WILTON – Selectmen on Thursday elected Jeffrey Rowe chairman for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

They also welcomed newly elected Selectman Russell Black and made appointments for the year.

Black told officials he would like to resign as chairman of the Planning Board as soon as possible, but he would like to see Keith Swett, who is also a selectman, remain on the Planning Board. Swett’s term expires June 30. Black has one year remaining.

Swett said some residents have expressed a concern about individuals serving on both boards. Selectman Rodney Hall said the town is definitely not allowed by law to have three people serve on both boards. Norm Gould also serves on both boards.

That will not be the case since Swett’s term expires before the next Planning Board meeting.

The issue will be discussed at the next selectmen’s meeting.

Officials also agreed to send a letter of appreciation to Planning Board member Bernal Allen, who is resigning for health reasons effective June 18, and former Selectman George Mosher.

Black reported he has received complaints about Animal Control Officer Wayne Atwood’s lack of response to a situation with a pit bull chasing cows in East Wilton. Town Manager Peter Nielsen said he would look into the matter.

In other business, officials authorized Nielsen to accept a proposal for vehicle and building, liability, and public officials’ insurance with Kyes Insurance Agency in Farmington at a cost of $30,097. An insurance bid from Maine Municipal Association came in at $35,720. Last year MMA’s bid was cheaper. Nielsen said the town has had good experiences with both.

Officials also renewed an agreement with Woodard and Curran Engineers for water quality data management at the Wilton landfill at a cost of $3,870. Nielsen said the state requires that the ground around the landfill be tested for 30 years. Next year officials plan to put that work out to bid to assure they are getting a fair price.

Officials agreed to give Mount Blue Community Access TV $1,037 from franchise fees for accessories to go with a video camera that will be kept at the town office. The camera will be used only for Wilton events that will be aired on Channel 11.

The franchise fees are paid to Beeline Cable by subscribers in town. The fees are then given to the town. Last year voters agreed to give some of the funds to Channel 11.

Officials renewed a contract with the Franklin County Animal Shelter at a 10-cent per capita increase. That amounts to $1.25 per person, an additional $412.30 per year. The town currently pays the shelter about $6,000 each year.

Nielsen will ask a shelter representative to come to a meeting to answer officials’ questions. They would like to discuss the per capita fee, how many animals they receive from the town, and policies regarding adopting animals.

Selectmen signed a Beano license renewal for Hosmer Edwards Post 117 and a liquor license renewal for the Boiler Room Restaurant and Pub. Officials said they have had no complaints about the Boiler Room.

Officials also agreed to put out to bid a 1983 Dodge Diplomat owned by the Fire Department. Bids must be returned by Aug. 1.

Nielsen told selectmen the town has so far received a total of $4,035.84 from the Chandler Road wood harvesting project, minus a $1,500 payment to the forester. Nielsen also invited the board to the Score Health open house from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, June 22, at the Bass-Wilson Building. Score Health is a medical technology business.

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