The following op-ed was submitted by former First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice, who was in office from 2015-2023.

Since leaving office in December 2023, I have only spoken out when statements made about me or my administration are materially inaccurate. As such, some of the comments made by town officials and reported in last week’s article, “Interim CFO, Town Still Struggling to Reconcile Wilton’s Finances,” warrant a response.

  • Contrary to her efforts to put the blame on my administration, the current First Selectman has ultimate responsibility for what she characterized as the “failed” implementation of Munis software that occurred seven months after she became first selectman. I was not, nor could I have been, responsible because: 1) I wasn’t in office, and 2) I wasn’t asked to return to help with the implementation. She is ultimately responsible, just as I was ultimately responsible for the successful implementation of New Word Payroll/HR software at the Board of Selectmen when I became First Selectwoman.

    An implementation goal had been set before I took office, but one of the first things I did when I took office was to speak with employees to assess where we were, determine needed action steps and determine a more appropriate timeline for the successful implementation. I also ultimately shared responsibility for the successful implementation of New World software at the Board of Education.
  • After reading the Interim CFO’s quote stating there was no documentation of processes, I emailed him stating they existed for the time period we were using New World and told him where he could find them. Based on the quotes in the article, he and the new controller appeared to be in the dark about much so I volunteered to provide assistance and answer questions.
  • The First Selectman was again quoted making erroneous claims about the day-to-day work within the Finance Department. A successful first selectman manages. I managed. Department heads benefit from regular interaction and thoughtful guidance. As a result all department heads, not just the CFO, benefited.

    As the end of my second term neared, board members expressed concerns about having a new first selectman along with a relatively new town administrator and CFO. Those board members, the Town Administrator and CFO asked if I would voluntarily provide assistance with the upcoming budget and audit. I responded yes believing an adequate transition was essential. But so as not to overstep, I advised any assistance must be approved by the incoming first selectwoman. No meaningful assistance was requested.

    Like the current First Selectman, my predecessor, Bill Brennan, did not have my financial background, but he often welcomed the additive benefit of Board of Selectmen and Finance members with strong financial backgrounds, including me as a then-member of the Board of Finance and UK Chartered Accountant Richard Creeth, then on the Board of Selectmen. I encourage the current First Selectman to consider following the model of former first selectman Bill Brennan.

So Where Do We Go From Here?

Despite the repeated untruths about me, former staff, and anyone else on the “Under the Bus” list (as characterized by GOOD Morning Wilton in the article), I sincerely want the current administration to turn the corner and be successful during its remaining two years. I expect that wish is also shared by my two predecessors, Bill Brennan and Paul Hannah, who still reside in town. The three of us understand the difficulties of the job, the sharp learning curve and the effort that must be expended by a new first selectman to complete that learning curve.

I also want the members of the new Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance to be successful. It is the responsibility of those members to provide critically needed oversight. I encourage them to carefully analyze the information presented to them, ask town employees probing questions, not accept a lack of transparency or information, and, if financial-capable, volunteer to help the first selectman. I am available to any of them if they have questions. Josh Cole and Kari Roberts have my personal contact information.

Thank you.