HamletHub sat down with First-Selectmen Rudy Marconi this week to discuss some changes around Ridgefield:
Q. Can you give us more information about the burger joint moving into the old Chambers building?
Not a whole lot, I don't know what happened at planning and zoning during their last meeting, but I do know that it is a burger chain. One of the issues surrounding that use was that they did not have enough parking. So I believe they are trying to work something out to come up with new parking.
Q. The BMW of Ridgefield is purchasing the Ridgefield Athletic Club (RAC). Has there been any progress towards opening up a new tennis facility?
The tennis club is closing. It has been a little controversial. At the last he Planning and Zoning Commission meeting there were a lot of members present to voice their concerns that planning and zoning had allowed the current owner to sell to the BMW owner, because it would mean the end of the only private tennis facility in Ridgefield. Allot of them were very concerned; they had been playing tennis there for many years. But, that facility has always been financially at risk, it has never been an extremely profitable business, and it has been a very difficult business. Mr. Bodner, who owns it now will attest to that. BMW pays a lot of taxes, they've built a beautiful new building, it is a thriving business. It is something they have to do right now, they are paying a lot of money for a storage area somewhere else. As Mr. McGill [The owner of Ridgefield BMW] has stated, they have their bills to pay, taxes to pay, etc. and this makes it much more economical for him to store the cars right there.
Q. So is the town doing anything about new courts?
Q. A reader has asked about the speeding problem on Mamanasco. Speeding on the narrow road is extremely dangerous. What are you doing to address this hazard?
A. That's interesting, because I had a meeting just last week with a gentleman who voiced several of his concerns about speeding on Mamanasco. Speeding has calmed down, but there will always be speeding. Mamanasco is a very vary narrow road, and a very dangerous road. So if you are walking down and someone drives by you at 25, it feels like they are doing 40 or 50. For a long time, we had had police officers stationed there for radar. Next year, exiting the [high school] parking lot onto Mamansaco, there will be a left turn only lane. When leaving the school drivers are not going to be allowed to shoot straight across the road.
Q. Do you have any words of wisdom for Ridgefield's students now that they are done with school?
A. Use your head, you are young adults, even though we know that the physiological the frontal lobe, the executive decision making part of the brain really doesn't develop in some boys until about 25, and a little earlier in girls, around 21. So recognize that some of the things that may sound good and fun, may not be the best choices- especially when under the influence of alcohol. Be safe, we don't want to have any summers like we've had recently, and we all know what I am talking about. Enjoy the summer, use your head, and have fun!