Charges raised publicly against former town employee

SALISBURY — A group of about 20 people has asked the Salisbury Board of Selectmen to initiate an investigation of former town Recreation Director Art Wilkinson for alleged sexual abuse of children.

The dramatic request came at the end of an otherwise routine monthly selectmen’s meeting on Monday, Sept. 10.

First Selectman Curtis Rand and Selectman Chris Williams were present. Selectman Don Mayland was out of town.

Marshall Miles, of WHDD Robin Hood Radio in Sharon, and a Salisbury resident, opened the discussion by urging the selectmen to act as soon as possible to set up an independent investigation of the allegations.

He compared the situation to the #MeToo charges of sexual misconduct that have surfaced in the business and political worlds in recent years.

“We’re not looking for prosecutions,” Miles said, acknowledging that the allegations go back decades and that the statute of limitations has run out.

Wiley Morey said that when he was a teenager Wilkinson touched him and made inappropriate comments.

“I was terrified of this man.”

Jeff Lloyd said he was also a victim of Wilkinson. “What happened to me has had a profound effect. 

“I think it’s time to acknowledge this.”

Lloyd Wallingford, whose brother Robert’s charges against Wilkinson were made public in late August, said he was abused by Wilkinson over an 18-month period, on town property and during town-sponsored events.

“It is time for the town to put an end to this,” he said. “Twenty years ago I tried to do something. I guess I didn’t have the gumption to continue. I wish I had; I could have saved many children.”

Several people mentioned that Wilkinson was around children at the town Grove on Lake Wononscopomuc this summer. They urged that Wilkinson be prevented from being around children on town property.

“We can figure that out pretty quickly,” said Rand, who along with Williams was quiet as people made their comments.

When the comments ended, Rand said he was “stunned.”

“We will certainly take this to heart,” he continued, adding that his first move would be to bring the town attorney in for advice on how to proceed.

“I’m sorry for it,” he said. “We will work on this immediately.”

At presstime, Wilkinson was not available to comment on the accusations.