WILTON — Voters at Monday’s annual town meeting passed all but one article, an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance.

Elimination of one sentence in the ordinance regarding new, enlarged or replacement foundations would have allowed more than a 5-foot space between the basement floor and the bottom of the first floor joists in structures in the shoreland areas.

Although it would align the town’s ordinance to state guidelines, Planning Board members and several residents didn’t see it that way.  

A 5-foot ceiling was set to ensure the basement area is used exclusively for storage or mechanical purposes, not for habitation. The board recommended keeping it as written.

Some residents voiced concerns that a cottage basement on the lake could be used as a living area if the 5-foot distance was eliminated.

“Wilton doesn’t need to be more restrictive than state guidelines,” Scott Taylor, selectboard chairman, said.

A $3.06 million budget was mostly passed with few changes or questions.

By a vote of 44-32, residents granted the Fire Department’s proposed $113,146 budget after selectpersons recommended $111,161 and the Finance Committee, $112,161.  The board endorsed cutting $1,000 in fuel and about another $1,000 for a piece of equipment. The committee only reduced the request by $985 for the equipment.

Voters agreed with the Finance Committee to wait on sealing the parking lot of the Public Safety Building. The committee recommended reducing the requested $35,580 by $4,300, which is the cost of the sealing. Voters raised and appropriated $31,280 for the building budget.

“It seems minor but we need to reduce,” Irving Faunce, committee member, said.

The committee also recommended reducing the Highway Department by $5,000 for parts and repairs.

But, the committee did recommend increasing the amount for the Wilton Area Food Pantry. After moving to accept the selectboard’s recommendation of $2,000, someone asked why the committee recommended $2,500.

Committee members felt it “was deserving of our support,” Faunce said. “The number of families served increases every year.”

Voters approved a budget of $475,485 for the Police Department, $273,300 for the Recycling and Transfer Station and $106,300 for the Wilton Free Public Library.

Spirit of America awards, for people and groups who do special work, were given out to several, including Patty Foss, the Wiltona Club, Kyle Ellis and Doris Cushman. The board surprised Selectperson Thomas Saviello with an award. Saviello chose not to seek re-election and was completing his duties at town meeting.

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