WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Select Board met this past Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7pm in Room 9 of Town Hall.
New Simard’s Roast Beef Owner Gets License
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, and Approval of Treasury Warrants and Meeting Minutes, the Select Board unanimously approved a common victualer license for Mario Nirgianakis, the new owner of Simards Roast Beef.
Nirginakis, who has managed the store for the past 10 years, is taking over ownership from his father, who is retiring. Nirginakis recently signed a new 20-year lease on the restaurant. He anticipates the food to stay the same, perhaps with the addition of hot wings.
Board Reorganization
Frank West was elected as the board’s new Chair for the next 12 months. West received 3 votes — Gary DePalma, Jake Gearwar, and himself. Kevin Caira received 2 votes — Lil Maselli and himself.
“There’s a lot going on in town right now and a lot in the pipeline,” said Maselli in support of Caira. “Kevin has a long history in municipal government, in both his professional job and now starting his fourth term on this board…. It’s not about taking turns, it’s about who is best to serve as the time. He has the historical knowledge, institutional knowledge, and municipal knowledge.”
Outgoing Chair Gary DePalma, meanwhile, said Wilmington was in a “new era” and praised West’s ability to remain level-headed.
While they did not vote for him, both Caira and Maselli both told West they are supportive of him in the role.
Oil Spill Litigation Settled
Town Manager Eric Slagle announced that the town has reached a settlement in the litigation against Sprague Oil regarding the oil spill at the Wildwood Early Childhood Center. The town received $940,000 to cover the costs of remediation and cleanup.
Select Board’s Designees To Other Town Boards & Committees
The Select Board made few changes to its slate of designees to other town boards and committees. Selectman Jake Gearwar will replace Selectman Frank West on the Economic Development Committee, which Gearwar previously chaired before his recent election. Selectwoman Lil Maselli noted the Senior Center Building Committee is wrapping up, with a final meeting slated for June. She expressed interest in serving on the Wilmington Elementary School Building Committee, as did Selectman Gary DePalma. Selectman Kevin Caira would like to remain on that Committee, and the Committee will wait to act after seeing whether or not the Building Committee has former Selectman Greg Bendel continue to serve on the Committee in a “citizen” role, rather than as one of the two Select Board designees.
Select Board Quickly Approve Several Requests
The Select Board unanimously approved the following requests:
- Requests from Blisspoint Meadery and Aaronap Cellars to obtain a Farmers Market Winery License to sell wine at the 2025 Wilmington Farmers Market
- Request from Tony’s Ice Cream by Alex to obtain a Hawk & Peddle License to sell ice cream
- Request from the Wilmington Community Fund to use the Municipal Parking Lot on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 9am to noon, for a Community Shredding event
There were no Public Comments. Under “Announcements,” Selectwoman Lil Maselli congratulated the students who participated in the district’s recent Art Show, while Selectman Frank West congratulated Wilmington’s new Good Guy Award Winner, Terry McDermott.
Town Pursuing Legal Action Against State Over MBTA Communities Act
In response to an inquiry from Selectman Frank West, Town Manager Eric Slagle confirmed that the Town is proceeding with litigation relative to the MBTA Communities Act, with which Wilmington will soon be out of compliance following the 152-165 vote at the May 3 Special Town Meeting.
“We received the first draft of the verified complaint from Town Counsel last week,” noted Slagle, who said he was working with the Planning Director and others to come up with maps to highlight “some of the things they’ll be raising.” A case will be filed before the board’s next meeting on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
The Town Manager then read a list of upcoming “important dates” to close the meeting:
- May 14, 2025, 6:30pm — Community Forum for the Repurposing of the Buzzell School (former Senior Center) — Town Hall Auditorium
- May 26, 2025, 10am — Memorial Day Parade; 11am — Memorial Day Ceremony
- May 31, 2025, 9am to 2pm — Household Hazardous Waste Day — West School Parking Lot
- June 3, 2025, 6pm — Community Forum for Elementary School Project — High School’s Large Instruction Room
Sgt. Michael Sullivan, a U.S. Army veteran, was recognized during the meeting’s “Salute To Service” segment.
The Meeting adjourned at 7:33pm and only lasted approximately 30 minutes.
The Board’s next meeting is Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
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