New Committee Will Focus on School/Municipal Building Needs — But Who Will Serve on It?

Wilton’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) has begun considering how it will structure a new committee that will help the BOS determine how to move forward with the numerous repairs and upgrades needed in Wilton’s schools and municipal facilities.

The School Needs Assessment and the separate Municipal Buildings Needs Assessment identified over $100 million in projects over the next 10-15 years. (Both reports are both posted on the BOS webpage.)

The BOS has already planned for some of the most critical needs, through the FY 2025 budget and several bonding referendums which passed at the Annual Town Meeting earlier this month.

However, many questions remain as to how to proceed beyond FY’25. The selectmen had previously agreed to create a committee that could dedicate the time and attention needed to determine how to address the remaining needs most effectively.

The selectmen broached the subject of the new committee at their meeting last evening, Tuesday, May 21.

First Selectman Toni Boucher began the discussion, noting that the long list of building needs would not remain static.

“Of course, it’s impossible to plan out 15 years,” she said. “It will change as it evolves.”

Boucher initially envisioned a committee with eight members, including representatives from the BOS, Board of Education and Board of Finance, along with key town staff members — notably public works and zoning department officials, who Boucher said were important for their “good inside expertise” on Wilton’s facilities.

Selectmen Ross Tartell, Kim Healy and Josh Cole discussed their preliminary thoughts on the committee, including the possibility of increasing the number of committee members, to include members of the public with relevant expertise. (Note: Selectman Bas Nabulsi was not in attendance.)

Boucher was receptive to the idea of a larger committee, as long as it did not become “unwieldy.”

Decision-making authority is also still to be determined. The board members seemed to agree that elected officials would retain the voting power for acting on the new committee’s recommendations.

The selectmen will discuss the new committee further at their next meeting.

Other BOS News

Boucher gave the selectmen a very brief report on the Town’s annual review with credit-rating agency Moody’s, which took place on May 17. While she said she was not at liberty to discuss the details, Boucher described the discussion as “in-depth and “very serious” and called it “a good meeting.” The board is now awaiting Moody’s final rating decision, which Boucher said she expects within days.

Town Administrator Matt Knickerbocker highlighted the results of the latest state legislative session, including several proposed bills which did or did not pass. At least one bill that passed, HB 5279, will require the board’s attention, as it pertains to declarations for the death of a police officer or firefighter in the line of duty, with implications for compensation benefits.

The board voted to appoint Lynley Middleberg to Wilton’s Architectural Review Board.

The next BOS meeting is scheduled for June 4.