January 2022-First Selectwoman's Update

FY2023 Board of Selectmen Budget (BOS) Development

On February 7^th, the BOS will begin discussions of our proposed FY2023 operating and operating capital budgets.  During my first six years in office, the average annual BOS combined budget increase was .54%.  During this same time, the CPI average annual increase exceeded 2%, state mandates increased and Wilton’s population increased.  Despite these factors, the low budget growth rate was achieved through several initiatives, including consolidation of positions, shared positions with the Board of Education, a change in medical benefits provider, lower cost renewable energy and increased use of technology.

Unfortunately we don’t have new cost saving initiatives to significantly offset the increased costs in our FY2023 proposed budget.  Rather than eliminating or consolidating positions, we are proposing to add new staff as follows:   

1-The reinstatement of a 6^th Parks and Grounds crew member.  This position was eliminated more than 10 years ago in response to the 2007 recession.  Increased need and higher resident expectations necessitate that the position be reinstated.  

2-An engineer in the Public Works Department. We hope to hire this position this spring with funds from budget savings. The $130,000 annual cost will pay for itself many times over as it will expand our capacity to manage the historical level of state and federal multi-year grants available to municipalities, including the more than $20 million of recently received bridge replacement grants, several million more in new bridge replacement grants expected to be received over the next several years and new grants for other infrastructure being made available through the Federal Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act.  

3-A Town Administrator position.  Over the years, municipal government has become more complex and the scope of the elected first selectperson position has increased as a result of the need for creative solutions to reduce costs, pressures to regionalize or change the roles of local government and the creation and continuing expansion of the regional councils of governments of which the municipal mayor or first selectperson is a member. The Town Administration, as a professional municipal administrator, will have the experience and background to handle day-to-day oversight and allow the first selectperson to focus on long-term planning, regional opportunities and initiatives coming out of Hartford.  The position will ensure professional management and continuity of government, regardless of a change in first selectperson and regardless of the first selectperson’s relevant knowledge or experience. 

Four years ago, the Town and Wilton Public Schools agreed to share a Chief Financial Officer (CFO).  Wilton is the only municipality in Fairfield County with a shared CFO.  The change to a joint position resulted in improved financial operations and reporting and a combined BOS and BOE savings of more than $250,000 per year for the four years of the change.  The cost of the Town Administrator position is expected to be equal to the shared annual savings.  Once in place, the Town Administrator is  also expected to identify new opportunities for cost savings.

During our budget meetings, we will also finalize the spending priorities for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant and the $1+ million infrastructure fund created by FY2021 BOS budget savings.  We have already prioritized a new emergency radio communication system and flood mitigation and drainage upgrades for the Wilton High Schools fields.  Other items to be considered, in no particular order of priority, include replacement of pillars and front steps at Town Hall, required repairs to other town-owned buildings, flood mitigation and drainage upgrades of fields other than those on the WHS campus, upgrades to trails, upgrades to the Schenck's Island and Merwin Meadows parks, irrigation of sports fields and upgrades to the yellow house at Ambler Farm.  The Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) allows municipalities to use ARPA funds for the 20% required municipal match.  We hope to leverage both ARPA and infrastructure funds to receive IIJA grants, thereby increasing the scope of work that can be accomplished with the monies. You can read more about possible IIJA grant opportunities here. 

Annual Town Meeting Bonding Referendum Development

Throughout January, architects and cost estimators for the proposed Police Headquarters project have been finalizing their work in anticipation of a presentation at the February 7^th Board of Selectmen meeting.  The presentation is expected to begin at approximately 7:00 p.m. and is available to view live on Zoom or by video thereafter.  

Building and Health Department Permit Files Available Online

During January, all Building and Health Department permit files were made available online and searchable by address.  The link is on both departments’ homepages and here.  This was part of an ongoing effort to make our government more accessible and efficient for residents, businesses, potential residents and businesses and professionals, who assist property owners.  Our next effort is assessor files not already available online. Existing online Assessor files are available here.

Property Taxes Payments Due February 1^st

January real estate tax and vehicle property tax bills are due no later than February 1^st.  Per state statutes, any amounts not paid by February 1^st accrue interest at a statutory rate of 1.5% per month on the start of the month in which they are delinquent and back to the bill’s original due date.  Under CT statutes, we are not able to waive interest due to taxpayer error or neglect.  

If you haven’t yet made your payment, please consider using the Town’s online payment portal.  There is no fee for ACH and check payments.  If you use your own bank’s online payment service, please remember to reference the list number of the bill you are paying and update the payment address to Town of Wilton, Tax Collector, PO Box 150527, Hartford, CT  06115-0527.  If you are paying by mail, please ensure your envelope is postmarked no later than February 1^st. The legal notice is available here.  

N95 Masks and At-Home Test Kit Availability

The State provided the Town with over 5,000 industrial strength N95 masks.  Masks can be picked up in the following areas.  Please honor the noted limit at each location. 

• Town Hall vestibule
• Town Annex vestibule
• Comstock main entrance
• Police Headquarters vestibule, or
• Through Social Services and the Senior Center

Earlier this month, the State provided the Town with at-home test kits prioritized for our most vulnerable residents, including residents with disabilities and those economically vulnerable. The test kits were distributed by the Social Services Department.  If you are a resident with a disability and you were not contacted, you may contact the department during work hours or the police non-emergency number outside of social services department work hours or email Social Services Director Sarah Heath at sarah.heath@wiltonct.org.  

Sidewalk Snow Clearing

The Town has an ordinance that addresses sidewalk clearing.  The abutting property owner is responsible for clearing the sidewalk.  Property owners include commercial building owners, residents, the State of Connecticut and the Town.  We are allowed to issue a $99 fine to any property owner that doesn’t promptly clear a sidewalk.  The property owner can appeal the fine through an appeal process.  As such, a fine isn’t a timely way to resolve the problem. Another option is for the Town to perform the work ourselves and seek financial restitution from the property owner.  But, assuming one property owner’s responsibility creates a disincentive for other property owners to fulfill their responsibility. Instead, our approach, if a sidewalk isn’t promptly cleared, is to reach out to the owner to remind them of the need to clear.  Owners generally respond within a reasonable timeframe.  

Town Employment Opportunities

The Town is seeking candidates for open positions, including the following.  The position posting, which is available on the Town’s website, is linked. 

• Entry Level Police Officers
• Human Resources Specialist and Benefits Administrator
• Merwin Meadows Seasonal Waterfront Director
• Department of Public Works Field Engineer

Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities Tax Relief Program

The application for the Town’s FY2023 Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities Tax Relief Program is available on the town’s website here.  Applications are accepted from February 1^st to. May 15^th.  Information about the Program is available here. 

Vaccination Rates

The following are Wilton initiated and fully vaccination rates by age,  Rates were provided last Thursday by CT DPH:

 5 to 11:           53.4/44.4

12to 17:           97.5/92.6

18-24:              100/100

25-44:              100/92.1

45-64:              92.5/84.5

65+                  100/100           

Eversource Planned Outages for Required Repairs

During January and into February, Eversource has performed or will be performing required capacity work.  Generally the work requires one-hour of power loss.  Impacted residents have received notices from Eversource, which indicate a longer possible time period for the outage.  The longer period takes into account unanticipated irregularities.  Eversource personnel monitor weather conditions and reschedule when required. 

Thank you.

Lynne A Vanderslice

First Selectwoman