Upgrading fire safety at Town Hall could cost Wilton over $250,000.

At Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, Town Administrator Nick Germain presented a proposal to improve the sprinkler system, with an estimate provided by the John L. Carter Sprinkler Company of Bow. 

“It’s a pretty realistic price,” Germain said.

The base price for the project to extend sprinklers to the second and third floors and high roof spaces is $170,000. A nitrogen generator and plans to conceal piping would cost $14,000 and $15,000, respectively. Staging for the project is estimated at $50,000, according to the proposal, with additional line items bringing the total to $257,500. This figure does not include upgrading the existing sytem on the lower levels of the building, alarm and electrical work, a fire pump and ceiling work. the estimate stated.  

“It’s a pretty challenging project. It’s looking like $250,000 to $300,000,” Germain said Tuesday.

Wilton Fire Chief Don Nourse expressed confidence in Carter Sprinkler Company.

“I’d feel comfortable having them on it,” he said.

Board member Kermit Williams asked if the Carter firm had experience with building as old as Town Hall. The building dates from 1886 and is on the National Register of Historical Places. Nourse said that he was pretty sure that it did.

“We’re short of the funds to do it this year,” Williams said of the project.

“The Select Board could decide to put it out to Town Meeting,” said Germain. 

In another matter, Deputy Town Clerk Melissa Schultz requested that there be more parking spaces downtown set aside for voters on Election Day.

“We’ve had fewer requests for absentee ballots than in 2020,” she said. 

The board voted to spend $350 to rent exterior lighting for the street entrance to the Town Hall on Election Day, as polls will be open until 7 p.m.