First Selectman’s Update, Sept. 27, 2026: Weathering the Storm, Community Needs, Perspective on Financial Rebuilding

The following is an update from First Selectman Toni Boucher.

Wilton, we have weathered another storm and will very likely encounter a few more before hurricane season is over so we will make short work of the introduction this month and get right to a critically important message from our Emergency Management Director, [Fire Chief] Jim Blanchfield.

This Weekend’s Nor’easter

Heavy Rain, Strong Winds and Power Outages Throughout the Area

The Town of Wilton survived a nor’easter that hit our area Friday night [Sept. 25] and continued through the weekend. As of Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, 400 homes experienced power outages and there are many trees and large limbs that were downed by the powerful wind, which road crews are in the process of removing. As Chief Blanchfield explains below, it is critically important that cars and pedestrians stay away from power lines which they may encounter on the roads.

Whenever significant storms are expected, we encourage residents to take a few simple steps to prepare beforehand:

• Secure or bring inside outdoor items such as patio furniture, umbrellas, decorations, trash cans and other objects that could become airborne in strong winds.
• Check sump pumps and make sure they are operating properly, particularly if your property has experienced flooding in the past.
• Charge cell phones and other essential devices before the storm arrives.
• Check flashlights, batteries and emergency supplies.
• If you have a generator, make sure it is in proper working order. Never operate a generator inside a home, garage or other enclosed area.
• Ensure you have several days of necessary medications and food on hand in case of extended power outages.
• Clear leaves and debris from storm drains and other drainage areas around your property, where it can be done safely.
• Avoid unnecessary travel during periods of strong winds and heavy rain.

Residents should also be prepared for the possibility of power outages and blocked roads from downed trees or wires. Never approach or drive over a downed power line and assume that any downed wire is energized.

In the midst of dangerous weather, the Town of Wilton will continuously track the storm and coordinate with the Wilton Fire Department, Police Department, Public Works Department and other Town agencies as conditions develop.

Residents are encouraged to follow the National Weather Service and local news for updated forecasts, watches and warnings. Forecast details, particularly the location of the strongest winds and rainfall, may change as the storm develops.

Residents should take the opportunity to prepare early rather than wait until the storm arrives.

Sign up for Wilton’s Everbridge Emergency Notification System.

Stay informed before, during, and after the storm. Everbridge allows the Town of Wilton to send emergency notifications and important information directly to residents by text message, phone, and email, including severe weather alerts, road closures, flooding, evacuations, and other emergencies. Scan the QR Code or visit the Town of Wilton website and click on the Everbridge Emergency Notification System link to register.

Don’t wait for the next emergency — sign up today.

Wilton Honors the 25th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

Many of our state’s dignitaries joined us at the Wilton firehouse this month to mark the solemn day of remembrance for those who were lost in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The tragedy remains a searing memory for a town of our size because of the five families whose loved ones died in the towers. Edward Fergus, Peter Christian Fry, John Henwood, John Iskyan and Edward York were all men in their 30s and 40s who left Wilton in the early morning hours to work in the financial markets. They had spouses and young children, parents, siblings and friends, hobbies, plans for the future, all of the elements that make up the fullness of life. [Police] Chief [Tom] Conlan spoke of the experiences the victims’ loved ones missed sharing with them, a pain that they have to live through again with each September 11th.

Chief Blanchfield described never forgetting as a promise that we keep. We honor those who are gone by carrying them in our hearts and with ceremonies like the one Wilton has held every year since that horrific day.

Rev. Dave Stuart, of Wilton Congregational Church, gave the Invocation. He touched on the enduring mystery of why such tragedies happen. But he reminded the gathering of how human frailty and connection were awakened in the aftermath; of the example of the first responders who put other’s lives before their own. Their strength encourages us to turn towards compassion and understanding for one another. Selectman Ross Tartell echoed this when he said that community is accepting responsibility for one another.

Many speakers noted that, after 25 years, there is a whole generation that has come of age who were born after 9/11. Sen. Chris Murphy addressed this when he spoke about his own children. His great hope for them and all future generations is that they do not have to live in fear, looking over their shoulders for the next attack. He spoke of wanting them to know that America is protected by others who go to extraordinary lengths for our safety and well-being. Americans’ instinct, in the period after 9/11, was not to become selfish and solitary, but to join in community and communion with others. People rushed to find ways to serve, from joining the military to becoming volunteer firefighters. Neighbors grieved together. People donated generously to aid organizations and started new ones. Continuing to live for our community remains an act of remembrance to the victims of 9/11.

Sen. [Richard] Blumenthal acknowledged the difficulty in fully honoring the lives that were lost through words alone. Like Sen. Murphy, he encouraged a call to action that serves others. “We owe you our best selves as a country,” he said. “The terrorists hit the World Trade Center, they hit the Pentagon, but they missed America. They underestimated how strong we really are when we come together as we did in the wake of 9/11.”

It was a rich, deeply thoughtful memorial made more poignant with bagpipes played by Drew Kennedy of the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and “America the Beautiful,” sung by Wilton High School students, Isabella Oehley and Yana Maria Stanicheva.

We can never know if the gravity of our tributes ever fully measures the magnitude of loss and grief that was felt on September 11th, but Wilton gathered together and spoke the names of the men who did not come home that day. We hold them in our hearts and feel grateful for all the ways we can serve.

Restaurant Week

Wilton Restaurant Week is happening now! Until Oct. 4, 21 local restaurants are offering special menus and prices to celebrate dining in Wilton.

News from Wilton’s Social Services

Find Your People Fair

Please join Wilton’s Social Services for the first “Find Your People Fair” on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1-4 p.m. at the Wilton Library. This is a follow-up event to the March screening of the film Join or Die, which highlighted the importance of joining a club for both personal and national well-being. It offers adults (18+) in Wilton the chance to discover various clubs, activities, leagues, recreational programs and social groups available in our community. It’s part of the “Wilton is Where You Belong” initiative, which aims to foster connections, build community and reduce the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness.

Organizations or groups interested in participating can apply on this Google Form. All groups should include the following criteria: They should meet regularly; be based in Wilton; and must cater to adults (18+).

If you have an idea for a new group, club, or activity, this is the perfect opportunity! The Wilton Social Services team will provide an incubator space for new clubs/groups to display sign-up sheets and gauge interest.

The October event is free and open to all adults in Wilton. Everyone is invited to stop by, meet new people, and discover ways to get involved. For questions, please contact Lara Paschalidis.

This program is made possible by the generosity and collaboration of Block Party USA, Town of Wilton Social Services, Wilton Library, and Wilton Youth Council.

Community Needs Assessment

Your voice counts! The Town of Wilton Social Service Department is conducting a brief survey to better understand the health and well-being of Wilton residents.

Hearing directly from residents about what matters to them helps the Social Service’s team make better, more informed decisions about town programs and services.

By filling out the Wilton Community Needs Assessment your input will:

• identify community strengths
• prioritize areas of need for funding decisions
• inform local strategies, programs, and policies
• and support overall health, wellness and prevention in Wilton.

This survey will run from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. Paper copies will be available at the Senior Center, or find it online.

The Social Service’s team looks forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas through the survey and encourages everyone to pass it along to others in the community.

Ms. President US

The future is female and it came to visit Town Hall this week. Sloka Attaluri (President) and Vice President Aarya Patel are the 2025-2026 representatives of the Ms. President US, Wilton. The Wilton chapter is led by Alison Smith and brings girls from the 4th to 8th grades together every month at the Wilton Library. The meetings focus on developing public speaking, diplomacy and listening skills while learning about how local, state and the federal government works. Members also hear about women’s history and have the chance to meet and learn from today’s exemplary female leaders. In the spring, the girls compete in an election where they present their campaign speech and platform to an audience. As in any good democracy, whoever wins the most votes becomes Ms. President until the next election. Ms. Attaluri ran on a platform of Creating a Youth Internship Program. More information can be found at the Ms. President US website.

Best of luck to these outstanding young women.

Conservation Commission Bradley Park Walk

The Wilton Conservation Commission had hoped to conduct [its] guided walk through Bradley Park [last] Sunday, but not through a Nor’easter. Conservation Commissioner Colleen O’Brien, who will be leading the walk, has announced their plans to reschedule the event. Keep an eye out for announcements on a new date in the coming weeks. For immediate questions, please contact Colleen O’Brien.

Perspective on Wilton’s Financial Rebuilding

Wilton’s Chief Financial Officer, Dawn Savo, has come under intense scrutiny in the last several weeks by the local press and some local board members. As has been widely reported, Town Hall’s previous Finance Department failed to deliver a wholly correct fiscal year 2025 audit of the Town’s finances. When Town leaders looked into the reasons for this, many lapses in processes and documentation were uncovered. After a diligent search for a new, highly qualified CFO, Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen members and town employees were grateful when Dawn Savo chose to join Town Hall to lead the effort in untangling what had been created. She is a few months into her tenure, and as might have been expected, the records she encountered needed more attention than anticipated as she and her staff worked to bring order to them.

We are all eager to see this challenging situation quickly resolved. But patience with this very complicated process seems to be running thin. I join our Second Selectman, Ross Tartell, in calling for greater respect and faith be given to Dawn, who arrived recently to take up longstanding problems. I am grateful to Dawn, who is President of Connecticut Government Finance Officers Association, for her willingness to take on this difficult assignment for Wilton. In fact, we should all be grateful and more respectful. This excerpt from Ross’ message, which was sent to [and published by] GOOD Morning Wilton, sums this up well:

“In recent weeks, Wilton residents have heard serious questions and concerns about the Town’s financial operations and the progress of the work now underway…Public discussion should recognize both the seriousness of Wilton’s financial challenges and the progress that has been made…After a prolonged period of delayed financial reporting, incomplete reconciliations, staffing shortages, difficulties with the conversion to a new financial system, and significant audit findings, the Town is undertaking the difficult work of creating a Finance Department with stronger systems, clearer responsibilities, and more reliable internal controls.

Dawn Savo became Wilton’s Chief Financial Officer on December 8, 2025. She did not create the conditions she was hired to address. By the time she arrived, the previous CFO, Town Administrator, [sic] and Controller were no longer Town employees, and the Finance Department was undergoing a substantial reorganization…Dawn assumed responsibility for this complex situation while also being expected to complete overdue financial work, reconstruct records, prepare for the audit, improve the Town’s use of Munis software, support the annual budget process, and respond to the needs of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, auditors, department heads, and the public…This context does not mean that every aspect of the transition went as smoothly as it should…At the same time, these concerns must be evaluated fairly and in the context of the conditions Dawn inherited…Timeliness is important, but accuracy and the creation of dependable, sustainable processes are equally important.

Dawn has demonstrated resilience, professional competence, sound judgment, and a willingness to confront serious problems directly…she has continued the difficult work of identifying their causes and establishing more reliable financial practices. She understands the importance of the audit findings, the need to restore confidence in the Town’s financial processes… I strongly support Dawn Savo and the work she is leading as Wilton’s Chief Financial Officer…Wilton’s financial challenges were not created by one person, and they will not be solved by one person…The Town should evaluate this work carefully, fairly, and on the basis of accurate and complete information… She has my support as she continues the important work she was hired to perform.” — Ross Tartell, Board of Selectmen

Fall Equinox

Fall is officially here and it’s been ushered in by a significant storm. I hope that everyone stayed safe and dry, including our furry friends.

I encourage us all to follow Wilton’s Director of Emergency Management Chief Blanchfield’s advice and remain at home, during such severe weather. It will be a very busy season, with Ambler Farm Day, pumpkin sales, scarecrow contests and Halloween parades. Elections will also be soon upon us. May we all enjoy this time of year with kindness and a grateful heart!

Toni Boucher
First Selectman
Town of Wilton