Town officials provided updates Monday night on several ongoing initiatives, including efforts to fill two key vacancies at Town Hall, summer preparations at Merwin Meadows and improvements at Guy Whitten Field.
At the Board of Selectmen meeting on Jun. 1, First Selectman Toni Boucher said work continues to fill two key vacancies in Town Hall, one of which is showing progress, while the other is not.
At least two more individuals have thrown their hats in the ring for the town administrator position. Boucher said officials hope to speak with them by the end of the week and that they will move quickly toward filling that role.
Meanwhile, finding a new director for the Department of Public Works is proving harder. Boucher said the Human Resources Department prescreened some candidates, but in the end they did not meet minimum qualifications.
“The good news on that front, as you can see, we have a deep staff right now of leadership and competency,” she said of current DPW personnel.
Boucher also said that a consulting agreement is being drawn up with Fuss & O’Neill, a Hartford-based engineering firm where Frank Smeriglio, Wilton’s former DPW director, has begun work as an associate/senior project manager after leaving Wilton.
“We’re still working on an agreement with Frank’s new firm to use when needed to bring him back as a consultant … but so far we’re managing better than we had imagined,” Boucher said, citing the work of current DPW staff.
“It’s going quite well,” she said.
Progress at Merwin Meadows, Guy Whitten Field
Also Monday, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Pierce reported positive news on several recreation projects as the town heads into the summer season.
“Progress has been made down in Merwin Meadows in just a few short weeks,” Pierce said.
While there is still a quantity of sand that he said needs to go through a “de-watering” process, he said the dredging itself has been completed and staff is in place as soon as they’re ready to open.
“We hope that happens in the next week or so and that we’ll be able to open the park full time … We think it looks great. There’s nothing in that pond right now,” Pierce said.
Work also continues at Guy Whitten Field, where Pierce said the installation of new lights is moving along and they could be ready for use by July 12.
The town employed local contractors as well as staff on the project, which Pierce said represented a savings. Sodding was scheduled for this week and, once the lights are operational, only irrigation work will remain.
“The field came out really good. It’s really level,” Pierce said.
Guy Whitten Field has been renovated with new lights, field leveling and resodding Credit: GOOD Morning Wilton 
Guy Whitten Field has been renovated with new lights, field leveling and resodding Credit: GOOD Morning Wilton 
Guy Whitten Field has been renovated with new lights, field leveling and resodding Credit: GOOD Morning Wilton 
Guy Whitten Field has been renovated with new lights, field leveling and resodding Credit: GOOD Morning Wilton 
Guy Whitten Field has been renovated with new lights, field leveling and resodding Credit: GOOD Morning Wilton
Asked about the long-awaited sidewalk repair project near the stadium concession stand, Pierce said his department recently received a design estimate from a company and have shared it with legal counsel for review.
“We hope to have that signed this week for design, so that’ll be moving forward very shortly,” Pierce said.
