Summer just got more exciting in Wilton, following two unanimous approvals by the Board of Selectmen for Fourth of July fireworks contracts and the gift of new amenities at the Middlebrook and Wilton High Schools‘ sosftball fields.

The Wilton Softball Association, in tandem with the Wilton Athletic and Recreation Foundation, has earmarked almost $65,000 for a range of repair and new installation items at the Middlebrook and varsity softball fields. Among the upgrades are the installation of three new artificial turf batting cages and mounds, field and dugout improvements, and the installation of a new fence.

“This is a proposal that has been a few years in the making,” said Parks and Recreation Department Director Steve Pierce, who presented the request for approval at the Monday, Apr. 7 BOS meeting.

“A lot of the maintenance issues are overdue and I welcome the opportunity for their work up there,” he said, noting that the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the work, along with Middlebrook Principal Jory Higgins, who was also consulted.

“They’re looking to do some repairs to one of their sheds up there, repairs to some of the dugouts,” Pierce said. “They want to have one of the fields re-grooomed … They want to put in two batting cages  at Middlebrook … They want to put pitching rubbers down at the high school varsity field for a bullpen area.”

Selectman Bas Nabulsi asked whether neighbors or residents had been given an opportunity to hear about the work prior to the approvals. While Pierce did not mention a specific time of public input, he said protocol had been followed.

“All those things that we do, we go through [Land Use Director/Town Planner] Michael Wrinn on Planning and Zoning, Wetlands, to see if there’s anything required … to make sure they’re done according to the town rules and regulations,” Pierce said about work proposed by youth athletic organizations.

(Two) Big July Fourth Plans

Pierce also presented two separate contracts for fireworks — one for July 4, 2025, for $20,000, and the other for July 4, 2026, for $25,000.

“The fact that next year is the 250th anniversary of the country, we’re hoping now, a year in advance, to secure our spot with that group,” he said, with contracts going to Pyrotecnico Fireworks, Inc., a New Hampshire-based company.

“I guess that given there’s going to be celebrations all over the country for the 250th anniversary, it’s probably very wise to lock in these folks,” First Selectman Toni Boucher said, “because I’m sure they’ll be a bigger demand than ever.”

Pierce said they also wanted to hold the celebration specifically on the Fourth of July next year for that reason, though they’ll also be holding this year’s event on the holiday as well at Wilton High School athletic fields.

Asked about the rise in costs from 2025 to 2026, Pierce said, “When I started, it was about $10,000 a year, and now we’re up to [$20,000] right now.”

“Costs are going up,” he said, “and the other thing is they’re looking for a premium based on the fact that it is on the Fourth of July, but it will be a bigger show as well, which is something that we thought would be appropriate for the 250th and we can afford to do that within our budget.”

Pierce said that the event is self-supporting, with last year’s fireworks bringing in around $38,000.

“Last year was like a record-breaking year for us,” he said.