Hull Announces Latest Ruling on New High School Construction

Town Manager Jeff Hull announced a recent ruling granting the town's motion to expedite the proceedings concerning Gerry O'Reilly's appeal of the DEP Final Order of Conditions.

At Monday night's Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager Jeff Hull announced a recent ruling granting the town's motion to expedite the proceedings concerning Gerry O'Reilly's appeal of the DEP Final Order of Conditions. Superior Court Judge Kimberly Budd also dismissed O'Reilly's motion to remand the case back to DEP for further consideration, according to Hull.  In a statement, Hull wrote he believes Budd's decision confirms his belief that construction of the new high school should proceed based on the Final Order of Conditions from the DEP. Hull wrote: "The judge's decision confirms my belief that Mr. O'Reilly's appeal is without merit and that the decision to proceed with construction of the new high school based upon the Final …

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No Decision Yet On Appeal Dismissal, Hearing Just Weeks Away

The town is hoping for a summary decision while appellants continue preparing expert testimony for an October 25 hearing date.

While town officials hope the current high school appeals are dismissed by a summary decision in upcoming days, both sides continue preparations as the October 25 hearing date rapidly approaches. Hearings Officer Timothy Jones had not ruled by the end of the day Tuesday on the town’s motion for summary decision, according to a Department of Environmental Protection spokesman. It’s possible that his ruling could come by week’s end. Meanwhile, appellant Kevin MacDonald said he has been putting in long hours in preparation for the hearing. He said he and other appealing parties remain optimistic that they will come out on top. “I feel more confident now than ever that our opposition to the project is justified,” said MacDonald. “The town …

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You Ask... Patch Answers

Could High School Construction Begin Despite Appeals?

If you have a question for You Ask...Patch Answers, e-mail matthew.schooley@patch.com.

It’s possible that the town could opt to begin construction work at the high school site despite a pair of appeals that currently have halted the project for the time being. But would the town take that step?  One Patch reader wants to know if construction could begin sooner rather than later, though the answer isn’t completely clear as of right now. “I wish to clarify an issue discussed at the pre-screening/pre-hearing conference,” Hearing Officer Timothy Jones wrote in a letter to involved parties earlier this month. “The Town queried whether it could commence work on aspects of the project that were located outside of wetland resource areas and buffer zones…I find no reason why such work cannot commence, assuming no work is performed …

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POLL: Should State Change Appeal Requirements?

Let us know your thoughts on the topic in the comments section and vote in our poll below.

Earlier this week, town officials offered strong opinions on the Massachusetts state laws for appealing construction projects. But we want to know what you think about the system. As currently constructed, the laws allow one abutter or a group of at least 10 residents to stop the construction of a project by filing an appeal and paying a processing fee. Board of Selectmen chairman Mike Newhouse said this allows for stall tactics from residents who oppose plans that were approved by a majority vote. “These regulations need to be significantly revised,” said Newhouse. “It makes no sense to me that 10 residents who need not be registered voters, or even American citizens, only need one member having attended a Conservation Commission meeting …

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Steven McGinley

11:33 am on Saturday, August 11, 2012

I am asking what meetings have you attended? I don't get how you cannot understand such a simple question? Were you at the conservation commission meetings? Have you been to the high school building commission meetings, if so how many ?   more ›

Officials Preparing for Construction, Awaiting Further Appeals

Following the DEP's ruling earlier this week, high school construction can begin if no appeal is filed by Friday, July 27.

Town officials are preparing to begin construction on the new high school as early as the end of the month while reaction continues to pour in following the Department of Environmental Protection’s ruling that was announced early this week. A July 27 deadline looms as another appeal is possible, but in the meantime officials are ready to move forward with the installation of artificial field turf and the demolition of the gymnasium as soon as possible. “I’m just hopeful we can put all of these issues behind us and go forward with building a quality project for the students,” said Town Manager Michael Caira. “To me, it’s inevitable that there is going to be a high school project at this site. Any further delay is not going to stop the …

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Kevin MacDonald

10:19 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012

Hi Mike the Hack!   more ›

Officials, Residents Continue Waiting for DEP Ruling

Wilmington Board of Selectmen chairman Michael Newhouse said he believes high school decision could be this week, but he wouldn't be surprised at a longer wait.

Though parties on opposing sides of the high school appeal may not see eye to eye, they currently have one thing in common. Both sides remain anxiously awaiting a decision by the Department of Environmental Protection. Town officials said at the end of June that they expected a decision from the DEP within days. Nearly two weeks later, no verdict has been made. “Our consultants are in communication with DEP on a regular basis,” said Newhouse. “We’re still left with the impression that the decision is forthcoming. I think it could be any day, but nobody has promised us that with any certainty. It wouldn’t surprise me if a decision came this week, but if we don’t hear by then I also wouldn’t be shocked.” DEP officials asked the town for …

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Town Receives Favorable Bond Rating for New School

Standard & Poor rated Wilmington 'AA+' which allows the town to save on interest costs, Town Manager Michael Caira said.

Wilmington officials received good news recently as the town was given a favorable bond rating for funding of the upcoming high school construction. Standard & Poor’s assigned the town a ‘AA+’ long-term bond rating, which is the second highest mark given out. As a result, Town Manager Michael Caira said the interest rates came in at 3.28 percent. According to Caira, if the town received a ‘AA-‘ rating, for example, it would have meant about $670,000 more in interest. The Town Manager said a ‘AA’ rating would have meant about $300,000 in additional interest costs. “We continue to enjoy the most stable financial position in our town’s history,” said Board of Selectmen chairman Michael Newhouse. “It is a testament to the consistency with …

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Residents Encouraged to Attend Monday Joint Meeting

Board of Selectmen and School Committee meets at 7:45 p.m. in Town Hall to discuss school project.

While they await the ruling from the Department of Environmental Protection, residents will have the chance to discuss the status of the high school project with a pair of Wilmington boards on Monday evening. The Board of Selectmen and School Committee scheduled a joint meeting for tonight, slated for 7:45 p.m. in Town Hall auditorium. In addition to discussing the latest DEP appeal, board members will also provide a general update on the planning process. “We’ve tried to be as open and transparent as possible throughout the process,” said Town Manager Michael Caira. “We thought it best to try and respond to the many questions that people have. The appeal process is complex, so we thought it was important to explain it to residents. So …

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Kevin MacDonald

9:16 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012

It is important for the community to know that only 10 names are needed for an appeal according to the DEP criteria for an appeal. If I was asked before they had the required amount of signatures then my name would be on the appeal. Many more people would be on the appeal also. This project is a full blown shafting of the community. I would suggest that people start to think seriously about a …   more ›

POLL: How Will DEP Rule in High School Appeal?

With the site visit completed, the Department of Environmental Protection will make its decision soon. But in the meantime, we want to hear what you think will happen.

The Department of Environmental Protection completed a Wilmington High School site visit on Thursday, and will have a ruling on the latest appeal of the school project within the next few weeks. But until then, we want you to make your own ruling. A group of appealing residents believes the Conservation Commission should not have approved the project without clarifying its Notice of Intent before it was submitted. Several residents who are appealing also believe there are significant concerns with the oil located beneath the ground at the school. Town officials, meanwhile, said they have completed the necessary steps to safely move forward with construction, and believe the DEP will agree with them when the decision comes in. So what do …

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Boards Announce Joint Meeting on School Project

School Committee and Board of Selectmen will meet together on Monday to discuss school progress and impact of the latest appeal.

With the status of Wilmington High School construction up in the air after the latest appeal by a group of residents, a pair of boards announced on Tuesday they will hold a joint meeting to update the public on where the project stands. Wilmington's Board of Selectmen and School Committee will meet together on Monday at 7:45 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium, according to a press release sent out on Tuesday afternoon. "This is an important opportunity for concerned residents to get a first hand explanation of the appeals process, and what is at stake for the town," said Board of Selectmen Chairman Michael Newhouse. "We encourage interested residents to attend the meeting." According to the press release, officials will update the public on …

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