The following is an update from First Selectman Toni Boucher.

Wilton, it has been a glorious summer, with a mixture of hot days and rainy nights that saved us from the extreme heat, drought conditions and wildfires that are affecting the Western United States and parts of Europe. And the good news is, there is more fun to come!

Wilton Labor Day Fireworks

We are so grateful to our Parks and Rec[reation] Director Steve Pierce who managed to secure a discounted price from the fireworks company to restage the display they had planned for our Fourth of July celebration, which had to be canceled because of last minute thunderstorms and microbursts. Get ready to see something spectacular on Sept. 5 (rain date Sept. 6) at the High School Complex beginning at dusk. Any parking and patron tickets that were purchased for the Fourth will be honored, but those who need tickets may purchase them on the night of the event for $20.

At 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 5, the Freedom Run Road Race 5K will start at the Wilton High School Stadium track. It, too, had to be set aside this past Fourth of July so that the special America 250 Town Parade could take place instead. There is a $20 entry fee for those ages 17 and up, and $10 for anyone under the age of 17. Every participant wins a T-shirt. Register [online].

It’s going to be a memorable Labor Day Weekend, and a perfect way to continue our outstanding Fourth of July/America 250 Celebrations. Come join us!

Wilton Library JazzFest

The inaugural Wilton Library Jazz Fest is coming up soon. Wilton, through its generous sponsors, will host world-class musicians for an incredible lineup of artists all weekend long. Concerts will begin on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Wilton Library, and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 29, on Schenck’s Island, starting at noon.

Complete information, including schedules, artist bios and tickets can be found [online].

Here is who’s coming to town: Taylor Eigsti, Paquito D’Rivera Quintet, Brubeck Brothers Quartet and Alphonso Horne and the Gotham Kings. Hosted by Mark Ruffin of SiriusXM’s Real Jazz.

Wilton JazzFest is sponsored by ASML.

Household Hazardous Waste Comes to Wilton

Wilton will be hosting next month’s Household Hazardous Waste drop-off at Miller-Driscoll School. Bring your materials to 217 Wolfpit Rd. on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Cannon Grange

The end of summer Cannon Grange Fair is happening Sunday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Inside the historic hall visitors will enjoy juried agricultural contests and exhibits, handicrafts and local concessionaires. This is a storied celebration of local farms, our agricultural heritage and our community values. There is a $2 entrance fee, with those under the age of 2 admitted for free.

Aquarion Water Authority

Recently, we posted an announcement from the Aquarion Water Authority, the new, non-profit entity that is now responsible for delivering water to Wilton households, that they are seeking a Wilton resident to represent our municipality on their Representative Policy Board. This individual will speak for Wilton’s interests as delivery rates, regulations and future projects are decided upon by the Aquarion Water Authority.

The Representative Policy Board replaces the state public utility regulation authority (PURA) that had provided oversight of Aquarion when it was owned by Eversource. Now that ownership of the water company has moved to a public-private model, town boards will take over the daunting tasks of a state agency to guarantee the safety, reliability and fair pricing of public water. The new Aquarion assures customers that day-to-day operations will remain seamless and that no action is needed regarding accounts or billing methods.

For those who may be interested in a Representative Policy Board seat, please reach out to me via email.

Wilton Cricket

Aug. 2, 2026, launched the inaugural Wilton Cricket Tournament Cup, which raised an impressive $3,337 for the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and $2,000 for the Wilton Parks and Rec[reation] Scholarship Fund. When I first joined Town Hall, late in 2023, I was thrilled to learn of the strong interest for a cricket league in Wilton and to support this new sport in Town. Our Parks and Rec department quickly responded and worked to find a suitable field for this international popular sport. How wonderful to see it come to fruition in a weekend of matches at Allen’s Meadow. Thank you to all the members of the Wilton Warriors Club, their supporters, and the many volunteers whose perseverance and enthusiasm brought this Cup to life.

If you would like more information, or are interested in their summer youth programs for children ages 5-13, email Vimal Sharma or reach out to Steve Pierce, Director of Parks and Recreation, via email.

ADA Accessibility Survey

The Western Connecticut Council of Governments, or WestCOG, a planning organization of 18 member municipalities, is conducting a survey on the accessibility of Town facilities, parks and park features for persons with disabilities. Public feedback from this survey will help Wilton develop a transition plan to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The online survey will remain open until Sept. 4.

Block Party, U.S.A.

It is not too late to join Wilton resident Vanessa Elias in her movement to create more community cohesiveness known as Block Party, U.S.A. Vanessa has gained nationwide attention for her call to get barbecuing as an antidote to the social isolation plaguing many of us since the pandemic and the onslaught of digital media. She is asking neighbors to reach out to neighbors, even better if they are strangers, and organize block parties in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The goal is to reach 250 block parties in every state by the end of Labor Day. The Town of Wilton Social Services, Wilton Youth Council, the Wilton Library and Georgetown Orthodontics are co-sponsors of the local effort. The Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps (WVAC) has offered to stop at local block parties for a touch-a-truck style ambulance visit. Kids and adults can meet the volunteers, climb inside the ambulance, and learn firsthand what the corps does. These visits are contingent upon the WVAC’s schedule. Email Brian McDermott, WVAC event coordinator, if interested.

Looking Ahead

While there have been many celebrations to enjoy, Town leaders have pressed ahead with discussions on the future of the town’s infrastructure needs. There are currently many building projects facing our Town. A careful review is taking place between Town boards on how to best manage this significant effort. New building/facilities committees are being explored with the goal of establishing them to help with planning and guidance.

Of course, the Board of Selectmen in Wilton wants to proceed carefully, making the wisest decisions for the Town’s long-term well-being. This is only possible after synthesizing the best information available. On balance, though, it is important to keep the decision-making process moving forward and not tie the hands of town experts doing the work on the ground. In order for Town employees to proceed efficiently, they must have the ability to begin vital tasks on time, especially when outside constraints dictate a project’s schedule, i.e. finishing work on school property before the academic year begins, or having to restrict public access to services people need from town departments during construction, and for safety reasons. Oversight is necessary and can be provided without causing serious delays.

The 1931 Wilton Town Hall building lacks office and meeting space and is in serious need of renovation. The Annex Building in particular, where our Planning and Zoning, Public Works, Health and Conservation Departments are housed, has recently had leaking issues that need to be addressed by a new building committee along with additional repairs to our school buildings.

Beyond infrastructure concerns, senior administration officials in our Finance Department will be putting into practice any recommendations that may come from state auditors. The department has a new roster of personnel who have made tremendous strides towards resolving the financial system errors of the past. Our Chief Financial Officer [Dawn Savo] joined Wilton with the express mission to find and permanently rectify these problems.

The Connecticut style of government is one of public board governance. We are lucky in Wilton to have such knowledgeable, dedicated board volunteers who come to their elected positions with the best intentions for our town, and who are eager to make a difference. We are also fortunate to have a highly qualified, hardworking team of employees at Town Hall. It is their talent and experience that monitors our building projects, keeps our roads paved and cleared of debris, manages budgets, tracks our records, processes our taxes, warns us of any health risks or dangers in the community and generally keeps us safe, informed and engaged as a community.

In the past three years, Town Hall has welcomed fresh personnel, updated our technology and communications systems, built a landmark police headquarters, and opened the floor for a wide range of ideas that will take Wilton into its next chapter. With balance and precision this exciting progress will continue.

Toni Boucher
First Selectman
Town of Wilton