We are so fortunate to have such a well run and fiscally sound town here in Wilmington!

Our neighboring towns have laid off teachers, firefighters and police, charge thousands to residents for kindergarten, do a poor job with snow removal, charge fees for trash pickup, fees for busing kids to school, fees for school sports, and even have to shut off street lights due to budgetary shortfalls.

Here in Wilmington we have full day FREE kindergarten, NO FEES for trash pickup, NO FEES for sports, NO FEES for busing our kids to school. The town has not had to lay off a single municipal employee. Our bond rating is at the highest municipal level possible, which allows us to borrow for capital improvements at the lowest rates availible. We have a healthy cash reserve if needed to get us through the tough times and which also has allowed us to qualify for adventageous interest rates. Our roads are reknown throughout the region for being the best maintained, even under the most difficult circumstances. We enjoy town sponsored holiday celebrations that other towns envy, come to, and cant afford.

All without ANY prop 2 1/2 overides.

And even with all this, we have by far the smallest residential tax increase, an average of a hundred bucks, of any town around.

Congratulations and THANK YOU go out to the town manager Mike Caira and the town officials who have made our town truly the "Best Affordable Town in Massachusetts!"

BRING ON OUR GREAT NEW HIGH SCHOOL! :)

A little ancedote... I was at the Massachusetts Association of School Committee Annual Conference a few weeks ago. One of the panel discussions I attended dealt with the issue of user fees. I was in an audience of approximately 75 school committee members from across the state. When one of the panelists asked the audience how many came from districts that did not charge any sort of user fees, only 5 people raised there hand. My hand was up. :-)

Robert we are so lucky!

I was talking to a couple of very reputable realtors who were telling me that Wilmington has become a very desireable town for young families because of it's reputation as being a well run, affordable and family oriented town. Interestingly, these young families are very interested in the prospective new High School.

Mr. Nelson: I'm a year removed from grad school. I work a full-time job, a part-time job, and volunteer approximately 20 hours a week in the community (including as a member of the Wilmington School Committee) and on a state-wide level (including as Secretary/Treasurer of Division I of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Friends of Libraries). And YES, I'm currently living with family and saving up money (while paying $250 a month in rent) to purchase a home in Wilmington. And NO, I do not live in the basement.

Robert you have nothing to explain. I have met you only one time but found you to be a thoughtful person who really cares about the town. The fact you volunteer to make it a better place, especially given that most guys your age couldnt care less and aren't nearly so philenthropic, is to be commended. I appreciate people like you who make an effort to better your community instead of spending all your time sulking in the shadows waiting for every opportunity to unfairly tear down your town, and personally harrass its residents merely because of some deranged personal bitterness.

We need folks like you, and when the High School vote prevails and it is cemented at town meeting I hope to be able to come up and shake your hand to say Thank You for setting a good example for your generation and also your part in making Wilmington a better place.

And years of hard work by many town officials.

I don't know about the rest of you but I cannot WAIT to vote YES on December 6th--if I'm going to pay more taxes I want a sparkling new high school to show for all my hard work....And @ Rob, don't explain yourself to anyone--especially him.

Your character, intent and passion for this town is completely evident in all you do....and you do it without hostility and finger pointing--and to top it all off we didn't have to put any "yes" signs on town property to be seen--we conducted our campaign with the utmost character and class...

I hope people are clear that the proposed tax increase at the other night's Selectmen's meeting has nothing to do with the high school project.
Robert, I agree with the above. You don't have to explain yourself to clowns. You're a class act and the town is lucky to have you on the school committee

Correcting my typo..."are evident"...

As a college freshman and a Wilmington High School graduate of 2011, I am proud to say I am from Wilmington. We have so many resources and opportunities that other communities envy. Our police and fire departments are timely and have up to date equipment. Our holiday celebrations are something unmatched and shows the pride in the community. Our tax dollars help pay for these things.

As for the new high school, as a recent graduate, Wilmington deserves a new high school. Some surrounding communities are getting new schools, doesn't Wilmington deserve one too? Increase in taxes, but a huge investment in our future. I have already sent in my absentee ballot, voting "YES" and I hope readers of this article will do so too.

Nice job Erika! I think its great that even though you have graduated, you are looking out for the welfare of future students by supporting the new high school. You are a credit to your class. Good luck!

Hi Christine do you know if there are any YES WHS signs available? There are at least five families I know who want one. Thanks!