WILTON – Debris remaining after an October 2007 fire at 342 Depot St. will be the focus of a hearing at the selectmen’s Sept. 16 meeting.

Code Enforcement Officer Paul Montague met with selectmen Tuesday night to discuss what actions the town should take regarding the property.

After an insurance company investigation, the property owned by Michael and Karen Flagg, who now live in Turner, was released for cleanup last spring, Montague told selectmen. Little clean up has taken place, he said, although he made several attempts to communicate with the owners.

After contacting the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Montague was told the town could order a cleanup under “dangerous building” statutes. That process requires a public hearing where selectmen can determine if it’s a danger and then order debris removal.

Montague suggested removing the debris and filling in the cellar. If the owners don’t do it, the town can use a town crew or pay someone to clean it up and charge the owners for the work. A lien on the property would secure the town’s investment.

The board agreed to hold the hearing at their meeting on Sept. 16 to give Montague time to notify the owners and advertise the hearing.

In other business, the rising cost of asphalt caused selectmen to change plans for paving Lake and Old Jay roads again. Paver Bruce Manzer appeared before selectmen earlier this month to ask for an adjustment to the bid he made in May because of increased costs. Selectmen agreed to an adjustment but the next day, Manzer learned from his supplier that the adjustment wasn’t sufficient, Town Manager Peter Nielsen said. Other towns are facing the same problem, he added.

Highway foreman John Welch recommended using a two-inch base mix on both roads as soon as possible at an estimated cost of $165,000. That would come from the $196,000 approved for paving work at the June town meeting. The figure includes curbing and guardrails.

Welch suggested saving the difference, about $30,000, to put toward paving next year.

With time for paving dwindling, selectmen approved the base work for both roads with a request for Manzer to start as soon as possible.

Selectmen also approved wording for an amendment to the parking and traffic ordinance that would close Lake Street to trucks using the street as a through-way. The amendment had been postponed until an exception was added for single rear-axle trucks.

Trucks making deliveries to properties on the road are exempt. Signs will be posted and violators face fines.