Below is the “From The Manager’s Desk” column from the latest Town Topics Newsletter:
WILMINGTON, MA — Town staff, the Owners Project Manager and the designers for both the Senior Center and the Town/School Administration Building projects, are finalizing the procurement of construction services for both projects. Construction activities for the new senior center will get under way this fall with construction of the new Town/School Administration Building starting in March of 2024.
Consigili Construction Company, the general contractor for the Town/School Administration Building, will fence off a significant portion of the Swain parking area to serve as a work zone for building construction, materials storage and parking for construction workers. The Swain parking lot and green are a focal point for a variety of community events which provide activities for residents while providing local non-profit organizations with the opportunity to raise much needed funds for their programs. A final plan for the use limitations of the Swain parking area will be established within the next few weeks and discussed with the Select Board. The Town will work to identify alternative locations for the many local organizations that have historically utilized the Swain parking area and green to remain connected to the community.
Modifications to the Middle School to repurpose the former media center and classrooms in that section of the building were completed by early September. This area will now serve to accommodate students and staff displaced from the Wildwood Early Childhood Center. This area is expected to serve the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten populations formerly served by the Wildwood School until a new school can be constructed.
The Town is currently in the feasibility study phase of the Wildwood School building project which requires approximately 16 months to complete. Dore & Whittier, the Town’s project architect, has completed an existing building conditions assessment of the Wildwood School, the Woburn Street School and the North Intermediate School. This work included evaluating the condition of the building envelope, floors, mechanical systems, structural integrity along with a hazardous materials survey, geotechnical survey and preliminary wetlands survey. In accordance with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) requirements, existing buildings must be evaluated for possible rehabilitation or expansion in addition to demolition and replacement with a new school. Meetings with school staff, along with public visioning sessions and forums, are intended to develop a preliminary design plan (PDP) and preferred schematic design (PSD) for submission to the MSBA. The PDP defines the programmatic, functional, spatial and environmental requirements for a new or rehabilitated school. The educational goals, space needs along with existing conditions in the three named schools and site development requirements will be critical information relied upon to prepare a recommendation for the most educationally appropriate and cost-effective approach for a school.
National Development, the owners of property located on Lowell Street formerly owned by Textron Defense Systems, and the Town have reached an agreement to lease the tennis courts, ballfields and parking area on Lowell Street. The lease takes effect on January 1, 2024 and will extend for a term of 99 years. This lease presents another opportunity to expand the recreational opportunities for residents. The existing conditions of the area will be assessed to determine the types of improvements required. The fact that this area borders the Yentile Farm Recreational Facility creates the future prospect of connecting the two recreational areas.
A warm welcome is extended to the new library director Kate-Lynn Coraccio. She comes to Wilmington with considerable experience in library services, having worked most recently as the Collection, Circulation, Community Branch and Bookmobile Manager for the City of Worcester Public Library system. She is very enthusiastic about her new role and will be a great addition to the management team. Residents are encouraged to visit the Wilmington Memorial Library to see the upgrades to the first floor area and to meet Ms. Coraccio.
As this will be my final edition of From the Manager’s Desk, I extend my appreciation to the many capable and committed employees and board and committee members that I have had the good fortune to work with over my years in Wilmington. There are always areas for improvement and the employees and volunteers who serve the town will continue to pursue ways to enhance the services offered. Wilmington is a tight-knit community that never ceases to amaze me with respect to the selfless efforts of so many to assist other members of the community. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve you for the past 36 years.
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