Wilton Patch: Newest Local Facts

Parks and Recreation Department

2009-09-09T04:27:37-04:00

Better known as Parks and Rec, the Wilton Parks and Recreation Department maintains 209 acres of developed recreational facilities, plus an additional 165 acres on eight school sites and 44 acres of developed land in the town's park system.

In addition to these properties, Parks and Rec offers various programs for all of Wilton residents, all of which are self-sustaining and are either free or offered at nominal costs.

The department's members include Kevin O'Brien, David Wallace, James Van Acker and Christine Finkelstein and can be contacted be emailing spierce8y3kTemp@wiltonct.org. Their offices are located in the Comstock Community Center at 180 School Road.

Planning and Zoning Department

2009-09-09T04:19:16-04:00

Reporting to the First Selectman, the Planning and Zoning Department is responsible for reviewing residential and commerical subdivision applications, analyzing commercial and industrial development proposals and providing guidance on land use policies.

Planning and Zoning is located in the Town Hall Annex building and also must oversee long range planning initiatives, review zoning permit applications, investigate and enforce zoning violations and floodplain regulations and coordinate development proposals. There are two subdivisions that report to the department including the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Planning and Zonning Commission's staff includes Chairwoman Sally Pounstone, Vice Chairman John K. Wilson, Secretary Bas Nabulsi, Doug Bayer, Alice Ayers, L. Michael Rudolph, Marily Gould, Eric Osterberg and Dona Pratt.

The Zoning Board of Appeals includes Chairwoman Miriam H. Sayegh, Vice Chairman John Gardiner, Secretary Barbara Frees, Lori Bufano, John Comiskey, Peter Shlue, Peter Bell and Daniel Darst.

Finally, the department plays a large role in drafting the Plan of Conservation and Development, a document that helps establish the town's long range goals and vision.

Board of Finance

2009-11-09T18:07:55-05:00

The Board of Finance is tasked with recommending a budget and a mill rate at the annual town meeting and consists of six elected members. These members currently include Chairman Warren Serenbetz, Al Alper, Lynne Vanderslice, James Meinhold, Bob Kelso, and Carl Pforzheimer.

This board also has a variety of other powers and duties, including the ability to designate an external auditor, approve supplemental appropriations, review bonding proposals, approve investments of town funds and exercise general oversight of town finances.

For more information or to contact the board, please direct inquiries to boardoffinance@wiltonct.org.

Board of Selectmen

2009-09-09T04:02:50-04:00

The Board of Selectmen is Wilton's official legislative and administrative body. They preside over all town government issues, including policy making, administration management and budget accountability. There are five members on the board, each of whom serves for two years at a time.

The board typically meets on the first and third Monday of the month, and its members include First Selectman William F. Brennan, Second Selectman Susan Bruschi, Harold Clark, Richard F. Creeth and Ted Hoffstatter.

Wilton Social Services

2009-09-09T03:02:21-04:00

Wilton Social Services provides crisis intervention, short-term counseling, and information and referral to local state and federal human service programs.

It is chaired by Leslie Rogers, and includes members Edward Raposa, Stephen Lanza, Judith Zucker, Betty Jo Corridon, Judy Mabley, Susan Chalons-Browne, Beth Mason, and Margaret Koellmer.

The offices are located on 180 School Road in the Comstock Community Center.

Elections

2009-08-28T19:27:40-04:00

Who to Call: For more information on elections, contact the Registrars’ office at 203-563-0112 or 203-563-0113.

Tina Gardner is the Republican registrar while Carole Young-Kleinfeld is the Democratic registrar.
Eligible residents can register at the following places:
- Office of the Registrar of Voters or Town Hall, 238 Danbury Rd., between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.
- The Department of Motor Vehicles
- The Wilton Library
- Department of Social Services
- All Armed Forces Recruiting Offices
Application for registration should be postmarked 14 days before an election or by the fifth day before a primary. However, eligible residents can apply at the Town Clerk’s office in person by the seventh day before the election or by noon the day before a primary.

Polling Places

District 1 (143rd Assembly District, 26th State Senate, 4th Congressional District): Wilton High School Field House, 395 Danbury Rd.
District 2 (125th Assembly District, 26th State Senate, 4th Congressional District): Driscoll School Gym, 336 Belden Hill Rd.
District 3 (143rd Assembly District, 26th State Senate, 4th Congressional District): Middlebrook School Gym, 131 School Rd.

Wilton Public Schools

2009-09-09T08:57:12-04:00

The Wilton Board of Education operates three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. They include:

Miller School (Grades K-2)
- 217 Wolfpit Rd., Wilton
- Principal: Cheryl Jensen-Gerner

Driscoll School (Grades K-2)
- 336 Belden Hill Rd., Wilton
- Principal: Lynnette Tinacci

Cider Mill School (Grades 3-5)
- 240 School Rd., Wilton
- Principal: Ginny Rico

Middlebrook School (Grades 6-8)
- 131 School Rd., Wilton
- Principal: Julia Harris

Wilton High School (Grades 9-12)
- 395 Danbury Rd., Wilton
- Principal: Timothy H. Canty

Board of Education

2009-09-08T22:27:57-04:00

Who to Call: For questions about the Board of Education, call the Wilton Public Schools at 203-762-3381.

Overview

The six-member board governs Wilton’s schools.
The members are elected for staggered terms of four years each.
Meetings of the Board of Education are generally held on second and fourth Thursdays of the month and start at 7:30 p.m. at WHS Professional Library, 395 Danbury Rd., unless specified otherwise.
The board meetings are open to the public, who are allowed to speak in the times allotted to them.

Board members

Karen A. Birck, chair

E-mail: birburn@optonline.net

Gil Bray, vice chair

E-mail: gilmore.bray@misys.com

James A. Saxe Jr., secretary

E-mail: jasaxe@optonline.net

James Furnivall

E-mail: jfurnivall@gmail.com

Richard J. Dubow

E-mail: rjdconsult@optonline.net

Barbara B. Myers

E-mail: barbarabrinkmyers@gmail.com

School Enrollment and Statistics

2009-09-08T22:33:13-04:00

Enrollment

Who to Call: For more information on enrolling your child, call the Office of the Superintendent at 203-762-3381 or the respective schools.

Proof of residency is required for the child to be eligible to attend Wilton public schools. Some of the documents accepted as proof of residency are sale or house rental contract, tax bill, electricity bill, vehicle registration, etc.
At the time of registration, an official birth certificate or current passport will be required.
Also, a physical exam, which has been done within 15 months before the child starts school in Wilton, on the State of Connecticut Medical form, along with an immunization record, is a must.

Statistics

There are approximately 2,000 students in the elementary school program at the three schools.
The middle school program has approximately 1,000 children.
The high school program has an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students. (Source: National Center for Education Statistics)

Early Dismissals

2009-09-08T22:43:24-04:00

Who to Call: For questions about school closings, delays or early dismissals, call Wilton Public Schools at 203-762-3381.

Early Dismissal

If the schools have to be dismissed early due to snow or other emergency, the following schedule will be followed:
- Wilton High School and Middlebrook Middle School: 10:30am
- Cider Mill School: 11:30am
- Miller and Driscoll schools: 12:30pm