The Wilmington Fire Department won a $10,000 grant from Liberty Mutual, Town Manager Michael Caira announced at the Board of Selectmen meeting last night. Wilmington is among 10 communities nationwide that won Liberty Mutual's 2010 Be Fire Smart Pledge Program grant. 

"Wilmington was the only one repeated recipient in the country for Liberty Mutual's awards," said Caira. 

The Town of Wilmington won a similar grant from Liberty Mutual in July for the Fourth of July celebrations, called Bring Back the Fourth. In both cases Wilmington won in the medium-sized community category. 

Chief Bradbury plans to buy a new thermal imaging camera with the grant money, Caira said. 

"I suspect there will be a presentation ceremony at some point," said Caira. 

In a memo to the Board of Selectmen, Caira noted a special acknowledgement to retired fire fighter Gerald Duggan and local residents Steven and Kristen Gryglik who "launched aggressive e-mail campaigns to ensure participation among Wilmington residents and friends."

Two other communities in Massachusetts were recipients of the grant, Merrimac and Whitman.

"This is an illustration...on how the residents understand the value of these things and [how] it can be put to use in the town. I want to compliment everyone for participating," said Selectman Michael L. Champoux.