WILTON – The Conservation Commission isn’t ready to apply for a grant for the Frog Pond dam, but they have completed the hydrology study and want to move ahead with the engineering study.

Conservation Commission Members Jennifer Beck and Allen Preston discussed that project, as well as the New Reservoir Dam, at the regular meeting of the Select Board on Monday, Sept. 15.

“We don’t know the costs yet,” Beck said, for either repair or removal of the dam. Estimates have been as high as $600,000, with half of that eligible for a 50/50 federal grant. “Do we move forward with the engineering design?” she asked. “We won’t be ready this year to apply for the grant.” However, she added, “everything we’ve done so far is eligible for reimbursement.”

Board Chairman Kermit Williams suggested “spreading the work out. I’m in favor of doing the work as we can.”

It was agreed that the cost needs to be known, to either fix the dam or remove it, and a plan agreed on.

Town Administrator Nick Germain said the New Reservoir Dam has been lowered as suggested, and an engineering analysis has been done. Beck said $15,000 has been spent at the Reservoir so far on trails, parking lot, signs and a kiosk, and the sale of the timber brought in $4,700. She said she was looking for approval to install gates at several places. Poles for the gates have been donated. Approval was given.

In other business on Monday, DPW Director Mike Tatro said he wanted to “clear up a gray area concerning Carnival Hill.” Who is responsible for mowing and trash removal? The highway department, Parks and Recreation, or the WJAA? “There is no clear direction.”

The athletic fields are used mainly by the Wilton Junior Athletic Association, but also by other groups.

The area is a designated recreational area, Williams said, and under the terms of the grant used to purchase it, can be used by the public.

Tatro said they pick up the trash on Mondays and mow the fields, but “WJAA wants it mowed oftener.”

Both the DPW and Parks and Recreation could use another person.

Williams said, “We need to determine the time required for the work,” and suggested that the budget be increased next year to cover added jobs.

“We are developing a real Department of Public Works,” he said, not just a highway department.

Tatro was authorized to enter into a road salt contract.

Town Clerk Jane Farrell said she would like voting returned to the Town Hall. The Primary Election was held there and, she said, “It went well.” During Covid, elections were held at the high school.

The board agreed to return to the town hall.

Farrell also asked about Halloween, and it was agreed to celebrate on Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m., as traditionally done.

A contract was signed for a new alarm system for town buildings.

A public hearing will be held on Oct. 3, 5:30 p.m., to adopt the IDDE (Illicit Discharge and Detection and Elimination) ordinance.

A citizen petition to prohibit motorized craft on the New Reservoir will be set by DES. The petition has been submitted to them.

The board met briefly with Tim Broderick concerning complaints about the noise of his stove wood business. The code enforcement officer has issued a cease-and-desist order because the business is not on the site plan. Broderick is to meet with the Planning Board to review the site plan, but in the meantime wants to be able to process the wood currently on the site so that he can remove it.

The board will discuss the matter with legal counsel.

The next meeting of the board is set for Monday, Oct. 3, in the Town Hall Court Room. A public hearing will be held on the acceptance of state funds.