Retired Wilton Fire Captain Donates Historic 1929 Fire Truck — Wilton’s First — Back to Town

In late 2012, Karl Dolnier worked his final shift at the Wilton Fire Department when he retired as a captain after more than 40 years, but at Tuesday night’s (Dec. 16) Board of Selectmen meeting, he gave a big contribution back to the department and the town. 

Dolnier gifted the town a 1929 American LaFrance Fire Engine, which will eventually be housed at the department’s headquarters at 236 Danbury Rd. The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted 4-0 to accept the gift. 

“So, how I became a fireman has something to do with the fact that this was the town’s first fire truck,” Dolnier said. 

A lifelong resident of Wilton, Dolnier said that he was encouraged to join the department when he was 17 years old by Lt. Bill Nelson. 

“He talked me into, as a 17-year-old kid, joining the volunteer fire department as a junior member,” Dolnier recalled. “So, I kind of like to make this donation as a memorial to him.”

Dolnier said the apparatus was the town’s first fire truck. He said it has been housed for 30 years in an enclosed race care trailer. 

“I’ve always thought that it really belonged back in headquarters. It’s certainly a relevant piece of town history,”  Dolnier said, adding that he had been working with the remnants of the old Volunteer Fire Department to persuade them to donate it to the town, but that deal couldn’t come together. 

So Dolnier proposed buying the truck and donating it himself. 

“They’ve agreed to that. Now I’m the proud owner,” he said. 

Before the gift is turned over to the town, he explained to the BOS, he wanted them to agree to some terms: that the town will maintain the insurance and registration of truck, that the town will maintain the truck’s present condition both cosmetically and mechanically, that it be housed at fire headquarters and displayed in perpetuity and, finally, that Dolnier could have access to the vehicle a few times a year to drive the truck in events such as the Memorial Day parade. 

Members of the Board of Selectmen were comfortable with the terms and said they were grateful for the gift. 

“I know that I would love to have all of your comments on this, but I know I speak for the board and the entire town of how grateful we are that you have provided this so generously to us,” First Selectman Toni Boucher said. “In fact, it’s a wonderful piece of history and will add much to the festivities of the town, for sure.” 

Fire Chief James Blanchfield said accepting the truck would not mean an extra cost to the town, and that the department will keep the truck in even better shape than it is now. He added that the truck can be used as part of a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence coming up July 4, 2026. 

“So one of the good things here is that this is a piece of history not just of the Fire Department but the town as well,” Blanchfield said. 

Selectman Rich McCarty, who previously served as chair of the Fire Commission, said the truck will help the town’s residents remember the men and women who have served on the job throughout history. 

“I think we should accept it with gratitude and thanks,” McCarty said. 

The motion to accept the gift was made by McCarty and seconded by another former Fire Commission member, Second Selectman Ross Tartell. Boucher and Selectman David Tatkow also voted to accept.