WILTON — A request to close part of Main Street during the Blueberry Festival drew concerns from the select board but was ultimately approved.

The decision highlights ongoing tension between supporting downtown businesses during major events and maintaining public access and safety on town roads.

The proposal, brought forward by local business owners working alongside festival organizers, would close a section of Main Street on Friday evening during the August festival weekend.

An amendment was added to require approval from the police chief and fire chief before the closure can take effect. The request was then unanimously approved.

The request followed a shift by the Blueberry Festival Committee to move the traditional street dance to Bass Park while still seeking to maintain a downtown closure consistent with prior years.

James Butler, owner of The Square, said the closure is intended to manage crowds rather than expand business operations.

“It’s not just for extending the premises … but primarily we want to close it for safety,” Butler said. “There’s lots of kids … people running around … having cars drive through there when you have a couple hundred people isn’t for the best.”

Vice Chair Keith Swett questioned whether the request primarily served private businesses rather than the town as a whole.

“I had severe concerns with closing a road for businesses and not something that the town is doing,” he said, asking what broader benefit the closure would provide.

Butler said the impact extends beyond individual businesses, noting the festival weekend typically generates the highest foot traffic of the year.

“I would say it would benefit every business on Main Street,” he said.

Board member Nancy Allen raised concerns about traffic flow and access, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with alternate routes and for a church dinner scheduled that evening.

“We’re going to have to have some kind of signage … people who come in do not necessarily know the shortcuts,” Allen said, also questioning whether the proposed end time of 11 p.m. was too late.

Chair David Leavitt focused on emergency access, asking whether police and fire officials had reviewed the plan, especially with multiple closures expected in other parts of town during the festival.

Butler said he had discussed the concept with Assistant Fire Chief Kyle Ellis and planned to maintain a 20-foot fire lane, with movable barricades to allow emergency vehicles through if needed.

“I foresee us using … A-frame barricades that can be quickly moved in the event a fire truck or ambulance needs to get through,” he said.

He also emphasized the closure would not expand his licensed premises or increase seating capacity.