To the Editor:

Three years ago my husband and I were closing on a home in Ridgefield. I was four months pregnant and was looking forward to moving out of our small one-bedroom condo in New York to a family-friendly town.

There were many attributes of Ridgefield that appealed to me. One being there was ample retail and commercial development but it was kept separate from residential neighborhoods. Our previous condo in New York was in a mixed neighborhood of residential homes and commercial business. With that comes increased traffic, security concerns, additional waste — all which affect the quality of life in residential neighborhoods.

Although I do not live on Old West Mountain Road, this affects our entire community. Had I been looking for a home today, I’d probably be thinking if the Planning and Zoning Commission approves this commercial zoning, could commercial zoning come to my neighborhood in a few years?  

That is why I am appealing to the Planning and Zoning Commission not to mix commercial zoning with residential on Old West Mountain Road. I am hopeful that the board is following legal obligations in that it has to consider all applications — and that at the Jan. 3 public hearing they will continue to enforce current zoning and not allow for amendments.

Michelle Woodman

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The Inland Wetlands Board approved the dredging of three ponds — two at the Casagmo condominium complex off Main Street and another one at a Wilton Road East residence — at its Dec. 6 meeting.

Assistant Town Planner Adam Schnell said the board walked the site of the Wilton Road East pond on Nov. 20.

The Casagmo ponds — the Keeler Retention Pond and the Lawson Pond — were also previously walked on Nov. 20, Schnell said.

“They don’t necessarily have to dredge them now,” he said. “I think they plan on doing it next summer.”

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Work on the Norwalk River Valley Trail is making progress.

The Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) is pleased to report progress on construction of a new boardwalk and new trail section on the east-side “Wilton Loop.”

The boardwalk and trail will connect existing sections of the loop to Twin Oak Lane. 

Trail builder Timber & Stone LLC has made the following progress to date:

• Framing of the 200-foot boardwalk is complete.
• Excavation, sub-surfacing, and surfacing of the new trail to connect the boardwalk with Twin Oak Lane is complete.

The boardwalk still requires a deck and railings. Completion is dependent on obtaining black locust lumber of sufficient quantity and quality, and also on favorable weather. If both lumber mills and Mother Nature cooperate, Timber & Stone hopes to complete the boardwalk by mid-January. The onset of heavy snow could delay completion to the spring.

The new boardwalk and trail was made possible by generous donations from the community, and in particular from Wilton Woman’s Club. The NRVT would like to express its gratitude.

The overall NRVT project aims to build 38 miles of multi-purpose trail connecting Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut, and Rogers Park in Danbury, passing through Wilton, Ridgefield, and Redding on the way.

In addition to creating recreational opportunities for walkers, hikers, cyclists, kids, pets and – on some stretches – equestrians, the NRVT will offer a green and healthy transportation alternative to reach rail stations, schools, offices, and businesses.

For those interested in contributing to the NRVT, tax-deductible contributions may be sent to “The Friends of the NRVT,” P.O. Box 174, Georgetown, CT 06829, or made via the Donate button on our website – www.nrvt-trail.com.  

For general information about the NRVT, please visit the website, or contact the NRVT office at info@nrvt-trail.com and 203-563-0180.

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A crane and crew from Rays Transportation Inc. out of New Windsor, N.Y. was at the Ridgefield Supply Company’s property on Prospect Street Tuesday, Dec. 13, beginning to lay down the short stretch of railroad tracks that will run the length of the old village railroad station, in a historical and decorative function. Ridgefield Supply re-created the ornate Victorian station on the site after the old building proved too far gone to be saved and restored, though some of the roof brackets are original. Ray’s, which proclaims “railroad services” on its truck door, wholesales and recycles a variety of railroad equipment, including ties and rail. —Macklin Reid photo

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The ENOUGH Campaign will gather with members of the community to hold its fourth annual Stamford Vigil of Hope to End Gun Violence honoring the lives lost to the epidemic of gun violence in America on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., in front of the Ferguson Library in Downtown Stamford, 1 Public Library Plaza (at the corner of Bedford and Broad Streets). The ENOUGH Campaign is joined by the Greenwich Council Against Gun Violence, the Brady Campaign Southwestern CT Chapter, and Connecticut Against Gun Violence.

The Stamford Vigil of Hope is one of more than 230 local vigils and events in 39 states around the nation organized by the Newtown Action Alliance (NAA) and the only alliance vigil being held in Fairfield County. It follows the NAA vigil that will take place in Washington D.C. the night before on Capitol Hill with survivors and families of victims of gun violence. The vigil will be part of a nationwide tribute in partnership with the Newtown Foundation, St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Organizing for Action, Everytown Survivor Network and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

As members of the community light candles to honor all victims of gun violence, community leaders who have been pursuing new and effective preventative solutions to gun violence will talk about their roles in the larger effort in Stamford to reduce this devastating problem in our community.

Speakers include Stamford Mayor David Martin; State Representative William Tong; Rev. Dr. Michael G. Christie, associate pastor at Union Baptist Church; Valarie Schultz-Wilson, president and CEO of the Urban League of Southern Connecticut; and Michael Hyman, director of the Chester Addison Community Center.

The organizations participating in this year’s observance of the anniversary of the Sandy Hook School shooting represent more than 25 million Americans who support common sense gun laws that are proven to reduce the rate of gun violence. In the 2016 Election, gun safety won big on state ballot measures in California, Nevada, and Washington, making the case for direct action in gun safety initiatives by voters. Voters in New Hampshire ousted Senator Kelly Ayotte in favor of Gov. (and now Senator-elect) Maggie Hassan, who supports a background check system on all guns sold in America. And in Connecticut, voters chose Senator Blumenthal, gun safety champion, over an NRA-backed challenger. Regardless of the outcome of the Presidential race, American voters stood firm for gun safety.

Dress suitably as the event will be held outdoors, rain, snow or clear skies.

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The Board of Education will be at full strength for the first time since October when it begins work for the 2017-18 school budget next month.

That was the result of Monday night’s special meeting, where the school board interviewed three candidates and voted for Margaret Stamatis to fill a Democratic seat left vacant by Karen Sulzinsky’s resignation on Nov. 17.

Stamatis, who serves as the PTA co-president at Scotts Ridge Middle School, received endorsement from the Democratic Town Committee.

She’s worked on the town’s joint PTA council, serving as president, and volunteers as a parent member of the district’s Strategic Coherence Planning Committee.

Stamatis, who has a law degree from Boston College, is the current president of the town’s Lion’s Heart chapter and has been a member of the Ridgefield Prevention Council since 2007.

She also serves as the chair of the Young Writers’ Conference.

She joins new board member Dr. Stephanie Bell, whom the board selected at its Nov. 14 meeting to fill the Republican seat left vacant by Scott Mason’s resignation on Oct. 21.

Bell currently serves as head of the lower school at Wooster School in Danbury.

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Congregation Shir Shalom is planning a musical show in January and invites area choral singers interested in participating to attend a rehearsal on Monday, Jan. 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 in the sanctuary at the Peaceable Street location.

The show, featuring the Serendipity Chorale and Congregation Shir Shalom’s adult choir, is on Friday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. and fuses prayer and traditional spirituals in the 14th year Gigi Van Dyke and Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray have collaborated.  

Pianist Gina Wilson will perform and Rabbi David Reiner will deliver a message on the Rev. Martin Luther King and co-lead the worship service.

Congregation Shir Shalom is a reform congregation serving Westchester and Fairfield counties. For more information, contact the temple office at 203-438-6589 or ourshirshalom.org

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Comcast and the Ridgefield Police Department have received reports of scam telephone calls from a Plymouth, Mass., number asking residents to give personal financial information in an attempt to pay a fictitious cable bill.

Capt. Jeff Kreitz said residents should never give out personal information if they do not initiate contact with a caller.

“Anyone can call and act like a representative from a reputable organization and they can sound legitimate — remember, this is their job,” he said. “Also, anyone can obtain basic information about someone (name, phone number, address) with just a quick Internet search, which can aid in helping them sound legitimate. If you receive one of these calls, hang up the phone.”

Kreitz said that residents who’ve fallen victim should contact the police department at 203-438-6531.

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The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a two-story addition to the St. Elizabeth Seton Roman Catholic Church rectory at its Dec. 13 meeting.

The proposal requested an additional living unit to be built above the church’s garage bay, according to Assistant Town Planner Adam Schnell.

The space will include a living room, bathroom and bedroom and will be occupied by a member of the church’s staff.

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Kyle Duke, RHS Class of 2015, performs during RMAC’s alumni night on Nov. 25. — Maureen Chakraborty photo

Ridgefield Music and Arts Center (RMAC) had its first event of the year — Night of Words — on Nov. 18, with students sharing original songs, stories, poetry, and monologues in a coffeehouse-style setting.

A week later, RMAC members celebrated Alumni Night with students from Ridgefield High School classes 2007 to 2016 for an open mic that celebrated the group’s 10-year anniversary.

On Dec. 2, RMAC participated in the Holiday Stroll with its annual RMAC ’n’ Cheese fund-raiser, with music from the School of Rock House Band, DisCord, two bands from Bach to Rock, Tyler Carey, Jason Bangser, and Andi Chakraborty in front of the Ridgefield Library.

RMAC’s next event is an art exhibition opening reception at the library on Saturday, Jan. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m.

The group is looking for artists to show and musicians to play during the reception.

Those interested may contact rmactalentagent@gmail.com for more information.

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Robert Buckley, a junior in Ridgefield High School, won the 2016 Congressional App Challenge for Jim Himes’s 4th Congressional District, the U.S. Congress announced this week.

Buckley wrote a smartphone application called “myParkinson’s” that measures tremor activity to help track a patient’s condition over time. The data is anonymously uploaded and stored on a server. Eventually, he plans on applying neural network algorithms to the collected data to help medical researchers better understand the symptoms and one day better diagnose the disease.

The Congressional App Challenge is a competition that encourages high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The challenge highlights the value of computer science and STEM education and encourages students to engage in these fields.

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Thirsty commuters heading home from New York City this holiday season are going to have to give themselves some extra time to grab a drink and unwind on the way home.

The  beverage carts that offered a variety of drinks and snacks on the platforms conveniently to Metro-North riders sometimes hurrying for a train have been pulled due to an ongoing investigation, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. There is currently

The investigation is a result of a spot audit conducted by Metro-North after a vendor complained. The audit revealed irregularities which prompted a full scale audit/investigation of all bar carts and counters. According to the MTA, the inspector general was brought in at the beginning and continues to be involved with the ongoing investigation. Three employees have been removed from service.

“All 18 commissary carts and two commissary counters at Grand Central Terminal have been taken out of service as of Dec. 7 because of an ongoing investigation initiated by Metro-North. They will remain closed while the investigation continues,” said Aaron Donovan, MTA spokesman.

Commuter Action Group founder and Darien resident Jim Cameron added that the timing of the pulling of the bar carts was unfortunate.

“Unfortunate both for the passengers and the MTA — the money they make on bar sales subsidizes fares,” he said.

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On behalf of the Trustees of the Keeler Tavern Museum, we take great pleasure in thanking everyone involved with making the 22nd Cannonball Gala a huge success. In celebration of Keeler Tavern Museum’s 50th anniversary, our past presidents were recognized and honored for their diligence, leadership, and hard work to make Keeler Tavern Museum Ridgefield’s most important historic landmark. Thank you to seven of the 15 past presidents for attending: Elise Haas, Patricia Stephens, Kam Daughters, Clara Horaj Black, Carol Vazzana, Cheryl Crowl, and Joel Third.

Over $70,000 was raised thanks to the generosity of sponsors, donors, individuals, and businesses from the community who donated gifts for silent and live auction items; restaurants who made the restaurant raffle possible; and attendees of the gala.

Sincere thanks are extended to Bridgeport teacher Jennifer Russell for attending and accepting the Anna Keeler Award for Excellence in History and Civics Education.

Thank you to our sponsors, Fairfield County Bank, BMW of Ridgefield, Vazzana family and friends, Pella Windows and Doors, Mary Ann and John Connors, Cheryl and Christopher Crowl, Hildegard and Reinhold Grob, Kane Funeral Home, Marilyn and Vincent Maneri, Montanari Fuel, Joel Third, Suzanne and David Sederholt, Anita and Nick Donofrio, Colonial Cleaners, Union Savings Bank, Cheryl Patterson-Zaic and Gregory Zaic, Phyllis and John Robertson, and Reynolds & Rowella.

A sincere note of thanks to Ira Joe Fisher, auctioneer extraordinaire, and photographer Deborah O’Brien, who did a fabulous job photographing the evening’s festivities.

Last but not least, many thanks to our hardworking committee, Kristin Fedders, Jennifer Hernandez, Catherine Prescott, Mary Beth Prunty, Melanie Tremesani, Cheryl Crowl, Marilyn Dempsey, Dawn Fawcett, Hildi Grob, Angela Liptack, Mary Ann Lutz, Karen McChesney, Hilary Micalizzi, Libby Mueller, Marie Pinchbeck, Phyllis Robertson, Sabina Slavin, and Cassandra Van Cott and Nicole Mata and Caroline Bernstein of Delamata Designs.

Mary Ann Connors and Teri Fischer,

Cannonball Gala chairmen

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Parents fighting to keep the German foreign language program alive at Ridgefield High School tried a different approach at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, singing songs and bringing “Lebkuchen” — German cookies — for the school board members who have listened to arguments in favor of the program throughout the fall.

Caroline Chanin was the first speaker Monday night, breaking out into a Cole Porter song — “Every Time We Say Goodbye” — asking the board to reverse the high school administration’s decision. Chanin had previously sung to the board at its Sept. 26 meeting, when she opened the public comment period with a song from German composer Richard Strauss.

“Every time I sing at these meetings, I sigh, a little. Every time I beg for German, I wonder why, a little,” Chanin sang. “Why the district above me, who must be in the know, thinks so little of German, they’ve allowed it to go. Grandfather in my daughter, I must implore you. Don’t face the wrath of Cole Porter and we’ll adore you. There’s no outcome finer when you graduate with a German — major or minor. Stakeholders will agree. Every time you will succeed.”

She wasn’t the only parent to try something unconventional.

Bebe McCarthy, who has spoken at four previous meetings, brought in the German cookies to the board, but told The Press that it was hard to tell if the parents were making progress.

Daniela Kinsbourne, who along with Chanin started a petition in September that has accumulated 551 signatures, also gave public comment Monday night.

“Listen to the comments you’ve received tonight and at previous meetings,” said Kinsbourne, who has attended every board meeting since Sept. 26.

“Keep all of your foreign language programs, and show that you value the diversity they bring to each student’s education.”

The board thanked Chanin for her song and McCarthy for her snacks but gave no indication that it has changed its mind about discontinuing the German program.

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The Historic District Commission’s chairman, a new golf committee member, three Board of Ethics members, and a veteran of years on the Building Code Board of Appeals were all appointed or reappointed by the Board of Selectmen on a series of unanimous votes at its Dec. 7 meeting.

Historic District Commission

Dan O’Brien was reappointed to the Historic District Commission. He has served nine years on the commission, four as chairman. In an interview with the selectmen, he said a recent accomplishment of the commission was that it now has clear procedures and guidelines that it follows, which are available to the public.

“Anyone can go on the town website and download our rules of procedure and guidelines,” O’Brien told the selectmen.

Board of Ethics

Robert  “Geoff” Harrington, Gregory McLaughlin and John Zembron were reappointed to the Board of Ethics.

Harrington appeared in person, telling the selectmen that while the ethics board had a couple of scheduled public meetings a year, it also responded to citizen complaints and to requests for advisory opinions — these meetings may not be public. They’re also not very frequent, since complaints are rare.

“Fortunately, it’s a very inactive board,” Harrington said.

When the board addresses concerns about officials’ ethics or behavior, he said, they generally act on a letter of complaint that shows how the alleged offense violated the rules for official conduct spelled out in the town charter. This is what they tell people who come to them with concerns.

“We strongly advise them to look at the charter,” he told the selectmen, and explain in a letter “which section of the charter they think is being violated.”

Advisory opinions are sometimes requested by officials themselves concerning situations they find themselves in, and ethics board members offer their views. “Occasionally we have to say something about the appearance of conflict,” Harrington said.

The five-member Board of Ethics has two attorneys as members, including chairman Bart Van de Weghe, Harrington said.

Building code board

Nils “Val” Ericson was reappointed to a seat on the Building Code Board of Appeals. A retired structural engineer who was a partner in the Ridgefield-based DiSalvo Ericson Group, he’s been on the board since 1998.

He told the selectmen the board meets to resolve disputes “should there arise a situation where somebody questions the application of the building code” by town building official Bill Reynolds. It doesn’t happen very often.

“Bill is so competent in his work,” Ericson said.

In addition to himself, an engineer, Ericson said, the board includes two builders, an architect, and a Ridgefielder who works as a building inspector for a nearby Connecticut town.

Golf Committee

Patrick Egan was elevated from an alternate to a full-member of the Golf Committee, replacing Todd Kolb, a longtime member who had resigned.

“It was a factor in my moving here,” Egan said of the town golf course, “to have a place to play golf, that I can afford.”

He added, “I think it gets a tremendous amount of use. It’s always in good shape.”

First Selectman Rudy Marconi noted that membership at the course had fallen from about 2,800 to 1,700 in recent years. But Golf Committee Chairman Ed Tyrrell, there to support Egan’s appointment, said the number of rounds of golf played at the course had remained pretty steady, despite the drop in membership and a general decline in golfing.

“Nationally it’s fallen off, but not in Ridgefield,” Tyrrell said. “We’ve had the right price point, and we’re not trying to be the fancy place.”

Tyrrell also said that Egan, who is in the construction trade, would likely prove a useful member of the golf committee as it copes with periodic need to repair the golf clubhouse.

“If there’s something we need help with, it’s our building,” Tyrrell said.

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Georgie Brennan.

Ridgefield singer-songwriter Georgie Brennan released a new album, Fortify, on Dec. 1  featuring 12 new singles. Brennan has been working on this album from his Ridgefield home since 2014. This is his fourth original release and it is available at most digital music stores, including iTunes, Amazon and Google Plus.

Brennan began writing original music when he was 16. While attending Xavier High School in New York City, he was exposed to blues, jazz and orchestral collaboration, and during his college years at St.John’s University, he began to play his original music over his college radio station, WSJU Radio.

When he graduated from college, he spent nearly seven years working at MTV Animation in New York City.

He has written more than 300 songs to date. He wrote the town anthem and produced the video for This Is My Ridgefield in 2013. He has composed two official school songs — one for Ridgefield Montessori School and one for Scotland Elementary School, as well as the Olympic tribute to Tucker West, Ridgefield luge Olympian.

Brennan has lived in Ridgefield since 2003 with his wife, Katie, a fourth grade teacher in Westchester. They have three children at Scotland Elementary: Connor, 9; Caroline, 9, and Caitlin, 7.

Brennan coaches Little League and girls softball, has worked with the Ridgefield Arts Council and RMAC, and teaches guitar in town.

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To the Editor:

In the GOP Viewpoint (Ridgefield Press, Dec. 8), Mr. Karsanidi again uses the usual inflammatory rhetoric to describe voter concerns about the presidential election as “shenanigans of the Democrats (and their Green surrogates), along with the crying and tantrums.” To make his point, he ends his column with an incorrectly “credited” quote to Albert Einstein without checking its validity, a quote not made by Einstein but used effectively by Alcoholics Anonymous (check the Internet). We have also heard many incorrect and false statements made by president-elect Donald Trump, again without any evidence of their validity.  

Unless unchallenged these false statements become truths, these truths ideologies, and these ideologies even laws of the land. This is a dangerous practice by an ambitious president-elect. There are now serious concerns about his and his nominees’ dealings and conflicts with foreign countries, governments and corporations.  

It is time for president-elect Trump to release his tax returns and a conflict of interest statement. Why has he not done this already? As Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers to oversee the occupation of Japan after World War II, General Douglas MacArthur wrote (Reminiscences 1964), “You do not become overnight the chief magistrate of a great state without many qualms unless your own egotistical vanity has made you a fool or a knave.”    

PA Torzilli

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As a deep winter chill prepares to hit Connecticut, Gov. Dannel Malloy announced Wednesday that he will activate the state’s severe cold weather protocol on Thursday evening.

The protocol will remain in effect through the morning of Saturday, Dec. 17 and it is the first time it has been activated this season. Temperatures over the next couple of days are forecasted to be in the single digits and wind chills below zero.

“As we experience our first bitterly cold weather of the winter season, I am activating our severe cold weather protocol to initiate essential services that will help protect our most vulnerable,” Malloy said.  “Anyone in need of shelter is urged to call 2-1-1 to find the nearest available locations.  I am also encouraging local communities to consider opening warming centers or other facilities to assist people in need.”

While activated, staff from the state’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), the Department of Social Services (DSS), the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and the Department of Housing (DOH) are asked to coordinate with 2-1-1 and Connecticut’s network of shelters to ensure that the state’s most vulnerable populations are protected from the severe cold weather.

This includes the following actions:

• DESPP’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security activates its WebEOC communications network, an internet-based system that enables local, regional and state emergency management officials and first responders to share up-to-date information about a variety of situations and conditions.  The system is used to monitor capacity at shelters across the state, enabling 2-1-1 to act as a clearinghouse to assist in finding shelter space for those who need it.  Local officials, working through WebEOC, can alert 2-1-1 and the state when they open temporary shelters or warming centers.
• DSS and DOH coordinate with 2-1-1 and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, along with community-based providers, to provide transportation for people seeking shelter.
• DMHAS deploys teams that specialize in working with people who are homeless to locate those who are at risk, spread the word about the 2-1-1 system, and encourage them to take shelter.  It also works with shelters to assess and meet the needs of individual clients.

In addition to being able to call 2-1-1 over the telephone, a regularly updated list of open shelters and warming centers across the state is made available online at 211ct.org.

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Enchanted Garden School of Dance will perform its 14th annual Nuts About the Nutcracker Saturday, Dec. 17, at noon and 5 at Ridgefield High School. The cast features some 140 dancers, ages 5 through 18, from Ridgefield and neighboring communities.

Known as The Nutcracker with a twist and set to contemporary orchestrations, the show set in Ridgefield was conceived and choreographed by Enchanted Garden’s dance director, Jean Cobelli.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the door or online: NutsAboutTheNutcracker.EventBrite.com. Proceeds benefit SPHERE.

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The annual Christmas concert of the Fountain Music Series will take place Friday evening, Dec. 16, at 7:30 at First Congregational Church.

The featured work will be Part II of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, which consists of six cantatas, one to be sung on each of the church festivals between Christmas and Epiphany. The work will be sung in English by the church’s concert choir accompanied by a 17-piece professional baroque ensemble with organ. Soloists will be the church’s four choral interns from Western Connecticut State University.

The group will also perform choruses from Messiah, including Glory to God and Hallelujah, and the opening three movements of Mendelssohn’s Christus.

The Celebration Ringers, the church’s five-octave handbell ensemble, will play three works for handbells and Choirchimes before the audience is asked to help close the program singing John Goss’s hymn See, Amid the Winter’s Snow.

For more information, visit the church website at firstcongregational.com or call the church office at 203-438-8077.

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