Wilmington Candidate Profile: James DeFeo For Select Board

WILMINGTON, MA — The Town of Wilmington's Annual Town Election is on April 22.

The offices on the ballot for this election are: Select Board, School Committee and Wilmington Housing Authority.

A specimen ballot is available online.

Patch is profiling some of the candidates. Here, we learn more about James DeFeo, who is running against incumbent Gary DePalma and former Select Board member Frank West for two seats on the Select Board. West served on the Select Board from 2002-05.

Terms on the Select Board are for three years.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

James DeFeo

Campaign website

Facebook @ Jim.DeFeo.WSB

Age (as of Election Day)

55

Office sought

Wilmington Select Board

Education

Don Bosco Technical HS (Boston, MA) 1986
Suffolk University, BA Criminal Justice (Boston, MA) 1990
Anna Maria College, MA Criminal Justice (Boston Campus) 2000
Command and General Staff College (U.S. Army) 2007

Occupation

• Boston Police Sergeant, current assignment Operations Supervisor

Total Years of Service: 29 years (active)

• Owner, Iron Horse Caisson Motorcycle Hearse Service
• U.S. Army Reserves, Corp Of Engineers / Military Police Corps

Highest Rank achieved: Lieutenant Colonel

Total years of Service: 25 (retired)

Combat Deployments: February 2003 to April 2004 (Kuwait / Iraq)

Previous or current elected or appointed office

Boston Police Patrolman Association (BPPA), District Representative Roxbury, Dorchester and South Boston. Special Committees: Health and Safety/Labor Relations, 10 years.

Why are you seeking elective office?

With the continued rapid expansion of the town, both in terms of population and business
opportunities, I feel the timing is right to seek an elected leadership position in the town. I know I have an exceptionally deep and specialized skill set that will complement the current town leadership.

Describe the issues that define your campaign platform

Environmental consciousness, a strong commitment to public safety, to maintain and expand on
responsible social service programs that benefit the Wilmington community and the expansion of
multi-faceted business opportunities.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Both of the challengers have served on the Select Board. One is a current incumbent and the other had served years ago. Neither of them had a remarkable impact on town governance during their tenure. I intend to bring ideas to the town that will provide for future growth of the town.

If you are a challenger, in what ways do you hope to improve upon the work of the current board or officeholder?

• The Town has been working with a multitude of state and federal environmental agencies to remediate the old Olin Chemical Site. Moving this project forward is critical to returning this 50+ acre site to a usable asset either public or private.
• I will ensure that the Senior Center and Town Hall/School Administration Building capital improvement projects are on schedule and on budget. If changes to these projects are needed, these changes will be done in consideration of operational need and with fiscal responsibility.
• I will forcefully advocate for the completion of the North Wilmington Fire Sub Station and hiring the personnel that will be needed to properly staff the facility.
• I will push to increase the Police budget to better staff, equip and train the police force so they are able to proactively implement Community Policing Based Services.
• I will propose that the Veterans Services Office be relocated to the "Old" Senior Center facility and a study be done to add additional complimentary community services to that building.
• I will push to finalize the study on taking jurisdiction of the "Unaccepted Roads" located throughout the town. This would mitigate liability for the town and help residents with government refinancing opportunities and new home sales.
• I will support a policy that balances the property tax liabilities between commercial, multi-unit residential, investment residential and owner-occupied residential properties.
• I will propose that all future capital expenditures be examined to reduce the environmental impact to the community. Also, if the option is financially responsible and operationally reasonable, greater weight will be given to that option when making a final decision.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

• As a career public servant in law enforcement I know the critical importance of building and maintaining inter-agency cooperation at all levels. I will work closely with other independent town agencies/officeholders to ensure the community receives the best municipal services possible.
• As an Army engineer officer, I worked for several years with the Army Corps of Engineers. During that time, I was part of the team that oversaw the phased shutdown of the former Fort Devens and the remediation of all the superfund sites located on the installation and other satellite facilities.
• As a senior Army officer, I managed the multi-million-dollar operational budgets, training budgets and equipment maintenance and acquisition budgets for units ranging in size from 62 civilians and soldiers to well over 300. Additionally, I was responsible for setting the Command Climate that promoted soldier wellness and professional development.
• As a former representative of the BPPA, I have extensive experience in dealing with public sector unions and municipalities. This experience will help facilitate discussions within the town management to provide exceptional services to the community and ensure workers' rights are respected.
• As a business owner, I recognize the challenges today's entrepreneurs are forced to contend with and I will champion any reasonable idea to help them reduce costs and increase services and profits.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

In the next several years, the town of Wilmington will see a major increase in population. We as a society will be entering into uncertain political and financial times. We will be presented with new challenges and opportunities from outside the community and from within. With this in mind, I know I am able to immediately begin work on any issue presented.

Finally, I have built a reputation as a strong and outspoken leader committed to people.