There will be a Town Meeting held this Wednesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School, and a second Town Meeting held on Monday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ridgefield Playhouse. Your voice must be heard at both meetings!
At this Wednesday's meeting, further discussion will take place regarding the future of the Bennett's Pond property. Attorneys David Grogins and Jonathan Bowman of Cohen & Wolf, and Bond Counsel Doug Gillette of Day, Berry & Howard will be present to answer questions from the audience. Last week ROSA offered to provide the names of several eminent domain experts to participate in Wednesday night's meeting (none of whom have been engaged by us and therefore are unbiased) but that offer was rejected by First Selectman Marconi.
MEETING FORMAT
A Town Meeting is NOT a Selectmen's meeting - it is moderated under Roberts Rules of Order by a designated moderator (A.J. DiMattia). Public input is encouraged, once the motions on Bennett's Pond are voted on for discussion. This is the public's meeting, and we urge you to ask questions and make comments.
A point of clarification: The April 25th meeting will be continued to May 7 in order to avoid having a referendum on the Bennett's Pond questions alone - the Town Budget referendum is scheduled for May 15, and if a vote were taken on April 25th, this would compel the town to hold a special referendum just a few days prior to the budget referendum.
A vote will be taken at the May 7th meeting to place the advisory questions on eminent domain on the May 15th referendum ballot. While we are not happy with the questions being advisory rather than binding, our Charter and the powers of the Board of Finance have forced this outcome. Our best chance for success is to have a overwhelmingly positive result on the referendum, which will convey to the Board of Finance that the voters support the acquisition of the property by eminent domain.
Please plan to attend and speak out - your participation is vital!
Ellen Burns
ROSA
Previous
