WILTON — A group of downtown business owners and employees told selectmen Tuesday that parking, sidewalks and signs are needed to improve the area.
The board invited 20 businesses to meet at Calzolaio Pasta Co. to learn how the town could help them.
“Putting our best foot forward has value,” Susan Atwood of Wilson Lake Inn said while asking the board to improve the town’s website.
KeyBank branch manager Kirk Doyle asked why the town’s banking is not done at a local branch. In his first couple years as manager, the bank has been able to lend more to this area than during the previous five years, he said.
He also asked the board to support a local bank that pays town taxes.
Doyle said he would also like to see more activities or a concert series, something that would bring more people downtown, perhaps smaller than the town’s annual Blueberry Festival.
Business owners Carla Fitch of Ray Ray’s Cafe and Sweet Treats and Anita Wright of the Bass Hill Bed and Breakfast were concerned about making townspeople aware of their businesses.
Fitch suggested that handouts with information about each business be passed out when residents register their vehicles at the Town Office.
When the suggestion was made to seek a retail business for downtown, Atwood thought the business would need to be supported by the townspeople first. The Wilton Group has endorsed a Think Local First campaign to raise awareness of how money spent locally supports everyone.
While Selectman Tiffany Maiuri said she tries to shop local, her work hours make shopping at some downtown businesses difficult.
KeyBank has extended its hours to meet customer needs and feels it has made a difference, Doyle explained.
Following the session, the board held its regular meeting and tabled accepting the resignation of Code Enforcement Officer Paul Montague and the appointment of James D. Butler Jr. as the new code enforcement officer.
Montague, who intends to stay on part time at the town office, agreed to continue until a new code enforcement officer is found. Board members suggested more discussion with the new candidate was needed before taking action.
In his report to the board, Montague said he “could not support the way Maine has chosen to enforce/inspect the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code. If I can’t support it, I’m not going to enforce it.”
Montague also reported several complaints under the town’s new Property Maintenance Ordinance have been successfully addressed.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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- Wilton Town Manager Rhonda Irish, left, speaks at Tuesday night’s meeting between selectmen and downtown business owners and employees. Selectmen, from left, are Tiffany Maiuri, Scott Taylor, Tom Saviello, Terry Brann and Paul Berkey.
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- Wilton Selectman Tom Saviello, center, speaks at Tuesday night’s meeting between the board and downtown business owners and employees at Calzolaio Pasta Co. Board Chairman Scott Taylor is at left; Selectman Terry Brann is at right.
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