I'm not going to give an opinion either way on the tax issue, but I did just want to point out that the sanders were likely sent out for safety reasons. I know there were a lot of reports across the region of black ice. I was on the road after covering a football game and came across sanders in many of the towns that I drove through. Just a thought.

Whew,

You had me nervous for a minute, Mario. When I first read this post I was thinking that we were going to have to try and make room for you here on the “Dark Side” (i.e. the side that expects honest answers from the Wilmington Town government in association with our real estate tax bills and the true costs associated with the new high school). I am not sure there would have been a place for you amongst our ranks. Fortunately, your subsequent back and forth banter with that noted self proclaimed Wilmington scholar Wayne Sullivan, revealed that you were only skirting with the dark side and have come back to your senses. Though, we could have used your help at the December 10, 2011 special town meeting when the Town lied to the people about the environmental conditions at the high school property.

Wayne, its my belief the rate should be broken down, one rate for annual operating cost of the town and then a second assessment for the costs related to the new high school. Also, why should the Town to continue to build its cash reserves so high?

I was in the process of doing so and now I got the answers to my questions.

Gee Wayne,
A tax payer, a real estate tax payer in the Town of Wilmington? Why is your name not listed in the Board of Registrars person list available from the Town Clerks office? You have stated in posts to previous Patch stories that you are a Wilmington resident and that this is your real name. Could it be that you are actually using a pseudonym after all?

Thanks for the clarification George. I still think that the Bloated salaries and pensions of the Government as a whole is going to bankrupt this country in my opinion.

Yes I did get my answers and was not happy about the results, short answer is Govt spending is going up (not including the HS Project, which yes I do support) and home values are still decreasing according to the Town Assessor, thus the tax rates need to be increased to make up for the shortfall in tax revenues, yet "The Principal Assessor, who is retiring in the near future, said the Wilmington real estate is healthy with 27 new homes built in the last year. He also added that the town had $1,131,065 in new growth, a significant spike from last year’s total of $842,851." Still don't understand how property values are decreasing with a shortage in housing stock in Wilmington and the new construction happening in Town. And yet our free cash account doubles in one year?? How much is enough?

Nope, sorry Wayne, you have not convinced me. You took a little too long to think up your answer/cover story. You had more than enough time to get out your own Board of Registrars person list on file in your office, get a copy from one of your fellow travelers like DJV, or obtain your own from Town Hall and figure out that there are more than one resident with a middle initial of W (which also represents William, Walter, Willard, etc.). I'll bet my new found kindred spirit friend Mario is also not convinced. As far as creepy internet guy goes, you still have my vote for being one of Wilmington's champs (in light of all the nasty personal posts you have made about me and others over the last year). However, you are not yet a gold medalist in hypocrisy. I would currently rank you silver or bronze. Keep working on that will you.

I hear a lot of cricket chirping sounds coming from such an outspoken member of the Wilmington School Committee. Maybe Manny only likes to make comments/posts on face book when he believes that only his fellow “Minions” are reading and not the general public?

Richard, did you copy & paste what KM said above? I think Wilmington is still the best place to live, and may still have the lowest taxes around.

Whew, Pseudonym Wayne is still with us!
And speaking the true words of a modern day Massachusetts/American Government bureaucrat, tax the people and we will spend our/their money. Alas, decreasing property values do not concern Pseudonym Wayne and his Minions. Nor do freezes or cutbacks in private sector wages, reductions of benefits, lays offs, or the soaring balance of Wilmington's free cash account (i.e. 11.5 million). The rising costs of living for the people who actually pay the taxes are only a secondary concern (maybe). After all, lets us not forget that it is the government's money. The base amount of real estate tax in total dollars remains the same (in light of decreasing real estate values; that's the smoke and mirrors part) and then they raise the rate per thousand to extract their new total 2.5% increase. It would be asking too much for a total tax rate increase of something less than 2.5% in order to stabilize the free cash account at something like 6 million.

Scott, you forgot to mention the New England Brick Master like simulated stone façade in the front of our new 21st century high school building. Wilmington apparently could not afford real stone or even brick/masonry within the 84 million dollar budget. It is my understanding that the new Tewksbury high school is masonry. You should talk to Kevin MacDonald. Kevin is the Dark Side expert on the new high school building.

Sorry, Pseudo Wayne. None of the Ws in Wilmington are old enough to have had their name for 50 years. Care to try again? You have demonstrated quite well over the last year or so that you are one of Wilmington Champions at producing opinionated rants.

And now, let's all give a big welcome to another Pseudonym to the conversation, Steve H. Steve, do you also claim to be from Wilmington?

George, 44 years old and i lived here my entire life. I doubt that you will believe this, because you think the entire world is against you, but it is true.

Sorry, Pseudo Steve. I don't believe the rants from a cowardly anonymous poster carry much weight! Maybe you should try putting your posts/rants in all capital letters. That means your saying them louder and thus more believably. Also, maybe you should talk to someone about your guilty conscious issues.

George anytime you would like to discuss any topic let me know, i would be more than happy to discuss anything with you in person

i agree wayne it is a waste of my time, but we all know what he is like