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Gift of building, budget discussed

WILTON – Accepting the gift of the Wilton Falls Building will be on the warrant at Town Meeting in March. The Select Board continued discussion of the proposal at their regular meeting on Monday.

“There needs to be a conversation with the public,” Chairman Matt Fish said. “And there needs to be money in the budget for maintenance while the town owns it.”

Selectman Kermit Williams suggested a “revolving fund” be set up which would hold the tenants’ rent payments to cover taxes and incidental expenses. The board agreed on $25,000, to come from the unexpended fund balance.

Town Administrator Nick Germain said he had been working with legal counsel. “The Trustees (who oversee the building for owner Chuck Crawford) are working on the Memo of Understanding,” detailing the conditions of the gift to the town, which includes 40 parking spaces in the Police Station parking lot.

The Select Board has approved accepting the gift, subject to a town meeting vote. One option for the building is to find a “suitable buyer” rather than the town remain a landlord.

Resident Tom Schultz thanked the board for addressing his concerns expressed at a previous meeting and said they needed “a professional manager for the building” while the town owned it.

In other business on Monday, the board met with Budget Committee Member Dawn Tuomala to determine revenue estimates for the 2024 budget.

Germain said a change in the wording for the proposed water line to the library has been suggested for clarity. There are currently 31 articles on the warrant.

There will be five zoning questions on the official ballot, most dealing with housing.

Closing the Recycling Center during severe weather will be at the discretion of the Manager and the Town Administrator. It was suggested that closings be coordinated with school closings.

A petition has been received to designate Old County Road as “Scenic.”

The filing period for town offices is now open. There are 10 positions open.

The next regular meeting of the board was set for Monday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m., in the Town Hall Court Room.

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