Ridgefield News
November 21, 2000

School Referendum Set For Dec. 5

We're On For December 5!

It's A Go For Referendum On School Construction

Town Meeting Moderator Steffi Jones shows the egg timer which she planned to use to allot speaker time at tonight's meeting. Since only three attendees spoke, and very briefly at that, the timer turned out not to be necessary.

Nov. 21 -- Ridgefielders tonight voted to send the school bundle proposal to referendum on Dec. 5. A special Public Hearing and Town Meeting provided an opportunity for supporters and opponents alike to address the issue, but there was little public comment offered. During the Hearing phase of the meeting, Moderator Steffi Jones asked repeatedly for public questions and comments. Her invitations drew only three brief questions, which centered on whether or not the bundle could be split into a series of separate proposals. The answer was no, since under Town statutes, a proposal brought before a special Town Meeting must be accepted or rejected; it cannot be amended. The proposal to go to referendum on Dec. 5, as First Selectman Rudy Marconi had recommended, was passed without opposition at the conclusion of an unusually brief, 25-minute session.

[Photo, left: Steffi Jones (center) reviews the official notice of tonight's meeting with Rudy Marconi and Town Clerk Barbara Serfilippi. Photo, right: First Selectman Rudy Marconi answers a procedural question from the audience as Moderator Steffi Jones looks on.]
Tonight's meeting consisted of the mandatory events necessary to bring the school construction measure to a town-wide referdum. First, a public hearing was held to allow the public a chance to ask questions and to express their views on the measure. Despite an expectation that there might be some protracted discussion and opining by both supporters and opponents of the school proposal, the hearing was short and sweet. A few procedural questions were asked, and then the audience seemed eager to move on to the vote, as no additional hands went up in repsonse to Moderator Steffi Jones invitation to speak. The next phase was the special Town Meeting, whose business was to actually set the date for the referendum. Once again, the business was conducted quickly. The Board of Selectmen's proposal to set the referendum date for Dec. 5 was read, and was passed quickly in a voice vote. There was no opposition to the proposal expressed.

[Photo, left: School supporters Annie Hallinan (left) and Paula Bruns, who is a R.E.A.D. leader, took lawn signs to show their support for the school construction proposal. Photo, right: School Superintendent Ralph Wallace (right) is obivously pleased that the school building proposal has moved another step closer to passage. He talks here with school board member Frank D'Angelo (left) and board chairman Linda Bunyan.]
Many school supporters attended tonight's meeting. The signature red shirts, sweaters, and coats of R.E.A.D., the local educational support group, were much in evidence. Most local officials, and many of the town's political leaders, also attended. The meeting ended unexpectedly quickly, after about 25 minutes, and many meeting-goers remained to talk among themselves, speak with town officals and party leaders, and plan next steps for the referendum which is now just two weeks away.

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