WILTON — The Board of Selectmen agreed Tuesday to move forward on a forest management plan for Kineowatha Park.

After checking the deed for the 65-acre park, Town Manager Rhonda Irish told the board the state had turned the park over to the town for use as a public outdoor recreational park.

There’s also a condition about taking care of the park, she said. From her interpretation, the deed would allow for the management plan. It would help the park continue to be a public outdoor area for years to come.

The board discussed the plan at a previous meeting but wanted the deed checked for any restrictions before moving ahead.

Irish suggested the board consider how to get the public involved. The board also agreed to have Irish contact forester Peter Tracy to request his involvement.

In other business, Irish reported “requests for proposals” have been sent to six banks in Farmington, Wilton and Jay to consider handling the town’s bank accounts.

Selectmen Tom Saviello and Tiffany Maiuri agreed to help Irish narrow down the responses to two to be interviewed. Saviello wanted the bank’s name withheld so they would only consider what each offered for services.

Currently, the accounts are spread out among a few banks, Irish said. She asked the board to consider whether they want to put all accounts into one bank.

The board also continued a discussion about allowing public comments during board meetings.

Board members agreed they like the input and want to keep the town government transparent by listening to residents and answering questions.

Earlier this month during a board meeting, resident Alyce Mayo-Lagasse was not allowed to voice her opinion on allowing staff to retire and then be rehired, because some board members felt it was a personnel matter. It was also a board meeting and not a public hearing.

A check with Maine Municipal Association reinforced the board’s right to control its meeting, Chairman Scott Taylor said. But, he also apologized to Mayo-Lagasse and offered her a chance to speak at Tuesday’s meeting.

“This is a forum for people to speak and ask questions,” she told the board.

She was concerned about setting a precedent by letting the assistant town manager retire from the state retirement program and then be rehired to continue her present position with the town.

In January, when Barbara Vining approached the board about with the idea, there was no policy in place, Irish said. The board met several times in executive session and consulted a town attorney to set a policy. They voted on it May 21 and a precedent was set, Irish said.

They negotiated with Vining and the union, drafted a proposal and offered it to Vining, who agreed to accept it and expected the board to vote on it at their August meeting.

When questions were raised at that meeting, the board hesitated. On Sept. 3, they voted 3-1 to accept it. One selectman was absent.

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