Wilton’s Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) held a public hearing Wednesday evening, Dec. 11, on a proposed sewer capital assessment for the Sharp Hill Square mixed-use development at 200 Danbury Rd.

“Any time there’s a new development that needs to take up additional sewer capacity, and we have to do improvements, there is a charge for the sewer capital assessment,” DPW Director/Town Engineer Frank Smeriglio explained.

The assessment of $52,863 was determined by a formula specified in the WPCA Rules and Regulations. The formula factors in the property’s assessed value, acreage and uses (200 Danbury Rd. has 26 apartments and various other commercial spaces, such as Nova Cafe, Wilton Hardware and Progressive Diagnostics.) Since 2011, an additional assessment is applied to any new sewer connection.

No one requested to speak during the public hearing.

The WPCA voted to levy the proposed assessment. In the event the owner chooses to pay the assessment in installments over 20 years, the WPCA also voted to set the interest rate at 3.5%, as recommended by Wilton CFO Dawn Norton based on the Town’s current borrowing rates. The votes were unanimous, with the exception of Selectman Josh Cole who was not in an attendance at the hearing.

Smeriglio also noted that the owner of another new development — Riverside Wilton apartments at 141 Danbury Rd.— will be notified of a sewer capital assessment in early 2025.

19 Cannon Rd. Update

Selectman Bas Nabulsi requested the agenda for the WPCA’s next meeting include an update on the ongoing litigation pertaining to the WPCA’s decision to deny a 2023 sewer application for 19 Cannon Rd — a proposed 70-unit apartment building across from the Cannondale train station. 

As GOOD Morning Wilton reported, the Town recently filed an appeal of the court’s decision in favor of the developer, Baywing LLC.

First Selectman Toni Boucher, who serves as WPCA chair, agreed to Nabulsi’s request, pending the availability of Town Counsel to attend. The discussion would take place in a confidential executive session.

2025 WPCA Meeting Schedule

The WPCA members also voted to approve their regular meeting schedule for 2025 (note there is no meeting in August):

  • January 8
  • February 12
  • March 12
  • April 9
  • May 14
  • June 11
  • July 9
  • September 10
  • October 8
  • November 12
  • December 10

Currently, the WPCA meets via Zoom. The members agreed going forward they would have the option to use a hybrid meeting format, allowing an in-person option when desirable, as well as the option for members of the public to participate via Zoom.