2023 CANDIDATES
Carson Fincham
Intellectual Property Attorney
Member, Inland Wetland Board
Carson graduated from both East Ridge Middle School (ERMS ‘89) and Ridgefield High School (RHS ’93) and has been a conservationist and environmental steward since a young age – at 11 years old he started an organization with his friends called Save The Ancient Forest (STAFF – yes, an extra “F” was added to make it an actual word, because they were kids) that opposed the transformation of a bird sanctuary into a housing development.
Carson is currently an Intellectual Property Attorney and founding member of the only IP law firm in Ridgefield. He attended Pace University School of Law, where he received his Certificate in Environmental Law. He has a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UCONN with specialized knowledge of and design experience with hydrology, suburban watersheds, and water drainage systems, including having designed the drainage for the Route 7 widening in Wilton.
As a member, alternate, and current Chair for the Ridgefield Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), since 2014 Carson has developed valuable knowledge regarding the functioning of Town boards and the intricate land use issues that face Ridgefield. Carson has dedicated countless volunteer hours to a variety of local organizations and has been a member of the Ridgefield Action Committee for the Environment (RACE), where he spearheaded obtaining grant money to permit the Town to acquire its first Electric Vehicle (EV).
Carson is also the designer, builder, and owner of the 1st Energy Star certified residence in Ridgefield, which has been powered by 100% renewable electrical energy since 2003 and that utilizes an environmentally-friendly ground-source Geo-Exchange unit for primary heating and cooling.
Favorite hobby or activity: Hiking/Camping, Gardening, Paintball, and Computer Gaming
What office are you running for?
What are the main issues facing the Inland Wetland Board?
Ridgefield Inland Wetland Board
Partly due to the historic and unfortunate treatment of wetland protection in Town as subordinate to Planning & Zoning, and partly due to overreach by developers emboldened by their 8-30g power over Town Zoning Regulations, the Inland Wetland Board faces the daunting task of balancing development interests with an attempt to protect the fragile environmental resources that have already been substantially undermined.
Why are you the right candidate for the Inland Wetland Board this year?
I have extensive volunteer experience in Town, including experience on both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Inland Wetland Board. My scientific and legal training is focused on water resources, and I have served as both project engineer and legal analyst for multiple development projects both in CT and NY.
What do you hope to accomplish if elected?
I hope to help the Inland Wetland Board continue to develop clear and predictable guidance regarding what protections are necessary to prevent additional damage to our local resources. My expertise and experience, combined with that of other Board members, can provide a reasoned, thoughtful, and pragmatic decision making framework that better informs the public, and developers, what will be required to balance development with environmental protection in Town.