December Update: January Tax Bills, COVID in Wilton, FY2023 Budget Planning and Other
In response to problems experienced earlier this year with our tax payments processor, the Wilton Tax Department is implementing the following changes:
- At the end of next week, the department will mail second installment real estate tax bills for amounts owed as of January 1, 2022. Historically, the department has not issued second installment bills.
- The mailing address for tax payments has been changed to Town of Wilton, Tax Collector, PO Box 150527, Hartford, CT 06115-0527. The tax mailing will include a return envelope with this new address.
Paying your taxes online using the Town’s payment portal is easy and there is no charge for ACH and check payments. If you use your bank’s online payment service, please remember to reference the list number of the bill you are paying and update the payment address. The legal notice is available here. Supplemental motor vehicle tax bills will be mailed as usual.
Residents participating in the Town's Senior Tax Relief Program can expect additional tax credits on their January bill. Under the Town's program, any budgeted funds not awarded in July are able to be awarded in January.
Wilton is no exception as we experience accelerating numbers of COVID-positive residents. Twenty-one new cases were reported today and thirteen reported yesterday. Fortunately, the significant majority of residents testing positive are vaccinated and vaccinated residents continue to report mild to no symptoms. As of a week ago Monday, 88% of all Wilton residents had initiated the vaccine. 78% of all residents were fully vaccinated. Updated higher percentages are expected to be released tomorrow.
Although we are all COVID-fatigued and frustrated with the rise in cases, it is important to note today’s reported data continues to be favorable to that of a year ago. On December 22, 2020, there were 95 statewide deaths reported versus today’s 3 and 1,143 hospitalizations versus today’s 821. On December 22, 2020, there were 19 Fairfield County deaths reported versus none today and 285 hospitalizations versus today’s 182.
We continue to follow the Governor’s executive order, which generally requires unvaccinated individuals to wear a mask while inside public buildings. Vaccinated residents are able to make their own choice regarding masking. Residents are encouraged to complete their vaccinations, including a vaccine booster when eligible.
On December 8th, the four major boards, BOS, BOF, BOE and P&Z, met to kick off the FY2023 budget process. My presentation, which included town demographic information and a preliminary mill rate projection developed from expense projections supplied by the Town and the Schools, is available here. As noted at the meeting, we have a good amount of work ahead of us in order to meet resident expectations.
Thank you to everyone who supported Wilton’s local restaurants and businesses this month, including Shop Local, Eat Local and Win Local winners Linda Flanagan, Betsy Rafferty Theresa Waldron and Linda Pressmar.
Merry Christmas to all who are celebrating and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022.
Lynne Vanderslice
First Selectwoman