The Wilton Select Board approved cost-of-living adjustments for its employees of 2.8% for the upcoming 2026-27 budget, with the possibilities of additional merit raises.
The board, during its Monday meeting, discussed the balance between cost-of-living adjustments and merit increases.
Board members began their discussion with a cost-of-living increase consistent with that given by Social Security, 2.8%.
Selectman Kermit Williams said his preference was to give a slightly higher cost-of-living increase. Selectman Tom Schultz said that reducing possible merit increases for deserving employees might send the wrong message.
After some discussion, the board settled on a 2.8% cost-of-living increase for all employees, with the possibility of up to a 1.2% increase for merit raises.
The board approved the amounts in a 2-0 vote, with Schultz abstaining.
In other news, Wilton will be examining its elderly tax exemption qualifications with an eye toward a possible warrant article in March to adjust the qualifying income and asset limits.
Under the current rules, those who qualify can get an exemption up to $40,000 for residents 65 to 74 years old, up to $55,000 for those 75 to 79 years old, and $75,000 for residents 80 years or older.
To qualify, a single person must have a net income that doesn’t exceed $35,000, or $45,000 for a married couple. Income includes Social Security and pension payments. The individual cannot own assets which exceed $70,000, excluding the value of their home and land, which must be two acres or less.
Deputy Town Administrator Janice Pack told the board that at least two people have come in to apply for the exemption, and no longer qualify because recent Social Security cost-of-living adjustments put them just over the income qualifications for a single person.
“This will have a devastating impact on at least two people,” Pack said.
As the income levels had last been adjusted in 2019, the board was open to discussing adjustments to both income and asset levels.
Schultz proposed income levels be raised to $45,000 for a single person and $60,000 for a couple, in line with past adjustments.
Selectmen Gareth Krausser said he wanted the adjustment “grounded in some kind of rational thought process” which could be presented and defended to voters. The board discussed using the average cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security or some other measure.
The board ultimately directed Town Administrator Nick Germain to look at trends to determine limits that would be suitable for up to the next five years, and would return to the issue in a future meeting.
The Wilton Ambulance is running its annual community food drive for the month of November. The donated food goes to the local pantries, including SHARE Outreach and the Open Cupboard Food Pantry. There are collection bins at the police department, ambulance bay, the fire department and highway garage. The drive is collecting non-perishable items, canned goods, toiletries and child care products.
The Wilton Police Department is running a “Pack a Police Car” toy drive on Dec. 5 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.