The Board of Selectmen‘s final meeting of 2024 was a lengthy one. The Dec. 17 agenda covered many of the projects and topics that have dominated Wilton officials’ attention throughout much of the past year — constructing the new police station, setting priorities for the repairs and upgrades needed for Wilton’s schools and town-owned buildings — all amid the day-to-day operations of the Town’s government, from salting the roads this winter to updating the Town website and populating Town boards/commissions.

As the year comes to a close, some unfinished business will follow the selectmen into the new year. GOOD Morning Wilton is reporting some of the BOS’ latest discussions in separate stories, which pertain to:

  • A draft ordinance change proposed by the Historic District & Historic Properties Commission to enable the commission to delay the demolition of a historic building for up to 180 days (rather than the 90 days currently allowed): The proposed ordinance change comes at a time when the HDHP commission has expressed great concern about plans the Town is considering for Town Hall and the Gilbert & Bennett School building (among other historic buildings). More recently, some residents and the Georgetown Community Association have raised additional concerns about the Town’s handling of the G&B building after it was deemed “unsafe” in September.
  • Changes to the Town email system and how email distribution lists are used to communicate with residents: The process has been under scrutiny after Board of Finance Chair Matt Raimondi encountered resistance from First Selectman Toni Boucher when he attempted to send a BOF update to residents. After reviewing best practices from surrounding towns, Boucher accepted the recommendations that Raimondi offered for sending future emails from the BOF.
  • The Town and School Needs Assessment Priorities Committee (TSNAP) and its “mission” to provide recommendations to the BOS for how to prioritize spending across town-owned buildings, with $213 million in repairs and upgrades needed over the next 15 years: From its inception, the committee has struggled with questions about its mission and its role beyond the FY 2026 budget-planning cycle.

More BOS News

  • The board approved a request by Fire Department Chief Jim Blanchfield to apply for a grant that would provide Wilton firefighters with a rope system Blanchfield described as a “last chance device” for escaping a fire. Blanchfield demonstrated a typical device and explained how the new devices would be a safety improvement.
  • After a bidding process coordinated with state DOT, the selectmen approved a contract for road salt with Morton Salt at $78.87 per ton. That compares favorably with last winter’s pricing, which was $82.15 per ton.
  • The selectmen approved an easement at 8 Seeley Rd. for work that will be completed on the Seeley Rd. Bridge. A state grant will cover the cost of the bridge rehabilitation project.
  • The selectmen approved — somewhat reluctantly — a contract for the purchase of furniture for the new police station at a cost of $274,939. Department of Public Works Assistant Director Jeff Pardo explained the cost exceeded the $231,000 original budget, which did not account for cost escalation over time. Though he said the cost could be absorbed in the project’s contingency, the selectmen appeared concerned about keeping the project within budget. Selectwoman Kim Healy requested “a fresh look at the budget… to make sure we’re on track and there are no more surprises.”
  • The selectmen discussed a request by Town Planner Michael Wrinn for $15,000 to fund a “one-time project” to add the Town’s planning and zoning regulations to the Town’s website, where Wilton’s Town Charter and ordinances already appear (on the “ecode360” platform).

“You can look up any code or ordinance for the Town of Wilton and amazingly, we’ve never put all of our town’s planning and zoning regulations on there so homeowners and developers can see what those are,” Town Administrator Matt Knickerbocker said.

However, no decision was made after Selectman Bas Nabulsi objected to the idea of using the Infrastructure Fund to pay for the project. Knickerbocker said he would investigate whether IT funds could be used.

The selectmen voted to reappoint the following board/commission members:

  • Conservation Commission: Colleen O’Brien
  • Conservation Commission Deer Committee: Jeff Lapnow, Brett Amero
  • Historic District & Historic Properties Commission: Pam Brown
  • Inland Wetlands Commission: Frank Simone, Jason Terry
  • Council on Ethics: Tamara Conway, Elizabeth Edwards
  • Fire Commission: Terrie Schwartz
  • Police Commission: Thomas Sinchak
  • Wilton Employees Retirement Plan Investment Committee: Kenneth Hoffman, Richard Nichol

Note: Selectman Josh Cole was not in attendance and did not vote on any of the approved measures.