Where’s Waldo signs appear in the windows of many businesses.

Where’s Waldo?

In Ridgefield, of fact.

The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting 25 different local businesses throughout town this month.

Those who spot him can win prizes, including stickers, book coupons and more.

From The Candlelight Shoppe on Main Street to The Little House Shoppe at Copps Hill, from Bissell Pharmacy on Governor Street to the Tusk & Cup in Branchville, Waldo figures will be well hidden in local business establishments.

“Find Waldo is a great summer vacation activity, and a wonderful way for residents to support local business and the Shop Local movement,” said Ellen Burns of Books on the Common, which carries the Where’s Waldo series.

Anyone who wishes to participate can pick up a “Find Waldo Local in Ridgefield!” passport with the names of all the participating sites, and get their passport stamped or signed for each Waldo they spot.

The first 100 Waldo seekers to get their passports stamped or signed at ten or more sites can bring their passports back to Books on the Common to collect prizes.

Collecting store stamps or signatures at 20 or more businesses will entitle seekers to entry in a grand prize drawing on July 31, with the top prize being a six-volume deluxe set of Waldo books.

Where’s Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in 1987. There are now more than 58 million Waldo books in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into 18 languages.

In celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, is once again teaming up with the American Booksellers Association and 265 independent bookstores all across the country, including Books on the Common, for some hide and seek fun as well as to encourage communities to patronize their local businesses.

Ms. Burns added, “Find Waldo Local is a way for Ridgefield merchants to work together as a retail community. This is our second ‘Find Waldo,’ and it was such a big success with merchants, kids and parents alike last summer, we thought we should make it an annual event.”

There is no charge to participate, and the hunt lasts for the entire month of July.

For more information about hunting for Waldo in Ridgefield, call Books on the Common at 203-431-9100.

The 10 acres the town wanted changed to the MFDD zone common in the area near Schlumberger is the hour-glass or boot-shaped parcel north of Sunset Lane. That’s Quail Ridge at bottom right, and Casagmo at the far left and top.

Multifamily housing is coming to Schlumberger.

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-3 in favor of a rezone application that will convert 10 of the property’s 45 acres from B-2 non-retail business zone to Multifamily Dwelling Development District, or MFDD zone, Tuesday night.

The commission also voted 6-1 in favor of an amendment to the town’s zoning regulations that will remove the limitation on the number of multifamily units that could share a common entry based on height.

“My concern is that MFDD allows for six units per acre and what’s going on here is that we are creating a condition for any zone to be amended,” said Commissioner Michael Autuori, who was opposed in both votes.

Vice Chairman Patrick Walsh and Commissioner John Katz also opposed the 10-acre rezoning off Sunset Lane where a maximum of 45 units are planned.

Chairwoman Rebecca Mucchetti cut off Mr. Autuori before he could finish his reasoning for rejecting the proposal, claiming the scope of his comments were outside what the commission was voting on.

At a public hearing in June, neighbors and townspeople opposed to the town’s proposal raised the issue of the density of the homes.

“How is it in keeping with the neighborhood?” said JoAnn Motta, who owns two houses on Sunset Lane. “It’s a blue collar working-class neighborhood of very modest homes.”

The MFDD zone allows for six units an acre, and up to eight units if a portion of them meet “affordable” standards.

The amendmen allows buildings to be three and one-half stories and up to 45 feet high, rather than the current two and one-half stories and 35 feet.

“I believe the MFDD zone is certainly fitting there,” Commissioner Joe Fossi said in June. “Certainly everything around it is high density, MFDD or B-2. It backs up to the Great Swamp, so the height’s not a problem.”

Only half of the 10 acres are suitable for development, according to First Selectman Rudy Marconi.

“We’re looking at 40 units, plus or minus above five, in that area,” he said in June. “We know that half the property under the new language will be open space…

“We don’t see ourselves pushing the envelope or allowing whoever buys the property to push the envelope.”

Quinn and Nate Emmons

Quinn Clarkson Snellings, daughter of Courtenay and Bill Snellings of Ridgefield, was married to Nathaniel Hughes Emmons of Dedham, Mass. on June 30, 2012 at his parents’ summer home in Biddeford Pool, Maine. The groom’s uncle, the Rev. Lee Barstow, performed the double-ring ceremony.

The bride wore an ivory gown with a lace overlay and a chapel-length train. Her Belgian lace veil had first been worn by her great-grandmother, Courtenay Clarkson Arps, and later by her mother. She carried a bouquet composed of blue and white hydrangeas and white roses.

The bride’s two sisters, Courtenay Lorien Snellings and Brittany Barry Snellings, were “best women,” and the bridesmaids were Jessica Whitten, sister-in-law of the bride, Jeannie Marmol, Danna Klein, Blair Kershaw, Lisa Summergrad, and Molly Emmons, sister of the groom. The bridesmaids wore Capri blue dresses and carried white hydrangeas. Arianna Lee, daughter of Jeannie Marmol, was the flower girl.

Andrew and Jay Emmons, brother and father of the groom, respectively, were “best men,” and ushers were Paxton Ramsdell, Kenji Taberi, Taylor Barstow, and Adrian Mott.

Ms. Emmons graduated from Ridgefield High School in 2003, and both the bride and groom graduated from Hamilton College in 2007.

Mr. Emmons is studying for his master’s in law and diplomacy at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and Ms. Emmons works at Northeastern University, where she is studying for her master of science degree in college student development and counseling.

The couple honeymooned in Mozambique and live in Somerville, Mass.

Jacqueline Carol Rutter

Jacqueline Carol Rutter of Stuart, Fla., formerly of Ridgefield, died Wednesday, July 10, at Water’s Edge in Palm City, Fla. She was 86 years old and the widow of Kenneth D. Rutter, her husband of 47 years.

She is survived by her children, Anne Elizabeth Heinzer of New Fairfield; John Anthony Rutter of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Mark Andrew Rutter of Hopkinton, Mass.; and Tracy Caroline Andrews of Palm City; nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and one more  expected later this year.

Visitation will be 6  to 8 p.m., Tuesday, July 16,  at Forest Hills Funeral Homes Young and Prill Chapel in Stuart, Fla.

A Service of Remembrance will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, at Mariner Sands Chapel, Stuart.

Memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997. A guest registry may be signed at www.youngandprill.com.

Every other week, John J. Ryan, Darien and Rowayton’s former Republican state representative, and Hersam Acorn Newspapers editor Joshua Fisher share their back-and-forth about news going on around the state, among other items of interest, that affect our corner of the state.

Fisher: The annual legislative session at the State Capitol is finally over; at least the politicians are not in Hartford this summer. And when the politicians aren’t in Hartford, Connecticut is a better place to be.

Other than that, there seems to be nothing but bad news in the Nutmeg State these days. It would be a lot more fun to be talking baseball.

Ryan: Imagine if the state had a competent baseball man in charge — such as Darienite Brian Cashman — who could actually accomplish positive results despite a litany of challenging problems?

Fisher: Mr. Cashman is too smart to get into politics.

There is one thing that state government excells at: Not keeping promises. Remember the governor told us there weren’t going to be any tax increases this year? And so many of our local politicians campaigned last year on how they were going to change Connecticut’s backwards affordable housing laws. How did that go, John?

Ryan: Where do you want to start? Because the gas tax increased and I never saw any changes to the affordable housing law.

There is also the ludicrous, such as the state’s in-process “busway boondoogle” possibly not even being a one-time debacle. See “Second Busway? Transportation options under consideration in rail study” (BristolPress.com, July 6).

Or an old nightmare possibly returning. See “Tribal Recognition Battle May Restart” (courant.com, July 6).

Fisher: It’s not possible for us to be that unlucky, is it? A Bridgeport casino after all and more traffic nightmares along southern Connecticut?

Ryan: Speaking of traffic nightmares, our astute readers surely know that our record highest gas (unleaded and diesel) taxes are not actually going to their supposed use. See “Another bypass: Latest gas tax hike won’t help roads, rail, bridges” (CTMirror.org, June 28).

Fisher: First Hartford raised the train ticket rates and spent that money on anything but rail service. Now they want to use the gas tax to pay for other unneeded spendings in the bloated state budget. Unfortunatley this has become the typical of the Malloy administration, which is always happy to blame the previous administration. But he never mentions that his party, the Democrats, have controlled the state legislator for nearly three decades.

But so long as the taxpayers don’t notice, the politicians will keep on this track.

College Dogs offers a wide variety of hot dogs and ice cream.

When Zach Cohen and his Cones 4 College ice cream business won the Martin Park ice cream bid for 2013, he thought he would do what he has done for the past four summers. He would have a presence there as well as service the community on his truck. However, one thing led to another and “College Dogs” was born.

“When I was approached, I played with the idea for a while,” said Mr. Cohen. “It made sense but I had no time. I work alone now and I was juggling a lot. But, one night I started drawing a logo and thinking up a menu. How could I say no?”

His mom, Lynn, decided to help. She has a soft spot for the hot dog business. “My dad was in the hot dog business in the 1950’s — College Dogs is sort of a tribute to him, in my mind anyway. What can be better than to honor your dad and help your son at the same time? I would have done anything for my dad and would so anything for my son. It became a no-brainer.”

Together they and their crew provide an extensive hot dog menu and many ice cream choices.

“The response has been amazing,” said Mr. Cohen. “People love the food and the convenience. We are trying to give it a family picnic type feel.”

College Dogs and Cones 4 College are available to do parties. For information, email zach@cones4college.com.

X marks the site of planned cell tower. The green area is approximate location of open space recently purchased by the town.

Procedural machinations leading toward construction of a cellular communications tower in Ridgebury have begun — and a public hearing in Ridgefield should be part of the process, according to First Selectmen Rudy Marconi.

“I did have a meeting with AT&T and their attorney,” Mr. Marconi said Monday when asked about expectations concerning land that Wilton Bank sold to a cell tower development company in May — without any involvement by the town.

“What they said is they’re partnering with the company that is going to be building a cell tower in Ridgebury, and stated that I would be hearing in the near future from the siting council,” Mr. Marconi said. “During that meeting I specifically requested that there be a public hearing that takes place here in Ridgefield, and they agreed.

“But all of this has to go through the siting council he added. “There’s still a great deal more information that has to be gathered to complete the application for submittal to the siting council.”

The Connecticut Siting Council is a body created by the state to decide locations for facilities that serve the public but are often unwelcome in neighborhoods and municipalities, including cell towers, power lines, and waste disposal sites.

Melanie Bachman, acting executive director of the siting council, said the process allows for local input, although municipal authorities don’t have the power to approve or deny locations.

“There is a statutory requirement that the cell tower company consult with the host municipality for at least 90 days before they submit an application to the council,” she said.

The carrier would submit a technical report to the town’s chief elected official — in Ridgefield, the first selectman — and other interested local agencies such as zoning and wetlands boards, might be included.

If a “public information meeting” is sought by local officials, the company proposing a tower is required “to make a best effort” to have it.

The siting council conducts formal public hearings at its office in New Britain. The hearings must be noticed 30 days ahead in a newspaper that circulates in the area where the tower is proposed, Ms. Bachman said.

Tuesday, a day after Mr. Marconi said he’d met with an AT&T representatives, Chuck Coursey, spokesperson for AT&T Connecticut, issued a brief statement confirming the company’s involvement in a Ridgefield tower project.

“For several years AT&T has been looking for a solution to provide needed reliable cell coverage for our customers in the northwest section of Ridgefield,” the statement said. “We’re continuing that effort and working with Homeland Towers toward that goal.”

Danbury-based Homeland Towers describes itself as a company that “provides wireless infrastructure solutions” for clients that include “cellular carriers.”

Homeland did not respond to a request for comment.

In May Wilton Bank sold a three-acre house lot, just off the intersection of Old Stagecoach Road and Aspen Ledges Drive to InSite Towers LLC, based in Alexandria, Va., for $265,000.

“InSite Towers LLC owns, operates and manages wireless tower site facilities, and is currently developing sites throughout the United States,” the firm’s website says

Tim Peterson, director of business development for InSite, said at that time that “there had to be an interest from a party” for the firm to close on a land purchase.

“We did close on it,” he added. “There’s two carriers that have expressed interest in the site.”

Alexandra McKinnis and Drew Giovannoli

Laura and Tony Giovannoli of Ridgefield have announced the engagement of their son, Drew Anthony Giovannoli, to Alexandra Andrea McKinnis, daughter of Patricia Valdenegro and Frank McKinnis of Houston, Texas.

The couple met in January 2011 while they were studying in Milan, Italy.

The future bride received a bachelor of science in finance from the Trinity University.

Her fiancé, who graduated from Ridgefield High School in 2007, received a bachelor of science in economics and entrepreneurship from Indiana University.

Both are avid travelers, cooks, and love spending time with friends and family.

The couple became engaged in Hawaii on May 18 and the wedding is planned for next summer in Connecticut.

The Woodcock Nature Center is going green?

Yes, even the nature center saw steps it could take to create a more natural environment for the schoolchildren who play and learn there. A couple weeks ago, to fulfill its environmental mission and encourage more outdoor play by kids, it installed a new natural playground incorporating, wherever possible, only organic materials.

Just about every piece of playground equipment is now made of natural materials. The renovations include a rope “spider web” for kids to climb on, a chalkboard to foster the children’s artistic talents, and a wooden fort equipped with a slide the children have named “The Castle.”

At outdoor classes, counselors read books about animals and insects to the kids and draw pictures on the chalkboard.

The new playground has been a big hit, said Henryk Teraszkiewicz, executive director of the nature center — beyond anything he could have hoped for.

“The kids are asking, ‘How much playground time?’ or ‘When can we go to the playground?’” he said. The feedback has been especially positive from the younger age groups.

Mr. Teraszkiewicz said the younger kids have been extremely enthusiastic about the playground and it has made them all much more “attached to nature.” The playground, free to the public and open to all ages, is not designed to replace nature walks, but rather to introduce children to the idea of the outdoors as more fun and fulfilling than video games or watching television — a “gateway” to nature, as Mr. Teraszkiewicz put it.

In the near future, new spotting scopes will be added to allow kids to view the nature center’s trails, ponds, and wildlife. There will also be a log, carved out to allow water to flow through it. This will enable kids to experiment with the flow of water and see what happens when it is redirected at different points along the way.

While it advocates for greater connection with the outdoors, the nature center is nonetheless conscious of the technology-based era we live in. It has incorporated smartphone use into the nature trails. When scanned, QR codes on tree stumps give information about the trail or wildlife that inhabits the area. After the hikers have finished reading it displays a message urging them to put away their phones and continue on the trail until they find the next code. It’s all part of repurposing the nature center.

Mr. Teraszkiewicz said the nature center has been refining its mission over the past 10 years. In the beginning, its mission was primarily conservation-based; now, however, the emphasis is on creating a strong connection between nature and young people. If a stronger connection is made, conservation will naturally follow.

The playground’s role is to interest children in nature while making their parents more comfortable with the idea of children playing outdoors. Mr. Teraszkiewicz said this new direction is partly inspired by the work of journalist Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Mr. Louv argues that disconnection from nature in childhood can lead to depression and antisocial behavior later in life.

One study by Mr. Louv suggests the young leaders who emerge from natural playgrounds tend to be chosen based on intelligence, while leaders in conventional “blacktop” playgrounds are chosen based on physical strength. Mr. Louv spoke at the Woodcock Nature Center earlier this year, and later in Newtown, about the healing effects of nature, a message the Woodcock Nature Center supports now more than ever.

The wedding of Rachel Rose McCormick and Terrance Matthew Knoche took place on Oct. 13, 2012, in the backyard of the bride’s parents, Lisa and Robert McCormick of Ridgefield.

Dr. Bruce Rose Jr. of Atlanta, the bride’s uncle, performed the late-afternoon ceremony. The groom is the son of Susan and Phillip Knoche of Ridgefield.

The bride wore a pearl white gown, featuring a pleated taffeta bodice and a skirt of silk organza embellished with taffeta leaves dotted with crystals. She carried sunflowers as her father walked her down the aisle. The bridesmaids wore cobalt blue silk chiffon dresses and carried sunflowers and blue hydrangeas.

Maids of honor were Meagan Shea, formerly of Ridgefield, and Ashley Reis. Bridesmaids were Jennifer Christoffers, Emily Case Knoche, Erin Knoche and Dr. Amy Rose. Junior bridesmaid was Abby Rudolph and flower girl was Alexis Rose Laven.

Best men were Will Kobe and Justin Reynolds of Ridgefield. Groomsmen were Brian Knoche, Philip Knoche Jr., Christopher McCormick and Robb McCormick, ring bearer was Soren Christoffers.

Music for the ceremony was arranged, composed and performed by the bride’s brothers, Robb McCormick and Christopher McCormick, who played piano alongside the Heritage String Quartet, comprised of members of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.

A reception featuring Connecticut-based band Deep Banana Blackout, a favorite of the couple’s, was held at The Matrix.

The bride graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 2010 with a degree in elementary education-English. She is an office manager and riding trainer with Starbuck Equestrian, and a home-school teacher.

The groom attended Ridgefield High School and is employed by RKW Land Surveying of New Canaan.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Knoche honeymooned in Jamaica and Grand Cayman. They live in Ridgefield.

Certain financial debts from your past may affect your current federal tax refund. The law allows the use of part or all of your federal tax refund to pay other federal or state debts that you owe.

Here are six facts from the IRS that you should know about tax refund “offsets.”

1. A tax refund offset generally means the U.S. Treasury has reduced your federal tax refund to pay for certain unpaid debts.

2. The Treasury Department’s Financial Management Service is the agency that issues tax refunds and conducts the Treasury Offset Program.

3. If you have unpaid debts, such as overdue child support, state income tax or student loans, FMS may apply part or all of your tax refund to pay that debt.

4. You will receive a notice from FMS if an offset occurs. The notice will include the original tax refund amount and your offset amount. It will also include the agency receiving the offset payment and that agency’s contact information.

5. If you believe you do not owe the debt or you want to dispute the amount taken from your refund, you should contact the agency that received the offset amount, not the IRS or FMS.

6. If you filed a joint tax return, you may be entitled to part or all of the refund offset. This rule applies if your spouse is solely responsible for the debt. To request your part of the refund, file Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation. Form 8379 is available on IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-829-3676.

Additional IRS Resources:

• Tax Topic 203 — Refund Offsets

• Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation

• Treasury Offset Program — U.S. Treasury Financial Management Service website

IRS YouTube Videos:

• When Will I Get My Refund? — English | Spanish | ASL

• How to Use the Where’s My Refund? Tool — English | Spanish | ASL

IRS Podcasts:

• When Will I Get My Refund? — English | Spanish

• How to Use the Where’s My Refund? Tool — English | Spanish

With temperatures over 90 degrees predicted for the entire week, the town has opened a cooling center at the Ridgefield Parks and Recreation Center on Danbury Road for residents looking to escape the heat.

“The town recognizes the weather forecast for the next week includes up to seven days of a heat wave,” said Fire Chief Heather Burford. “We’re concerned for anyone without access to air conditioning and the ability to cool off and we think it’s important to provide a town facility to get out of the heat.

“We encourage people to take this seriously.”

The cooling center will be open during regular business hours: Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Chief Burford said there is no overnight sheltering at this time, but there could be depending on the volume of people requesting emergency help.

“It could be deemed necessary to keep the facility open as an overnight shelter but we’d hope that won’t have to be the case,” Chief Burford said.

Chief Burford added that the duration of the predicted heat wave has town officials worried.

A heat wave is defined by temperatures above 90 degrees with high humidity that occurs for three consecutive days.

“It’s been a while, at least several years, since we last saw a heat wave that was supposed to go for seven or more days,” Chief Burford said. “The length of time of this forecast has us worried. Seven days is a long time to go without a break — it’s a very long time.”

The town has experienced three heat waves so far this summer, but none of which has lasted more than four days, she said.

In addition to duration, predicted nighttime temperatures have officials concerned.

“At night, the temperatures are not dropping enough nor is the humidity dropping enough to give people a reprieve from the heat,” said Chief Burford.

The people most vulnerable to the heat wave are people above 65, infants under a year old, and people who are living alone or who are “socially isolated.”

“We really want to get the message to those over the age of 65,” Chief Burford explained. “We’re encouraging folks to check on your senior neighbors, and any neighbor who may have limited contact to others.”

She added that people taking certain medications for insomnia, high blood pressure and depression should be checked on throughout the heat wave.

The last group of people the town is concerned about are those who do exercise outdoors — bikers and runners — and workers.

“Anybody who is outdoors and engages in serious activities should take adequate breaks,” Chief Burford said. “Our recommendation is to not workout outside during this period.”

In terms of what to do during the heat wave, Chief Burford said people should wear light-weight and lightly colored clothing, avoid the eating of foods heavy in fat, and, most importantly, stay hydrated.

“If you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated,” Chief Burford said. “You need to be proactive in hydration and address it before you feel thirsty.”

To avoid dehydration, Chief Burford said people should limit their outdoor activity as much as possible and should not consume alcohol.

In terms of food choices, she said people should eat lightly — consume fruits and vegetables that are easy to digest, not fried meats such as pork and chicken.

“Everyone should know the symptoms of heat exposure, most importantly,” she said.

Chief Burford added that the Rec Center will operate under normal business conditions, but is “a friendly, open environment” for people to do work and relax.

“The Rec Center is a very inducive location to host the general public,” she said. “It’s very welcoming for those looking to get out of the heat for as long as they need.”

For any more questions about the cooling center, Chief Burford said to call the Rec Center’s main line at 431-2755.

More than a month after a fatal shooting on Ridgebury Road, the state police’s investigation continues, with little new information.

State police Captain Thomas Garbedian said the case is ongoing in the Western District Major Crime Squad unit, but would not issue any further comment.
Capt. Garbedian is filling in for Lt. Paul Vance, who has been the public information officer assigned to the investigation, and is on vacation.

The state police’s search warrant application, which was unsealed on June 12, revealed that four Ridgefield police officers responded, two shots were fired and the victim, who was armed, was shot inside his home.

In addition, the document states one of four responding officers, Officer Jorge Romero, fired two shots from his gun, striking the victim in the torso.

In a previous statement, Lt. Vance stated Ridgefield officers received an emergency call around 5:15 p.m, responding to a domestic incident. When they arrived, “they confronted a male subject in the yard of the residence,” who was armed with a handgun.

Lt. Vance said that Officer Romero fired his weapon after Mr. Valluzzo refused to drop his gun and “raised the weapon towards the officers.”

According to the affidavit, police saw Mr. Valluzzo “walking upright and advancing towards them,” while holding a revolver.

“Immediately recognizing that Valluzzo was armed with a handgun, Officer Romero ordered Valluzzo at least twice to drop the weapon. Valluzzo failed to drop the weapon and approached to within 15 feet of the officer,” the affidavit reads.

The police were sent to the Valluzzo house after  Lt. Michael Gates received a phone call at 4:45 p.m. from in Boca Raton, Fla.

The caller identified herself as Janine Saviano and reported an active domestic dispute involving her cousin, Anna Parille, and Mr. Valluzzo at 423 Ridgebury Road.

Ms. Parille told Ms. Saviano over the phone that Mr. Valluzzo had been drinking “a large quantity of alcohol” and was armed.

Police have not released a toxicology report.

In addition to the toxicology report, police have not commented on whether or not there were previous domestic disputes at the residence.

Ms. Parille testified that she had been on the phone with Ms. Saviano when she entered the home. At that time, Mr. Valluzzo started yelling at her. She told Ms. Saviano he had been drinking wine.

Mr. Valluzzo got the gun from a pouch alongside the bed in the master bedroom, the affidavit says. He began waving the weapon around in that room and feigning to call police on his cell phone.

“Valluzzo made comments into the phone such as, ‘There’s an invader in my house,’” the affidavit reads.

Mr. Valluzzo left the room when he heard the police arriving and that’s when Ms. Parille locked herself in the bedroom.

Ridgefield Police Captain Tom Comstock said Officer Romero has not been reinstated to patrol duties as of Monday, July 8. Captain Comstock had early reported Officer Romero had been assigned to departmental adminstrative duty.

An “ergonomic technology” company’s plan to relocate from Danbury to Ridgefield has roused opposition from a townhouse complex which overlooks the firm’s Route 7 development site.

“I live there. That’s my concern,” John Tartaglia from The Regency at Ridgefield told a public hearing on plans by Ergotech Inc.

“What am I supposed to do during those three months that they’re blasting?” said Diana Repishti, another Regency resident. “I have a breathing problem. Now I’m being told I’m going to have blasting going on…”

About 40 people showed up for the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing last Tuesday, July 2, on Ergotech plans for three acres on the west side of Route 7, across from Little Pond, just south of the Route 35 intersection. The 73-unit Regency complex is north and east of the Ergotech site.

Fifteen people — all Regency residents  — spoke against the plans. No one spoke in favor.

The public hearing was continued for another session next Tuesday, July 16, starting at 7:30 in the Town Hall Annex at 66 Prospect Street.

Commissioner John Katz noted that the plans appeared to be in keeping with the requirements of the B-2 business zone the property is in, and with the commission’s long-standing goal of increasing the “non-residential” portion of the town’s tax base.

“The Plan of Conservation and Development promotes business development in areas currently zoned for business use,” Mr. Katz said.

Ergotech Inc. designs and builds ergonomic factory equipment that gives workers the ability to easily reposition large, heavy products during manufacturing.

“We provide solutions that make it easier and safer for factory workers to do their job,” Dr. Earl Hagman, a Ridgefielder and a principal in the firm, told the hearing.

“The ergonomic philosophy is to search for solutions to workplace problems and to create a safe, comfortable work place that will reduce the potentials for bio-mechanical injuries,” Dr. Hagman wrote in a paper on file with the application in the planning office. “Workplace injuries and illnesses cost the nation an estimated $171 billion each year.”

The firm’s ergonomic equipment is put to a wide range of uses: manipulating huge granite slabs to be sawed into counter tops; maintenance of military helicopters; and the creation of what Dr. Hagman described as “fabulous head shrouds” for Cirque de Soleil performers.

The firm wants to build a 20,000-square-foot light industrial facility on the currently vacant three-acre Route 7 site owned by Larry Leary Development LLC.

About 20 or 25 people would work there in the near future, although Dr. Hagman said the firm’s move is partly to accommodate expected growth. The new building would house 5,000 square feet of offices, 5,000 square feet of light assembly, and 10,000 square feet of warehouse space, with parking for 34 cars underneath.

“We are not involved in any noise generation or pollution,” Dr. Hagman said.

The new building would replace facilities now in Danbury. Ergotech also has an overseas plant.

The B-2 business zone allows “light industrial uses” and Route 7 north of Haviland Road has been zoned for business use since at least 1950, according to Town Planner Betty Brosius’ report to the commission.

The Egotech site is just south of the new Gateway Zone created to allow retail growth in the area. While the area had been studied for inclusion in the Gateway area, it is not part of the new zone or the lawsuit.

Commissioner Katz said he thought the proposal’s compliance with the town plan’s goals were important.

The 1999 version of plan set a goal of maintaining 15% to 25% of the tax base as “non-residential” and the 2010 update of the document admitted that the goal “may no longer be realistic” in view of all the residential growth.

“The overarching goal,” the plan says, “should be to pursue an increase in the commercial component of the tax base according to a more reasonable numeric goal based on historical figures in the 13% to 18% range.”

Neighbors of the site had many questions about the facility. Would it be visible from Regency? Not looking out at the horizon, they were told, but looking down it might be seen from some parts of Regency.

There was debate about whether activities at the site —  manufacturing, trash collection, snow-plowing — might be heard.

The rear of the site will remain an acre of wooded hillside, separating the industrial building from The Regency.

“It’s pretty high up,” Ralph Gallagher, Ergotech’s engineer, said of the townhouse complex, “72 feet above the roof of this building.”

Regency resident Kevin Jones wasn’t reassured.

“I can tell you when Ritz Asia gets their garbage removed,” he said, “noise travels up, and it’s not buffered by that hill.”

Huk Cheh, another Regency resident, backed him.

“I can hear traffic on Route 7,” he said, “even though my hearing’s not that good.”

A traffic study from Frederick P. Clark Associates reported the daily weekday traffic volume on Route 7 in the area was 17,153 vehicles, with a weekday peak hour volume of 1,375 vehicles between 8 and 9 in the morning.

Ergotech’s 20 or 30 workers weren’t projected to make a significant impact.

But neighbors’ worries focused on work at the site.

“I’m more concerned with the construction phase,” said Paul Siomkos. “When I hear terms ‘blasting’ and ‘rock-crushing’ — that’s going to be a major nuisance.”

“That’s a big deal, when you start blasting,” Dale Daniels said.

“The blasting doesn’t go on for very long,” said Mr. Gallagher, project engineer.

The planning office file includes a brief report from town Fire Marshal Dave Lathrop, outlining plans for possible blasting.

“During construction if blasting is needed pre-blasting surveys will be requested of homes above the site at Regency to check for the amount of vibration that may be caused by blasting,” Mr. Lathrop wrote. “Our office will oversee all blasting.”

Arthur Levine wanted Regency townhouse owners be protected from mishaps.

“Have extra insurance, in case there was a rock slide, a movement of the mountain,” he said. “I’d prefer to have an insurance company pay, as opposed to everybody suing.”

The application includes a request to use a rock crushing machine during construction, and Regency resident John Tartaglia asked how the machine would compare to equipment at the Tilcon facility visible from Route 84 north of Waterbury.

No one from Ergotech’s development team, the commission, or the town planning staff, nor the could testify to size of the rock crusher.

Mr. Tartaglia responded with incredulity: “You’re going to approve a rock crusher without knowing the details, the size of it?”

An architect’s rendering of main Elms building after it’s renovated and modified for multifamily use.

The proposed floating zone at the Elms Inn property is stuck in the mud — literally.

A potential wetland on the eastern portion of the property raised concerns among Planning and Zoning Commission members and wetland experts at a public hearing Tuesday night, prompting a continuation of the hearing to next Tuesday, July 16 — or possibly to Sept. 9 if the application’s consultants can’t complete the necessary research work in time.

“We’re hoping to accommodate the applicant who’s been working patiently with us since March,” said Chairwoman Rebecca Mucchetti.

The plan for a 16-unit housing complex on three acres proposes a new Main Street Design District (MSDD) — or “floating zone.”

The Scala family, who has owned the Elms property for some 60 years, wants a zone change that would convert the property from one-acre residential (RA) to the proposed MSDD zone.

The new zone would be a regulation that exists on the town’s books but isn’t attached to any specific spot on the zoning map.

“Fundamentally it’s a good regulation, but the standards are too narrow and I would suggest the commission give itself more flexibility — more discretion — on broader issues such as density,” said consultant Vincent McDermott of Milone & MacBroom Inc. “The concept gives you legislative authority to decide what properties can attach the floating zone and which ones can’t.”

While the floating zone concept was discussed for about 45 minutes Tuesday, the main dispute of the hearing was over the property’s wetland.

“It’s not a potential wetland, it is a wetland,” said Matt Sanford, a professional wetlands scientist, who is a consultant for the commission.

“The hydrology, the vegetation and the soils all verify this as a wetland.”

The applicant’s wetland scientist, William Kenny, spoke before Mr. Sanford and claimed the area “could be a wetland,” but couldn’t confirm it because of its location — a downhill slope on the lower side of the town’s already established wetland system.

“The current system discharges into this lower area,” said Mr. Kenny, pointing at the potential wetland on the map of Elms property.

Mr. Kenny proposed a new pipeline that would discharge at a similar location to the existing pipe that would be “pulled back significantly” to enhance the wetland system on the property, which would control water discharge along with drainage flow.

Mr. Sanford said that they would need to verify if the area is in fact a wetland before approving any proposals.

The two experts agreed to meet on site sometime this week and seemed confident they could resolve the dispute.

“The wetlands issue can be settled amicably,” said Robert Jewell, the applicant’s attorney. “We will nail it down before the next hearing.”

Casagmo association president Michael Zap, one of three speakers at the hearing, discussed a flood that caused the property’s retention pond to overflow on July 1. “It was only a half inch of rain and there was an overflow that flooded the complex,” he said. “It doesn’t take much rain to affect our neighborhood.

“We don’t want any more water in, we’re having enough problems with what we’re getting already.”

Although the issue of storm runoff and peak flow had been addressed at hearings March 12 and April 23, the revised application submitted on June 11 called for the applicants to address those concerns again Tuesday.

Steve Sullivan, the engineer on the project, said the plans had been revised to use a technique called “permeable pavers,” which had been presented at a previous meeting and had not been modified.

The Elms site runoff had been reduced to less than a 1% increase.

In addition, Mr. Sullivan said the “peak flow” — the rate at which runoff leaves the property at the height of a storm — would be less than what it is now.

“The volume of runoff is a negligible increase — it’s almost immeasurable,” Mr. Sullivan said. “There will be no negative impact to downstream properties.”

He added that it did not make sense to build a storm water retention system into the project, since it’s in the lower third of a larger watershed, and holding back water would ultimately release it later to coincide with the overall peak further upstream.

Some commission members believed this was enough verification to ease Mr. Zap’s concerns.

“With the proposed plan, the peak runoff would be less and that seems to have contributed to your recent flooding,” said Commissioner Michael Autuori.

However, other public speakers felt the Elms owners should still work with Casagmo to control storm runoff.

The proposed project aims to preserve all three buildings that face Main Street — the inn, the restaurant and the 1740 house — and use them as residential units.

The third public hearing for the revised plan was originally scheduled for June 4, but the application was withdrawn because Mr. Jewell felt there would not be enough time for the commission to adequately discuss the substantial changes made to the application.

The applicant’s consultant recommended the floating zone after reviewing the application because it would not change the existing MFDD regulations.

One of the application’s previous amendments requested the commission to waive the MFDD zone’s 50-foot setback regulation, when it seems appropriate, such as when historic buildings need to be renovated.

This alarmed commissioners, who thought the applicant was proposing changes with the goal of making the MFDD zone work better for their property.

“I want to compliment the applicant and their consultants on their patience throughout this process,” said Commissioner John Katz right before the hearing closed.

Strike while the iron is hot. That is the message local Realtors are telling prospective buyers as the real estate market continued to surge in the second quarter. “There’s definitely a lot more enthusiasm to buy — buyers have been given the green light to buy and the market has now turned the corner in buyers’ sentiment,” said Laura Freed Ancona of William Pitt. “There’s still lots of hope amongst prospective buyers that they haven’t missed the bottom and they can still get significant value at top price… “Our biggest challenge now is the increased interest rates — if they don’t stabilize, that could begin to dampen sales.” As of Monday, July 8, Ms. Freed Ancona said 129 units — 115 single-family homes and 14 condos — had been sold this spring, a 29% increase from the 92 units sold last year and a 46% increase from the 69 units sold in 2011. In addition, 58 houses are pending under contract and 55 under deposit. “In theory, there’s another 113 homes pending or under deposit and that activity would have happened in the second quarter,” Ms. Freed Ancona explained. “The average closing period is 60 days so we won’t see those sales until the end of the month or the end of the summer.” While the general overview of the market remains positive, the upper end market is making a “strong comeback” with 25 single-family homes closed at above $1 million, said Bob Neumann of Neumann Real Estate. Thirty-two single-family houses listed at above $1 million are under contract or under deposit, according to Mr. Neumann. “Of the 329 single family homes available, 108 are under deposit or waiting to be closed — that’s 33% of the market,” he added. “Of those 108, there are 32 homes listed above $1 million, which is almost a third. “The million-plus price range is always an active market here, but there’s been lots of activity this year, especially in the $1.5-million-plus market.” Six houses closed this year that were listed above $1.5 million, while another 10 are under contract — three of which are above $3 million. The most expensive home sold in the second quarter was a five-bedroom, 6,500 square-foot house on two-plus acres, which sold for $1,915,000, according to Ms. Freed Ancona. As for lowest price for a single-family home, Mr. Neumann said a house went for $142,000 in the second quarter, while the lowest priced closing was $242,500 last year. In comparison to the 70 units sold from January to March, there were 45 units that transferred in just two weeks from June 20 to July 2, bringing the total number of units sold to 199 this year. “Traditionally, end of March through June and into July is our busiest time of the year,” Ms. Freed Ancona added. “We’ve seen an increase in both median sales price and average home price this quarter.” The median sales price went from $527,750 in the first quarter to $595,000 in the spring, but was still down slightly from where it was last year at this time. In the second quarter of 2012, the average home price was $762,036, while the average home price this spring was $636,000. Similar to this year, the most expensive home sold last spring was a five-bedroom, 10,000-square-foot house on two acres, which went for $1.9 million. “We’re not seeing that much of an average price increase yet,” Mr. Neumann said. “Interest rates are rising across the board, though, and that has gotten people off the fence; it’s made them more anxious than in previous years.” Conveyance tax, the fee the town collects on all property transfers, including lots and commercial property, was above budgeted figures in the second quarter, signaling a rise in the volume of homes sold and the median price of sales. The town took in a total of $200,635 from conveyance taxes, collecting $49,927 in April, $59,557 in May and $91,151 in June — all up from last year, according to Town Clerk Barbara Serfilippi. “Very nice way to end the fiscal year,” she said. Condominium closings went from eight last year to 23 in the second quarter this year — a noticeable increase. Prices ranged from a $105,000 unit at Casagmo to a $747,000 unit at the Regency, said Mr. Neumann. According to Prudential Connecticut Realty’s town overview, there are 36 condos on the market and 56 rental units available. Across the state, the real estate market is looking up. Home sales in Connecticut were up almost 3% in May, rising to the highest level of transactions for the month since 2010, according to the Warrern Group, publisher of the Commercial Record. A total of 2,356 single-family homes sold in May at the median price of $268,500, up 8% from a year ago. Looking forward, local Realtors believe there will be steady activity throughout the remaining two quarters. Despite the optimism, Mr. Neumann acknowledged that storms in 2011 and 2012 ruined the final quarter of each year. “We expect to be busy in the third quarter and if there are no hurricanes or brutal winter storms later this year, then we should remain pretty active,” he said. “The market has really made great strides this year and we hope that continues.”

Eighth graders Rico Froehlich, Abbey Walter and Caleb Knapp (left to right) participated in trials for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) by completing presentations about suspension bridges on their own technology equipment.

Technology Integrator Kim Moran, the computer guru of Scotts Ridge Middle School and East Ridge Middle School, can’t wait for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to come to the middle schools. “The school district is moving with the Digital Age,” she says, “and that is a very positive thing.”

A “device” is portable electronic technology — laptops, netbooks, tablets — with wireless Internet access. A device has word processing capability, storage capacity, sound recording and a host of other features depending upon the apparatus. It might belong to the student or be provided by the school.

In anticipation of BYOD soon becoming the middle school standard, pilot studies using district-supplied Chromebooks and student’s own devices were conducted this year in seventh and eighth grade science classes at Scotts Ridge. The goal of the trials was to gauge teacher and student response to using devices for research projects and presentations. Using web resources, eighth grade physical science students prepared presentations about suspension bridges, and seventh grade life science students made stop-motion animation videos about cell production.

Ms. Moran reports that the students were “engaged and collaborating. Kids love video. They love animation and sound. They like recording and taking pictures. What they learned is that there are many ways to accomplish a goal and they can work with what they find interesting. There is a learning curve but, when it comes to computers, kids jump right in! One of the things we know from the trials is that phones, or phone-sized screens, are not as effective. The tablet-sized screen or larger is more suited to the work students do.”

Most teachers, according to Ms. Moran, anticipate introducing devices for research projects first, but the uses will go far beyond. “I love bringing this technology to the teachers and showing them new things. There are cool things happening. The idea is to go to the teachers, tell them what is available, and ask if they think it can enhance their curriculum,” says Ms. Moran.

When homework, project instructions or class notes are posted on a SmartBoard or white board in a classroom, students can use a device to take a photograph of the posted material. While the process of taking notes won’t disappear, the photograph in lieu of or in addition to notes can be an added safety assurance for any student and a significant aid to students with learning disabilities. There are Educational Applications (Apps) for all disciplines and skill sets, and opportunities for differentiated learning will increase substantially. Common Core standardized testing is expected to be device-friendly as well.

When the middle school technology rollout comes, it will come with guidelines for students and for parents who are concerned about equipment care and safety. It is understood that not every student will have a device, but all students will have access to technology. This year’s trials involved groups sharing computers. “Of course, we’ll roll this out with ‘professional development’ for kids and parents too, just like we do for teachers,” says Ms. Moran. “We’ll cover everything from charging your devices to taking care of them, to technology safety and sharing of information.”

The school district’s Acceptable Technology Use Policy and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Protocol for the Use of Technology in the Schools can be viewed at www.policy.cabe.org/ridgefield.

Written by Alison Smolin of Scotts Ridge Middle School

Sue Goff at work, organizing and cataloguing countless letters dealing with the Sandy Hook shootings.

If reinvention is the key to a meaningful retirement, Sue Goff may be the poster person. A music teacher in the Ridgefield Schools for 38 years, Ms. Goff is now moving on to new venues.

“When I first thought about retirement I considered volunteering at Keeler Tavern,” explained, Ms. Goff. “But then the Newtown tragedy occurred and being both a mother and a teacher, I felt that I wanted to put my time into helping their efforts.”

“I am now an active part of the Newtown Document Project and have read and catalogued more than 100,000 letters,” she said. “In fact, the back seat of my car is always filled with several new boxes of letters to examine.”

She said, “The letters that have moved me the most are from people of all ages with Asperger’s. They want people to know that they are nothing like Adam Lanza — that they are good people who truly care about others.”

Ms. Goff has compiled a wonderful scrapbook of letters from all of the world, with different messages, bits of advice and words of hope. If any civic group or classroom teacher would like her to come speak on her experience with these letters, she is more than happy to do so.

Interestingly enough, Ms. Goff has also composed a song related to the Newtown incident, called A Star, A Child, to Guide the Way. Sung by church choirs, this song talks about the child as a leader, a healer and a teacher with the fate of the world in his hands.

Still extremely active in music, Ms. Goff is now the longest standing member of the Ridgefield Symphony, playing oboe and English horn with the group since 1974. She continues to teach music lessons, plays with several church groups, and plays in the pit orchestra of numerous musical theater groups.

“My life has always been my music,” Ms. Goff said.

When reflecting on her musical career in the schools, Ms. Goff says, “I loved finding out what was special about each musician, building their skills and then seeing how I could blend all of their music together in a meaningful way. Conducting has been the favorite part of my musical career.”

Before retirement, Ms. Goff became the associate producer of Ridgefield Now We Are Talking television program and she continues with this volunteer position. She was also the owner of an 18th Century house in New Milford and loves to collect and learn more about antiques.

For her latest ventures into retirement, Ms. Goss is proud of the fact that she was able to design and build her own 18-foot waterfall with four pools.

“My father was an artist and he would have been pleased with me on this particular project,” she said.

In the near future, Ms. Goff will be riding the roads of Ridgefield on her newly acquired Honda motorcycle. She won’t be riding into the sunset, but probably to a number of very productive venues.

Ridgefield Republicans head into tonight’s caucus expecting contests for three town boards — Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Education, and Police Commission.

“I’m very, very pleased that we have some good people actually stepping up. That hasn’t always been the case,” said Republican Town Committee Chairman Bob Hebert.

“We have more people than slots to fill, and by and large a well-qualified field of people,” he added.

The caucus is scheduled for tonight, July 18, at 7:30 in town hall’s large lower level conference room.

Any registered Ridgefield Republican may attend, speak, make nominations, and vote at tonight’s caucus gathering.

“Board of Education, we have four people for two slots,” Mr. Hebert said. “We have one incumbent seeking re-election — that’s John Palermo.

“We have three people who asked to be put on the ballot.”

Also seeking the school board seat are Scott Mason, who has served previously on the school board, Charol Signorelli, and Laurie Ann Livingstone.

Incumbent school board member Russell Katz has decided not to seek re-election.

While the party could in theory nominate more than two candidates, due to minority representation rules no more than two Republicans can be seated on the nine-member board, which has four Republican incumbents who aren’t up for re-election.

That’s not an approach the chairman favors.

“I just feel if we run more than we can seat, then we’re competing against one another,” Mr. Hebert said.

With three incumbents seeking to run again for Planning and Zoning Commission, the town committee has had two additional candidates interview for nominations.

One of those candidates remains in the race.

The Republican incumbents on the Planning and Zoning Commission are Chairwoman Rebecca Mucchetti, Michael Autouri, and George Hanlon.

Also seeking the nomination is Steven Cole, who lives in The Regency at Ridgefield, a development that recently has sent crowds of residents to commission hearings and meetings where issues concerning the Route 7 and 35 area were under discussion.

Also interviewing for a seat was Carson Fincham, who Mr. Hebert said had opted to seek nomination to a Board of Appeals on Zoning position.

“He made the decision last night to run for Board of Appeals, as an alternate,” Mr. Hebert said Tuesday, following Monday night’s town committee meeting.

Mr Herbert added, “After putting his name in he realized the time commitment and decided being an alternate on the Board of Appeals was a good way to get his foot in.”

There’s also a contest expected for Police Commission.

“Again, we’re very fortunate here in that we have three solid incumbents and we have two new people entering the race,” Mr. Hebert said.

Republican incumbents seeking nominations for the Police Commission are Tom Reynolds, Carl Lecher and Marcie Coffin, who, earlier this year, was appointed to fill a vacancy left by the mid-term resignation of Susan Craig.

Also on the ballot seeking nomination to the Police Commission are Joe Savino, a former selectman, and John McNicholas, who has previously run for the Police Commission.

Although nominations from the floor are always possible, there are some candidates expected to be uncontested at the caucus meeting.

These include Board of Finance incumbents Marty Heiser and Jill Bornstein, longtime Board of Appeals on Zoning incumbent Charles Creamer, and Mr. Fincham, who is seeking an alternate seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Bob Jewell, the local attorney, is seeking nomination for another term on the Board of Assessment Appeals.

No seats on the Board of Selectmen are up for election this year.

For my whole life trees have been a distraction or maybe even a compulsion. I went through phases where I would prefer evergreens to hardwoods. I would study them out the school bus window. I knew where all the biggest pines and spruces stood.

One of my favorites was about half way toward town from my house on Hessian Drive. It was a Norway Spruce of at least 100 feet. I would imagine being in the upper branches swaying in a light breeze.

In my own front yard there were a few very tall white pines that I would ascend and enjoy the dizzying heights and return to earth with brown sap-stained hands.

As I got older I became more interested in the other kinds of trees that line our roads. I still have a running inventory of notable trees in my mind’s eye.

From a very early age my mother has repeated a story to me that strikes a poignant cord. The summer I was born my mother had to spend the last weeks of her pregnancy in bed. Outside the window stood a stately American elm.

Soon after the tree leafed out in that spring of 1967 some yellow leaves foretold the near future death of this lovely tree. By the time I entered the world in late August, the firewood pile had grown.

I never saw the tree and due to the expanded canopies of the surrounding sugar maples, it was impossible for me to even imagine it. It could be some guilty association, some how the ensuing 46 years have left me to watch other great elms.

There are three I check every time I pass. Last year I noticed the one on the corner of the CVS parking lot had the tell-tale discolored leaves. Although this tree receives various treatments through out the year, I can see its life is rapidly ending.

Elm trees used to be a very dominant tree in the New England landscape. Now they remain few and far between, many unnoticed until in the midst of summer they suddenly shiver off most of their leaves the few remaining yellow brown.

There are still more nice examples of the American Elm in town, but the one by the park will be sorely missed, at least by me.

Another long connection to this dying tree is my father, who used it’s likeness as his campaign emblem for many of his successful runs for Planning and Zoning. A long-term commitment that is also drawing to a close.

Written by David Gelfman, son of Mary and Dr. Nelson Gelfman, is a lifelong resident of North Salem Road.