2007 Annual Report - Town of Wilton

During the year, we formed several committeesof highly-respected and experienced Wiltoncitizens to address several other governanceissues. One committee drafted a proposedrevised Code of Ethics. A second committeereviewed Wilton’s Elderly Tax Relief Program.And an Energy Commission was createdto study the Town’s use of energy and toexplore viable, safe, efficient and greenenergy alternatives.The work of all three committees was fruitful.A new Wilton Code of Ethics, which appliesto all Town officials and employees, wasfinalized and implemented. The committeethat reviewed Wilton’s Elderly Tax Reliefprogram, a needs-based program thatallows property tax credits or the deferral oftaxes subject to certain income limitations,recommended a number of improvements,which were subsequently approved by theBoard of Selectmen. The Energy Commissionhas already made great strides in studyingand analyzing the Town’s use of energy and inexploring alternatives. These three initiativesserve as perfect examples of the powerof participation.DevelopmentThe Route 7 widening project has madevisible progress. Overall, the project is aheadof schedule, aided by favorable weatherconditions, which have allowed the contractorto maintain a high level of construction activity.Periodic community information meetings withthe Connecticut Department of Transportation(DOT) representatives to outline constructionplans and to keep the community informedhave been well attended and we believethis is an excellentway to communicateconstruction plansand to respond tocitizen questions.At Wilton’s Cannondalerailroad station, wesuccessfully negotiatedthe constructionrequirements of newrestroom facilities withthe DOT. Constructionactivity is currently inprogress, which whencompleted will upgradethis station’s facilities forcommuters andother riders.Substantial developmentactivity is also underwayin both the TownCenter and along thecommercial Route 7corridor. “Wilton is in play” as an attractiveinvestment opportunity! Two new buildingsand improvements to another were approvedfor construction in Wilton Center, which willadd attractive new office and retail space. Newrestaurants are scheduled to open in the villageoffering a wider range of dining experiences forboth citizens and visitors. Municipal lamppostswere installed along River Road and in thevillage improving the lighting at night andenhancing pedestrian safety.Along Route 7, Westy’s Storage Center openedtheir storage facilities to the public and recentlya branch of the HSBC Bank opened in animpressive new building. At 60 Danbury Road,Davis-Marcus Partners began building a newcorporate office complex. When these twonew buildings are completed, Davis-MarcusPartners will have over 800,000 square feet ofClass A office space in Wilton. This investmentis a noteworthy endorsement of the commercialdesirability of our community and the firm’sconfidence in the future of Wilton.Most important, this development activity isconsistent with the Town’s Plan of Conservationand Development. These projects will alsocontribute significantly to the health of thelocal economy by providing employment andservice opportunities, as well as increasedtax revenues.Administration2