Wilmington's Carnival One Step Closer to a Decision

Patch File Photo

WILMINGTON, MA - Wilmington’s Planning Board voted Monday night to give its consent to allow the Board of Appeals to hear a repetitive petition for a special permit for the town carnival. The public hearing was part of the March 21 Planning Board agenda and Wilmington’s Town Manager Jeffrey Hull made the presentation to the board.

This was the first step in the hopes of bringing the carnival back as part of Wilmington’s annual Fun on the Fourth celebrations this summer.

Last month, after the Fourth of July Committee’s application to include a carnival as part of the town’s annual Fun on the Fourth Celebration was denied, committee members issued a statement that they had met to discuss options for this year and beyond, and are working with community groups and town officials in the hopes of bringing the carnival back to town in July.

The Planning Board’s approval Monday night allows the Board of Appeals to once again hear the request for the carnival with changes to the original request, according to the Wilmington Apple who was at the meeting Monday night.

Hull’s new proposal includes a change in dates for when the carnival will run, reduced operating hours and a reduction in the number of rides, according to the Lowell Sun.

The Board of Appeals will meet on Thursday, March 24 with just one item on its agenda. “To consider if specific and material changes in the conditions upon which the previous unfavorable action by the Board of Appeals pertaining to Case 23-15 has merit and give consent for the Town of Wilmington to apply to the Board of Appeals with this new petition.” The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in Room 9 at Town Hall.

According to the Wilmington Apple report, should the Board of Appeals vote in favor of that being the case, Hull will come back before the board on April 13 for a discussion on the special permit request and a vote from the board to make the final decision.

Last month Wilmington’s Board of Appeals voted 3-1 with one abstention killing plans to bring the carnival back when committee members went before them. Following that vote residents took to social media in droves following the decision expressing their dismay at the decision.

The next day, residents started an online petition hoping to change the board’s decision.

This isn’t the first time committee members made a recommendation to have the carnival in that location and have it be shot down.

In 2013, the five-member Board of Appeals denied a special permit needed for the carnival to take place that year. Due to the construction of the new high school, the Fourth of July Committee put forth plan to hold the carnival in the parking lot adjacent to the Fourth of July Building. The board denied that request, too citing concerns from abutters about late hours, bright lights and loud noise.

In 2014, the decades old traditional town fireworks and Fun on the Fourth activities were canceled following a vote of the Board of Selectmen due to concerns about the roof of the then brand new high school and new athletic fields.