The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce proposed new “old-fashioned” street lights for Main Street, the April 13, 1989, Press reported. The Chamber’s proposal was made in conjunction with the town’s planned program of getting sidewalks repaired. The Chamber offered the town the gift of old-fashioned street lights for two blocks on Main Street between Governor and Prospect streets. The Board of Selectmen recommended that the Chamber consider extending the project down Bailey Avenue. “We seem to have a lovers lane there now,” said First Selectman Sue Manning. Who would have known other than some in Town Hall?
At the same Board of Selectmen meeting that considered the Chamber of Commerce proposal for lights on Lovers Lane, the board addressed the need for repairing the sidewalks on the village streets. According to the town code, owners of land abutting any highway, street or public place had to make repairs within 15 days of notice from the town. Town Safety Director Robert Lally told the board that about 150 landowners were to be advised of the need for sidewalk repairs and of the cost for administration and repairs of the project. The land owner’s responsibilities included the cost of the annual fee for the assessment bond for the repairs; the entire cost of the repairs on the owner’s section of the sidewalk and the cost of the administration of the project.
The long-delayed and much-debated sewer plant expansion appeared to have overcome bureaucratic and town resident opposition. Town officials expected that the $12-million project might go out to bid in June. Despite continuing objections of some residents who were opposed, the town’s most expensive public works project in history seemed ready to break ground by the end of the summer. Still, Town Engineer Charlie Fisher, Selectman Charlie Knoche and Wayne Wood, a member of the subcommittee reviewing the project, wondered if the project had been scaled back too far. “I don’t want to be having this same discussion 10 years down the road,” said the prescient Mr. Knoche.
Members of the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department put aside their turnout gear in favor of mechanic’s overalls while they installed special safety equipment on the department’s command vehicle and one of its pumpers. The project involved the installation of a breathing-air tank-refilling system on the command vehicle and a generator, lights and wire reel on engine No. 3. The department had found itself without a portable breathing-air tank-refilling unit when it was forced to retire engine No. 2. Deputy Chief James Belote explained that the system was necessary at working fires to refill air bottles carried by each fireman. Volunteer Capt. Keith Weaver, Assistant Chief Chris Santini and Lt. Charles Belardinelli decided to remedy the problem. Those volunteers and others, including Lt. Ike Roy, Bob Roth, Doug Cuny, Craig Dibble, and Ed Gabianelli, worked on the project. Chief Belote said the volunteers saved the town “several thousands of dollars” by installing the systems themselves. “More importantly,” said Chief Belote, “the volunteers got this safety equipment back into service immediately without waiting for a new town budget or special appropriation.”
New probationary police officers David Collins, Michael Gates, Donald Kennedy, and Steven Papstein joined the Ridgefield Police Department.
Jack Sanders, who had been an editor of The Press for nearly 20 years, was appointed editorial director for all of the Acorn Press newspapers.
Matt Merullo, son of Len and Cathy Merullo of White Birch Road, was called up from the Chicago White Sox’ Triple-A affiliate in Vancouver, British Columbia, where an enthusiastic management had reluctantly sent him because it did not have room for four catchers on the Chisox roster. Merullo had hardly settled in when he got the word he was being pulled up to the major leagues. The aging Carlton Fisk suffered a bruise to his throwing hand and had to be placed on the disabled list, opening the way for Matt’s entry to the major leagues.
Patsy and Joe Knoche announced the birth of their third child, Loretta.
Marine Sgt. Mark Morelli, son of Andrew and Betty Morelli of North Street, completed the noncommissioned officer basic course. Staff Sgt. Joseph Beal, son of Toni and Elgie Beal of Silver Spring Park, was selected as noncommissioned officer of 1988 for the Western Space and Missile Center and Vandenburg Air Force Base in California.