Wilton Selectmen Pass Town Budget to Financiers

The town's operating and capital budgets are now in the hands of the Board of Finance.

On Monday, Wilton's Board of Selectmen unanimously approved sending a $31.44 million operating and capital budget to the town's financiers, which represents a 3.62 percent increase from the current budget.

First Selectman William Brennan said the town originally came up with a 6.35 percent increase, but departments whittled down requests, and "reductions were made with full cooperation."

In a press release distributed Tuesday, Brennan said because of the economic climate, departments were required to build "cost efficient budgets that meet the needs of the community, which are evolving due to frequent emergencies and public safety issues."

"The Board of Selectmen recognizes that economic stress in the community has not dissipated and has submitted a budget request that we believe balances required operating costs to maintain public safety and security, plus essential services to the community," Brennan wrote.

At the Annual Town Meeting, voters will also decide whether the town should acquire bonding for five capital projects, which and Wilton High School to accommodate natural gas, and the replacement of the boilers at Comstock Community Center and the Gilbert & Bennett Community Center in Georgetown, both of which are well passed their useful lives, according to the selectmen. These five projects will cost $2.33 million.

In June, voters will also decide whether the town should spend $2 million to acquire 35 acres to be marked as open space. Other funding for that parcel of land is coming from a Connecticut grant and the Wilton Land Trust. 

"It's the last piece [of land] on the A-list," Brennan said. "We've been discussing it for 10 years and made an offer nine months or so ago."

The Board of Finance is scheduled to review the selectmen's budget on Wednesday, March 20 in the meeting room at town hall.