WILTON – Town Manager Peter Nielsen told selectmen Tuesday that the investigation of Wilton police officers is proceeding.

The police chief, he said, has progressed to the point where he started meeting with affected employees last week and has been continuing to do this week. He told selectmen that, on advice of counsel, there wasn’t much he could say, other than the investigation is proceeding.

At the board’s March 16 meeting, Nielsen said some officers had been put on administrative suspension pending an internal investigation of the department. That means they’re being paid, but not working.

Nielsen also told selectmen that the town had received a letter from the state Department of Transportation stating it planned to close the Pleasant View rest area on Route 2, west of the cemetery, as of May 1. The letter questioned if the town were interested in assuming responsibility for the rest area, noting if that, if so, the DOT would be willing to enter discussions.

Selectman Rodney Hall wondered about possible problems with policing the area and suggested that Nielsen check into police reports and put the item on the next meeting agenda.

The board reviewed price quotes received for a fish screen at the foot of Wilson Lake. Two were received, one from Nichols Trailers of Wilton for $11,500 without installation and another from Howie’s Welding and Fabrication of Jay for $36,950. Nichols Trailers, Nielsen said, was reworking its quote to provide more information.

Selectmen discussed the need to clean the screens frequently to keep debris and ice from plugging them and causing further problems, as stated in the quote from Howie’s Welding.

Selectman Norman Gould suggested that the board request more information from the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on whether the screen is needed.

Nielsen said he had spoken with Forrest Bonney from that department, who said there would be increased stocking of Wilson Lake this spring, next fall and in 2008, but the fish would be more apt to seek colder water at lower depths and would more likely go upstream rather than down.

The board agreed to put a $15,000 item on the warrant for June to start the process, but it could be after more fact-finding. The idea was to make it a two- or three-year project.

In other business, the board held a public hearing to accept comments on the acceptance of a $100,000 public facilities community development block grant for Wilton Free Public Library’s project to make the library more handicap accessible. The hearing was a requirement of the state granting process.

The board also voted to support a request for endorsement of a $25 million Riverfront Community Development Bond that has been developed by several Maine conservation groups working with a bipartisan group of legislators. The bond would create a competitive grants program for funding of river-related economic and community development projects, including parks and trails, public access and rehabilitation of riverfront buildings.