"It involves additional drainage, not just on the lakeside, but going uphill as well," First Selectmen Rudy Marconi said in response.
The purchase of a new $40,000 vehicle for the Canine Division of the Ridgefield Police Department was also questioned. The 2002 vehicle has only about 44,000 miles on it, but Police Chief John Roche said that because it has been outside for much of its lifetime, a new vehicle is needed. The car would be kept in the town fleet but used for Parks and Recreation, Marconi added.
The $70,000 new hardware and software system for Parks and Recreation was called into question as well. Andrew Neblett, director of technology for the town, said simply the company the town is now using is ending services to the current program.
"This [new] product is much more cost effective," Neblett said, and will serve everything Parks and Recreation does, from credit transactions to door swipes.
The remaining capital projects that cost more than $100,000, such as the new auditorium chairs for East Ridge Middle School, will be voted on during the town referendum Tuesday, May 14, in Yanity Gym.
All eligible voters in the Town of Ridgefield will be able to cast ballots on whether to approve the $45.5 million town budget, $82.87 million school budget and the remaining $2.89 million in capital projects.
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