Lt. John Frechette has been named the new interim police chief for Wilton.

Chief Eric Olesen is retiring April 1, and Frechette’s appointment was announced at Monday’s Select Board meeting. The date was the 22nd anniversary of Frechette joining the force.

In other business, the board reappointed Jennifer Beck to be a town representative on the Nashua Regional Planning Commission. Beck is chair of the Wilton’s Economic Development Team, and board member Kermit Williams described the NRPC as a “metropolitan planning organization that gets services to Wilton.” He cited the town’s road surface management plan and conservation efforts as two examples of the group’s work for Wilton.

Rideout Road petition

A petition warrant article was presented to the board requesting that a stretch of Rideout Road be “discontinued.” Richard Schwab of Rideout Road put forth the petition, explaining that he lives on the dead-end road, that the other property owner on it is a relative and that “in 63 years it’s never seen a town plow, but three motorcycles were on it last year.” The road goes off Captain Clark Highway and from pavement to dirt that often becomes muddy, and ends at some snowmobile trails.

Town Administrator Nick Germain said that the language of the article would need to be more specific according to the town’s legal counsel. Board member Tom Schultz said, “Let the voters have a crack at it. If it’s approved, we can address (the legal language) then.” The board suggested that Schwab explain his petition warrant article at Town Meeting.

Schwab said that his plan was simply “a practical gesture” on his part.

“The idea is to relieve the town of the responsibility of the road,” he said, noting that he currently plows the road himself.

The board also accepted a bid for $9,800 from Fifth Gen Masonry and Concrete of Mason to repair a wall at the town’s recycling center on the condition that the cost not exceed that amount, saying that the matter will be revisited if it does.

Garcia’s term ends

Board Chair DJ Garcia concluded his term on the board, saying that “Every minute on the board was a learning experience.”

He added that while he’ll no longer be a public official, “I hope I can teach our citizens how to respectfully engage” in public matters. He received a standing ovation.