WILTON – Selectmen authorized Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Russ Mathers to repair a major piece of equipment at the wastewater treatment plant during their meeting Tuesday. The repair could cost up to $83,835.

Mathers said a large shaft snapped inside a drum where effluent is treated at the beginning of the month and that it must be replaced. “We have to repair it. We can’t just let it sit,” Mathers said.

Mathers said there are two Maine suppliers for this type of equipment. A proposal from USFilter is $51,000 and one from Walker is $58,200. With other costs included, the estimates total $76,635 and $83,835, respectively.

Mathers said labor for the repair will be done by the sewer department and engineering costs will be eliminated, saving up to nearly $17,000. “This is not an engineering job, it’s a repair,” Mathers said.

Costs for the repair will come from a reserve the sewer department has built up over the past 10 years. There is currently $237,000 in that fund. Mathers said the department will work toward rebuilding that account.

Officials authorized Mathers to make the necessary repairs at his discretion. He will keep the board updated on costs and progress. While the repair will not cost the town anything, officials must authorize such major expenditures.

Officials rescheduled a “business night” for 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the town office, the same date as their first regular August meeting. Dennis Taylor of Taylor Made Homes and others in the construction field will attend the meeting, along with Planning Board Chairman Russell Black and Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff. The meeting was rescheduled because Medcoff was unable to attend such a meeting July 15. The new date is contingent upon availability of those invited.

The meeting was set after Taylor wrote a letter to officials saying he feels there is an “anti-development” climate in Wilton. “I literally get calls from potential owners of residences, and occasionally businesses, that refuse to locate in Wilton, not only because of our high tax rate, but because of the negative stance on development and what is perceived as extreme restrictions on building and building improvements,” Taylor wrote.

Town Manager Peter Nielsen said the regulations have to do with the town’s Comprehensive Plan, something that could be changed by the Planning Board if it becomes necessary. Chairman Rodney Hall said he feels the meeting is important to assure the public that Wilton is not “anti-business.”

Officials tabled making any decision on a conditional gift of land until they receive more details and a written agreement. They will discuss the issue during their next meeting.

Nielsen said about half of the town’s baseball field is on private property. The landowner is willing to let the town have the property in exchange for a culvert and enough gravel for a 50-foot driveway. Neilsen estimates the value of the requested work to be about $1,400.

Officials accepted a recommendation from the Planning Board to appoint Sheryl Mosher as the new board alternate. Mosher served on the board several years ago, but left for family and work obligations. During her absence she took courses in planning, public policy, economics and regional development. She has lived in Wilton since 1975.

Hall welcomed newly-elected selectman Keith Swett to the board. The board appointed Hall as chairman for the upcoming year.