Wilton’s Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) met Wednesday night, May 8 to discuss several ongoing matters of business.

Anticipating continued interest from developers and other commercial growth, the WPCA members continued their discussion about how to prioritize Wilton’s limited available sewer capacity.

Priority Areas

The WPCA had previously agreed to the following priority order:

The latest discussion focused on clarifying what was intended for the “Danbury Rd.” priority area.

Amid the activity along Danbury Rd. in South Wilton — such as 141 Danbury Rd. (now under construction), 131 Danbury Rd. (sewer application approved in April) and 64 Danbury Rd. (pending), among others — WPCA members have raised questions as to whether the “Danbury Rd.” priority area needs further definition.

First Selectman Toni Boucher, who chairs the WPCA, emphasized, “It’s important that we set the stage for future work by defining our priorities.”

DPW Director/Town Engineer Frank Smeriglio and Director of Planning and Land Use Management/Town Planner Michael Wrinn explained to the WPCA how the new Wilton Center Master Plan zoning map differentiates between the west side (OL-2 West) and the east side (OL-2 East) of Danbury Rd. between Ridgefield Rd. and Wolfpit Rd.

Wrinn emphasized that, from a planning standpoint, OL-2 West was seen as more important in terms of “trying to incentivize what we could here in order to strengthen Wilton Center… That was the goal of this OL-2 West,” he said.

For the purposes of sewer allocations, the WPCA members voted unanimously to refine the Danbury Rd. priority area as:

  • Priority 4A: the OL-2 West zone along Danbury Rd. near Wilton Center
  • Priority 4B: Danbury Rd. south of Wolfpit Rd.

The WPCA opted not to distinguish between east and west portions of Danbury Rd in South Wilton.

Boucher thanked the WPCA members for their consensus on clarifying the priorities and hinted they were timely.

“It is very important because it is going to inform our actions in the coming months, when we have a lot going on,” Boucher said.

Other WPCA News

Smeriglio gave a brief update on the Town’s efforts to reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I) in Wilton’s sewer system. By reducing the excess flow in the system, Wilton may have additional capacity under the current agreement with Norwalk, which receives Wilton’s sewer flow for treatment.

“Norwalk wants to see us do our I&I improvements before they continue conversations with us” about potentially increasing Wilton’s contractual sewer flow limit, he said.

Smeriglio is working with engineering firm Wright-Pierce to conduct modeling of Wilton’s flows after I&I improvements. Smeriglio reported that applicants with pending WPCA applications (including 64 Danbury Rd.) have agreed to an extension while the Town completes the modeling work and further reviews design plans.

Boucher said she appreciated applicants’ patience.

“It’s good to have that kind of cooperation,” she said. “We don’t want to deny [applications], we want to be able to work together.”

A Look Ahead

The next WPCA meeting is scheduled for June 12. A special meeting is expected to be added in late June, with a public hearing on sewer rates. Details will posted on the Town website.