Ridgefield Passes Town and Schools Budget, Following Low Voter Turnout

RIDGEFIELD, CT — Ridgefield residents passed the 2022-23 budget following a low voter turnout for the referendum Tuesday.

Voters approved the combined town and schools spending plan of $156 million, representing a 3.22 percent hike above the current budget.

The total municipal slice of $47.5 million includes about $8.2 million covering debt services. Spending on the town's roads is slated for a $600,000 increase. Voters approved the town budget 975 to 208.

The schools will receive $106.6 million of the total, a 4.79 percent increase over their current budget. Voters passed the Board of Education budget with a slightly more narrow margin, 860 to 321.

Of the 17,328 eligible voters in town, only 1,187 participated in Tuesday’s referendum, according to Wayne Floegel at the Ridgefield Registrar of Voters Office. There were 33 absentee ballots tabulated. Residents cast the remaining votes in person. Total turnout was just under 7 percent.