WILMINGTON, MA — Here are TEN things that happened at the Wilmington Board of Selectmen Meeting on Monday, April 24, 2017:
#1) On a motion by Kevin Caira and a second by Greg Bendel, Selectmen unanimously elected Mike Champoux as its new Chairman.
“I have big shoes to fill. Judy O’Connell was a superior chairperson of this board,” said Champoux. “I am humbled to serve. I only hope, in doing so, we can cultivate an environment of collaboration amongst ourselves, other town boards, and residents…. I intend on always keeping [the board] moving forward and moving postively towards common goals.”
#2) Selectmen honored the Wilmington Youth Hockey Girls U10 state championship team. Each Selectman offered their congratulations to the players, coaches, and parents.
“I want to say thank you for representing Wilmington so very, very well,” Selectman Mike Champoux told the girls. “Thank you for being ambassadors for this town. And I have a feeling we’re going to be honoring you again here in a few years.”
“There’s a whole lot of good in this room. You’ve all left a wonderful mark on the town of Wilmington,” added Selectman Mike McCoy. “You make the town proud.”
Each player and coach had their name read by Town Manager Jeff Hull, received a certificate from Selectman Champoux, and then posed for a group photo.
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#3) Selectmen approved the request of Teresa Castellano to conduct the 3rd Annual Tony A 5K on Saturday, October 14, 2017. The 5K road race honors the legacy of Tony Alonardo — a popular husband and father of two, well-known in the Wilmington Hockey scene — who passed away suddenly at the age of 49 in 2015. The event raises funds for a memorial scholarship set up in Tony’s name.
#4) Selectmen agreed to the process proposed by the Town Manager Jeff Hull to fill the Board of Appeals seat vacated by Ed Loud. Notice of the vacancy will be placed on the town’s website on Tuesday and publicized in the local media. Letters of interest are due to the Town Manager’s Office by May 19. Selectmen will meet on the evening of Wednesday, May 24 to interview candidates. A decision is likely that night.
“There’s a very large case in front of the Board of Appeals right now,” said Selectman Ed Loud, referring to the controversial proposal to place a gas station at the intersection of Lowell Street and West Street. “It’s important to have five members — full membership — by its June 14 meeting.”
Town Manager Jeff Hull also noted the town currently has a vacancy on the Historical Commission and multiple vacancies on the Commission on Disabilities. Wilmington Apple will follow up with the application process for these openings. Chairman Mike Champoux encouraged interested residents to get involved.
#5) Selectmen approved the request to transfer the all alcohol license from the old owners of Wilmington Plaza Wine & Spirits (Mystic Liquors, Inc.) to the new owners (N R Wilmington Corporation). The new co-owners of the Wilmington Plaza Wine & Spirits, located at 258 Main Street, currently own and operate three other liquor stores with a combined 17 years of experience in the business. They intend on keeping the offerings and prices the same. One change customers can expect, however, is expanded hours. The store will now be open until 11pm on most nights.
#6) Selectmen approved the request of Colin Cushman (Sweet Pizza Wilmington, LCC) to obtain a common victualer license for Sweet Pizza, located at 206 Ballardvale Street, Suite 4. Cushman was previously a co-owner of the restaurant. The other co-owner recently sold his share of the business to Cushman, who is now the sole owner. Customers shouldn’t expect any major changes.
#7) Selectmen approved the request of Debora Potter for an Annual Auctioneer’s License for Boston Auctions and Antiques, LLC, located at 355 Middlesex Avenue, Suite 11.
#8) Town Manager Jeff Hull assigned Selectmen which motions they’ll make for the warrant articles at the Wilmington Annual Town Meeting this Saturday, April 28 at 10:30am in the WHS Gymnasium. (In case you attend the meeting and noticed his absence, Chairman Mike Champoux noted he is unable to attend due to his son’s Confirmation.)
Hull also noted that Article 51 (rezoning the land next to Burger King on Lowell Street from business to residential) was withdrawn by the petitioner on Monday morning. This article generated the most amount of discussion during the Finance Committee/Planning Board Public Hearing on the Town Meeting Warrant Articles.
#9) Town Manager Jeff Hull provided Selectmen with a list of appointments and reappointments he intends on making at the Selectmen’s next meeting on May 8, 2017.
Highlights include:
- Animal Control Officer — Christopher Sullivan
- Board of Appeals — Thomas Siracusa
- Board of Registrars — Edward Sousa
- Council for the Arts — Sara Brook, Jean Chang, Marguerite Elia, Diane Giamberardino, Linda Molloy
- Historical Commission — Gerald Duggan, Robert Mallett
- Permanent Building Committee — George W. Hooper, II, John C. Holloway
- Town Accountant — Michael Morris
- Town Counsel — John Foskett
Selectmen reviewed letters of interest from Paul Bruce, Ronald DiGiorgio, and John Ruehrwein, asking to be reappointed as constables. Hull will appoint constables, with Selectmen approval, at the next meeting.
Per state law, Town Manager Hull has reached out to the Wilmington Republican Town Committee Chair, John P. Goggin, asking his committee to recommend a Republican to serve on the Wilmington Board of Registrars.
#10) During the board members comments portion of the meeting, Ed Loud and Mike McCoy congratulations on their electoral victories. Loud and McCoy thanked their supporters. Loud singled out the support of his wife, Doreen, and noted “she didn’t deserve what she went through over the past few weeks, but we’re going to try to get past that and move on.” Residents were encouraged to attend Town Meeting — and experience the purest form of democracy — this Saturday. Residents were also encouraged to attend the Yentile Farm Open House on May 13, 2017, from 10am to 3pm. Selectman Kevin Caira expressed concern over the condition of the Butters Row Bridge. Hull responded that he’ll contact the Mass DOT to inspect the bridge and take any necessary actions to fortify it. Caira praised the Wilmington Little League for a fantastic Openining Day Parade and Ceremony. Bendel praised We’re One Wilmington for a record-breaking Run For Wilmington 5K / Kim Forte Walk on Sunday.
Odds & Ends: All Selectmen were wearing an article of blue clothing in recognition of Autism Awareness Month. Loud sits in Champoux’s old seat, next to McCoy. Before and after the meeting, Selectmen went into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining issues involving one of the police unions. During ‘Public Comments,’ former Selectman candidate Kevin MacDonald expressed frustration over the town’s response to Olin, the number of potholes around town, and the number of vacant units at Deming Way despite the veteran homelessness crisis. MacDonald congratulated McCoy and Loud and said he was praying for them. Due to Little League games, the Town Hall parking lot was full 5-10 minutes before the meeting, with police directing drivers to park at St. Dorothy’s. The next meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2017.
MORE TO COME: Wilmington Apple will cover the latest Olin news and big news surrounding the town’s substance abuse prevention efforts in subsequent articles.
(NOTE: The cover photo is from the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, taken by Bruce Hilliard.)
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