Wilmington Election: Frank West Returns To Select Board After 18 Years

WILMINGTON, MA — Eighteen years after he last served on the Select Board in Wilmington, Frank West appears headed for a return to the board after Saturday's Annual Town Election.

According to the unofficial results, West received 572 votes to capture one of two open seats on the board. Incumbent Gary DePalma finished second with 556 votes, capturing the other open seat. Challenger James DeFeo finished third with 400 votes.

A total of 911 votes were cast in the election out of 17,523 eligible voters, a total turnout of just 5.20 percent.

West, who is an owner/broker at West Real Estate, previously served on the Select Board from 2002-05.

"Thanks to all of the people who supported my election to the Select Board, especially my family and friends for their support," West told Patch on Saturday. "I look forward to serving the town for the next three years as a Select Board member."

DePalma said he is looking forward to getting back to business on the board, and to working with West.

"It will be a good board, a strong board," DePalma told Patch. "We have some incredible people on the board already and I'm just right now elated that residents of Wilmington wanted me back."

DePalma continued: "(West) is a good guy. Frank's like me, he wears his heart on his sleeve and he will bring new, fresh ideas to the board, and I'm really excited to work with him."

Select Board was the only contested race on the ballot.

Perhaps the most significant development in the uncontested race for School Committee was that it ended in a tie.

Based on unofficial results, Jennifer Bryson, the current chair of the School Committee, and Michael Mercaldi, each received 645 votes.

"I want to thank the voters and also everyone who helped with my campaign," Mercaldi told Patch. "I am looking forward to working with the School Committee and helping to continue making the Wilmington Schools a great place for our students to learn."

The other office on the ballot was Wilmington Housing Authority, where Louis Cimaglia IV, running unopposed, received 763 votes, according to unofficial results.

The terms for Select Board and School Committee are three years, while Cimaglia will serve a five-year term on the Wilmington Housing Authority.