Dear Editor,
As a Wilmington resident and direct abutter to the proposed “Mega School,” I am writing to express deep concern over the plan to consolidate the 3 north-side elementary schools of Wildwood, Woburn St, and North Intermediate into a single Pre-K through Grade 5 facility on the site of the current North Intermediate School and newly-dedicated Frank Lentine Soccer Field.
The proposed 163,000-square-foot building is far too large for the available plot. While it may meet certain educational benchmarks, its scale threatens to overwhelm the surrounding neighborhood—not just physically, but through increased traffic, permanent loss of green space, disruption to wetlands, strain on public utilities, and a long-term rise in everyone’s individual property taxes. It’s hard not to feel that this “supersizing” approach prioritizes perceived institutional efficiency over the actual scale, safety, and community character that defines Wilmington.
The current proposed site includes open fields, mature trees, wetlands, and recreational areas that serve both students and residents. Under the new plan, nearly the entire 14-acre parcel would be consumed by building and pavement, with green space reduced to a narrow perimeter. Even the soccer field will be artificial turf. These natural areas are not expendable—they’re essential. In an era when outdoor access is more important than ever for mental and physical health, paving over these spaces is a permanent and devastating loss. We have a responsibility to steward this land wisely, with sustainability and long-term community benefit in mind.
Consolidating all elementary grades into one campus will also dramatically increase daily traffic—parents, buses, staff, and student drivers—further burdening already congested roads and compromising safety.
I urge the Wildwood School Building Committee, Town Leadership, and most importantly, our resident voters to reconsider both the scale and location of this project. A two-school consolidation of the currently operational Woburn Street and North Intermediate schools remains the most reasonable and responsible path forward. It allows for appropriately sized buildings that fit comfortably within available land parcels—without sacrificing neighborhood integrity or environmental value.
And to those living near Wildwood, Woburn Street, Boutwell, West Intermediate, and Shawsheen schools: you are abutters too. This project affects all of us. Please vote No.
Thank you,
Derek Feeney
Arlene Avenue
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