A warrant article that would create a full-time fire chief position has received mixed reviews from town officials, who are split on whether to recommend the position.
During Wilton’s budget hearing on Tuesday night, the Budget Committee discussed the proposed budget and 22 other warrant articles.
The town’s operating budget this year is proposed at $5,063,388, a 3.6 percent, or $174,155 increase over last year’s approved budget.
However, capital requests made through warrant articles are down this year, which, if all articles pass, would result in a lower overall tax rate when compared to last year.
Warrant article 21, to raise $50,000 to create a full-time fire chief position drew the most discussion, according to Budget Committee Vice Chair Harry Dailey.
Both the Budget Committee and Select Board are split on the article, with the Budget Committee ultimately voting 2-3 in favor, and the Select Board 1-2 in opposition.
Dailey said much of Tuesday’s discussion on the article revolved around whether a part-time position might be more appropriate.
According to a presentation prepared by the fire department, posted on the town’s website, the department has been struggling to keep up with the demands of the department with a volunteer staff, falling behind on fire safety inspections and struggling with daytime coverage, which is when most fire incidents occur.
The fire department is requesting several other items this year, including $240,000 for air packs, about half of which would be taken from capital reserve savings for that purpose. This will replace the department’s 24 air packs, which are at the end of their life.
The department is also requesting $15,000 to replace pagers, and covert the existing pager encoder to high band radio.
Another $50,000 is requested to repair dry hydrants in town that are currently out of service. Dry hydrants, or rural fire ponds, are maintained by the department, who are responsible to make sure the pipes are not blocked with silt or debris. The warrant article would fund a review of the out of service dry hydrants, and to repair them and get them back in service, including locations on Abbot Hill Road, Dale Street, Gage Road, Gibbons Highway, Hawthorne Drive, two on Kimball Hill Road, Marden Road and Temple Road.
The town is also asking for funds for department vehicles this year. The town is currently in the third year of a seven-year lease payment for a 10-wheel dump truck for the highway department. This year’s payment is $29,000. The 2017 police cruiser is on its third year of a four-year lease, with a payment of $8,942 scheduled for this year.
The town is also requesting to use $120,900 from the highway equipment capital reserve to purchase a sidewalk plow.
Bridge repairs are included on the warrant this year. The town is requesting $350,000 to be added to the bridges capital reserve. A portion of that money will be used to offset the design and repair of the Stagecoach Road Bridge. The total cost of the bridge is anticipated to be $750,000. The state Bridge Aid program is expected to reimburse $600,000 of that cost, with the rest coming from the capital reserve.
Wilton plans to vote on all warrant articles during Town Meeting on March 12 at Florence Rideout Elementary School at 7 p.m.