The following is an update from First Selectman Toni Boucher.
Hello and happy July, Wilton. I hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth. We look forward to an even more impressive fireworks and even a parade in July 2026 when we will celebrate America’s 250th Birthday. In this newsletter we are so pleased to share some of what is happening around town and important news announcements. Read on!
Police Station
We are getting there! It has been exciting watching Wilton’s state-of-the-art police station take shape over the last year and a half. Everyone lucky enough to tour the new building as it nears completion has come away inspired by the vision that is being realized. Wilton’s Police Force is bound to feel the change once they transition from a dark, cramped workspace built in the 1970’s to house 25 men and 1970’s technology, to a thoroughly modern, efficient, bright, airy, professional headquarters that will comfortably accommodate 45 male and female officers. And hopefully, fresh upgrades like the sleek, upscale locker rooms will add even more lift to the start of their shifts.
For Wilton at large, a thoughtful planning process has created features like separated spaces between public meeting areas and secure areas, so that the public can readily access the front meeting and training rooms or fingerprint stations (for school personnel for instance), while police business is conducted behind secured doors, (where a second fingerprint station for detainees will be located). Community engagement and familiarity between the Wilton Police and the people of Wilton can only grow when the public is invited into the police building in this way.
Other safety upgrades include cells without bars. This offers greater protection for juveniles in detention, for example, because they can now be held out of sight and sound of adult detainees. Of course, no one would want to occupy these cells, but, as the saying goes, “If you don’t like the accommodations, don’t make the reservations.”
It is amazing to see how construction design can add a level of sophistication to operations that didn’t exist in old building plans. For instance, a new system for checking in and sorting evidence has been created because of the evidence room that has been built right where the officers enter the station. This means that officers will no longer have to carry sensitive materials through the building; evidence will now pass through the fewest hands possible; the chain of custody will be easily marked; and the highest safety standards that exist can be followed. A new evidence lab is another exciting addition. It is another critical piece of infrastructure that is missing from the old building. The lab will have a drying cabinet for wet pieces of evidence, and a fuming chamber for fingerprints, technologies so new that detectives will require training to work with them.
Space and light are some of the most obvious improvements, however. Where the team of five sergeants currently share one desk, they will now have dedicated office space with four desks (not all sergeants are on duty at the same time). Doubling the square footage means there can be a server room where hardware can be added as needed. And the gym. A medium-sized room on the second floor is empty now, but the hope is it will be filled with weights and cardio machines by the time the new station is ready for occupancy. Policing is one of the most stressful, physically demanding jobs in our society. Exercise is key to helping our police force manage these demands successfully. We need officers who are fit for duty and healthy at home. A small gym fosters wellness among the Wilton Police staff that ultimately helps keep us all safe. A fundraising effort to equip the gym is being organized. More to come on how you can help.
The original plan had been to build a police headquarters that was 26,000 square feet. Ultimately, that was rejected as too big a leap financially, and the new footprint was shaved to 16,000 square feet. But this reduction was likely a wise choice. Members of Wilton’s Police appreciate the intimacy of the current headquarters where, like in the old Barney Miller episodes, everybody hears and knows everything. At the same time, modern upgrades and expansion were desperately needed to meet the demands of safeguarding the public in the 21st Century. In the end, it feels like a perfect balance was reached: efficiency, cutting edge technology, healthy light and air and room to work, plus public spaces at the front that are open to the people of Wilton.
Congratulations to all who made this monumental achievement possible. And thank you to our dedicated police force. We hope you will find many years of satisfaction in your new, professional home.
Board of Selectman Vacancy
If you wish to be considered by the Board of Selectmen for the vacant seat on the Board of Selectman, please email your resume to me at Toni.Boucher@wiltonCT.gov by 5 p.m. on [Thursday], July 31. Once it is received, it will be shared with the other members of the Board of Selectmen and an in-person interview will be scheduled for 7 p.m., [Monday], Aug. 4, during the Board of Selectmen meeting. Please note that any applicant for this vacancy must be a registered Democrat or an unaffiliated Wilton registered voter, in keeping with the minority representation rules. Prior town board experience is a plus.
Wilton High School Turf Replacement
While the stadium turf field is being replaced, both the track and the stadium field will be closed from Monday, July 21 through Friday, Aug. 15.
Transportation Changes and Interruptions
Merritt Parkway exit numbers will start to be renumbered on July 28 with sign construction expected to continue for 4-5 weeks. These changes will bring the road signs into conformity with national standards that are based on mileage, which will help drivers and emergency services personnel identify locations. This mileage based system is now required by the Federal Highway Administration. You can find new exit numbers and more information online.
Metro-North commuters should be aware that no trains will be running on the Danbury Branch Line as crews perform vital track work from Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 17. The state says there will be substitute bus service during that time frame. CLICK HERE to see the schedule.
The 17-day continuous outage will support track safety and the restoration and improvement of key railroad crossings, including at Kent Rd. in Wilton. The work is scheduled before Labor Day and the start of the new school year to minimize the impact on travelers.
Normal train service will resume on Monday, Aug. 18.
Senior Discount Brochure
Wilton’s Department of Social Services and the staff at the Senior Center have released a freshly updated brochure that lists all of the available services to Wilton’s Seniors and the businesses in town that offer them discounts for dining, shopping, recreation, personal care and fitness. The brochure is included below, and it can be found on the Senior Center webpage of the Wilton website.
Cell Tower on School Road
Progress is continuing on the construction of the cell tower on School Rd.. We’re all looking forward to having better cell service downtown.
Trackside Students Visit Williamsburg
Fifty Trackside [Teen Center] teens are back home after the whirlwind trip to Colonial Williamsburg they made in late June.
It seems they covered a lot of ground in just four days. There was fun at Busch Gardens Water Country, the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, some mini-golf and swimming too. American history was gleaned from a ghost who led the group on a Ghost Tour of Colonial Williamsburg. A visit to the Jamestown Museum was interesting, too. And who could forget the great food and shopping.
Another trip is coming up in August. Here is a word from Trackside’s director [Lori Fields] explaining what they’re all about:
“These travel experiences are unique to Trackside and offer an incredibly enriching and empowering opportunity for middle and high school students. Think overnight camp meets immersive history and adventure.”
Designed specifically for middle school students and up, led by D.r John Priest, long-time social studies educator at Middlebrook. Dr Priest is joined by a group of chaperones who include educators, social workers, parents and college students. Trips are limited to a small group to maintain a safer, more enriching experience for all.
[They]…are an incredible opportunity for teens to travel alone, develop a strong sense of independence and responsibility, learn to navigate any challenges that arise, make new friends, travel to new places.
If you think your teen might be interested in traveling with Trackside or joining their many other activities, follow this link to their website.
Trackside is also launching a Membership Drive this fall and would love to encourage Wilton families to become a member of their wonderful Teen Center. See details online.
And their Fall Fun-raiser is a town-wide scavenger hunt! Find the details online to play along.
Miss [Connecticut] for America Strong
The state of Connecticut’s representative to the Miss America Strong pageant comes from our very own Wilton. Introducing Elise Firestone who will be competing for the National Title this August in Las Vegas.
Dogs on Parade Through Town Hall
It’s tax season for canine citizens, too. We appreciate their coming in to pay their bill since running them down could leave the Tax Collector’s office pretty winded. If anyone else needs a reminder, taxes are due by Aug. 1 and will incur a penalty beyond that date. Payment details and other information can be found on the Tax Collector’s page on the Wilton Town website.
A Friendly Reminder from a Neighbor
The other day, I received an email from a constituent with a few reminders about how to be a good neighbor in Wilton. I’m including it here because we could all use a little nudge now and then.
First, please pick up after your pet. Leaving their fecal matter out in the open spreads disease and generally creates a mess for someone else to clean up. And please dispose of your pet waste bag in a public trash container or in your own waste bin. Other people’s bins that are on the street for trash collection are not public property.
Second, for everyone’s safety, please walk single file facing traffic, especially on roads like Liberty St., Sharp Hill Rd. and Old Highway. We want everyone to have a healthy, enjoyable summer.
It is hot out there and heat can kill — please don’t leave children and pets in a hot car!
May you enjoy every moment of this glorious summer. Only six weeks until school starts again but there’s still plenty of time for popsicles and slip and slides, or whatever treat brings summer into your heart.
Toni Boucher
First Selectman
Town of Wilton
Editor’s note: Due to an editing error, the headline was incomplete when the story was first published. It has been corrected.