A survey conducted by the Wilton Planning Board and Economic Development Team shows residents want to preserve the town’s rural, small-town nature while also addressing the need for new tax revenue.
The survey, part of an update to the Economic Development chapter of the town’s Master Plan, included 15 anonymous questions and generated 273 responses.
Results showed residents most value Wilton’s quiet, rural character and open space, with a majority opposing large-scale growth or development. Many supported repurposing existing industrial buildings for residential use.
About half of respondents have lived in Wilton for more than 15 years, while 14% moved there within the past three years. Half said they chose Wilton because they wanted to live in a small town, and 48% said it was because they found a home they could afford.
When asked what they valued most about Wilton, 81% said the quiet, rural setting with easy access to larger towns, 58% said small-town living, 49% said the open and undeveloped land and 46% cited the town’s agricultural focus.
Property taxes topped the list of challenges, with 68% of respondents citing the tax rate and property taxes as their biggest concern. Thirty-five percent cited a lack of community gathering places. When asked about long-term success, the most common answers again focused on taxes, followed by a need for more business development.
Just over half of residents said Wilton is affordable, while 25% said it is not and 22% were unsure.
Residents said the Economic Development Team’s top priorities should be attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones. Repurposing vacant buildings and diversifying the tax base also ranked highly.
Respondents expressed the most interest in adding dinner restaurants, a bakery or coffee shop, farmers market, microbrewery, winery or pub.
Survey results were to be presented to the Select Board at its Oct. 6 meeting.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.