Wilmington Municipal election 2013

Candidate Statement: Kevin MacDonald, Board of Selectmen

This is the candidate statement of Kevin MacDonald, candidate for the Board of Selectmen.

Hello; My name is Kevin MacDonald. I am a life long resident of the Town of Wilmington. As a candidate for the Board of Selectmen, I have listened to the concerns of the people of the community and would like to incorporate their concerns in my plans for elected office and government service. A significant number of people are troubled by the failures of the Board of Selectmen and a serious conflict of interest issue that affronts our integrity values. The conflict occurs as a result of Selectman, Lou Cimaglia, also being an employee of the town. A selectman is a member of a board that is charged with oversight of the Town Manager's character, duties, and interactions. The Town Manager is the Supervisor of the Town's employees. Therefore, …

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Steve H

7:27 pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Webmom, Now please tell us how many of these towns have user fees for highschool sports, how many have trash collection costs, and some even pay to bus kids to school. Yes Wilmington does have a higher rate than some towns, but they also offer more than most towns, but somehow that is always left out of the discussion.   more ›

Wilmington Municipal election 2013

Free Speech Talk Headlines Board of Selectmen Debate

Candidates Mike Newhouse, Lou Cimaglia and Kevin MacDonald made their pitches during a televised debate on Tuesday night.

As was expected, there was no love lost between Wilmington’s incumbent Board of Selectmen candidates and their challenger during a televised debate on Tuesday night. Current selectmen Lou Cimaglia and Mike Newhouse squared off against challenger Kevin MacDonald at the Wilmington Community Television studios in advance of Election Day, which is scheduled for April 30. MacDonald has been a regular attendee at town meetings, especially is the last year-plus, and has often criticized selectmen for their leadership. Tuesday was no different as he attacked the credibility of his opponents and was eventually asked to leave about one hour into the debate. Among the major topics throughout the night was free speech, something that MacDonald has …

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UPDATED: Political Sparks Fly At Board of Selectmen's Meeting

On the eve of the WCTV Candidate's Forum, Chairman Michael Newhouse kicks Kevin MacDonald out of a Selectmen's meeting ... again.

(Editor's Note: An incorrect time for tonight's candidates' forum was originally published in this article. It has since been corrected. We apologize for the confuson.) If Monday night was a warm-up act, Wilmington residents will want to tune in tonight for the Main Event. Halfway through the Board of Selectmen's meeting at Town Hall, fireworks erupted again between Chairman Michael Newhouse and resident Kevin MacDonald, a candidate for one of the two seats up for grab on the board at the April 30 Municipal Election. The flare up resulted in Newhouse kicking MacDonald out of a selectmen's meeting for the third time in the past several weeks. Trouble began when MacDonald tried to ask questions of Joe Martiniello and a representative of the …

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K

12:18 pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Mr. MacDonald, I can't believe you have the gall to insult the medical and medical research professions as though they might not potentially save your life one day. To not believe there is a cure out there for cancer and many other incurable, physically or mentally-incapacitating diseases, chronic conditions, and syndromes is just... unbelievable. There are no other fathomable words to describe …   more ›

VIDEO: Battle Continues Over Public Comments

Kevin MacDonald was escorted out of Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting again after he was not recognized in public comments.

Kevin MacDonald's battle with the Board of Selectmen continued again on Monday night. As selectmen held their regular meeting, MacDonald attempted to speak in the Public Comments section. He was not recognized, as Mike Newhouse decided would be the case a recent meeting, but continued to speak out. After an officer spoke with MacDonald, the outspoken resident returned to his seat. But after speaking out again a few minutes later, Newhouse asked the officer to remove him from the meeting. During his initial attempt to offer comments, MacDonald stated that as a candidate for the Board of Selectmen, he believed he had the right to discuss issues happening in town. MacDonald ran unsuccessfully for the board last year.  What's your take? Is the…

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Christine

7:27 pm on Monday, May 6, 2013

I dont get it, you'll support him?? and "out of your mind" was right on--   more ›

Newhouse: MacDonald's Voice No Longer Welcome at Meetings

Chairman Mike Newhouse had strong words for Kevin MacDonald as he told the vocal resident that he will no longer be recognized to speak at future meetings.

The longest Board of Selectmen meeting in recent years was also among the most heated, as board members fired back at arguably their harshest critic on Monday night. Chairman Mike Newhouse sparked a heated exchange with Kevin MacDonald when he told MacDonald that he will no longer be recognized and allowed to speak at selectmen meetings. Newhouse told MacDonald that would happen when he ruled him out of order multiple times at the last selectmen meeting, and said he will follow through on not recognizing MacDonald until it is legally necessary at a public hearing. Newhouse said he made the decision because he believes confrontations with MacDonald could escalate to the point where it could become more than a verbal altercation. “Your …

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WHS Abutter's Attorney: 'That's Why We Have Superior Court'

The appeals process for the new high school appears to be far from over with the possibility of Superior Court looming.

The battle over the new Wilmington High School appears to be far from over. Department of Environmental Protection Hearings Officer Tim Jones released the report on his decision to dismiss both school appeals on Friday, the attorney for abutter Gerry O’Reilly indicated that his client will likely be willing to continue his appeal to the next level. “That’s why we have Superior Court,” said attorney Jeffrey S. Baker, when read a paragraph summarizing the report that claims the petitioners failed to raise factual issues in their appeal. “I have nothing else to say other than that.” According to Jones, the appeals were dismissed for a host of reasons. He said in his report that evidence was filed late by the appellants and many of the issues …

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MacDonald Says 'I Don't Think It's Over Yet' After Dismissal

Kevin MacDonald said he and others are weighing their options after the Department of Environmental Protection dismissed their high school appeals.

Though the Department of Environmental Protection dismissed both high school appeals, Kevin MacDonald said he does not believe it is the end of the road for himself and other residents who oppose the project. “I don’t think it’s over yet,” said MacDonald, who didn’t provide specific details as to what the next step may be. “We’re evaluating our options and talking to our attorneys. We feel as though the presiding officer has erred and made hasty decisions when we submitted documentation supporting our case.” Multiple attempts by Patch to reach Gerry O’Reilly, the other appeal spokesman, for comment on Thursday were unsuccessful. Upon dismissing the appeals, Hearings Officer Tim Jones said he will release a report by October 12 indicating …

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Appeal Filing Dates Changed, But Hearing Remains as Scheduled

The tentative October hearing date for the high school project is still on track as parties on both sides continue pushing forward in the dispute.

Several of the filing dates for appellants of the high school project have been pushed back, but the tentative hearing date remains the same unless a settlement is reached beforehand. Kevin MacDonald, the spokesman for one of the appeals, said he recently had a lengthy conversation with Wilmington Town Counsel Dan Deutsch as a part of the required good faith settlement talks. Board of Selectmen chairman Mike Newhouse, however, said that while he is hopeful those talks are successful, the town continues to prepare for the event that the process continues right up until the scheduled October 25 hearing. “Like everyone, at each milestone I am hopeful an opportunity presents itself to be done with this process,” said Newhouse. “But I continue …

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UPDATE: School Appeal Prompts Policy Discussion at Deming Way

According to a Lowell Sun report, the Wilmington Housing Authority will discuss its current solicitation policy during a Thursday meeting.

Updated at 1:45 p.m.: Wilmington Police Lt. Brian Pupa said that as it is written in the general town bylaws, solicitation rules only apply to parties who are going to door to door to sell a product or service. According to Section 40 of the bylaws, anyone interested in speaking with residents door to door with religious or political materials do not need to check in with the Police Department in advance. However, Pupa said that if an area like Deming Way has its own set of rules that specify no solicitors of any kind, those instructions must be followed. Original Story: The filing of Kevin MacDonald's 14-resident appeal has prompted discussion on Deming Way after four elderly residents were approached to sign one of the two petitions that…

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