WILTON – Two hours into the annual town meeting Monday, voters had moved through just over half of the 64 articles on the warrant.

Most passed with limited discussion. Voters decided to raise and appropriate the requested sum of $388,531 for the police department after Chief Dennis Brown explained the reasoning for the increase over this year’s spending. Brown had requested a lieutenant’s position to help with investigations, night and vacation coverage. The department budget would also fund half a part-time office position, with the fire department covering the other half. A volunteer helps now with the office work but many calls to the department go unanswered when the chief or officers are not in the office, he said.

Following questions, Brown explained that Wilton could not keep relying on other agencies to protect its citizens. The department has four officers and is in the process of hiring a fifth.

In the past few months, officers have not been investigating teen sexual assault issues, Brown said, but he learned Monday that the officers will resume the investigations. In the past six months, the department has had 11 sex crime calls and 32 domestic assault situations. The new lieutenant would help with investigations and follow up with victims.

Conrad Heeschen asked about regionalization but Brown explained that he had been chief of a regionalized department and if that occurred here, the expense for the town would be larger.

The article passed with a loud voice vote followed by a round of applause from people.

Voters decided to increase the property tax limit of $1,059,463 established by state law. The past few years, Town Manager Peter Nielsen said, the town has voted to spend $300,000 from surplus to keep the tax rate down and cover the services. Following his explanation and a secret paper vote, as required by law, voters increased the limit 64-24.

A hand vote was required following an article that asked the town to authorize selectmen to sell or otherwise make use of property at 24 School St. A few people questioned having just selectmen make the decision and felt that any proposal should come back to the town for a decision. An amendment to the article asking for a public hearing prior to any action received a favorable vote but then one citizen asked if the article still gave the authority only to the selectmen. Following an affirmative answer, the article was defeated.

Voters approved paving and street projects and the reconstruction of Pleasant Street from Temple Street to Red Schoolhouse Road and Prospect Street from the top of Bass Hill to routes 2 and 4.