For the 2025 Wilton Municipal Elections, GOOD Morning Wilton asked all candidates to submit a 150-word bio; candidates running for the Boards of Selectmen, Finance and Education and the Planning and Zoning Commission were asked to sit for a video interview and submit an 800-word op-ed. In addition, candidates in the other races were invited to submit an op-ed if they wanted. More information is available in GMW’s Election Guidelines and Policies.
GMW Video Interview
Candidate Submitted Bio
Eric Fanwick, candidate for the Board of Finance, will bring data-driven decision-making and long-term financial stewardship to Wilton’s future. With decades of experience in analytics and technology, he believes sound fiscal policy and transparent planning are essential to maintaining Wilton’s excellence and affordability.
A Wilton resident and proud parent of four Wilton High School graduates, Eric has deep ties to the community and a strong commitment to its success.Eric’s a life-long Connecticut resident, with an economics degree from George Washington, and a master’s in computer science. He served as CTO at FamilyTime.com, then spent a decade as a computer consultant, and is now a senior manager of data analytics at Charter Communications.
Eric supports C-level executives in making informed decisions for a company with over $55 billion in annual revenue analyzing complex data.
Candidate Submitted Op-Ed
Why I’m running for the Board of Finance
by Eric Fanwick, Democratic Candidate for Board of Finance
I moved to Wilton about 25 years ago. My wife and I, both grew up in the area, and when we looked at all the cities and towns around our area, there was only one choice, Wilton. And, as they say, we lived happily ever after. My four children all graduated from Wilton High School and that institution prepared them for life.
It is my belief, if you love something you should give back, I have had the honor and faith from my fellow citizens to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Water Pollution Control Authority and now, for the last eight years, the Planning and Zoning Commission. That is why I’m running, and I think I can make a difference and make this a better town.
Now why should you vote for me? In the past the Board of Finance has been populated by elected officials that have a finance background, and we have been blessed to have them. But too much of a good thing may not be great. While I have worked with numbers all my life, I have spent them in data analytics (think Money Ball for you who watch baseball). In analytics, first you have data that feeds information. Good information is the basis of knowledge. From knowledge you hope to gain wisdom. That, in a nutshell, is data analytics. That is where I believe I can make a difference. It’s not just looking at last year’s budget and saying, “We can afford 4% more so let’s bump everything 4%.” It’s going back 10 or 15 years and looking at trend lines. Looking at number of police officers vs. calls, or seeing the administrator-to-teacher ratio and other support staff in education. While all these things are crucial to a functioning city, we should be able to bring a critical eye to the spending. Maybe we should spilt short term capital and maintenance (things we have to do) from staffing issues and other “optional” spending and have three budgets (on-going overhead, short-term capital and maintenance, and long-term capital projects).
In the first two parts of this editorial, I have said why I’m running and how I will approach the board, but if you are to vote for me you should be aware of my values. I moved here for the quality of the public education. When I worked on the Plan of Conservation and Development, surveys showed that the number-one reason families moved here were for the schools. Number two was the Norwalk River Valley Trail. The price of your house is directly linked to the quality of the education. So even now, with my children gone from the schools, I will not cast any vote that harms that quality; at the same time, I will look for savings where we can find them. My second priority will be to avoid bonding things we buy every year, like a snow plow that will now cost about 30% more because last year, for the first time, we bonded it. When we bond things we shouldn’t, we hurt our ability to do the big things that need to be done in the future.
I hope I can count on your vote on Nov. 4.
Candidate Interview Clips
Q: What makes you the right person to serve on the Board of Finance?
Q: Is your job in data connected to the financial world at all?
Q: Given your background, what’s your take on Wilton’s current financial state? How have we been doing in terms of what you think the town should be doing? You mentioned finances and marketing — what about management in terms of the town’s finances and the state of the town?
Q: Did you know there was $1 million sitting in the DPW account for road paving that had been bonded but not spent — and then they added another $700,000? Who’s responsible for making sure those funds are used properly?
Q: We’re looking at having a first selectman, town administrator, and CFO — all high-salary positions. Do we really need all three, or should we rethink how the town is organized?
Q: Should the Board of Finance have more of a voice in how the town is managed — for example, having the Board of Selectmen and CFO report together to give feedback?
Q: At what point do concerns about Moody’s rating become serious, given the current state of the finance department and management? Given what’s happened this past year, should the town be worried about its Moody’s rating in the coming year?
Q: What’s your understanding of the Board of Finance and Board of Selectmen Process Review Committee? How will you ensure it prevents future financial missteps or sloppy governance?
Q: With so many finance positions vacant, how can you make sure the department provides reliable numbers during the budgeting process?
Q: Was there anything the Board of Finance could have done differently regarding the CFO situation to intervene or prevent issues? Should Board of Finance members be more vocal about issues they see or read about — like those reported in Good Morning Wilton?
Q: Is the Wilton Capital Planning Committee working effectively on the $150 million in town projects?
Q: How should the town balance renovating versus tearing down historic properties like Ambler Farm, Gilbert & Bennett, and Town Hall while staying fiscally responsible?
Q: Did the Board of Finance handle the Ambler Farm lease situation appropriately, and how did it impact the relationship with Friends of Ambler Farm? The conflict over the Ambler Farm lease continues — how do you think it’s been handled, and what’s your view of its impact on the town’s relationship with Friends of Ambler Farm?
Q: With the police headquarters and Middlebrook renovations facing delays and overruns, what’s the Board of Finance’s role in keeping those projects on track?
Q: If you were setting budget guidance today, what would you suggest the Board of Finance set as its target? Has the Board of Finance done a good job setting accurate and responsible budget guidance in recent years?
Q: The town has $2.6 million in unpaid taxes and may hold a tax sale — what do you think about that? How long should the town give people to pay overdue taxes before taking action?
Q: Should the Board of Finance have its own legal counsel, separate from the town’s legal team?
Q: What’s your assessment of the current Board of Finance, and what would you do differently if elected?
Q: Give voters your 30-second elevator pitch — why should they choose you for the Board of Finance?