WILMINGTON — Selectmen candidates vying for one seat on the board debated the issues of economic development, affordable housing and detox centers at the Wilmington Community Television studio Tuesday night.
Rob Fasulo and Finance Committee member Jonathan Eaton offered different perspectives on how to foster development in town. Fasulo, who comes from an agricultural background, has been a staunch supporter of preserving open space. He said he also supports having an inclusionary zoning bylaw, which would require a portion of housing developments to be affordable.
“Our services in town need to keep up with the rate of growth, and the rate of growth in town, I think has been too fast, too much, too quickly,” Fasulo said. “Our services are what is really going to determine how fast we should be going.”
While Eaton agreed with introducing an inclusionary zoning bylaw, but said it will not solve the affordable housing issue Wilmington is facing.
“I would like to see our affordable housing and our senior housing to be a priority for the Board of Selectmen in town because many individuals who have lived here for long periods of time are seeing themselves being forced out of town, or feel as though they are being economically forced out of town,” Eaton said.
Both candidates oppose Article 53 on the upcoming Annual Town Meeting warrant, which seeks to rezone the Sciarappa farmland located at 333 Andover St. from residential 60 to neighborhood mixed use. The petitioner is looking to rezone the land for housing developments, a portion of which would be affordable.
Fasulo said he would like to see the town have possession of that land without the use of eminent domain, but that the voters will have their say at the Special Town Meeting in May. Additionally, he would like the land to remain agricultural. Eaton said preserving open space should be the short-term priority.
While both agreed with Facility Master Plan proposals for a combined town and school administration building, an expanded library and new senior center, the candidates said it will come down to cost.
“This is something that needs to be done piecemeal by piecemeal, otherwise we’re going to be seeking override or deb exclusions and I don’t think there’s any flavor for that in the town,” Fasulo said.
On the issue of detox centers, both candidates also disagreed with the proposed location of such a facility on Middlesex Avenue. Eaton said he is not insensitive to the epidemic and its affect on families. He said he was in favor of hiring Samantha Reif as the town’s substance abuse coordinator.
“This town used to have an arrangement, an agreement with Wilmington Family Counseling. I think that that’s something we should be exploring, revisiting as well,” Eaton said. “Because, I think the unfortunate truth is Samantha Reif is quite busy with her work as the substance abuse coordinator.”
The candidates also rated the performance of Town Manager Jeff Hull. Eaton gave Hull a B rating, while Fasulo gave him a C-minus.
“I think he has a very skilled financial mind,” Eaton said. “I do think he has some room for improvement on his management skills. But, overall I think he’s put the town in a very strong position that I think we’re the envy of our neighboring communities.”
Fasulo did give credit to Hull in how he has handled taxes, but criticized some of his decision making.
“Some of the decisions that he’s made, it seems like he’s kind of in favor of a certain sub-section of the town,” he said. “It just gives that perception.”
The Annual Town Election is scheduled for Saturday, April 28.
To watch the full debate, visit www.wctv.org.
Follow Kori Tuitt on Twitter @KoriTuitt.
