Politics & Government
Ridgefield Voters To Decide Senior Tax Relief Changes, Town Property Sale At Sept. 16 Meeting
Ridgefield voters will decide senior tax relief changes, a Pension Commission amendment and two property matters Sept. 16.
RIDGEFIELD, CT — Ridgefield voters will decide proposed changes to the town's senior tax relief programs, amendments to the Pension Commission ordinance and two town property matters at a Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Notably, a vote on a controversial lead blower ordinance, which had been scheduled for the same date, has been postponed, pending completion of a new draft.
The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Large Conference Room at 400 Main Street. The revised notice lists four matters for voters: senior tax relief, the Pension Commission ordinance, the sale of town-owned property at 29 Lakeview Drive and acceptance of open space at 84 Mamanasco Road.
Senior Tax Relief Changes Go To Voters
Two proposed ordinance changes would modify Ridgefield's tax relief programs for older homeowners.
The first would amend Chapter 317, Article I of the town code, which provides a property tax credit to qualifying residents age 65 and older. The existing ordinance requires, among other conditions, that an applicant have lived in Ridgefield and paid real estate taxes on a Ridgefield residence for at least one year and use the property as a legal domicile for more than 183 days each year.
The proposal before voters stems from recommendations developed by the Senior Tax Credit Committee. A summary included in the meeting packet says the changes considered by the committee included an additional means-tested credit and adjustments to the existing credit.
Voters will separately consider amending Chapter 317, Article IV, the town's Tax Deferment for the Elderly program. The existing ordinance allows qualifying homeowners to defer property taxes, with the deferred taxes and interest generally becoming payable when ownership of the property changes.
The proposal would raise the program's maximum income limit from $65,000 to $100,000.
Pension Commission Ordinance
Voters will also consider an amendment to Chapter 19, Article II of the town code governing the Ridgefield Pension Commission.
The ordinance establishes a seven-member Pension Commission and sets rules governing appointments, minority representation, meetings, pension and post-employment benefit trusts, investment and oversight responsibilities, annual reports and audits, and plan administration.
Sale Of 29 Lakeview Drive
Voters will be asked to decide whether the town should sell 29 Lakeview Drive, property that came into town ownership through a tax sale.
A corrected Tax Collector's deed included in the packet says the property was sold at public auction in March 2025 after unpaid taxes, interest and other charges totaling $32,873.82. The town was the successful bidder for $57,401.80.
A Sept. 2 letter included in the packet and signed by residents of Lakeview Drive, Lookout Drive and Great Hill Road asks the town to place conditions on any sale. The residents wrote that the house was demolished in June 2024 and said the property had been associated with neighborhood disputes and land disturbance.
Open Space At 84 Mamanasco Road
The fourth question concerns town acceptance of open space at 84 Mamanasco Road.
Documents in the packet include a release of mortgage and an affidavit concerning ownership of the property. The affidavit states that Bernard Tansky, who died in 2021, had been a 50 percent co-owner with his sister, Barbara Tansky, of a parcel at 84 Mamanasco Road that had been donated to the Town of Ridgefield.
