WILTON – Members of a new business and community association here chose a name and planned their first sponsored event at a meeting Monday morning.
The Wilton Alliance for Business and Community “is born,” Irv Faunce, a member of the steering committee, said after a strong straw vote for the name.
The group has been meeting since Halloween, when a steering committee of seven was created, according to committee member Allen Kaplan of Your Hometown Market in East Wilton. That group – Faunce, Kaplan, Shannon Smith, Tom Saviello, Jan Smith, Sarah Tanguay and Nancy Merrow – has met every Monday since.
About 20 people attended the meeting Monday, including the town manager, police chief and state Rep. Tom Saviello of Wilton.
The use of “alliance” in the group’s name elicited discussion about the pros and cons of copying the recently formed Strong Area Business and Civic Alliance. Several liked other options, including Wilton Organization to Win, or WOW.
“Every time I drive into town, I say, wow,'” said Nancy Merrow, a poet and property owner and manager.
Wilton used to be the premier town of Franklin County, said Gil Reed, a principal of Nichols Development Corp.
“Shiretown’s nothing more than a place for a hospital, a college and a courthouse,” he added about adjacent Farmington.
“And shopping,” someone else in the circle added, to nodding heads.
But the group’s formation is not in reaction to any differences with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, formerly the Farmington-Wilton Chamber of Commerce, Faunce said. It’s to assist the chamber on a local level, he added. Before the groups merged, both towns had their own chambers.
Laurie Blake, executive director of the chamber, was also in attendance and offered her organization’s assistance and membership packets.
All agreed that Wilton – with a pond, mountain views and a stream running along a main street lined with historic buildings – is unique in its beauty but is a bit off the beaten path. More signs alerting people to Wilton’s downtown district on Routes 2 and 4 could help, they decided. The group has also begun work on an area map and list of 100 things to do in the region.
Although specific fees were not decided, the group did agree that membership dues would be appropriate. They will take up that issue and the alliance’s mission statement at future meetings.
In celebration of the group’s formation, a Holiday in the Square celebration will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the monument on Main Street. Hot chocolate from Waterfront Bakery and Cafe will be served, carols will be sung, hayrides will be available and Santa will arrive on a firetruck around 2:30 p.m.
For more information on the alliance, people may call Irv Faunce at 645-3764, ext. 5302.
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