WILTON – Selectmen “took under advisement” a plea from Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff to increase her hours when they met Tuesday.

Officials said if they decide to increase her hours they would not be able to do so until the next fiscal year.

Medcoff presented selectmen with a letter signed by Planning Board Chairman Russell Black asking that selectmen increase her time by 8 hours per week to allow her to more effectively do her job and deal with outstanding violations in town. She also gave them a 6 month breakdown of her current hours. Medcoff currently works 20 hours per week.

Medcoff said Planning Board issues take up the majority of her time. She currently prepares the agenda, types meeting minutes, prepares applicants, notifies abutters, and researches a variety of items. She is also currently working on 22 ordinance violations.

Selectman Norman Gould, who serves on the Planning Board as well, said he has traditionally been against such an increase, however, he now feels that it is warranted. Selectman Keith Swett, who is also a member of the Planning Board, said he once favored the idea, however now doubts the move is necessary since he has delved more into town affairs as selectman.

Swett and other board members said they would like to know in detail what is not getting done and why and what the extra 8 hours would be used for. Medcoff said they would be used for whatever she is behind on at any given time, which would change with the seasons. Officials will discuss the issue during the next town budgeting process.

In other business, officials listened to a presentation from the Jay-Wilton-Farmington Rail Trial Committee about their plans for the abandoned railroad bed that runs through all three towns.

The group wants to upgrade the old railroad bed, now primarily used by ATVers, to a hard surface fit for bicycle riding and other recreational activities. The current surface is too sandy.

The project is expected to cost an estimated $1.5 million for the bridge and about $300,000 for a hard surface, using a federal 80/20 matching grant. The municipal match would be about $160,000. The application for the grant is due by June of 2004.

Maintenance of the trail would be expected to be taken care of by the state, which owns most of the property. Parts not owned by the state would be expected to be maintained by the property owners.

The group asked officials to write a letter of support in the future that could be sent in with their grant application. They do not intend to use taxpayer money, they said. Last month a run/walk rail trail challenge was held to raise funds for the project.

Officials also opened bids for a wood harvesting project on the Old Guy Chandler Road. Town Manager Peter Nielsen and Forester Peter Tracy will review the bids and officials will discuss them at their next meeting.

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