News From The Wilton First Selectman's Office

Press release from the Town of Wilton:

January 30, 2026 - 6:38pm

News from the First Selectman's Office, January 2026

Happy New Year, Wilton. What an unusually cold start to 2026 we’ve experienced, with freezing temperatures in the single digits and nearly sixteen inches of snowfall. We have not seen that in some time. The streets are now clear thanks to our untiring Department of Public Works’ plow crew. We owe them and Wilton’s emergency services personnel tremendous thanks for working 24 hours straight during the storm, keeping our roads safe. Many of you may still have some heavy shoveling to do. The National Weather Service published these safety tips to remind us all to be careful with this arduous and sometimes dangerous task:

• Shoveling heavy, wet snow can cause back injuries and even strokes and heart attacks. Don’t push yourself!
• Dress warmly, making sure to cover your head, fingers, and toes.
• Stay hydrated, but avoid eating heavy meals right before and after shoveling.
• Move only small amounts of snow with each pass of the shovel.

And while these frigid temperatures continue, with some nights dipping below zero and more snow possible Wilton’s warming centers will remain open until at least February 5th. Below are their locations and hours:

Comstock Community Center, 180 School Rd. M-F Hours: 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM Saturday, Sun: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Wilton YMCA, 404 Danbury Rd. open M-F 6:00 AM - 8:30 PM, Sat. 6:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Sun. 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd. open M-Th 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Fri: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sat: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sun 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Anyone in need of shelter can call 2-1-1 to get connected to services or visit 211ct.org to view a list of locations, or reach out to Wilton Social Services at (203) 834-6238. Transportation can be provided if necessary.

Wilton’s Finance Department

Since Dawn Savo and Tracy Haberman recently took command of Wilton’s finance office, as Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller respectively, they have been working long days, nights, weekends and holidays to build the town’s budget in time to meet the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance’s delivery deadline. Not only were they faced with a tight turnaround, but they both joined a department that had undergone a period of major disruptions. We are grateful for their diligence and their quick understanding of how critical their work is to all Town departments and Boards. On several occasions, our new CFO has publicly answered questions and provided updates on how their work is progressing. Her presentations have left everyone more confident and relieved that the department will be on strong footing going forward. Most importantly, the process of reconciling past ledgers must be seen through to completion, and much hard work has gone into fixing the past errors in various accounts and streamlining new financial systems. It is unfortunate that this experience has been disconcerting and expensive, but we will have much better processes and procedures going forward. We send Dawn and her finance team our thanks for their laser focus on strengthening the town’s finances.

Budget season is underway, when Town department heads bring their priorities and expenses for the next fiscal year to the Board of Selectmen for consideration. Outside of these specific budgets, large-item expenses, or bond items, must also be reviewed. While Town leaders are listening to everyone’s wish list, including amenities that the public would like the Town to build, it’s important to remember how constrained our circumstances are in doing everything at once. Limited office space and funding constraints prevent us from hiring more personnel who could oversee multiple projects. An overwhelming list of Town and School building construction needs will command much of the financial and planning resources of the Town. In addition, careful decisions must be made about the numerous properties the Town owns, balancing the cost of their upkeep against their benefit. Certain Town departments, like our emergency services, will need to expand to keep our Town safe as multi-family and commercial buildings continue to grow. There is excellent news on our brand-new Police Station which will be ready for occupancy very soon. The public will be invited to tour the building they have funded upon completion. This is a picture of the modern, clean, spacious classroom our Police force will be using:

In the past two years, we have passed 18 bond items that will improve the quality of life in our town, and we will continue to pursue all that is important and worthwhile for the people of Wilton. But we must plot our course using the same careful planning and forecasting process that has allowed us to build while maintaining our excellent Aaa Moody’s bond rating and keeping our debt service low. Budget season is a time to envision our future and all that is possible while maintaining our patience in the present. We encourage everyone to become engaged and involve themselves in the process.

Wilton’s Flock Safety Transparency Portal

The Wilton Police Department announced they have begun using Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR). This technology supports public safety efforts such as locating missing persons, recovering stolen vehicles, and responding quickly to serious and time-sensitive incidents. It enhances Wilton police’s ability to protect the community while allowing officers to focus on proactive, professional policing.

The Flock ALPRs is governed by strict departmental policy. The system does not use facial recognition, does not identify individuals, and is not used for generalized surveillance or monitoring of lawful activity. Access is restricted, logged, and audited, and every use must be tied to a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Responsible use of technology is essential to maintaining public trust, and misuse of any department system is not tolerated.

To reinforce the Wilton Police Department’s commitment to accountability and public trust, they are launching the Flock Safety Transparency Portal, a public-facing resource that provides insight into how ALPR technology is governed and used in Wilton. The portal allows residents to review Wilton Police Department policies, usage guidelines, data retention practices, and privacy safeguards. They encourage residents to visit the Flock Safety Transparency Portal, learn more about how this technology supports their mission, and to reach out with questions or concerns.

The following is a quote from the Police Department’s press release about this technology. “We value the trust placed in us by the community and recognize that trust is strengthened through openness and accountability. Our mission is to serve and protect all citizens, maintain peace, and preserve the quality of life within the Town of Wilton by upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and vigilance. We are committed to defending civil rights, honoring the dignity and value of every person, and ensuring the equitable and just application of the law. Public safety works best when it is built on communication, shared understanding, and mutual respect. Together, we will continue to protect Wilton responsibly, equitably, and transparently.”

Deputy Chief Cipolla

Deputy Chief Robert Cipolla of the Wilton Police Department proudly graduated from the FBI National Academy on December 11, 2025. Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program. It says something about the talent in Wilton that Chief Conlan and other Wilton Police Chiefs have also graduated from the Academy. Deputy Chief Cipolla is the 10th person from Wilton to be accepted there, since 1969.

The school is accredited through the University of Virginia, and Deputy Chief Cipolla likened his eleven weeks at Quantico to a semester at college. Besides the focus on physical fitness and health, there was a catalogue of courses to choose from. He received tremendous value from his classes on leadership, communication, forensic science and constitutional law, naming his class on Strategic Resource Administration, Management, and Fiscal Responsibility a particular favorite. He came back to Wilton inspired and ready to inspire others. As soon as he returned, he was able to put what he’d learned into practice.

The school is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders. When Deputy Chief Cipolla arrived on campus, he was one of 254 other law enforcement officials who came from around the country and internationally. It was back to dorm living, where his roommate was an officer from Allen, Texas who became a friend for life.

The other attendees were at all stages of their career, and from all walks of life. Once past the academy doors, however, no hierarchy existed. They were all students going through this tremendous experience together. It was only much later when he learned how senior in rank some of his fellow students had been or how large the departments from which they came. He did come away sensing a difference in culture from departments that were led by an elected Sheriff, or whose shops were non-union versus union. Connecticut, he feels, does a great job of training and educating its police officers. The professional standards here are something for which to be proud.

There is a method behind this fellowship that was created. A quote from J. Edgar Hoover on a monument at the academy entrance explains: “The most effective weapon against crime is cooperation. The efforts of all law enforcement agencies with the support and understanding of the American people.” Deputy Cipolla has cooperation around the globe, now.

Near the end of his time at the academy, he was struck by a personal touchstone. There is an obstacle course that each class is pushed to complete. Deputy Chief Cipolla lost his mother a few years ago, and her favorite movie was The Wizard of Oz. Wouldn’t you know that the obstacle course waiting for Deputy Chief Cipolla was “The Yellow Brick Road?”

Deputy Chief Cipolla wishes to thank the people of Wilton and his department for making this investment in him. But I think it is we who should thank him for his excellence, his commitment to professional growth and for all the ways that Wilton will be better off for his service.

Police Department Promotion

The Wilton Police Department promoted Detective Matthew Cisewski to the rank of Sergeant late last month, increasing his responsibilities and the number of officers under his management. His list of accomplishments and commendations is long and impressive, including coming in second in his Basic Training Class at the Police Academy. He holds a degree in Criminal Justice from Western Connecticut State University and is a member of the Southwest Regional Emergency Response Team. Based on the number of letters from residents and motorists, Sergeant Cisewski is also a kind, professional and effective officer. Congratulations, Sergeant Cisewski! Wilton is grateful to have you.

Wilton Firehouse Swearing In Ceremony

Career launches and career advancements were honored this month at the Wilton Firehouse when Justin Kolasinksi, Michael Wydra and John Edwards were sworn in to their new positions. Family members, Emergency Services Personnel and Town leaders were on hand to celebrate these firefighting professionals as they took their oaths of office.

Justin Kolasinksi was sworn in as a probationary firefighter. Firefighting appears to be in Justin’s DNA. Both of his parents and his two uncles are firefighters in departments around the state. His swearing in ceremony concluded when his parents pinned his official Wilton badge to his new uniform, causing several pairs of eyes to become wetter than they had been at the start of the ceremony.

Michael Wydra pledged to uphold his new role as Deputy Fire Marshal, after thirteen years with the Wilton Fire Department. Before coming to Wilton, Michael was with the Milford Fire Department, where he started his career in 1988. Next month, his fire education will continue as he works toward earning the required certifications in fire investigations and code enforcement. His wife, Bergit, honored this major achievement in his career by pinning on his new Deputy Fire Marshal badge.

After 37 years as a professional firefighter, the last ten of which were served with Wilton, John Edwards was officially sworn in as the Town of Wilton Fire Marshal. The Fire Marshal position reports to the Fire Chief and is responsible for fire code enforcement of most structures in Wilton, as well as reviewing plans for new construction to ensure they are code and safety compliant. When the Fire Marshal is not conducting building inspections, he is educating the public about fire safety, with trainings and presentations to building owners and occupants.

Among his many professional credentials, John has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree and spent six years with the Connecticut National Guard. As he says, “Training, learning and practice are what make us good at our job.” Undoubtedly, family support has helped him and it was fitting that his wife, Cheryl, pinned his Fire Marshal badge on to see him across the finish line.

Congratulations to these excellent public servants who do so much to keep us all safe. We are grateful for your dedication and bravery and are so honored you have chosen Wilton to be your professional home.

Congressional Representatives Come to Wilton

On December 22, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Representative Jim Himes, along with State Representative Savet Constantine and local officials, visited Wilton Fire Headquarters to announce a $36,460 grant to improve firefighter safety.

The grant, distributed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, will allow the Wilton Fire Department to purchase emergency escape kits essential to rapidly escape from multi-story buildings, commercial or residential, during fire emergencies when conditions deteriorate or traditional exit routes become blocked.

Thank you to our representatives for your continued support of our community. We are truly grateful for your care and attention.

Take Care and Stay Safe

Wilton, last year we experienced a few Class IV rapids that required some skill and experience to navigate. I can say with great assurance that, in terms of staffing and processes, we have reached calm waters. With strong supports in all of our departments and with clear facts in hand, we can plot our town’s future, knowing exactly what we have to work with. As I have said in previous newsletters, uncomfortable shake-ups can lead to fresh starts on firmer foundations. I look forward to sharing with you how our budget and bond items are taking shape in the coming weeks. In the meantime, stay safe and warm, reach out for help if you need it, and go easy with the shoveling.

With warmest best wishes,Toni BoucherFirst Selectman, Town of Wilton

P.S. Wilton’s Town Administrator answers media inquiries about Wilton’s storm preparedness and post storm response:

• Town Snowstorm Preparations:

Emergency planning actually begins several days ahead of the storm, involving the Highways, DPW, Fire, Emergency Management, Parks & Recreation, and Social Services Department, along with the First Selectman and Town Administrator. The Emergency Management Director also coordinator also coordinates closely with state DEMHS officials and public utility representatives to prepare for the storm. Highway workers were called in several hours before the storm was expected to begin to begin pre-treating all roadways with salt to retard icing once precipitation begins. They stayed on duty for a full 24 hours during the storm. Total DPW work hours appx 650 (storm related O/T only). The Parks and Rec employees: Appx. 200 work hours.

• Salting the Roads:

We have not yet had time to tally the amount of material used, but to the second part of this question, salt supplies in Connecticut are limited. There are supply shortages, reasons unknown, that are affecting state and municipal public works operations. State authorities at DEMHS have stepped in to help determine the cause of the issue and seek relief. Please be assured, however, that roads were pre-salted before the storm and again after the storm to insure our school children’s safety on their trips to Wilton schools.

• Road Safety:

Fortunately, people heeded the warnings that were broadcast through our e-alert system and stayed home. Therefore, police recorded no crashes during the snowstorm itself.

• Post-storm Cleanup:

“Cleanup” generally refers to having highway plow drivers clear select areas where public safety issues require widening clearances, restoring critical lines of sight at intersections, etc. Once snow is moved and piled, it compacts, becomes very dense and freezes into a solid mass, making it very difficult to move. It is far more efficient and safe for the public to move it out of the way as much as possible with each pass of the plow.

• What to Expect After the Storm Passes:

Wilton’s snow total reached as much as 16”. Once the main clearing is complete, the large amount of snow left on the sides of our roads will begin melting, which will leave areas of moisture that will re-freeze at night forming dangerous ice patches. Drivers will need to be extra cautious, especially in the morning hours right after daybreak. These conditions will continue to repeat every day until the large roadside snowpack is gone, especially when we are experiencing single-digit nighttime temperatures. Incidentally, salt becomes ineffective at such low temperatures, which demands even greater caution.

• Snow Related Mailbox Issues:

Crews will address line-of-sight and other public safety issues as the top priorities. The Town does not have the manpower to clear driveway ends and mailboxes. This is the homeowner’s responsibility as is clearing the ends of their driveway.

• Damaged Mailbox Policy:

As noted in our town mailbox policy, any time a plow truck actually hits a mailbox, the Town will replace the post and mailbox. However, there are a couple of qualifications:

a) While mailboxes are occasionally clipped by the plows on our narrow roads, the majority of mailbox damage is actually caused by the force of the snow discharging off the plow blade as the truck passes. This is not covered by Town policy; homeowners need to construct sturdy mailboxes that can withstand the New England winter and its snow removal challenges.

b) When a mailbox is damaged by one of our trucks, it will be replaced with a standard wood post and mailbox. Specialized or decorative mailboxes are not covered.

• State versus Town Road Clearing Responsibility

If in doubt as to which agency “owns” a particular roadway, residents should report issues to our DPW office. If the concern turns out to be a state highway, our staff will forward this to the state authorities. In general, most of the roadways in town are town-owned, with the exception of US-7, Rte 106 and Rte 33.

• Sidewalks and Fire Hydrants

If a resident has a fire hydrant on their property, we ask that they clear the snow and ensure the hydrant is visible as soon as possible after each snowstorm so that emergency crews can quickly access it during an emergency. The same applies to sidewalks. Residents and businesses who have sidewalks on their property are responsible for clearing them under state and local law.

• SeeClickFix:

Please report any issues to the SeeClickFix section on the Town website. For any matter that is urgent or reasonably involves a public safety issue, we would prefer a phone call to our DPW department so we can address the problem faster.

• Icy Roads:

Many times, these present a greater danger than heavy snow. As noted above, some snow melt normally occurs during daylight hours which then re-freezes at night, despite the fact that our crews apply salt treatments as often as necessary. Also, please check your tires, they are very easy to forget. Worn tires can cause severe loss of control and increased braking distance in icy conditions. Drive slowly and maintain longer than normal following distances. Drivers are also advised to keep their fuel tanks filled to prevent fuel lines from freezing.

• Further Precautions:

We ask drivers to please slow down and keep a sharp eye out when driving in areas with high snowbanks. Small children may be waiting behind those piles and could pop out in front of you at any time. Be vigilant and drive with extra care. The most important post-storm safety risk is your own personal health.

When big snowstorms hit and people have to shovel great loads they are at a much higher risk of heart attack, stroke or back injuries. When shoveling, take time and rest often.

The most important pre-storm safety measures are to stock up on critical supplies and prescriptions so you do not have to go out into the storm, and the number one precaution is to check your fire and carbon monoxide alert devices to make sure they have fresh batteries.

• Final Thoughts:

Snow removal may look quite simple and straightforward, but it is actually a complex process that requires a great deal of planning and coordination, beginning many days in advance of the storm.

This press release was produced by the Town of Wilton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.