The following is an update from First Selectman Toni Boucher. 

While December is always a month filled with festivities, this newsletter is particularly full of good news, accomplishments and reasons to celebrate. All of this rejoicing feels even sweeter after a period of unexpected surprises and challenges. I hope we all can take a moment to reflect upon the positive events of 2025.

Wilton Welcomes Its New Chief Financial Officer

After an exhaustive and thorough search, Wilton officially welcomed our new Chief Financial Officer, Dawn Marie Savo, on Dec. 8, 2025, with the unanimous approval of the Board of Selectmen.

Dawn Marie comes to Wilton with over 33 years of experience working in municipal finance. Most recently, she was the finance director for Stratford where she oversaw a staff of 21 employees, a position she held for five years, after being promoted from assistant finance director. Prior to working for Stratford, Dawn was the assistant finance director/risk manager for Trumbull for eight years. She began her municipal career in the City of Bridgeport, progressing through a variety of finance roles, including financial manager of central grants.

Her broad technical expertise includes operating, supervising and training Munis software; overseeing federal grant applications; managing large budget, treasury, pension/OPEB accounts, capital planning campaigns, and debt issuance; audit preparation, and financial reporting for sizable municipalities.

Dawn Marie received her Bachelor of Science degree, Summa Cum Laude, in accounting from Fairfield University. She also currently serves as an officer (first vice president) of GFOA-CT (Government Finance Officers Association of Connecticut) and has been a standing committee member (treasury and investment manager) of the National GFOA.

Dawn Marie’s considerable experience in municipal finance makes her particularly well-suited for Wilton’s CFO position. Her work history shows her commitment to developing and leading a finance department with strong financial controls, dependable financial reporting, and excellent customer service to Town departments, boards and the public. We are so pleased to have her leading our financial team! Welcome Dawn Marie!

Ambler Farm Lease

The long-drawn-out process of securing a lease agreement between the Friends of Ambler Farm and the Town of Wilton reached a happy and significant milestone on Dec. 1, when the Board of Selectmen and the Friends both approved contract language that allowed this document to move to the next step. This legal agreement can now go before the people of Wilton for a vote at a Special Town Meeting in the new year, at a time determined by the Board of Selectmen.

The relationship between the Friends of Ambler Farm and the Town of Wilton began when the Town bought Ambler Farm in 1999, as part of [its] initiative to preserve the farm, its buildings, and public, open-air spaces. These were the terms required by the original deed, which also stipulated that the farm be used for educational purposes by offering programs for all ages. But the farm and its antiquated buildings were in such disrepair that bringing the site back to its full use required the help of a coalition of engaged citizens. This coalition became the Friends of Ambler Farm, a non-profit organization that was formally established in 2005. Since then, the Friends have run all aspects of the farm on the Town’s behalf, including cultivating the crops and gardens, caring for the animals, and developing and managing all of its many programs and festivities, saving the Town over one million dollars in annual operating costs. But it has done so without ever having a formal lease in place. This uncertainty created problems as the farm and its operations grew, and became a glaring issue when the non-profit applied for grants where a lease was necessary in order to prove the organization’s stability. Funders regularly seek evidence of this kind to be sure that their money will be going to well-established entities.

Several attempts were made over the years to rectify the lack of a formal agreement, but no lease negotiations were seen through to completion. Finally, in the fall of 2024, earnest discussions began, with several last-minute concerns about future financial obligations upsetting what had been agreed upon parameters. Many fresh rounds of costly negotiations were required, along with a public hearing. But success was finally in hand at the Dec. 1 Board of Selectmen meeting when the inaugural lease agreement between the Town of Wilton and the Friends of Ambler Farm was finally agreed upon, and received a unanimous vote by the Board of Selectmen. The Ambler Farm lease can be read on the Town’s website and we encourage everyone to become familiar with it before it goes to a public vote at a Special Town Meeting.

New Town of Wilton Video

Wilton, as we know, is an extremely desirable place to live and work, as evidenced by our very low real estate inventory and our extremely high grand list valuation. But one sentiment that was expressed during the candidate debates this fall was the desire for another business like ASML to move in to Wilton — one that is just as engaged and generous. This is a tall order, but Town leaders are doing their utmost to create the conditions that will attract businesses, families and individuals our way. That is one of the reasons why a new mini-documentary about Wilton was created, at no cost to the taxpayer. It shows why our town is an ideal place to raise a family, get a great education or start a business.

The production team of MediaVision Creative spent many hours here last summer, interviewing small and large business owners, our schools’ leaders, notable artists and non-profit organizations. Their cameras also captured many of the bright spots that highlight Wilton’s natural beauty, lively downtown, restaurants and shops, cultural offerings, places of worship, town amenities and our schools. We are proud of how well this short film tells the world about Wilton’s warmth and inclusivity, its strong community and excellent schools, the abundant access to nature, and the exciting future that we have planned.

The “Wilton, Where You Belong” video will live on our Town’s website and can be shared with our businesses, schools, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, those who are thinking of relocating and all of our residents.

Wilton Fire Department’s First Firetruck

Thanks to a generous donation by Wilton resident Karl Dolnier, the Wilton Fire Department has been reunited with its very first fire engine: a 1929 American LaFrance Firetruck, a rare, early example of a professional fire-fighting apparatus. The Wilton Fire Department is busy restoring the truck to its original glory, after which it will live on display at the firehouse. But it will make regular appearances at Wilton community celebrations for generations to come. We are particularly excited to see it take pride of place at next year’s Memorial Day Parade. Our sincere thanks to Mr. Dolnier for sharing this incredible piece of history for us all to enjoy.

Deputy Chief Plofkin Inductee — CT State Firefighters Hall of Fame

Deputy Chief [John] Plofkin is being honored this year by the Connecticut State Firefighters Association with an induction into their 2026 Hall of Fame. He is one of only eight members in this year’s class out of the entire state of Connecticut to receive this honor. We look forward to sharing pictures from the Hall of Fame dinner when it is held next April. Our heartiest congratulations go out to Deputy Chief Plofkin for this outstanding achievement after a long career of service. This recognition is well-deserved and is another reminder of how lucky Wilton is to have your experience and dedication safeguarding us all.

Police Headquarters

We are happy to share these updated photos of the nearly completed Police Headquarters. At this stage of construction, the builders are nearing the Punch List phase, where a few remaining issues need to be ticked off the to-do list and then the project can be deemed officially completed. As Chief [Thomas] Conlan said at the Dec. 16 Board of Selectmen meeting, Wilton’s police force is grateful for the Town’s support and eager to move into their new space. “Officers have noted how impressive the new building is, and it has definitely had a positive effect on morale,” he stressed. Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard, for so many years to see this project being realized. Our neighbors in surrounding towns have told us we are setting a new standard with this achievement!

CERT Answers the Call

This week, Wilton’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) responded to an official region-wide mutual aid request on behalf of the town of Waterbury after [it] suffered a significant water main break that left 60% of the city without water. Wilton’s team was on the road at the crack of dawn, in freezing temperatures, to distribute water to Waterbury’s residents. Through four hours of lifting heavy packets into the backs of vehicles, our CERT members maintained their cheerfulness and their dedication to service. Thank you to these hearty volunteers for being such excellent neighbors! What a way to represent!

Reminder About Warming Centers

When arctic temperatures and winds hit our area, please remember that Wilton’s warming centers are open and ready to welcome everyone. Here are their locations and hours:

  • Comstock Community Center (180 School Rd.) M-F hours: 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Wilton YMCA (404 Danbury Rd.) M-F 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Wilton Library (137 Ridgefield Rd.) open M-F 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Anyone in need of shelter can call 2-1-1 to get connected to these services or visit 211ct.org to view a list of locations, or reach out to Wilton Social Services at 203.834.6238.

New Town Hall Intern

Welcome, Hernan Chico to Wilton Town Hall. Our 9th grade intern started with us at the beginning of the school year and is getting into the spirit of things. Hernan is a huge Star Wars fan and loves history. He is a UCONN hopeful and future Lego designer. Thank you, Hernan, for all of your help this semester! (Happily, another high school intern will be joining him next week.)

Wilton’s Middle School Robotics Team Wins State Championship

Congratulations to “Allied Algorithms,” the first Lego League Robotics State Champions. These talented youths from Wilton[‘s] Middle[brook] School will be representing Connecticut at the World Championships in Houston, TX next April. They are currently looking for funding to help defray the costs of the trip.

2025 Good Turn Society of Scouting America Award Recipient

Rudy Escalante, longtime Wilton volunteer and Board of Finance member, has had his civic contribution recognized by the Boy Scouts this year, for his outstanding leadership of the Connecticut Yankee Council and the Greenwich Council. His generosity and passion for the mission, vision and values of Scouting have earned him the 2025 Good Turn Society of Scouting America Award. Congratulations, Rudy!

Welcome to the New Board of Selectmen

These new board members have gotten off to a fast start and voted in new board member, Matt Raimondi. I have already found that they are a thoughtful, collaborative group who have the very best intentions of moving the town forward in a cooperative manner, with mutual respect for all that Wilton is and where we all belong.

Ross Tartell, Second Selectman
David Tatkow
Richard G. McCarty
Matthew Raimondi

Wilton Recognizes its Town Employees and Their Years of Service at the Annual Holiday Luncheon at Comstock

Wilton Celebrates the Holidays!

Every year, Wiltonians visit the Town Green to share the light and cheer of the holidays. First, the Christmas tree is lit at the Holiday Stroll and then we light the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah. These traditions connect us all to one another and to the peace and love that are the highlights of the season. By bringing in the light with kindness, love and compassion we find ways to counter the dangers that have arisen around the world.

As we look forward to the holidays and the new year ahead, let us be grateful for our families, friendships and the wonderful community of Wilton. Please accept the very best wishes of your town leaders and dedicated staff for a future filled with good health and the love and kindness of those who surround you.

Toni Boucher
First Selectman
Town of Wilton