New High School Remains in Holding Pattern
The town prepares its response to the Superior Court appeal while deciding what to do about contracts in upcoming weeks.
More than a month after the town received its summons to Superior Court, officials are preparing for the next steps in the process than has delayed construction of a new high school for just over a year so far.
According to Town Manager Jeff Hull, the town is working on its response to the complaint filed by abutter Gerry O’Reilly in late November. Originally the town was faced with an earlier deadline for that step, but for various reasons they asked for and received an extension to January 16.
Hull said the response, which will be filed jointly by the town and the Attorney General’s office on behalf of the Department of Environmental Protection, tries to make the case as to why the groups do not believe there is merit to O’Reilly’s claim.
In the meantime, a decision must be reached soon on how the town should handle contract bids that are due for some aspects of the school. Those bids are due on January 18, and at that time the town must decide if they should award bids for any of those contracts, or if waiting would make more sense.
“Because the case is before Superior Court, the record is still in the process of being assembled. So there isn’t a whole lot to report at this point,” said Hull. “We are currently in the mode of preparing our response.”
The town was served near the beginning of December on behalf of O’Reilly, and at the time Wilmington officials were researching to see if the final appeal had been filed before the deadline.
As it turned out, the appeal did come in on time. Though the town wasn’t served until the beginning of December, O’Reilly and his attorney, Jeffrey Baker, had turned in their paperwork several weeks earlier.
To catch up on past coverage of the high school appeals, visit Wilmington Patch’s topic page on the subject.
EL
9:55 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
Is that a picture of the new school? Wouldn't one think that they would have learned by now not to put windows on the ground level?
Matt Schooley
10:50 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
It's a picture of the school design when that design was approved about a year and a half ago. So it's not something that was recently approved.
Mckenna
8:07 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
good point....
Jack
11:27 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
Good point Matt and there was even an article a couple weeks ago in the Crier discussing security upgrades and considerations in light of the SHES tragedy. The design details will change somewhat I'm sure... if it ever gets built.
Kevin MacDonald
10:38 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Would it be fair to say that we need some REAL leadership in this town? I hope the voters are watching this very closely. If there is even a question as to whether or not contracts should be awarded, it would indicate incompetence?
Kevin MacDonald
11:03 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
If there was no merit to Mr. O'Reilly's complaint then his attorney would not have taken the case. How many letters have been generated (to the Town manager, the conservation commission and other departments) detailing the problems should be the question? Are these officials protecting the Town (environmentally and financially) should be the next question? A man that is a direct abutter to the project whose drinking water source is a private water well should have been given RESPECT. Stand strong Mr. O'Reilly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mckenna
8:06 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
the lawyer took the case because of money....we need a new school...realize it...embrace it...there are other things in this world to worry about...Mr. MacDonald...i know who you are...i love watching you when the town has its meetings...your a good looking guy...i think you need to find a nice girl..settle down...and have some chlldren...then you wont have time to worry about a brand new, beautiful high school being bulit...just saying.....
Linda
11:49 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Well said Mckenna
Wayne Sullivan
12:21 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I am with you McKenna all the way up until the part about procreation. We really don't need another to deal with now do we? We do however need another high school!
Kevin MacDonald
5:46 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Wayne, You do need to go to high school. First, make sure to finish middle school !!!!
Mckenna
9:38 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
now that's funny!!!....good point!!!!
golf
2:27 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
After hearing after hearing after hearing wouldn't you think that if there was an issue it would have been addressed by now. Lets give the children of Wilmington something to be proud of. Please just build the school it's time.
Kevin MacDonald
5:51 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Kangaroo courts and hack politicians don't care about real issues. Thank the good Lord for the three branches of government. There is a branch that does care about real issues; The branch is called the judicial branch. Here they have jury's. Let's give the children of Wilmington something they can be proud of: NEW town officials that are not hacks. JUSTICE !!!
Mckenna
9:36 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
amen.....
Mckenna
3:53 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
i agree with Linda, Wayne and gbd....enough already..lets have something beautiful to be proud of...our kids deserve it....
Eric J
7:55 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Kevin, If you really feel that way about our town officials why don't you pack it up and move out. You should hang your head in shame.