Residents, Former Selectmen Support Town Manager To Current Board

WILMINGTON, MA — Former Wilmington selectmen and other residents and officials voiced their support for town manager Jeffrey Hull Monday, in response to a proposal to hold an open town manager hiring process.

Selectman Gary DePalma proposed the open search at the board's previous meeting, arguing the board should take the opportunity to explore the options.

"It's a three-year contract and I feel we should have all the participation we can," DePalma said. "This is no disrespect to the current town manager but I do believe we should look and see what is out there."

The board held an executive session at the end of their meeting to discuss strategy for town manager negotiations, but first they entered seven letters in support of Hull into the record and heard from three former selectmen.

Former Selectmen Mike Champoux and Jonathan Eaton both encouraged the board to take into account Hull's experience, while former Selectman Lou Cimaglia criticized DePalma for "blurting out" that he wanted a town manager search.

The seven letters, available here, are from residents and officials including the town clerk, town treasurer and recreation director.

The full meeting is available here from WCTV.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.