Town employees in Wilton have secured health insurance for the balance of the calendar year, as the town resolved an issue created when their current risk pool decided to end coverage for them at the end of this month. 

Through School Care, which manages plans for public entities and labor groups in the state, Wilton will be going with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

Wilton was one of 35 towns that had health coverage through a risk pool managed by New Hampshire Interlocal Trust, which took issue with the prospect of increased state oversight as proposed in Senate Bill 297 in Concord. NHIT informed Wilton that it would be ceasing its coverage of Wilton on June 30, prompting the town to seek coverage elsewhere. Subsequently, NHIT was dissolved in April and a receiver was appointed by the Secretary of State’s office.

The Wilton Select Board voted to go with Harvard Pilgrim, which will result in a 14% increase over current costs. Town Administrator Nick Germain said officials will continue to explore options. 

“This will take care of the next six months, but we will be soliciting plans for thereafter,” Germain said Monday.

In another matter, Germain spoke to how the TD Bank branch in town where the town does its banking is closing this summer.

“There are visits and transactions there daily,” he said, noting the inconvenience that this decision by TD Bank creates. He said the town will put out a request for proposals from potential banks that might meet the town’s needs.

“There are four or five banks and at least one credit union in Milford,” said Germain. 

The board also approved $59,170 to start paving work on Isaac Frye Highway from Old Wilton Center down to Burns Hill, a project that is expected to be completed this year. It also accepted an annual maintenance plan from GDC Slate and Roofing of Deering to maintain the Clock Tower over Town Hall for $16,000 over the next two years.

Board chair Tom Schultz addressed his criticism during a May meeting of Eagle Solutions, a firm that the town retained to facilitate an email migration. The process involved an interruption in email service of which Schultz was strongly critical, but Monday evening he reconsidered his initial remarks.

“I don’t want to disparage any vendor. I’ve since had a chance to work with them and they were outstanding,” said Schultz. Board member Gareth Krausser echoed this view.

“I worked with them and I was impressed,” said  Kra usser.