WILMINGTON, MA — Here are FIVE things that happened at the Wilmington Board of Selectmen Meeting on Monday, January 23:
#1) RIGHTING A WRONG: The Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to sponsor an article on the 2017 Annual Town Meeting Warrant to rename the Wilmington High School Gymnasium in memory of Lawrence H. Cushing, Sr., the town’s first Physical Education Director, Recreation Director and Director of Athletics. Selectmen were surprised to learn that when the new high school was built, all the names associated with parts of the previous school building (e.g., Cushing Gymnasium, Barrows Auditorium, etc.) were not transferred over. Selectmen hope the School Committee will also support this measure, which is being brought forward by resident Jack Cushing. Several Selectmen expressed a desire to eventually create a formal process to deal with naming rights and requests as it relates to town-owned buildings.
#2) SAVE THE DATE: Selectwoman Judy O’Connell, Chair of the Yentile Farm Development Committee, announced that the facility will celebrate its Grand Opening on Saturday, May 13, with a rain date of Saturday, May 20. The day’s program is still being planned, but the Wilmington Rotary Club will be playing an important role in making sure the festivities are memorable.
#3) SANCTUARY STATE: Selectman Mike McCoy made a motion for the Board to send a letter to its state legislative delegation encouraging them to oppose a bill from State Senator Jamie Eldrich (“The Trust Act”) that would, essentially, make every city and town in Massachusetts a “sanctuary city” for illegal immigrants, including those who have committed violent crimes. McCoy called the proposal “ridiculous.” While all of his colleagues agreed with his sentiments, members were divided over whether a letter was really necessary. Selectman Mike Champoux felt the matter did not rise to a level of direct, immediate impact on Wilmington residents, unlike the New England Transrail proposal or Kinder Morgan Pipeline proposal. Selectman Greg Bendel wanted to receive the recommendation of Wilmington Police Chief Michael Begonis before acting. Selectwoman Judy O’Connell suggested the town’s state legislation was likely to oppose the legislation anyway, and that it would be wise for the town to reach out to Miceli Gordon and Tarr to learn of their positions before determining if a letter was necessary. In the end, McCoy’s motion failed, 2-3, with McCoy and Kevin Caira voting in favor, while Champoux, Bendel and O’Connell voted in opposition. Look for this matter to be revisited at a meeting in the near future, with Selectmen receiving additional requested information prior to another vote.
#4) COMMON PURPOSE: The Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to light the Town Common Purple for the Month of May in recognition of the American Cancer Society’s Paint The Town Purple” campaign. The American Cancer Society uses purple to symbolize survivorship. May is also recognized as Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Brain Cancer Awareness Month. The lighting request was submitted by the organizers of the support of Wilmington’s Relay For Life. This will be the third consecutive year that the Common will turn purple in May.
#5) VOLUNTEER STEPS UP: The Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to ratify Town Manager Jeff Hull’s appointment of Megan E. Delehanty Coslick to fill a vacancy on the Wilmington Historical Commission. This group of appointed volunteers, dedicated to preserving the history of Wilmington, meets on the second Monday night of most months, generally at the Wilmington Town Museum.
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