Ridgefield residents are being called on to go to the polls Tuesday to vote on a budget. The $135 million municipal and education plan represents a zero tax increase. The $35 million budget for the town and $86 million budget for the schools is a combined 1.2 percent increase in spending. The reason taxes can be held to the current fiscal year's level is because $1.8 million from the fund balance is being used to offset the spending increase.
There are seven other questions on the ballot as well. They include $2.75 million for road work. That's a nearly 50-percent increase from funding in the current year. Another question on the budget ballot is about $3.7 million to upgrade Ridgefield's emergency radio system.
Nearly $500,000 for technology infrastructure replacement at the schools and to reduce energy use at the high school is another item to be voted on. $230,000 is being requested to replace a fire department ambulance. $176,000 for a truck to be used by the highway department for plowing and hauling is also proposed.
$415,000 for three construction projects is another question on the ballot. A new roof for the town hall annex, elevator renovations in the Venus building and Lake Mamanasco improvements would be made with that funding if approved. A bike and walking path extension is another of the items up for a vote . It's a $1.25 million allocation.
Polls close at 8pm.