Wilmington Boards Advance Billboard, Brewery Zoning and $16 Million Fire Station Funding

WILMINGTON — March 5, 2026 — Wilmington's Finance Committee and Planning Board reviewed 14 warrant articles Thursday ahead of the May 2 annual town meeting, with the sharpest debate over a demolition delay bylaw and a new billboard overlay district. Historical Commission member Joseph Jackson presented a revised three-page demolition delay bylaw imposing a nine-month delay on permits for historically significant buildings — down from last year's rejected 12-month version — but Finance Committee members including Joe Levino and Brad Jackson again raised concerns about open-ended eligibility criteria and financial burdens on property owners, with Levino saying, "If I show up in front of your commission, I have no idea what's going to happen." The town also moved forward a billboard overlay district for a single 5.5-acre parcel at the Howland building on Interstate 93, with the town manager estimating at least $50,000 per year in revenue to the general fund under a 30-year agreement. Capital articles include up to $16 million in new appropriations for the North Wilmington fire substation — intended to be funded without borrowing — and $1.84 million for Wildwood School demolition accelerated from fiscal year 2029 to fiscal year 2027. WCTV Executive Director Sam Perkins disclosed cable franchise revenue has fallen from $568,000 in 2015 to roughly $440,000 in 2025 and asked for a one-time $65,000 free cash allocation to cover equipment costs and potential relocation expenses.