Burlington Ave. Apartment Project On Schedule

Representatives from the development company building the apartments at 10 Burlington Ave. said at Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting that the project remains on track and should be completed within about one year.

Matt Mittelstadt, managing director of EA Fish Development, said at the meeting that the previous structure has been demolished and they hope to be in the ground working on the new foundation in May.

“We’re working on a construction schedule of 12 to 14 months, but if recent history is any indicator, it may be closer to 10 or 11 months,” said Mittlestadt. “We try to work as expeditiously as possible.”

According to Mittlestadt, marketing for the building’s tenants will begin in May along with construction. The building, which has been in the work for several years now, is not an age-restricted property.

The Board unanimously supported a conservation restriction on a portion of the property so that it cannot be developed in any way once it’s completed.

Planning Director Carole Hamilton said the restriction allows for light use for walking and exploring around the wetlands on the grounds.

“My understanding is this project will go forward with all of the conditions in the original comprehensive permit,” said Hamilton. “There’s not going to be any changes, and I like their schedule. I’d like to get this thing going and get it up.” 

Also at the meeting, Hamilton and Superintendent of Public Buildings George Hooper discussed the , a regional project that Wilmington and other Reading Municipal Light Department towns were selected for.

During the two-year program, the first year will consist mainly of data collection while the second will feature implementation.

“This is to bring the community together as a whole, not just public businesses,” said Hooper. “We’ll take our energy sources and see what’s being used.”

Town Manager Michael Caira read selectmen the articles that have been submitted by petition for consideration at this spring’s Annual Town Meeting.

Resident Kevin MacDonald submitted seven articles individually and joined fellow resident Michael Bodnar on another. Several of MacDonald’s articles ask residents to approve the preservation of the current Wilmington High School, something Bodnar also seeks.

One of the articles asks to rezone the property from residential to neighborhood business, and later he asks for $250,000 to conduct a feasibility study to turn the school into a community college and business space.

MacDonald also asks for $250,000 for a feasibility study for the construction of a new school at 9 Cross Street.

Mark Nelson submitted a petition article seeking to $3.6 million dollars to purchase 30 acres of land in Wilmington and 10 acres in Andover to build a new school. Nelson, however, did not receive the proper amount of signatures to submit the article.

sixth grader Robert Sica opened Monday’s meeting by reading his winning essay from a recent Massachusetts Municipal Association statewide contest. 

“Hearing your words makes me proud to be a member of this community,” said selectman Michael Champoux.