WILTON – At the annual Public Budget Hearing on Feb. 1, the Budget Committee and Board of Selectmen approved a proposed operating budget for 2022 of $5,869.559. up about 11 percent over last year. The budget was presented by vice-chairman Dawn Tuomala.

Select Board Chairman Kellie-Sue Boissonnault said the board recommended reducing three lines: Finance Administration Training and Travel by $3,000, IT Hardware by $2,000, and Other Professional services in the cemetery line by $4,000. The Budget Committee approved the reductions.

The budget includes a 5 percent COLA for all town employees.

The committee addressed all money items on the Town Meeting warrant. Two articles failed to pass and are not recommended by the Budget Committee.

Article 13 asks for $100,000 to create an “Infrastructure Capital Reserve Fund.,” with the selectmen as agents to expend the funds.

Administrator Nick Germain said the intent of the article was to create a fund to be used to provide money for matching grants for such projects but legal council had suggested the new wording.

DJ Garcia he was not in favor of it because it didn’t mention matching grants and said “it looks like the selectmen can spend it however they want.”

The vote failed, 3 yes, two no with two abstentions.

Article 17 asks that 50 percent, up $60,000, of the Land Use Change Tax be deposited into the Conservation Fund. That fund is used to acquire land.

Chairman Cary Hughes said he wished it wasn’t just under the Conservation Commission.

Garcia said more land was coming out of current use and he was in favor of development. He noted that he had seen only one year in excess of $60,000.

It was noted that if Garwin Falls comes on the market, the Commission will not have enough money to purchase the area.

The motion failed with 2 yes, four no, and two abstentions.

A request for $150,000 for the New Reservoir Dam Repair and Maintenance Fund prompted a discussion of that dam and the Frog Pond dam.

Both dams, which are owned by the town, have been termed “deficient” by the state and must be either repaired or removed.

Germain said either solution could cost up a million dollars over the next five years.

Resident Tom Schultz said, while many people would prefer to keep them, removal might be less expensive.

The article was approved with three yes, two no, and two abstentions.

Article 12 asks for $100,000 to cover costs associated with procuring and installing new repeater communications equipment at the Dram Cup Hill/Crown Castle site to begin solving coverage problems for the police, fire and emergency services, and to purchase a new radio system for the Highway Department, provide the necessary FCC licenses, and replace outdated console equipment at Milford Area Communications Center, and reprogram existing fire and police radio systems.

There was no opposition.

Article 7 asks that the selectmen be authorized to enter into a new seven-year lease for a Highway Department pick-up truck; $75,000 with $17,000 the first year. Garcia asked if they were adding or replacing a truck. Tuomala said it has been in the CIP.

Boissonnault said the select board has authorized a sixth person for the department. The article was approved.

The committee also approved:

The second year of a lease, $62,531, of Fire Engine 1

The fifth year (of seven), $29,000, for the dump truck

$12,000 for a lawnmower for the cemetery and Parks and Recreation Department

$49,000 for a police cruiser

$34,000 to be added to the Town Hall Fire Protection Capital Reserve Fund

$85,000 for the Town Hall Repair Project Capital Reserve Fund

$75,000 to be placed in the Public Works Garage Building Fund

$85,000 to be placed in the Bridges Capital Reserve Fund. Germain said there are two more bridges on the state’s “red list.” King Brook Bridge is the next to be repaired and the Old County Road Bridge “will be done at some point.”

$25,000 for continuing work on restoring the town’s fire ponds

$16,443 to cover costs of the Community Space Pilot Program through December at the Second Congregational Church parish house.

$125,00 for a dedicated water line to the lower level of the library. Fire Chief Don Nourse said sprinklers are required by state codes in order to fully use the area.

$4,699 to increase the yearly stipends of all elected or appointed officials.

$10,000 to be added to the Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund.

Provisions of tax exemptions for the elderly and disabled would be raised.

Two articles were not discussed as no money is involved: adopting the Wilton Community Power Electric Aggregation Plan, and adopting the provisions of the Official Ballot Law (SB 2). A public hearing on this will be held on Feb. 14.

The business portion of Town Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 10.