Selectmen Greenlight Improvements at Kristine Lilly Field

On Monday night (Jan. 6), Wilton’s Board of Selectmen (BOS) took action on a number of initiatives, including two proposed improvements at Wilton High School’s Kristine Lilly Field that will be “gifted” to the Town — a new structure for a concession stand and storage, and a new artificial turf surface at the existing rebound wall.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Steve Pierce informed the selectmen of the proposed projects in two letters dated Dec. 30. He noted that both projects have the support of the Parks and Recreation Commission and other department staff based on needs and appropriateness.

One project involves the installation of a “prefabricated structure” that would serve as a concession stand and storage for small, in-season items such as balls and cones. The structure would have electricity but no water, Pierce wrote. It would be gifted to the town and installed by the Wilton Athletic and Recreation Foundation] (WARF) and several youth sports organizations.

The structure will also require approvals from Planning and Zoning (P&Z) and the Health Department. It would be funded by WARF, the Wilton Lacrosse Association and the Wilton Soccer Association, for use by various youth and high school sports groups.

At the Jan. 6 BOS meeting, Pierce assured the selectmen that maintenance of the composite-material structure would have “minimal impact” on costs to the Town both in the short- and long-term.

He also noted that no foundation is required; only minor work to level the ground and lay some crushed stone would be necessary.

“I think it’ll be a nice addition for the high school and for the youth groups,” Pierce said.

In a second letter to the BOS, Pierce outlined a proposed improvement to the rebound wall at Lilly Field:

“Callum Gemelli is an Eagle Scout candidate and he would like to install synthetic turf in front of the rebound wall at the Lilly Field as his project. The current natural grass area is worn away due to the amount of use the wall gets and this project would make the area more usable. The product he would like to use is a natural sand infill, no crumb rubber. His project would also extend the safety netting behind the south side of the soccer field,” Pierce wrote.

Gemelli attended the Jan. 6 BOS meeting and explained the project to the selectmen in more detail, including why it was needed and the successful $20,000 fundraising effort behind it.

“Right now [the grass area] is worn down from overuse and weather. My goal is to turn that into synthetic turf so that it can be used all year round,” Gemelli said, noting the area would measure roughly 16 by 30 feet.

The turf would have sand infill, not crumb rubber.

The selectmen voted unanimously to accept the gifts. (Note: Selectman Josh Cole was not in attendance.)

A Revelation

Later in the meeting, Selectman Bas Nabulsi made a comment about his future plans.

“I’m leaving the Board in November… I’m not running for reelection,” he said.

It wasn’t clear if Nabulsi’s announcement was planned or unplanned. He made the comment in response to an idea raised by Selectman Ross Tartell for the selectmen to discuss their “vision” for the Town of Wilton. Nabulsi suggested it might be best to plan such a discussion for next December or January, after any “turnover” on the BOS, including his own departure.

GOOD Morning Wilton will follow up with Nabulsi to learn more about his decision.

More BOS News

• The board held a confidential executive session to discuss “contract negotiation” for the new police headquarters construction project.

• The selectmen approved a contract with Dalling Construction for the Scribner Hill Rd. road stabilization project for $1,157,649. The project was already approved by Wilton voters for bonding, and the cost is in line with earlier project estimates. Wilton’s Department of Public Works has also requested reimbursement from FEMA after the Aug. 17 storm damage, which Town officials say exacerbated Scribner Hill Rd.’s preexisting conditions. It is not yet known whether FEMA will provide any reimbursement.

• The board approved the purchase of kitchen appliances and televisions for the new police headquarters for $18,911. An itemized list of the necessary parts can be found on the Town website. DPW Assistant Director Jeff Pardo reported that three quotes had been obtained, but it was “not clear” whether the selected quote was above or below the original cost estimates, due to the way some furnishings were combined for estimating purposes. First Selectman Toni Boucher noted the furnishings budget would be closely examined as the project nears completion.

• The selectmen authorized Town Administrator Matt Knickerbocker to proceed with the implementation of a new email system. Under the new system, only the BOS, Board of Finance (BOF) and Planning and Zoning Commission members will receive individual email addresses; other Town boards and commissions will each have a group address, which their respective members may access.

• Chief Financial Officer Dawn Norton provided a financial update for the first quarter of FY 2025. (Norton presented the same information to the BOF at the board’s December meeting.) She reported the Town’s revenues and expenditures were “doing well,” particularly on collecting tax revenues and being “right where we should be” on expenditures. However, she also noted the various departmental budgets were “extremely tight” and could be challenging for the departments as the fiscal year continues to unfold.

• The board voted unanimously to reappoint Casey Healy to serve on the Fire Commission. Healy currently serves as the commission chair.