WILTON — A Franklin County commissioner told the Wilton Board of Selectpersons on Tuesday night to expect a smaller county tax increase than previously predicted.
Commissioner Tom Saviello, whose district includes Wilton and part of Farmington, said the final tax figure is expected to be set Thursday, June 4, when the county Budget Committee meets. He said the increase is now expected to fall between 4 percent and 5 percent.
“The budget increased too much last year,” Saviello said.
The county budget rose 7.6 percent for the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, after increasing 14.1 percent the year before.
In April, commissioners and the Budget Committee had discussed potential increases of 15 percent to 18 percent.
At a Board of Selectpersons workshop May 13, Selectwoman Tiffany Maiuri said she expected an increase closer to 10 percent to 15 percent.
Maiuri serves on the County Budget Committee, which has final authority over the county budget.
Reached after the Wilton meeting, Saviello said he did not yet know the specifics behind the lower projected increase.
“This is all about how revenues are added,” he said.
Saviello also told the Board of Selectpersons that hiring an interim county administrator may not add costs to the county.
County Administrator Amy Bernard has resigned, effective July 3.
On Tuesday, commissioners appointed Susan Pratt of Strong as interim administrator. Pratt has been working part time for the county overseeing American Rescue Plan funds, which were distributed to local governments for COVID‑19 recovery.
Saviello told the Wilton board that at $68 an hour for 32.5 hours a week, Pratt could serve for about five months before the salary account is depleted. He said commissioners “are in no rush to replace” Bernard and are setting up a hiring process.
For seven years, Pratt served as assistant superintendent in Maine School Administrative District 9, now Regional School Unit 9, and for four years she was superintendent of Phillips-based Maine School Administrative District 58.
Saviello also told the board that “it took a while, but everybody paid back” the commissioners’ health insurance stipends that the Budget Committee eliminated last year.
He was the first commissioner to reject the stipend, followed by Thomas Skolfield of Weld. In the end, all five commissioners returned the money.
In other matters, the board changed the planned downtown street closures for Friday, Aug. 7, the opening day of the Wilton Blueberry Festival.
Main Street, the downtown extension of East Wilton Road, will be closed from 5 to 11 p.m. between Ambition Brewing at 295 Main St. and Prospect Street, which connects downtown to U.S. Route 2 over Bass Hill.
The board also agreed to place signs along Main Street to alert southbound motorists of the closure so they can turn onto High Street. Without the signs, drivers unfamiliar with the festival or downtown could reach the barricades and be forced to turn around.
Using High Street also preserves access to Canal Street, provides a route around downtown to the Wilson Lake shoreline and maintains access to the Calzolaio Pasta Co. restaurant.
Rocelle Marcellino, the restaurant’s co‑owner, told the board: “This works really well for us. The detour signs will be really helpful.”
Three other food service businesses — The Square, New Great Wall and Ambition Brewing — are within the closed area.
James Butler, co‑owner of The Square, told the board April 21 that the festival weekend is his business’ busiest time of the year. He emphasized that The Square does not use the public street for outdoor seating during the festival, but said the street should be closed for safety.
The amended motion to close the streets also requires businesses to provide security around their perimeters during the festival.
Board Chair David Leavitt said the private security could help ensure that alcohol is not carried beyond the street barriers. He added that having private security would also help if emergency vehicles needed to use the street.
Town Manager Maria Greeley said the security personnel must be certified.
Ruth and Ed Ogley, who own a hay farm on Orchard Park Road, asked the board to put up “Farm Machinery Ahead” signs. Ed Ogley told the board the steep hills on the road create a hazard when he is towing a trailer loaded with hay bales.
The 1‑mile stretch between Temple Road and Blue Spruce Hill Road includes two steep hills, and Ogley cuts hay in fields on both of them.
After considering “Hidden Driveway” signs, as recommended by the Maine Local Roads Center, the board decided instead to put up “Farm Machinery” signs. Maine Local Roads had recommended “Hidden Driveway” signs because they remain in place year‑round. “Farm Machinery” signs must be taken down or covered when farm activity is out of season.
Maiuri agreed with Ogley that “Hidden Driveway” signs “just get ignored,” while “Farm Machinery” signs tend to get more attention. The board voted unanimously to install “Farm Machinery” signs.
The board also reappointed Charles Lavin as an alternate member of the Planning Board.
Public Works Foreman John Masse told the board that winter plow equipment has been put into storage and the town is repairing roadside areas damaged during the plowing season. He said gravel roads are being graded and new topcoats have been applied to Milk Man Road, Hammond Road and part of Temple Road.
Masse also reported that repairs are needed on some town equipment.
Nathan Hiltz, a candidate for the Board of Selectpersons in the June 9 election, told the board that too few people attend meetings. He suggested the town add a notice board in a busy location to inform residents of meeting times and places.
He recommended placing a sign in McGillicuddy Park, which is on Main Street between Wilken Land and Post Office Lane. The board took no action on Hiltz’s suggestion.
