Town of Wilton FY2021 Wrap-up: Operating Expense Under Budget, $2.7MM in ARPA Funds, Possible Cell Service Upgrades, Summer Events

During FY2021, we faced many challenges.  Community members, town and school leadership and staff all worked collaboratively to meet those challenges   We are ending FY2021 strong with many exciting initiatives to look forward to in FY2022.

Favorable Financial Results:

The Board of Selectmen operating expense budget is forecasted to be under budget by $800,000. Savings are the result of the move to the State Partnership Plan for employee medical benefits, employee vacancies, rebidding of business insurance, job consolidation, and $120,000 in infrastructure work that couldn’t be performed during COVID.  The Board of Selectmen voted to allocate all of the savings to the Town’s building fund to allow for additional infrastructure improvements to municipal buildings and parks. 

The July 1, 2020 move to the State Partnership Plan resulted in substantial and greater savings than originally forecasted.  We will again experience Plan savings in FY2022, as we were recently informed our annual premium will only increase by 1%, not the 3% budgeted. We continue to appreciate the cooperation of the four town unions in moving to the Plan.  

Last week, the Town received $2.7 million in American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds.  We will receive an equal amount next June.  The funds are being considered for the purchase of a required emergency radio system replacement for police, fire, EMS and DPW and reimbursement of costs incurred since March 3, 2021 for vaccination clinics and other COVID-19 related matters.  A special town meeting vote will be held on the emergency radio system purchase.  If approved, use of ARPA funds will allow the taxpayers to avoid more than $250,000 per year in debt service over the next 10 years. 

Cell and Other Infrastructure:

After years of resident and business frustration with cell service, there is finally vendor interest in expanding Wilton’s cell infrastructureThe Board of Selectmen will be requesting proposals for a monopole cell structure behind the Bus Barn on School Road.  Read more here. The location will mean improved cell service, including to all three surrounding schools, playing fields, Wilton Center and the surrounding Ridgefield Road and Danbury Road areas. The CT Siting Council, which is responsible for approving the installation of the monopole, will hold public hearings.  We will keep the public informed.  We hope a positive experience with this proposal will translate into more infrastructure investments. 

Road paving is ongoing and ahead of schedule.  The second phase of the WHS track replacement is proceeding smoothly.  New projects for this summer include an improved parking lot, electricity and lighting at Schenck’s Island, a lightning detection system at the playing fields and replacement of MIddlebrook tennis courts.

We continue to work with the Western CT Council of Governments (WestCOG) to seek broadband infrastructure solutions

Community Events:

We are excited for the return of many traditional events this summer.  Parks and Recreation’s free Sunday concerts return beginning July 11th through August 1st.  There are a number of non-profit sponsored events in July including, Wilton Historical Society’s Ice Cream Social on July 1st, Kiwanis Car Show in the Center on July 9th, Wilton Chamber’s Sidewalk Sale on July 24th, Woodcock Nature Center’s S’mores and More on July 25th and Courtyard Story Time at the Wilton Library on Tuesdays.

We are thrilled that Brooklyn based Hideaway Circus chose Wilton as the Fairfield County location for their Stars Above tour.  The show, which is for all ages, is performed outdoors, under the stars on a custom-built circular stage and aerial rig and features professional circus performers and musicians.  Performances dates are August 27th-29th.  You can read more and purchase tickets here.  Look for additional details in upcoming press coverage. 

Steve Pierce and Parks and Recreation staff are planning a Labor Day weekend event.  Look for details at the July 20th Board of Selectmen meeting. 

Housing Diversification:

Residents have long expressed a desire for more housing diversification, whether to downsize, provide entry level housing for returning WHS grads, housing for older parents/grandparents as they seek to move closer to family, or affordable housing for individuals working in Wilton.  Large and sustained vacancy rates in Wilton and Fairfield County (1st Qtr overall 31% and 30%, respectively per Cushman & Wakefield) and declines in commercial building values have resulted in developers seeking to repurpose office and commercial buildings into multi-family residential.  

The fact that the single-family housing market has picked up doesn’t mean the need for housing diversification has disappeared.  If anything, it has made mid-priced housing even more difficult to find. 

The Planning & Zoning Commission has been very thoughtful with the three conversions approved over the last few years, 300 and 200 Danbury Road and 2 Hollyhock.  A number of project ideas are currently being discussed with the Commission.  Not all discussions will lead to an application.  Not all approved applications will lead to a shovel in the ground.  Sadly, we are seeing that with 300 Danbury Road, the most heavily scrutinized and most widely supported proposal. 

As was with 300 Danbury Road, it is important to share your comments, even your positive comments, with the Planning & Zoning Commission.  You can email the Commission here.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact me at lynne.vanderslice@wiltonct.org

Have a wonderful summer.

 

W
Submitted by Wilton, CT

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