The following is an update from First Selectman Toni Boucher. 

Wilton’s America 250 Parade Scrapbook

Wilton, on July 4, 2026, America’s 250th Anniversary was celebrated across Connecticut and the US. We believe our Fourth of July-America 250 Parade was the most festive and impressive in our corner of Connecticut. And it would not have been possible without the enthusiastic participation of so many in town. From the youngest Bicycle Brigade riders who decked out their bikes and scooters, to the fabulous floats and costumes, to our tireless, dedicated Parks and Recreation staff, Emergency Services personnel and CERT volunteers, everyone spared no effort to make this the memorable occasion it deserved. A special thank you is due to Steve Pierce, our director of Parks and Recreation, who managed the staff and all the details and logistics. Steve, you really know how to throw a party. In addition, Pam Brown, who coordinated the parade, also deserves our thanks and appreciation.

We’d also like to thank our federal, state and local representatives, Congressmen Jim Himes, State Sen. Ceci Maher, State Rep. Savet Constantine and Wilton’s own board and commission members, for joining us. It was such a pleasure to see everyone enjoying Wilton’s festivities. If you had to miss the parade, we hope these pictures will help you feel like you were there.

Fireworks for Labor Day

And the fun continues! Our disappointing luck with the weather, which caused the spectacular fireworks display we had planned to be cancelled, has turned out to be a bit of a blessing. It has allowed us to extend our America 250 Celebration all the way through Labor Day, when the Wilton fireworks will take place at the previously scheduled place and time. Ending our season of festivities with a colorful bang is the perfect way to close out this 250th Year of American summers. Details to come.

New Police Officer Swearing In

Officer Julian Arboleda joined the Wilton Police Department on July 7 after Town Clerk Lori Kaback administered the oath of office. Proud and happy family members and friends looked on, and several members of the force were there to offer their congratulations and support.

Officer Arboleda grew up Greenwich and has an associate’s degree from Norwalk Community College in criminal justice. He began his law enforcement career with the UCONN Police Department and worked in security for Greenwich Hospital for five years before that. Besides his experience with serving and protecting the public, Officer Arboleda also speaks fluent Spanish, which will be a great asset in his police work.

In his remarks, Chief [Tom] Conlan reminded everyone in attendance that the police badge carries with it the public’s trust and confidence, which must be earned every day through professionalism, humility and compassion. He encouraged Officer Arboleda to rely on his new Police family for support, in both his personal and professional growth.

Congratulations, Office Arboleda, and best wishes for a long, successful career.

Moving Wilton Forward

In the last 18 months, your town’s leadership, including the Board of Selectmen, have made great strides towards accomplishing their goals for Wilton. The partial list of achievements include: Completion of the new police station; school and municipal building needs addressed with 24 bond projects passed at the ATM in the last three years by over 70% of the votes; the long delayed Ambler Farm lease being signed by all parties this month; the long neglected repairs of the Raymond Ambler and Yellow House on Ambler Farm winning bond approval in 2025 and 2026; reimbursement by the state for the Miller-Driscoll School construction project, the audit of which closed out this month, with $1.2 million funds secured; fully staffing the Police Department with 45 officers; reaching the Fire Department’s goal of hiring four new fire fighters in two years; launching the Building Department’s Open.gov online permitting portal; restructuring the IT Department with new processes, equipment, phone, security, cameras, Microsoft 365 software installation and Town email and website migrating from .org to .gov; new early voting process competed; liquor and brewery ordinances passed; new town video completed, new website near completion; the cell tower on School Rd. completed and rent revenues generated; the flood damage from the historic 2024 storm repaired, including Guy Whitten Field lights installed and the Merwin Meadow pond dredged and rehabilitated in time for the 2026 Summer Season; Schenck’s Island parking lot paved; General Fund Balance Reserve Policy and the Capital Non Recurring Expenditure Fund approved by the voters and established; restructuring the Finance Department with a new, highly skilled CFO, controller and senior accountant in place, after significant deficiencies were uncovered; securing a top Connecticut Auditing firm to redress failed financial software system implementation, allowing the delayed state audit to progress with correct financial records, which is now near completion; implementing new, improved financial reporting processes. There is much more to be done but it is important to acknowledge how far we have come.

Wilton JazzFest

The Wilton Library is adding another exciting community event to [its] already full calendar. Sponsored by Wilton’s most generous patron, ASML, the library will be hosting [its] first JazzFest, with greats like the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, the Gotham Kings and others this August. The concerts will take place at the Wilton Library and on Schenck’s Island. They are free and open to the public. Here is the official inaugural lineup:

Aug. 28 at Wilton Library — Taylor Eigsti
Aug. 29 at Schenck’s Island — Paquito D’Rivera Quintet, Brubeck Brothers Quartet and Alphonso Horne and the Gotham Kings
Hosted by Mark Ruffin of SiriusXM’s Real Jazz

For more information, visit the library’s Wilton JazzFest Page.

Enjoy a weekend of great music with world-renowned jazz artists in Wilton, thanks to our resourceful library staff and the generous support of ASML.

Improvement on Route 7

Looking ahead to 2028, we have recently learned that a new sidewalk project is being planned by the State Department of Transportation. As the design stands now, the sidewalk will extend along Rte. 7 from Kent Rd. to Rte. 33, and along Rte. 33 from Dudley Rd. to number 167 Danbury Rd. in Wilton. Lights, bus stop amenities, crosswalks, pedestrian traffic signal equipment and pavement markings that meet current ADA and design standards will be included in the construction.

The CT DOT will be hosting public feedback and information sessions once the initial design is complete. In the meantime, public input can be given to Mr. Devin M. Racicot, P.E., Project Manager, at 860.594.2735 or by email. Please make reference to State Project No. 0161-0148.

Paving Update Tentative Schedule

Starting June 29, Aquarion will be working between Trails End Rd. and Old Kings Hwy.

  • Week of July 13 — Removal of nine (9) inches of asphalt.
  • Week of July 20 — Paving (7 inches of asphalt).

Upon completion of the work outlined above, the contractor will communicate the schedule for placement of the final 2-inch asphalt surface course.

The timelines above are estimate of duration of work and is weather dependent. Modifications to the above schedule will be communicated via AWC and Towns of Wilton and New Canaan Websites.

Please follow the detour routes during construction hours. Normal construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. However, to encourage a timelier completion of the project in our neighborhoods, construction hours may be adjusted from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.-7 p.m. In special circumstances Saturday work may be required.

Residents living in project area above please allow extra time to enter/exit the respective work zones and please coordinate with traffic control for access to your property. All bus stops will remain at their current locations. Emergency vehicles will be granted immediate access through the work area.

The State of Connecticut is overseeing the project. If you have questions about the project, please call: Dennis Fields, Aquarion Water project representative, 203.258.6139; Joseph Sorcinelli, CT DOT Project Engineer, 203.389.3162; or Ken Zembrzuski, Eversource Project Representative, 860.665.3452.

For additional project information, please visit the Aquarion website.

Town Hall Wedding

Another happy couple who chose Wilton Town Hall to officiate their nuptials. Everyone at Town Hall sent them off with hearty congratulations and warm wishes for a bright future together!

Emergency Information

Because of the fierce storms that have passed through our area recently, we thought it prudent to remind everyone what to do in an emergency.

Resources: If there is an emergency, call 911 immediately. The Wilton Police non-emergency number is 203.834.6260. The Wilton Fire Department non-emergency number is 203.834.6246. If you have any questions about sheltering or any other emergency preparedness questions, please call the Town’s Emergency Management Director at 203.834.6246, or email Jim Blanchfield.

Is your power out? Call 800.286.2000, or text “Out,” to 23129 from your cell phone, or visit Residential Energy Provider | Eversource to report the outage and receive information and instructions.

If you haven’t already, please register your household for emergency notifications sent to your phones and email through the Everbridge Emergency Alert System. This link will take you to their sign-up up page: Everbridge Registration Page

When storm and flood alerts are posted, the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security encourages Connecticut residents to check the Hurricane Awareness webpage, which provides valuable information, tools and resources to help you stay safe. Locally, the Wilton Police have posted their recommendations for emergency preparedness Emergency Preparedness Information | wiltonct.

Checklist of Emergency Supplies to have on hand:

  • One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  • Flashlight and extra batteries for lanterns and candles. Battery operated lanterns and candles are safer than open flames
  • First aid kit
  • A whistle to signal for help
  • Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • A manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
  • Medicine or any special need items, including diapers for infants
  • Food and litter requirements for any pets

Create a family emergency plan

  • Identify an out-of-town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
  • Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone, coins, or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
  • Plan ahead and pre-set a family group text conversation in your phones. Text messages can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not be able to get through, and it uses less battery life.

General Recommendations

  • Service your generator annually and have adequate fuel on hand
  • Consider alternate cooking methods. Portable and camp stoves should only be used outside
  • 3-4 days before a storm, purchase supplies and build the preparedness kit
  • 1 day before the storm, fill bathtubs and buckets with water for non-potable needs. This water can be poured into the tanks of toilets enabling them to flush during a power outage

Insuring your property

  • It is important to review your insurance policies yearly and especially prior to the start of hurricane season.
  • Review your policy with an agent or contact the Connecticut Insurance Department to understand what is covered and what your coverage limits are to ensure you are receiving adequate protection.
  • Keep your policies and insurance contact information in a safe place.
  • Make an inventory of your possessions should your property be damaged, and you must make a claim

Public Safety, Storm Information and Numbers: During a hurricane, falling trees and debris pose a serious risk and it is imperative that everyone shelter indoors. Once the hurricane has passed, downed electric wires on the roads could still be live and deadly. Do not try to touch, move, approach or drive over them. Instead, call 911 to report any downed wires, or any other weather-related emergency. All downed utility lines should be considered live! If there are barriers in place, DO NOT MOVE, go through or around them. The next person may think the road is safe to pass. Again, treat every downed wire as if it is energized. Our First Responders do, you should too!

If necessary, the Town has multiple predesignated shelters and shelter supplies that will be made available to the Wilton Community.

Storm updates will be continually posted on the Wilton Town website, so please check there for new information.

Non-storm Related Community Resources

  • The National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 988. It operates 24 hours every day. Help is always available.
  • To reach the local Domestic Violence Crisis Center 24-hour hotline, call 203.588.9097. The DVCC partners closely with Wilton’s Social Services Department and Police Department. For statewide support, the Safe Connecticut number is 888.774.2900.
  • The Social Services Department can assist with any number of life events, from food, shelter and clothing shortages to support for children and caregivers to resources for the elderly. Their office phone is 203.834.6238, but we encourage everyone seeking information to visit their webpage where a comprehensive list of numbers and links to other web pages can be found.

Summer Days

There is still music, fireworks, food and fun to be had in these last weeks of summer. We hope you will join us for these celebrations that make living in Wilton special. We are lucky to have partners like ASML who do so much to enrich our community and bring us together. Enjoy the beach at Merwin Meadows, the Red Barn Concerts at Ambler Farm, the Farmer’s Market on the Village Green on Wednesdays and all the beautiful, summer weather. And please consider hosting a block party with your neighbors!

Toni Boucher
First Selectman
Town of Wilton