2007 Annual Report - Town of Wilton

would like to thank Lee and Lenore for theirvery capable dedication and insight. I wouldalso especially thank Dick Dubow for eightyears of service. His votes and decisions werealways influenced by open-minded fairnessand balance, resulting from his prior years ofservice on the Board of Education and Boardof Selectmen. As Chairman of the Board ofFinance, his gentle and effective leadershipguided us to consensus on several majorpolicy issues such as the funding of pensionand post-employment benefit liabilities.Board members’ perspectives will differ fromtime to time, but we unanimously believe thatWilton’s finances must remain strong. Thisbelief and the willingness to act accordinglyare amply demonstrated by the very favorableFiscal 2007 results and the reaffirmationof the Aaa credit rating. Of course, thebest-conceived financial plans rely on thecooperation and support of those affectedmost by them, the Board of Selectmen andBoard of Education. We thank members ofboth boards for their contributions as well.Last but not least, the Town and the Boardof Finance are extremely fortunate to benefiteach year from the capable, professional,and dedicated staff we have. Especiallyto be noted are the outstanding efforts ofJoe Dolan, Wilton’s Chief Financial Officer;Richard McArdle, Controller; and Ken Post,Director of Financial Planning and Operationsfor the Board of Education. They providethe essential support needed to enable sixvolunteers with many other commitments tofunction successfully as a Board of Finance.Robert H. Kelso,ChairmanTreasurerAn important function of the Treasurer’s Officeis the generation of income from investingavailable Town funds while maintainingworking accounts at safe operatingminimums. The joint efforts of Joseph A.Dolan, the Chief Financial Officer, and theTown Treasurer contributed $2,608,308 ininvestment earnings to the Town revenues.Of this income, the invested balances in theGeneral Fund brought in over $1,784,426while proceeds from General Obligationbonds yielded nearly $219,219. The remaining$604,663 was earned from available cashbalances in other governmental funds ofwhich nearly $515,630 came from SewerAssessment and Operating Fund investments.The Town Treasurer is also the custodianof performance bonds which are requiredbefore construction permits are issued,safeguarding and releasing them only uponsatisfactory completion as determined by thePlanning and Zoning and/or Inland WetlandCommissions. During Fiscal 2007, forty-oneperformance bonds were received for newprojects, while forty-seven were released.Janet M. Bondeson,Town TreasurerTown ClerkThe year 2007 showed another markeddecrease in activity in the Clerk’s officereflecting the rise in interest rates and theslowdown in the housing market. There were4,434 documents recorded. Town Clerkfees collected were in excess of $956,000.Recording and conveyance tax feesaccounted for the greatest amount of revenuefollowed by fees for map copies, certifiedcopies of land records, copies of documents,marriage licenses, filing fees, certified copiesof vital records, and notary filings andcertifications. Sport licenses and dog licensesfees made up a portion of the revenue. Thisoffice also sold Transfer Station decals andcoupons for the Department of Public Works.Renewal notices are sent out every June.Transfer station revenue totaled over $82,500.In all elections, the Town Clerk is responsiblefor developing the ballot, arranging forprinting, issuing and keeping a record ofabsentee ballots issued and those returnedand coordinating with the Registrars of Votersfor a smooth election process.We are continuing to restore the recordsthat are beginning to deteriorate. We againreceived a $7,000 Historic Document grantfrom the Connecticut State Library, restoringthe Vital Records from 1970 through 1980.Our staff includes Assistants Ann R. Fiteni andKathy M. Cooper and Clerk Sheilah Pastore.Bettye Joan Ragognetti,Town ClerkAdministration7