WILMINGTON — The Select Board honored the Wilmington High School cheerleading team for winning the state championship and received memorandums and requests during their meeting on Monday, March 18.
They invited the WHS cheerleading team who won the state championship and placed second in New England for Middlesex League Division 3 to attend the meeting in person.
Select Board Chair Greg Bendel highlighted that the team’s performances were impressive and congratulated the coaches, as well. The coaches stood up to say that these were some of the most hardworking student athletes they had ever coached and this was a huge accomplishment.
The other board members also congratulated the student athletes and said that their award was well-deserved. Town Manager Eric Slagle commented that this win would teach them that they can be successful in whatever they put their all into.
Bendel then read the citations written to each cheerleading team member recognizing their exceptional performances as state champions and handed one out to each athlete.
Slagle wrote a memo to the board that night regarding the status of the contract for the Owners Project Manager of the elementary school project. In the memo, he clarified that the OPM was contracted only until the end of the schematic design phase, which is the current module. The next module would be funding.
Bendel read the next item of communication: a letter of recognition to Nancy Elliott. The letter shared the commendation of the board to Elliott for her distinguished service as a dispatching clerk and senior clerk in the Public Buildings Department for the past 42 years. He wished Elliott a happy, fulfilling, and healthy retirement.
The board also received a letter from the undersecretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities regarding the eligibility of 100-104 West St. into the Local Initiative Program (LIP). Slagle recalled that the project requested a change in funding source under the LIP, which this board approved, and now building permits could be pulled.
Director of Veterans’ Services Lou Cimaglia wrote to the board to request permission to conduct the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26 beginning at 10 a.m. from the Market Basket parking lot to the town common, with a ceremony to follow at 11 a.m. Cimaglia also invited the board members to attend the ceremony.
The board approved Cimaglia’s request.
Massachusetts Town Clerks’ Association Certification Administrator Lillian Drane sent a memo to the board informing them that Wilmington Town Clerk Beth Lawrenson is now a certified Massachusetts municipal town clerk. Slagle said that this has taken a lot of work from Lawrenson.
Keith Black requested that the board proclaim Motorcycle Safety Awareness Period from March 23 to April 30. Slagle said that the town wanted to recognize this important week and encourage motorcycle safety.
Bendel shared his appreciation for Black bringing this to their attention. The other board members also highlighted the importance of this awareness event.
Black also provided that 71 motorcyclists were killed last year in Massachusetts from motorcycle accidents, and the town has 629 motorcycles registered.
The board approved the request.
They then approved the request from WMS Principal Brian Caira to hold the 8th grade moving on ceremony on the town common. Slagle also formally congratulated Caira on becoming permanent middle school principal after serving in the interim position.
Bendel added that Caira was a great teacher, coach, administrator, and role model.
They also approved a request for a hawk & pedle license to sell ice cream at Ad’s Ice Cream on behalf of Aidel Alkahatabeh. Slagle confirmed that the Board of Health recommended approval.
One resident commented during public comment asking that the board remove the Wilmington Arts Building from the list of buildings to be repurposed so that it could be returned to the Wilmington Arts Council. She shared that the building needs a center for the work that the town has asked them to provide, and they understand why the building was repurposed for a short period of time.
Kevin MacDonald also commented sharing concerns about the tuition cost to the town per student to attend the Shawsheen Tech, the use of money from the title five septic account and the cost of the proposed new elementary school at the North Intermediate school site.
In the announcements, Bendel highlighted an upcoming comedy show fundraiser for Local Heroes and Eagle Scouts.
A request from the Wilmington Sons and Daughters of Italy came in last minute to use the town parking lot on April 12 and 13 for a diaper drive. The board approved the request.
The Salute to Service that night honored US Marine Corps Veteran Corporal Frank Puleo, who served during the Korean War and earned recognition including a navy occupation service medal and good conduct medal.
