Through a new community-development program, owners of downtown buildings in Wilton may now apply for façade-improvement funds, the village board decided at its meeting Monday.
A mixture of matching grants and loans will comprise the funding. Though the village had planned to earmark $150,000 for the program, in the end, the board agreed to $62,500, of which $12,500 will be set aside for grants; and $50,000, for loans.
Several packages are available. For more information, call the Wilton Village Hall at 435-6666.
The façade program is part of a larger, $1,377,743 Tax Increment Finance project, which will also consist of water, sewer and blacktop work and the possible purchase of the Martalock mobile home park, among other items.
The Bank of Cashton approved the seven-year TIF loan at a 4.5 percent rate (adjustable at .25 percent under the prime rate every two years). Payments will begin in 2020, with closing costs at 1 percent of the loan.
Through TIFs, municipalities divert future property-tax revenue increases from a district toward an economic development project.
Other business
• The board agreed to install clamped ice rails on the Wilton Community Center gymnasium roof for $5,500 and 6-inch rail gutters on the new community center flat roof for $1,500.
• At the wastewater-treatment plant, B&M Technical Services will install a new screen drive with a bagging system, which will replace the grinder system. That project will cost $62,600. On a related note, Kendall Trucking and Plumbing will repair the air leak between the building and the first pond in the plant’s lagoon system.
• Roman Troyer of rural Norwalk will use recycled material to construct a gazebo for the vacant lot on Main Street, charging $3,950. Village clerk Lori Brueggen noted that the Wilton Wood Turtles group would donate toward the project.
• The board approved the Wilton Ambulance Service’s purchase of six radios and chargers for $1,300.
• The village will install four security-camera units in public areas, spending $750.
• The board approved a fireworks permit for Patrick Dank, Center St., for 9–10 p.m. on July 4. Board president Tim Welch noted that no neighbors had objected to the fireworks in previous years, but instead had enjoyed the performance.
• Morgan Yoder was hired as a lifeguard for the Wilton Pool at $10.50 an hour. Board member Eli Yoder abstained from the vote.
• Based on findings from a police check, the board denied an operator’s license to Jena Shaw. The board did approve licenses for Whitney Geier and Staci Leland.
