The Charter Revision and Consolidation Committee was considering a proposal that would change the old-style town meeting form of government and would create a stronger selectmen-type of municipal government, the March 26, 1964, Press reported. In order to center government power in the office of the selectmen, the proposal included changing certain town offices from elective to appointed and the creation of a Representative Town Meeting (RTM) instead of the traditional open meeting. It also included the abolition of the Police Commission and, in its place, the creation of a Public Safety Commission appointed by the selectmen that would include both the police and fire departments. The selectmen would also appoint the Zoning Commission, the Board of Finance, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Conservation Commission, and the Historic District Study Committee. Under the proposal the selectmen would appoint the town clerk, tax collector, treasurer, town counsel, town engineer, building inspector, and director of public health.
With an RTM there would be only 60 town representatives voting at town meetings drawn from districts set up by the selectmen. Mrs. Sylvia Latanzi, a well-known and vocal monitor of the town government and its operations, opposed the creation of the RTM. “I don’t think this little town is ready for RTM. I don’t want anybody to speak for me. I want to do my own fighting.”
The RTM, the abolishment of the Police Commission and a number of other proposals were ultimately rejected by the town.
Selectman Paul J. Morganti proposed a solution to the problem of fire protection in Ridgebury. He suggested that a sub-station be attached to the Ridgebury Elementary School and be manned by janitors during the day and volunteers during the evening.
Members of the Ridgebury Congregational Church voted to buy back the original church parsonage and land because the parish was going to hire a full-time minister. The parsonage was built in 1844 and then sold in 1958. The building had not been used as a parsonage since 1920, when the Rev. Henry E. Byron lived there. The Rev. Hugh Shields, who lived in town and served both the Ridgebury and Ridgefield Congregational churches, rented the building until it was sold in 1958.
Kenneth R. Polverari, electrician’s mate fireman, U.S. Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gino Polverari of High Ridge Avenue, returned to Norfolk, Va., aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Independence after completing a tour of duty with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert Tulipani of Island Hill announced the birth of their first child, Lori Ann.
Alfred Alvin Loyal Dodson Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred L. Dodson of Ramapoo Road, was accepted at Western Kentucky State College. During high school he had been active in baseball, basketball, cross country, and American Legion baseball.
Mr. and Mrs. E. Stuart Gregg Jr. of Ethan Allen Highway announced the engagement of their daughter, Miss Dale Robertson Gregg, to Jay C. Pinchbeck, who was completing his studies at Cornell University.