May 3rd News From the First Selectman's Office
Hello Wilton and Happy Glorious Spring. It has been a few weeks of unveilings, commemorations, inductions, and general fanfare around some people who make our town the special place that it is. After weeks of grueling town budget talks, it was a joy to celebrate some of our neighbors who embody the best of Wilton.
Annual Town Meeting
Now about that budget…registered voters will have the opportunity to discuss, and then vote, on our town’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget at the Annual Town Meeting being held on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 at the Wilton High School Clune Center Auditorium at 7pm. Voting on the budget will take place at the end of the meeting, and for those who cannot attend, or who have to leave before voting begins, another opportunity to vote will take place on Saturday, May 11th from 8am until 6pm, also at the Clune Center Auditorium.
This year presented town boards with major, unprecedented headwinds. The Board of Selectmen, Board of Education and the Board pf Finance collaborated to navigate a state mandated revaluation which dramatically increased property values, a new requirement by Moody’s to maintain a Fund Balance ratio of over 25 % versus 10%, and critical school and town building repairs that can no longer be delayed. All of these factors created extremely difficult budget decisions. In these extraordinary circumstances, the boards listened closely to residents and then worked together to strike a balance between educational and town needs while maintaining fiscal discipline.
The proposed 2025 operating budget for the town and schools is $140,339,906 . This is a 4.0% increase from 2024. The Board of Selectmen’s budget is $35,736,501, a 3.7% increase from 2024. The Board of Education’s budget is $93,238,159, a 4.5% increase over 2024. The combination of the two results in a 5.2% increase from 2024.
Beyond the general operating budget, there will be five bondable items to vote on and one town resolution to consider.
The following bondable items are large expenditures to repair or replace critical infrastructure priorities:
Public Works7 miles of road repair - $540,000 (note that there is $2 million yearly for roads but we had a surplus last year that we will use for 2025)Bridge replacement on Scribner Hill Road - $1,600,000 Town HallTown Hall Repairs- $1,585,000 to replace the boilers that were installed in 1992; replace the 1930’s era, single pane windows on the front and sides of Town Hall; add supplemental heat; replace ceiling tiles; repair and buttress the front entry columns, stairs, plaster and railings; restore fallen brick and cement; repair the vault to prevent it from falling through the floor School BuildingsMiddlebrook roof replacement over the 1992 addition - $1,902,935Middlebrook Chiller and Unit Ventilator replacement - $3,261,041Middlebrook replacement of ceiling tiles as part of Chiller work - $600,00 Resolution QuestionShall breweries be given permits in Wilton to make their beer in town for on-site and take-away consumption and be allowed to operate under the same hours as current restaurants and package stores do? Our public hearing on this ordinance showed unanimous and wide spread support for it.Why, in a year when so many Wilton property owners have seen their home values skyrocket, should we invest in town infrastructure? The answer is that these bondable items have been put off for so many years that they have reached a crisis point. The past administration recognized this and to their credit hired consultants to assess the critical needs for our schools and municipal buildings such as roof repair, water damage, refrigeration and heating systems. The report identified over $130 million dollars of priority items that should be addressed over the next 10-15 years. The good news is that most items can be bonded without adding new costs to the taxpayers. Since many of past bonded items are being paid off, Wilton has significant bonding capacity so debt service will not go up over the period of time that building needs can be addressed. In terms of our 1930 Town Hall, the front pillars are in danger of falling (one already has), windows are wrapped with plastic sheets from October through May, wood trim is rotting, and its concrete front steps are cracked. The heating system is so old it is beyond repair because replacement parts no longer exist. Many offices are cold enough to require portable space heaters and wear winter hats worn inside. At Middlebrook School, mold and humidity have become a danger because of the faulty Chiller and Ventilator system. The trapped humidity has caused some ceiling tiles to buckle forcing immediate replacement. It stands to reason that due to inflation, the longer we wait to fix these issues, the more expensive they become.
Finally, there is the Brewery Ordinance on the ballot, which is a potential bright spot for Wilton. When the question of allowing breweries in town was posed at the First Selectmen’s meeting in December, several members of the public spoke in favor of them, citing how they foster community and tourism, support local farmers by using local ingredients in their brews, offer employment opportunities, and bring variety and interest to downtown Wilton.
These are the choices before us when we vote next week. Town leaders are acutely aware that this is a tough financial landscape for many. The well-being of our citizens has been top-of-mind as we weighed what is needed against what is urgent for fiscal year 2025. A sample of the ballot you will be given at the Annual Town Meeting on the 7th and the 11th is below for your consideration.
https://www.wiltonct.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif10026/f/news/sample_ballot.pdf
A Change to Wilton’s General Fund Balance Ratio
One of the factors affecting taxes this year is the change in policy by Moody’s rating agency, a firm that grades towns like ours on our fiscal responsibility. Having a AAA rating, as we do, assures lenders that we are a responsible borrower able to pay our debts. This allows us to receive loans at the best interest rates available. Without this rating, building and infrastructure projects would be prohibitively expensive.
To obtain their highest rating (or maintain that AAA, as in our case), Moody’s would like towns to maintain a higher Fund Balance Ratio or Liquidity Ratio. They also expect that the receipt of one-time, non-recurring revenues will not be used to finance ongoing operating expenditures, programs, activities, or to offset taxes.
How Wilton Works
It’s a common misconception that firefighters show up to a fire, extinguish the flames, then go back to firehouse until the alarm goes off again. But the job of a firefighter is far more complex than this. For one thing, in Wilton, shifts begin at 7a.m. and last 24 hours. If you’ve ever visited a fire station (or watched Chicago Fire) and wondered why there were sleeping quarters and full kitchens, it’s because the firefighters live where they work for long stretches of time. During any given shift, a firefighter on duty will attend briefings, participate in multiple training rotations, complete full checkups and inventories of the fire apparatus and equipment, run public education events, and visit and pre-plan for potential emergencies in our commercial buildings. It is a profession where the demands are always changing, mostly in response to shifts in the building industry. As innovations in construction come onto the market, firefighters must understand the new chemistry involved, how to reach people in new architectural configurations, how to operate new equipment designed for novel dangers as well as adapt procedures for new challenges, such as battery-operated vehicles and equipment. This is on top of the calls for emergency response.
Fire calls can range from fire alarms, rescue calls (from elevators, bodies of water, trenches, and confined spaces), structure fires, car accidents, hazardous material incidents and public service calls. Additionally, in Wilton, firefighters respond to almost every medical emergency, so every Wilton firefighter is a certified EMT. Wilton firefighters also participate on regional teams. For example, eight of its firefighters serve as hazmat technicians on the regional Hazmat Team, trained to respond and address dangerous chemical/biological/radiological incidences. In all, becoming a firefighter entails having a working knowledge of construction, medicine, biology, chemistry, psychology and a heavy dose of mechanical aptitude. There is also, of course, the need for great physical strength and undaunted courage.
Like our Police Department, the Wilton Fire Department has automatic aid agreements with our surrounding communities and beyond. If the incident is of the scale where additional support is needed, those requests go through Wilton Dispatch, at the request of the Incident Commander. Likewise, Wilton crews will respond to our neighboring communities when needed. “Mutual aid is exactly that, mutual,” says Chief Jim Blanchfield.
Soon, as part of the Town wide radio project, the Fire Department will be joining the State Radio System, which will dramatically improve the communication capabilities of the department (and other town agencies), which will improve on scene safety. Currently, the Fire Department operates on essentially one channel for fire ground operations, which is akin to fifty people sharing a single phone line. As the towns around Wilton have, or are moving to this same system, communications will be improved for all instances where mutual aid is received or given.
In addition to Operations, the Fire Department is responsible for construction plan reviews, inspections, code enforcement and public education on fire safety topics. Plans for assisted living structures, medical centers, schools, apartment complexes, and all other types of commercial buildings are mandated to be reviewed for safety before construction crews can break ground. And throughout the construction process, and then annually thereafter, these inspections continue.
The fire department drives home the importance of fire safety through public education. Firefighters conduct public education events at the fire house, as well as in the schools. Although October is Fire Prevention Month, these events occur year-round. Firefighters will always say that some of the most rewarding parts of the job are when they can impress upon the Wilton community the importance of fire safety!
Getting out to know the community they serve is important to Wilton’s Firefighters. For example, every other month, in partnership with the Wilton Library, the firefighters read age-appropriate books to kids. Afterwards everyone gets to explore the firetruck waiting in the parking lot outside. “Reading is the building block to everything,” says Fire Chief, Jim Blanchfield, “and we are proud to participate in this program.” You will also see the department supporting events such as the Ambler Farm Day, parades, holiday events, Safety Day at the YMCA, as well as a host of other happenings during the year. “The Fire Department is Wilton’s fire department, and we like to support the community in as many ways as we can.”
In short, the Wilton Fire Department is truly a 24/7/365 days a year agency. It provides professional responses to every sort of emergency the community faces, as well as code enforcement, plan review, and public education. As new challenges emerge, and as calls for aid continue to rise, the department is committed to meeting those challenges, and to ensure public safety for the Wilton community. Wilton’s Fire Department, take a bow!
Induction of New Firefighter
John Gagel was sworn in as a Wilton Firefighter last week, continuing an already distinguished career with the Orange, CT Fire Department, where he started as a volunteer and rose to the rank of Lieutenant, and with the Cromwell, CT Fire District, where he was a career firefighter and EMT. John comes from a firefighting family. His father, David, has been a volunteer with the Orange, CT Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years. Wilton is lucky to have his experience and skills joining our Fire Department. Let us never forget that our firefighters run into burning buildings while other people are running out. Like our police, every call could be a life threatening one. Thank you, John, and welcome aboard!
ASML Gift to Ambler Farm
The Friends of Ambler Farm received an extremely generous gift from ASML, a global leader in the semiconductor industry, whose largest research, development and manufacturing site in the United States is here in Wilton. Not only are they Wilton’s top employer (3200) and largest tax payer, they are community minded. The company’s ethos of supporting equitable access to education and nature strongly aligns with Ambler Farm’s programs. ASML is backing their efforts with a $324,000 grant that will, over the course of four years, renew the educational gardens and animal habitats, and provide field trip scholarships to students attending Title One schools in Norwalk. Additionally, ASML has committed to providing 1,200 hours of volunteer hours to the farm. ASML have been an active, caring neighbor since they came to Wilton. We are so grateful for their continued investment in our town’s future.
In Honor of Judy Zucker
At the most recent Board of Selectmen meeting, a unanimous, even emotional, approval was passed to allow the recreation room in the Wilton Senior Center to be named for Judy Zucker. This was especially appropriate because Judy was Chair of the Comstock Renovations Building Committee and saw the $10 million project through to completion on time and under budget. But Judy had also been a tireless advocate for all things Wilton long before then. Among her many acts of service was her time spent on the Board of Ed for two terms in the 1970s, the Board of Selectmen for four terms from 1988-99, the Commission for Social Services for twenty years, the Affordable Housing Oversight Committee, and the Elderly Tax Relief Committee. She was elected the first female president of Kiwanis and is in their Club Hall of Honor. She was a member of the Wilton PTA and the League of Women Voters, who made her an Honorary Life Member. Judy also volunteered with the Food Pantry and the Playshop. The Wilton Riverbrook YMCA named her a Distinguished Citizen and she was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wilton Democratic Town Committee. Besides her work ethic, Judy was universally loved for her kindness, generosity, bipartisanship, and her skill for getting things done. As someone who started her law career in her fifties, Judy remained a woman who surprised and inspired all who knew her throughout her long life. She is sorely missed but her achievements and her soaring example of community service live on.
Tree Plantings on Arbor Day
On Arbor Day, Frank Simone, who serves on Wilton’s Conservation Commission, and Nick Lee, Wilton’s Inland Wetlands Commission Chair, were honored with having newly planted trees named for them. Frank, as the Tree Steward of 2022, was presented with a Flowering Dogwood, and Nick, as the Tree Steward of 2023, was presented with a Black Tupelo. It was also a great opportunity to declare Wilton’s commitment to protecting trees and woodlands. Wilton is proud to be officially designated as a Tree City, USA.
Wilton Go Green
We had seven local winners in the 17th Annual Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority Recycling Billboard Contest. They competed against 94 entries from students K-12 in all of the 13 HRRA towns. All first-place winners went on to compete in the Regional Judging. One of the Regional Grand Prize Winners was 2nd grader, Chris Li. His drawing will grace the back of the regional HartBuses starting this month. All of Wilton’s winning artwork is displayed in Comstock. Congratulations to all of the winners!
A New American Citizen
Anne Gura, a 34-year Wilton resident and active member of the Wilton Garden Club, was sworn in as an American citizen recently. Born in Norway, Anne came to the US as an infant. She met her husband, Wayne, in New York after graduating from college and they settled here. After working and raising children, Anne had time to make official what she’d always felt herself to be, a full-fledged American Citizen. As Anne says, “I’m proud of my heritage and beyond proud of my home country. Our highest best ideals are second to none. And these United States have never in our history stopped working to achieve them.” Such a proud moment! Congratulations Anne!
Blue Ribbons to Honor Child Abuse Prevention Month in April
We at Town Hall actively supported The Riverbrook Regional YMCA’s participation in the Know.See.Respond campaign to increase awareness of child sexual abuse during the month of April. Resources are provided to anyone, at any time of the year. Information, help, or a place to report allegations can be accessed at these links: childhelphotline.org; commonsensemedia.org/articles/online-safety; cfchildren.org/resources/child-abuse-prevention/
Minks to Sinks
A final reminder that the greatest tag sale in Connecticut is happening in Wilton this weekend. All proceeds benefit the Family and Children’s Agency, a multi-service community-based organization. Read more about their work here: Welcome to Family & Children's Agency (familyandchildrensagency.org)