WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Select Board met on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
Board Discusses Sciarappa Farm In Executive Session
The Board met in Executive Session from 6:30pm to 7pm “to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value” of Sciarappa Farm (333 Andover Street). At last year’s Annual Town Meeting, voters overwhelmingly authorized the Select Board to spend up to $3.9 million from “free cash” reserves to acquire all or a portion of the property for future municipal purposes including — but not limited to — a fire/police substation and various passive and active recreational uses, like a hockey rink. Meanwhile, Cabot, Cabot and Forbes, a Wakefield-based real estate development firm, has been eyeing the site for a large-scale apartment complex, with as many as 650 multi-family units.
Moment Of Silence For Dr. Dee Phyllis Genetti
At the start of the public portion of the meeting, the Board held a moment of silence for Dr. Dee Phyllis Genetti, who passed away on May 13, 2024. Genetti served Wilmington as a member of the Commission on Disabilities for more than 35 years.
Board Approves License Request For Frangos Chicken Fingers, Hours Expansion Likely
Following the approval of treasury warrants and meeting minutes, the Select Board considered a request of Frangos Chicken Fingers (35 Lowell Street, Unit 1) for a Common Victualer License. The restaurant had previously been operating under the license for As Good As It Gets Cafe, with which it shares a space with.
Abdul Hmina, the owner of As Good As It Gets, was in front of the board on behalf of his son, Ahmed Hmina, the owner of Frangos.
“This community has been good to us,” said Abdul. “We appreciate the opportunity. We appreciated the opportunity when we bought As Good As It Gets. And we appreciate the opportunity now.”
“I do eggs. [My son] does chicken,” added Abdul. “Which came first?,” joked Bendel.
“If Frangos is going to be as good as “As Good As It Gets,” we have no doubt it’ll be excellent,” added Select Board Chair Greg Bendel. “Thanks for doing your business here in Wilmington.”
Abdul noted Frangos hopes to expand its hours in the near future and be open for lunch. The restaurant currently opens at 3:30pm or 4pm most days.
Upon two positive recommendations from Board of Health and Building Inspector, the Select Board unanimously approved the license request.
Board Celebrates WHS State Champions Kyla Kelley, Ali Ganley & Hannah Bryson
The Select Board celebrated three Wilmington High School senior student athletes who recently won state championships — Kyla Kelley (swimming/500 freestyle), Ali Ganley (gymnastics/all around bar & beam) and Hannah Bryson (wrestling). Each was individually recognized by the Board with certificates. Family and coaches were also thanked.
Kelley, who is the school’s first ever state swimming champion, is heading off to Williams College where she will continue to swim.
Ganley, a state champion and New England champion in gymnastics, will be attending UMass Amherst to major in kinesiology with hopes of becoming a physical therapist.
Bryson, an all-state state champion in wrestling, is attending Boston University, majoring in English, and plans to start her own wrestling club there, as the program was cut about 10 years ago. Bryson will be running wrestling camps and clinics for girls in Grades 1-8 in town this summer.
Bendel noted that two other Wilmington High School student athletes just won state championships over the weekend — Molly Osgood (high jump) and Ashvin Baker (400m). Bendel hopes the board can celebrate them in the future.
WHS State Champions Ali Ganley, Kyla Kelley and Hannah Bryson with their certificates from the Select Board (Photo credit: WHS Athletic Director Dennis ingram)
Town Receives $150,000 Grant To Help Residents Struggling With Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Wilmington’s Health & Recovery Coordinator Samantha Cavanaugh, LICSW recently received a $150,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation “to provide no-cost clinical therapy to individuals of any age who are at high risk due to acute behavioral health concerns, such as mental health and substance use.”
Cavanaugh was unable to attend the Board Meeting, however, and her presentation was tabled to a future meeting.
Town To Explore Leasing Senior Center Building Once Empty
Temporary Town Manager Lou Cimaglia announced that the Wilmington Sons & Daughters of Italy have expressed interest in leasing the Buzzell Senior Center from the Town as its lodge home once the new Wilmington Senior Center facility opens in December 2024.
In consultation with Town Counsel, Cimaglia has confirmed that the Select Board is permitted, by state law, to lease town-owned buildings (besides school buildings in use), and that a request for proposal process must take place if the value of the lease, as determined by an appraisal, exceeds $35,000.
Temporary Town Manager Lou Cimaglia and Select Board member Kevin Caira disclosed they are both members of the Sons of Italy.
Sons & Daughters of Italy President John Romano, who was the in audience, provided some background to his organization’s interest in the building.
“[The organization] does not have a home. We currently rent space from the Methodist Church where we meet, and have storage space all over town in people’s houses,” Romano told the Board. “We’d love to have a permanent home where we can do more from the town… We’re very familiar with the building…. It’s just the right size… We’d be ready to move in whenever the time is right.”
The Wilmington Sons & Daughters of Italy, he noted, was formed in 1964 and has been a very generous partner to the town and very charitable to other town organizations.
“I hope the next step is an RFP for anybody to put in for that facility,” added Select Board member Kevin Caira, in response to a question from Romano. “At the least the facility would remain and whoever has the opportunity to lease the facility would hopefully take good care of it.”
“The Sons of Italy has always been good to Wilmington,” said Select Board member Frank West. “Conceuptally, I think it’s a good idea… I’m a preservationist. I’d love to see the building preserved and used.”
West did, however, want to know if any other town departments could use the facility, before issuing an RFP.
“I want to make sure our town needs are being met first before renting it out to anybody,” West added.
Select Board member Gary DePalma praised the Sons & Daughters of Italy and said they’d be a “good suitor,” but stressed he wanted to make sure everything is done “in a proper manner.” He also wishes to see a Building Reuse Committee formed to evaluate the best use of the Buzzell Senior Center, before any lease is signed.
Select Board Chair Greg Bendel assured DePalma any RFP process will be public, transparent and above board. He noted any interested organization, not only the Sons & Daughters of Italy, would have the opportunity to respond to any potential RFP.
Wilmington Bond Rating Upgraded To AAA By Standard & Poor’s
Temporary Town Manager Lou Cimaglia next read into the record a memo from Temporary Finance Director/Town Accountant Mike Morris.
Morris announced that Wilmington’s bond rating was recently upgraded from AA+ to AAA, the highest attainable rating, for the first time in town history.
Standard and Poor’s conducted a review and bond rating in preparation of the town issuing bonds in association with the new Town Hall/School Administration Building and the new Senior Center.
“The bonds were put out to bid in the amount of $38,375,000,” wrote Morris. “Thirteen bids were received. All were competitive. Four were very competitive. The lowest mid was from Morgan Stanley in the amount of 3.620330 based on the TIC (True Interest Costs). The Town Treasurer accepted the Morgan Stanley bid.”
Morris explained that the TIC is the discount rate which equates the principal and semi-annual interest payments on the bonds to the purchase price paid by the underwriter (Morgan Stanley) to the issuer (Town of Wilmington).
Morris noted the sale of the bonds included a premium of $2.028 million, which will further reduce the total amount of the bonds. The bond payments will begin annually in 2025 and end in 2049. One twenty-fifth of the principal will be paid annually, reducing the principal amount each year. This reduction of principal also reduces the amount of interest paid annually.
“So, at the end of the day, the Town received a AAA rating which, in turn, allowed us to attain these bonds at an extremely competitive rate,” Cimaglia summarized.
“This is outstanding. A total team effort. A lot of credit goes to you and your predecessor, and all of our employees who had a hand in this, and previously boards,” responded Select Board Chair Greg Bendel. “This is really the gold medal that a town can achieve. Outstanding news. And, for the residents, the cost saving is invaluable.”
In related news, Temporary Town Manager Lou Cimaglia, earlier in the meeting, noted that a building permit had been pulled for the new Town Hall/School Administration Building. Resident Kevin MacDonald had asked about the permit at numerous past Select Board meetings, and Annual Town Meeting. MacDonald was not present at Tuesday’s meeting.
Memorial Bench To Be Installed At Town Beach
The Wilmington Select Board approved the request of the Tri-Fury Triathlon Club to place a memorial bench at Town Beach in memory of longtime member Bryan Lyons. The Club has used Silver Lake for years to prepare for their triathlons. Lyons, who passed away at the age of 50 in 2020, was a prolific runner who pushed the wheelchair of Rick Hoyt in the Boston Marathon from 2015 to 2020.
Temporary Town Manager Lou Cimaglia Bids Farewell
At the end of the meeting, Temporary Town Manager Lou Cimaglia, who transitions back to Director of Veterans’ Services on June 10 with the arrival of new Town Manager Eric Slagle, took a moment to reflect on his seven months in the role.
He highlighted several successes he and his team achieved, including:
- prepared the Town’s FY25 budget on time and with a slight increase of about 3%
- successfully negotiated contracts with the Police Patrolman Union (who had been working without one for two years), as well as the Police Supervisors Union and AFSME II. Progress has also been made on contract negotiations with the Firefighters Union.
- brought back retired Finance Director Mike Morris to serve as Temporary Finance Director upon the departure of former Finance Director Bryan Perry
- received a AAA bond rating, highest in town history
- overseen both building projects, which are are currently on time and on budget
- held a successful Annual Town Meeting
“I’m proud of all town employees who stepped up during this transition period,” said Cimaglia. “We, as a team, were able to keep the ship moving forward with the day-to-day operations of the town…. I’m confident we set Mr. Slagle up for success. I have no doubt he’ll do an amazing job for the town we all love so much.”
Cimaglia also thanked new Assistant Town Manager Judy O’Connell, the staff in the Veterans’ Office, and his family for their support.
“He kept everyone together. He was the glue. The Town of Wilmington should be proud of what Lou has done and respect what he has done,” said Select Board member Gary DePalma. “I have nothing but admiration for him.”
“It’s not easy juggling everything at once,” added Select Board member Kevin Caira. “I want to thank you. We’ve talked a few times. You’ve given me advice. I appreciate your confidence. I appreciate what you’ve done for the town.”
“You really came in and hit the ground running and you haven’t stopped. Lot of tough moments and long days. You made it through. We were better for having you,” Select Board member Lil Maselli told Cimaglia. “You took one for the team and stepped in. We’re thrilled to have Mr. Slagle starting soon, but we will miss you. It’s bittersweet.”
“I didn’t vote for you to be the Temporary Town Manager. I told you it wasn’t you personally. It was the process,” said Select Board member Frank West. “I think you did an outstanding job. I, and the town, really appreciate that you stepped in. I don’t think anyone can raise any complaint of the job you’ve done.”
“[Lou] has served our community very, very well,” echoed Select Board Chair Greg Bendel. “Lou is someone I look up to and has been a great mentor to me…. I appreciate his leadership and the way he conducts himself… Residents can really be proud of the work that’s been done.”
Cimaglia told the Board and the public that he felt optimistic about incoming Town Manager Eric Slagle, whom he has met with several times.
“I think the guy is going to be a good fit in town. He seems like a really nice guy,” Cimaglia said.
Odds & Ends
- The Select Board also unanimously approved the request of the Sole Sisters Running Club to use the Town Common from 7am to 9am on Saturday, June 15, 2024; Saturday, July 20, 2024; and Saturday, August 17, 2024.
- To fulfill a state law requirement, the Board also approved the request of three Wilmington Public School employees to work for the Wilmington Recreation Department this summer.
- For the first time in recent memory, there were no public comments.
- Select Board member Frank West thanked Cimaglia for helping put together the town’s wonderful Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade.
- Select Board member Kevin Caira asked Cimaglia to research whether Massachusetts Department of Transportation is aware of the new development coming to Cross Street near the Butters Row Bridge and if it will affect the bridge replacement plans.
- Select Board Chair Greg Bendel wished the Wilmington High and Shawsheen Tech Class of 2024 graduates well.
- In ‘Salute to Service,’ Select Board Chair Bendel remembered all fallen heroes, including those honored in Wilmington’s Memorial Day Ceremony.
- The Select Board will next meet on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 7pm. It will be the first day — and first meeting — for Town Manager Slagle.
Watch the May 28 meeting, courtesy of Wilmington Community Television, below:
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