Minutes before Wilton was to vote on articles for air packs and turn out gear for the fire department, the need for them was demonstrated, when beepers belonging to a group of firefighters sitting in the bleachers went off.
Voters clapped in appreciation as the firefighters filed out of the meeting to respond to a chicken coop fire. They returned after the vote, in time to weigh in on adding $100,000 to the fire truck capital reserve. Despite the department’s absence, however, the crowd of nearly 200 residents had no issues passing the $50,000 for new air packs and $50,000 for new turnout gear.
In fact, voters approved the entirety of Wilton’s town warrant Thursday night, with one exception: A request for $20,000 to create a recreation area at the New Reservoir.
Residents had little comment on the town’s proposed budget, and approved a request to increase the proposed $5.27 million bottom line by $14,539 to be added to the library.
While voters were in favor of raising $100,000 to repair or potentially demolish the New Reservoir dam, which has been found to be deficient by the state, they were less supportive of turning the pond created by the dam into a public recreation area.
The Select Board requested $20,000 to create a parking lot and turnaround in the area. Voters declined to adopt an amendment that would have reduced that number to $2,000 and just removed a portion of the fence separating the reservoir from the road, and then failed the unamended article.
The plan, as outlined by Selectman Kermit Williams, would have created a 14-space parking lot, turnaround area and provided port able toilets. There would be no lifeguards or supervising staff, and would be limited to Wilton residents.
“The idea is not to turn it into a big facility,” said Williams. “This is a modest project.”
Resident Alex Loverme spoke against the idea, saying he saw a lot of unanticipated costs in police patrols, trash pickups and disruption from out-of-towners attempting to use the area.
“If you believe this is a $20,000 project, you’ve got another thing coming,” he said.
Resident Neil Faiman suggested that the project needed more study and a more solid proposal with concrete numbers.
After the article failed, the meeting voted to table a petition article asking for a more comprehensive study of the impacts of the recreation area was tabled.
The town passed the remainder of its warrant, including leases for a new dump truck, police cruiser and ambulance.
The lottery game Keno, which the American Legion has expressed interest in operating, was approved to operate in town in a 121-49 vote. Revenues from Keno will be used to support full-day kindergarten funding from the state after 2020. Last Saturday, Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative voters approved full-day kindergarten for the district.
The Economic Development Committee scored wins for both of their proposed projects – extending the riverwalk and erecting a “Welcome to Wilton” sign at the town entrance, and way-finding signs downtown pointing to anchor attractions.
The town approved $14,770 for the signs, and $13,500 for the design options of the next phase of the riverwalk, and a feasibility plan for a footbridge on the east side of Stony Brook.
The town also voiced support for a non-binding resolution to ban gas pipeline construction or expansion in Wilton, submitted by petition.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.