Champoux Named New Selectmen Chair; O’Connell Receives Kudos For Her Time As Chair

WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Board of Selectmen has a new Chairman.

Selectman Mike Champoux was unanimously elected Chair by his colleagues at Monday night’s Selectmen’s Meeting.

The Selectmen continued their past practice of generally alternating chairs on an annual basis.

While it may have been Champoux’s “turn,” he certainly earned the distinction, now serving in his seventh year on the Board.

“I’m oddly at a loss of words at the moment,” Champoux said after being named Chairman.  “I hope that, in spite of feeling that it was ‘my turn,’ that I’m deserving of the job.  I sincerely appreciate the confidence that you place in me.  I will only hope to live up to the very high standards that all you before me in your turns as Chairman… Now let’s move on and hit the ground running.”

Outgoing Chair Selectwoman Judy O’Connell received praise from her colleagues prior to the board reorganization.

“You’ve done a wonderful job this year,” Selectman Lou Cimaglia told O’Connell.  “Your leadership has been wonderful.  I congratulate you on an extremely successful year.”  Cimaglia noted that everyone on the board is committed to doing what’s best for the town.

“You did a fantastic job this year,” echoed Selectman Mike McCoy.  “You’ve been very fair to your colleagues and residents.  Everything has gone great and the town is in great shape.”

“The manner in which you have handled the difficult aspects of chairing a meeting has been exemplary,” Selectman Mike Newhouse told O’Connell.  “You were also the leader among us at Town Meeting and I appreciate that as well.”

Selectwoman Judy O’Connell returned the compliments.

“Thank you to all of you for the last year,” she told her colleagues. “I’ve enjoyed being your Chair.  It’s been a very enlightening and educational experience for me.  We worked well collectively and as a team. The professionalism, civility and work ethic we displayed as a board illustrated that we’re committed to the residents Wilmington.”

O’Connell went on to thank Town Manager Jeff Hull and his leadership team, as well as the administrative staff at Town Hall, especially Beverly Dalton, the Town Manager’s Administrative Assistant who plays an integral role in supporting the board.

(Image from Wilmington Community Television’s broadcast.)