Wilson Elected New Chairman Of Board of Selectmen

Unanimous vote in board re-organization meeting.

Wilson Elected New Chairman Of Board of Selectmen

Unanimous vote in board re-organization meeting.

Scott Wilson has been elected as the new chairman of the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen. Wilson was nominated by Selectman Doug Sears and voted in unanimously at the board's organizational meeting on Tuesday. Sears was elected as vice chairman for the second straight year and newly elected Selectman Jim Wentworth was elected clerk. Wilson is beginning his fifth year as a selectman, having been elected to a second term in 2012. "We had talked about (interest in chairmanship). I said I think I'm ready. I'm at a point in my life when I have the time," said Wilson. "I feel I'm ready to lead this team on the issues we're facing moving forward." One of those issues is the ongoing contract dispute with the Firefighters Union and the desire of some …

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Selectmen Create Public Events And Celebrations Committee

Interested residents are invited to apply for positions on the new committee.

Through the course of the campaign seasons, several candidates have mentioned the desire to see more community-based events and greater resident involvement. The Board of Selectmen may have killed two birds with one stone at their meeting this week, with the formation of the Town Public Events and Celebrations Committee. According to the description crafted by Town Manager Richard Montuori, the committee will be "charged with planning and carrying out the proper observation of patriotic and civic holidays and special town events as the board may designate from time to time." Among the events the group will oversee will be the Lighting of the Common in December, the Memorial Day Ceremonies and the July 4th Celebration. While the committee …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

LETTER: Board Chairman Endorses Johnson For Re-Election

Gay says Johnson has a mastery of the budget process.

To the Editor: I have had the pleasure of serving with Todd Johnson on the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen for the past five and a half years. The current Board is comprised of talented individuals who work extremely well together. In my opinion, Todd’s many essential skills make him a standout on this current Board of Selectmen. Foremost, Todd’s understanding and mastery of the budget process has proven invaluable for leading the BOS through these most difficult economic times. It is clear that his previous experience as a member and former chairman of Tewksbury’s Finance Committee contribute to a depth of understanding of the complicated budget details that confront Tewksbury. Working with the Town Manager and interacting with our Finance …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

LETTER: Polimeno Is The Right Choice For School Committee

Chairman of the Board of Selectmen endorses his School Committee counterpart.

To the Editor: It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to endorse Krissy Polimeno for her re-election to the Tewksbury School Committee. Krissy’s drive and energy shine through in every challenge she tackles. After just one year on the School Committee, she was elected Chairwoman by her fellow School Committee members. Krissy quickly demonstrated her leadership abilities as Chairwoman and her ability to build a consensus and work closely with her own committee as well as working closely with the Board of Selectman, the Town Manager and other boards in Tewksbury. She was just recently recognized for her leadership qualities on a state level, as Krissy was only one of nine people selected as a member of the All-State School …

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2013 Tewksbury Municipal Election

LETTER: Selectman Endorses Meuse For Re-Election

Gay says Meuse has the experience, integrity and honesty to do the job.

To the Editor: I am writing in support of Patricia Meuse for re-election as Tewksbury’s representative to the Shawsheen Tech School Committee. Pat has a number of qualities and attributes that I would like to highlight. Her years of experience on this important School Committee have been integral in shaping and developing the strong reputation that is associated with Shawsheen Tech. It is important to our community to keep this valuable experience working in the best interest for our students. I have known Pat for over 20 years and her strongest qualities are her integrity and honesty. She is strong in her convictions and driven in her purpose but you can be assured that she means what she says and will always keep her word. Our community …

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$7,500 MAPC Grant Will Be Used Toward Proposed Rail Trail

Tewksbury will create an official Advisory Committee to improve bike and pedestrian safety

Tewksbury Rail Trails has recently been awarded a $7,500 wellness grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). The grant is part of a $1.6 million Middlesex Community Transformation Grant, awarded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Tewksbury Rail Trails is a community group started by Peter Miller and which now includes many current and former town officials. The $7,500 wellness grant will be used by the town to develop a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the first step in creating a rail trail in Tewksbury. The committee will be charged with improving safety and access for cyclists and pedestrians and promoting healthy, outdoor, family activities, according to the grant press release. “This initiative …

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Montuori Unveils $88.2 Million Budget For FY2014

Health insurance, contracts fuel increase.

Veterans of the municipal finance wars will tell you that Town Budgets are a lot like sausage -- you can decide whether or not you like the taste but you really don't want to know how it's made. For the past few months, Town Manager Richard Montuori and his department heads have been hard at work at the fiscal sausage grinders and Thursday night,  Montuori unveiled the finished product. Montuori is proposing an FY2014 Budget of $88,265,603. It represents an increase of 2.97 percent (2,546,544) over FY2013. A breakdown of the increase finds it is made up almost entirely of fixed costs such as a seven percent increase in health insurance premiums, as well as contractual obligations, such as two percent raises and step increases for multiple …

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john smith

10:00 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013

Ray first off I did not criticize anyone. All I was saying is that everyone's situation is different. I have friends and family that are doing great and others who are just getting by. That is in the private sector and public. Do you honestly think your average town employee hasn't had to tighten their belts as well. We are talking about average people making very average money. I am just shocked…   more ›

Selectmen's Notebook: New Firefighters Hired, Introduced

October Special Town Meeting won't be broadcast live on public access.

For the first time in quite a while, the Tewksbury Fire Department is fully staffed at all three of its stations. At the Sept. 12 Board of Selectmen's meeting, Chief Michael Hazel introduced the department's two newest firefighters, James Fitzpatrick and David Giasullo. Giasullo, a second generation "jake," recently completed four years as in the Marine Corps, where he trained and worked as a firefighter. He had just four days of department training before working his first shift. "He acclimated very well to how we do things despite just four days of training," said Hazel. "He’s a quick learner." Fitzpatrick has been working with the TFD since November 2011 as a "temporary" firefighter before being named to a permanent position earlier …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday, Aug. 14

Bits of knowledge to help make you the smartest parent counting down the minutes until school starts again.

Here are five pieces of information designed to get you ready and rarin' to go on this Tuesday morning and to help make you the smartest person working the register at the store today. 1. Your 3-Day Local Weather Forecast: According to the NWS, today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. 2. It's Happening Today: With the start of the school year just around the corner, there couldn't be a better time to attend Stranger Danger at the Tewksbury Public Library. The program, designed for kids 4-12, begins at 2 p.m. Join ATA Black Belt Academy's Justin Garofano as he teaches kids and families how to avoid the pitfalls of strangers.  With the help of an interactive video, learn how to …

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