Free speech protected

WILMINGTON The Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday was a smorgasbord of town affairs. However, the most impactful portion of the meeting came at the end, when one resident called on Selectmen to remove a Board of Appeals member due to Facebook comments. Selectmen, however, didnt bite.

Public comments heated up when resident George Lingenfelter asked the Board if all members had received his letter demanding the removal of a member of the Board of Appeals because of some comments made on a personal Facebook account.

All of the Selectmen acknowledged receiving the letter and openly denied the request to remove the individual from the Board of Appeals.

Selectman Lou Cimaglia said that because a person serves on a Board in the Town does not mean their rights of free speech are taken away.

I dont understand why a gentleman cant have an opinion or vote the way he wants to just because he serves as a volunteer of the Town, he said.

Selectwoman Judy OConnell said that she is denying the request and that Lingenfelter has recently exercised his freedom of speech when he took out an ad that called the members of the Board of Selectmen ignorant, but that doesnt give anyone the right to remove him from any position he holds.

Charles River Labs

Beginning with the amendment of a flammable license for Charles River Laboratories on Ballardvale Street. Environmental Health and Safety Manager of Charles River Labs Jason Burrill explained that the majority of flammable liquids on site are stored for use with the labs back-up generators. He said because the Lab works in a very sensitive field, many of the materials and animal welfare depend on the back-up generators in the case of emergencies.

New Dunks

The meeting moved on to discuss the common victualler license for a new Dunkin Donuts in the office park at 66 Concord Street. According to Adam Quinn, president of DJQ Donuts, the new store would be located in the corner space two units down from Sandwich Exchange. DJQ Donuts also owns 2 Dunkin Donuts stores on Lowell Street and one on Middlesex Avenue in Wilmington. The Board approved the license contingent upon DJQ Donuts meeting all requirements from the Board of Health, Building Inspector and the Planning Board. Quinn said he has already been in contact with all three entities.

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Free speech protected