WILTON – Officials decided to send a new proposed boat launching ordinance to voters in June after a public hearing Tuesday. The ordinance would regulate the boat launches at the foot of Wilson Lake and off Pond Road. It will not apply to Kineowatha Park or private boat launches on the lake.

The proposed ordinance was presented to selectmen last December by Wynn Muller, president of Friends of Wilson Lake. The purpose would be to protect the water quality in Wilson Lake and to promote the safety and welfare of those who use the boat launch. Under the proposed ordinance, special activity permits, including the annual Blueberry Festival, could be granted by the town manager or his designee. Selectmen will serve as a type of appeals board. Any activities can not last for more than three days.

The proposed ordinance prohibits doing laundry, washing vehicles, refueling and discharging waste in the boat launch area. It also includes “common courtesy rules,” such as no swimming, parking, or building fires in the area. The ordinance would be enforced by the Wilton Police Department and carry penalties ranging from $50 to $1,000.
Shoaps appointed
In other business, selectmen appointed Katharine Shoaps as the town’s new code enforcement officer. Brenda Medcoff resigned that position April 1, after three years of service. She has obtained more hours and higher pay in Chesterville.

Medcoff strongly supported a proposal to increase the number of hours the code officer works in Wilton, saying there was not enough time to do the job effectively with the current 20 hours per week. She wanted to see the hours increased to 28 hours per week.

Selectmen agreed for now to allow the new CEO to work 20 hours per week, as budgeted for the year, splitting the hours Monday through Thursday, five hours per day to make her more available to residents. Two of the days she will work mornings, and the other two days she will work in the afternoon.

Voters will decide at the annual town meeting in June whether the CEO’s hours will be increased. Selectmen expect to have a better understanding of what hours the CEO will be needed in the Town Office by June.
Vining resigns
Selectmen also “regrettably” accepted the resignation of Highway Foreman Ken Vining. Town Manager Peter Nielsen will draft a letter of thanks to Vining for his 27 years of service to the town. Officials also authorized Nielsen to advertise for Vining’s replacement.

In a letter to the board and Nielsen, Vining said he was resigning for personal reasons. Vining’s resignation was effective April 16. He thanked the past and present town managers, Board of Selectmen and citizens for their support.

Officials plan to meet with the town’s Finance Committee to discuss the proposed municipal budget April 26 and 27 at 6:30 p.m. Annual elections will take place along with the state elections on Tuesday, June 8. The annual town meeting will reconvene at Academy Hill School the following Monday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. Nielsen said spring cleanup will be April 27 through April 30 this year.