WILMINGTON, MA — Earlier this year, the Wilmington Select Board unanimously voted to authorize the taking of property located at 64 Wildwood Street via eminent domain in order to expand the Wildwood Cemetery.
At the 2020 Annual Town Meeting, voters approved the purchase of this land, which is adjacent to the cemetery. According to DPW Director Mike Woods, the land will allow for the creation of some much-needed 400-500 additional cemetery plots. The previous property owner was slated to be compensated in the amount of $450,000 by the town.
At the most recent Select Board Meeting, Town Manager Jeff Hull provided an update on the situation.
Bids to demolish the house were opened on October 26, 2022. The project was awarded to Brighter Horizons Environmental for $32,500. A contract was executed on November 8, 2022.
The Fire Department used the empty house for training exercises during the week of November 17, 2022.
The contractor began the project on the week of November 28, 2022. A demolition permit application was pulled. An exterminator was hired to address rodent issues. A “clean” asbestos containing material (ACM) report was obtained, as required by the town’s Health Department. The underground oil tank has been pulled. A sign-off from the Fire Department has been obtained.
Weather permitting, by December 15, the contractor will then demolish the house and the shed, removal all debris, remove the foundation, and fill the cellar hole with clean material provided by the town.
The DPW will then restore the area to previous ground cover until the site can be permitted for the use of new cemetery plots.
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