LETTER: Former Selectwoman Suzanne Sullivan Endorses Rob Fasulo For Select Board

Dear Wilmington Resident,

There are two things I look for in a political candidate before I consider stances on issues, honesty and respect. Integrity is very important to me and something that is lacking today across the political spectrum. Unfortunately, we have also witnessed this from the Wilmington Select Board. This is why I am voting for Rob Fasulo.

Our current majority leadership, or lack there of, on the Select Board publicly stated they did not want to respect, the vote of Special Town meeting this past November that voted overwhelmingly to save the Buzzell Senior Center and fund the repairs to bring it back into use for the community. Note: Not Frank West, he is not part of that group and has been respectful and wants the vote honored. Town meeting makes the laws in our town and it funds projects. This is the body that decides not three misguided Select Board members who have fallen victim to the “Big-fish–little-pond effect”. If you do not know this effect look it up the description is perfect.

This upcoming election is a very important one. Not just because of the shameful behavior of some on the Board but also because there is an attack on the state level to take away local control of zoning. We saw it rear its ugly head with The MBTA Communities Act. And then the detached accessory dwelling bill by the governor. Which I believe is illegal because she does not have the power to pass zoning laws but no one challenged her on the local level. To make things worse, now there is a question on the state ballot to change the constitution to allow 5ooo sqft lots by right. And there is more coming on the state’s agenda. It is a full out assault on the suburbs like we are the problem, not the corporate housing entities. We need leaders to stand up for the residents, not this corporate take over of our housing markets. Not just on the local level but to push back against the continued power grabs from the state. Rob is that guy. He has been there over and over again to push back. I have faith in him.

I have lived in Wilmington since 1989. I have served my community on many boards, committees and citizen groups for the last almost 30 years. Wilmington has had some significant challenges. Some we rose up to, some we have not. We have been able to sustain a sliver of quality of life to some degree. I attribute this to citizen participation. Not from the leadership. But we stand to lose that little sliver also. We pay high property taxes but what do we have as a community to show for it? We have over developed into a drive through community where people do not come to spend their free time or money. They just drive thru. In and out as quickly as possible. This hurts all of us financially. We’ve built a diversity of housing but those people have no where to go here so they go elsewhere to spend their money. Including me. No real open space have to go else where. No real shopping except for the Market Basket plaza. Everything is a drive thru. Our taxes mostly go to minting the governmental needs, not the people quality of life needs. Rob understands these issues. He will work to help correct the problems that we have created due to the lack of leadership from the top. He has already shared many ideas that I support 100%. We need someone like Rob. A voice of the people.

Rob is honest, a hard worker. We have been friends for years. We do not always agree. Our friendship has taught us to listen to each other because we do not align on some issues. I will always believe there is room to talk. I believe in the democracy as does Rob. Imagine if everyone were like this? We need this social skill from our elected officials in all realms of the spectrum. This skill is simply not there from the majority of the Select Board. If you watch the meetings you know what I am talking about. Once again, the “Big-fish–little-pond effect”. They think they are special and treat the residents like dirt. Rob will never act this way and he will always respect the vote of the people even if he does not agree.

Please join me and vote for honesty and respect, vote for Rob Fasulo on April 25, 2026.

Thank you,
Suzanne Sullivan