WILTON — The Board of Selectpersons formally accepted a grant and loan for construction at the waste treatment plant and awarded a $9.46 million contract for the work Tuesday.

Selectpersons also approved hiring a new superintendent for the water and waste treatment plants.

Voters last month accepted a $1.35 million grant and a $2.75 million loan from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development to help fund the project.

It allowed the board to award the contract to low bidder Penta Corp. of New Hampshire for $9.46 million. Other bids were for $9.57 million and $9.88 million. 

The board unanimously approved hiring Justin Futia as the Water and Waste Treatment Plant superintendent.

Futia works in Portland’s water resources division. He is also a grade-three wastewater treatment operator, Town Manager Rhonda Irish said. He will take his water certification test this week.

Clayton Putnam will retire as superintendent Dec. 16, she said.

Futia is expected to begin work in Wilton about a month before Putnam retires, she said.

In other business, Irish announced Code Enforcement Officer Roger Williams is retiring in June. Williams served Wilton on Thursdays and in Turner on other days of the week.

Irish recommended the town budget and advertise for at least a half-time code enforcement officer.

Board members agreed the town needs services more than one day a week, especially in the summer.

The board also decided to hold a special election for a selectperson from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at the Town Office.

One person has returned nomination papers for the seat, which became available when Paul Berkey resigned last month.

Nomination papers are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, Irish said.

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