Giving Thanks
While there have been several headline grabbing events this year, both locally and nationally, in this season of Thanksgiving it is important to remember everything we can be grateful for and everything that makes Wilton special.
Our town continues to be a draw for real estate shoppers looking for a new home. There are only 21 houses on the market in Wilton, at last count — and for good reasons. Our schools rank top in the nation; world renowned businesses (ASML for one) operate from here, providing a solid tax base and strong community partnerships; the NRVT trail, Ambler Farm and our many parks and gardens are readily accessible to everyone; our award winning library is a cultural and intellectual center with global importance; and our YMCA, [Wilton] Historical Society, Trackside Teen Center, art and music organizations, diverse places of worship, national service clubs and other nonprofits, all create a rich quality of life for residents.
We have enjoyed a shared community vision as evidenced by voters passing town budgets by 78% [Editor’s note: at 15% turnout in 2025] and approving 18 bond items over the last two years. Wilton maintains a Aaa Bond Rating and its employee pensions are over 107% funded because of wise fiscal management.
But it is really the caliber of people in Wilton that make our town so desirable. I receive constant, heartwarming feedback from new residents who say they love Wilton because it is such a welcoming community with people who care. At Town Hall, I strive to make the staff who work for Wilton feel just as valued and supported.
Provocative news can easily overshadow all that is excellent in our community. But this only distracts us from solutions. Thankfully, there are outstanding board volunteers ready to work collaboratively when issues arise, as they inevitably do.
The town has always benefited from the incredibly talented residents and citizen volunteer board members. Together we have confronted and resolved many unexpected challenges, including: a damaging historic flood that required hundreds of millions of dollars in building and infrastructure repairs; neglected town properties with expired town leases; woefully out of date technology; shortages in critical areas of town government; and unexpected staff vacancies. But, during these challenging periods, opportunities were created that allowed for major technology upgrades, greater efficiencies in operations, and a review of Town properties that reimagined a future Wilton. Perhaps most exciting are the new, very skilled candidates that we have attracted to fill vital positions. There will be more to report on that front soon.
Now that our elections have passed, I look forward to the fresh energy and ideas of our returning and new board members. Sadly, we must say goodbye to one of Wilton’s most dedicated and faithful public servants, Second Selectman Josh Cole, who leaves our Board of Selectman on Nov. 18, 2025.
Let us give thanks to the wonderful past, present and future Wilton board members, volunteers and nonprofit members whose work created, and now sustains, the Town we love. Today’s Town leaders will put every effort into keeping Wilton vital and growing — with its welcoming spirit as strong as ever.
Update on the Recent Scam Warning
Recently, an urgent notice from this office alerted the public to a fee-payment scam being perpetrated on individuals and firms who have applied for special permits or zone changes from Wilton’s Planning and Zoning Department. Using publicly available information, criminals will send fraudulent invoices that demand exorbitant fees be paid via wire transfer before the application is complete.
It is important to clarify that although Wilton’s permitting system now operates exclusively online through OpenGov, these scams are not the result of any vulnerabilities or security issues within that system. Out of legal necessity, all information submitted for permitting is considered public record and is therefore open to public viewing. Unfortunately, there are bad actors with fraudulent intent who will take advantage of this accessibility. This latest scam operation is happening nationwide and has affected municipalities like ours throughout Connecticut.
We cannot stress this strongly enough: The Wilton Planning and Zoning Department, and all land-use departments, will never request or accept payment via wire transfer for pending applications. All payments must be made either in person at the Planning and Zoning Office in the Town Hall Annex or through the official online permitting portal.
Anyone who has received a fraudulent invoice or suspicious payment request is urged to contact the Wilton Police Department immediately!
Wilton’s Elections
Wilton experienced a thrilling election this year, although it was a long process with the state-mandated extended early voting period. Voters were particularly exercised about the choices before them and the opportunity to steer Wilton in a different direction, particularly around planning and zoning issues. Voter turnout on the official election day exceeded all expectations and fresh ballots were needed to meet the demand. Our outstanding registrars and their crack team of volunteers jumped into action to print more ballots in plenty of time before the polls closed. Everyone who wanted to was able to vote without much delay. There were a few nail-biters, and some surprising upsets that added to the excitement, but now the dust has settled. Wilton is ready to get to work with new and returning board members. The American election process is foundational to American life. It can also be quite complicated and is, without a doubt, labor intensive. The 2025 election in Wilton was a perfect illustration of democracy in action, with our highly skilled, experienced registrars and citizen poll workers pulling together to create a free and fair election. Well done, everyone! You have our heartfelt thanks!
Wilton High School Marching Band Win
With incredible precision and great panache, the Wilton High School band wowed state competition judges and came home with a first-place win, being named the 2025 Group III-A Connecticut State Champions. They were also awarded “Best Percussion,” “Best Music,” and “Best Overall Effect.” The theme of their performance was space exploration, entitled “To Boldly Go,” and featured excerpts of the speech given by President Kennedy when he declared America’s intention to be the first on the moon. The number ended dramatically, with an American flag being raced across the field and planted on a moon. The musicianship of many of these students has been cultivated throughout their years in Wilton Schools. Their achievement culminated under the direction of Wilton High School band Director Troy Williams, with tremendous support from Middlebrook School band and general music educator Michael Gordon. Congratulations to all! We are so thrilled that your hard work and talent have been celebrated with these honors. Wilton is proud of you!
Here is a glimpse of these stars in action: Wilton High School Marching Band State Championships
Wiltonians Respond to the SNAP Emergency
As many of you are aware, while the federal government was shut down, SNAP benefits that come out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, were stopped. Our neighbors who rely on this program to feed themselves or their families could have been left stranded if it weren’t for the quick action of Wilton residents, who jumped in with food drives and donations to fill this critical gap. Wilton’s Social Services Director Stephanie Rowe coordinated the munificence and was touched and delighted by the outpouring of generosity. She wrote, “We are packed to the gills with food … in our storage room. Wilton is truly coming together for us.” Thank you, Wilton, for always showing up!
Veteran’s Day Celebrated Around Wilton
On the 11th day of the 11th month in 1919, America recognized the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I. Nov. 11 was henceforth celebrated as Armistice Day, which became Veterans Day in 1954 in honor of all U.S. service members who have served in all wars. Wilton hosted several events across town throughout the day, where veterans and community and municipal leaders shared inspirational stories and reflections on what it means to serve. One speaker noted that while it may be appealing to imagine a society that never faces conflict, wars have put an end to slavery and genocide, and have stopped tyrants and terrorists. And when veterans come home, they continue to work for their communities, as evidenced by the high percentage of veterans who become police officers, first responders, firefighters, teachers, government leaders and search and rescue team members. They are also much more likely to volunteer in a variety of ways. In an emergency, they are the bystander who is most likely to jump to the rescue. Two common themes from different stories summed up the service experience: “War is not about medals. I love my country. I love my men and that’s all that counts,” and, “Just doing our jobs is what it’s all about.”
Students were encouraged to seek service opportunities and build that muscle within themselves. It was suggested that one simple way to practice is to reach out to others — veterans, neighbors, fellow students — and ask how they are doing. Listening well is often the best way to support your community.
Donations were also being sought for the Socks for Soldiers drive, which is a student run club that gathers new scarves, gloves, hats and socks for soldiers and veterans to be donated to veteran service organizations, like Kick for Nick in Wilton (Kick for Nick). Kick for Nick was founded in honor of Wilton High School graduate Nick [Maderas] who was killed in Iraq in 2005 while serving with the Army. Nick received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for his bravery and excellence.
Many veterans stressed the importance of reaching out for help if you are struggling, and reminded the audience to call 988, the national suicide crisis hotline, for support.
What was clear from the events of this Veterans Day is that the ability to go beyond yourself, and beyond what you think you can do, is not a unique feature of combat or of military life, but a choice that is available to us all, every day of our lives. Thank you, veterans, for everything that you have done for our country and for the example you set to do a little more, as often as we can.
The Madrigal Singers sang the National Anthem and “America”’ as part of the high school celebration of our nation’s veterans. The Wilton High School Wind Ensemble rounded out the excellent music program with the ‘Armed Forces Salute,’ and ‘Stars and Stripes Forever.’
Mormon Meeting House Opens
It has been 40 years in the making, but the dream of Mormon followers in this area was realized this fall with the opening of the newly built [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] Meeting House, here in Wilton. This month, they invited the public to tour their beautiful facility and learn about their faith. Wilton is particularly special to this congregation because it is the birthplace of Jane Elizabeth Manning, a free black woman who joined the church in 1840 and walked to Illinois (barefoot for a good part of the journey) to join Joseph Smith’s followers after she was denied passage on the boat from Buffalo because of the color of her skin. Her faith, loyalty and determination are honored with a portrait that hangs prominently on the Meeting House first floor.
November Weddings at Town Hall
After multiple decades together, Sally and David officially tied the knot at Town Hall. We wish them many more years of love and happiness.
Giving Thanks
As the nights grow long, now is an ideal time for reflection. This November, we are encouraged to give where and when we can, and to reach out to a stranger or a loved one for a moment of connection. We have honored two great pillars of American life, our veterans, without whom our country could not thrive, and that great democratic process of making our voices heard at the ballot box. Along the way, we have been inspired by love, faith and the willingness of so many to serve. There truly is so much to be grateful for.
Wilton, from all of us here at Town Hall, have a safe and joyful Thanksgiving.