Business as usual at Ridgefield Town Hall has come to a screeching halt after Town Council members failed to make key budget appropriations.

Mayor Anthony Suarez described what has happened to the town's money as irresponsible and a fiscal mess. Suarez said the Town Council was unable to transfer funds into over-expended areas before the end of the fiscal year, which was June 30.

"We are in violation of state law," Mayor Suarez said. "As a result of that we may also have a problem with the 2008 fiscal budget, which we're supposed to be working on right now."

The mayor said despite the budget problems, Town Hall is still open and police are still on the job. The Town Council is expected to meet Monday to figure out what to do next.