What To Know In Tewksbury the Week of Jan. 16

Kudos to the eight hardy candidates who braved the cold on Saturday for a nomination signing event at the home of Jayne Wellman. Wellman is vice chair of the Select Board and is running for re-election; fellow Select Board member James Mackey was in attendance, and School Board clerk Bridget Garabedian made an appearance.

About 65 registered voters stopped by to sign papers for Jomarie Buckley, Select Board candidate; Kayla Biagioni-Smith and Richard Russo, who are seeking two School Committee seats; Nicole Burgett-Yandow, candidate for Board of Health; Julie Naughton for Library Trustee; Cody Smith for Planning Board; and Dustin Weir for Moderator. All are first-time candidates in Tewksbury; Buckley was a Select Board member in Wilmington. As they and others in the 2022 races are certified, the Carnation will invite them for Q&As.

Fifty certified signatures are needed to be put on the ballot. Those considering a run should check out a program by town clerk Denise Graffeo on Thursday evening; details are below. The event will be presented with the Tewksbury Public Library. See the full calendar of adult, teen and kids events here.

The board and committee meetings listed below and on the town’s calendar are open meetings accessible to the public.

Monday, Jan. 17
Fee-Free Day at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
When: Noon – 5 p.m.
Where: Lowell

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lowell National Historical Park will waive museum fees for all visitors at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum on Monday. The Boott Cotton Mills Museum tells the story of America’s Industrial Revolution, labor, and the rise, fall and rebirth of Lowell. The museum includes an operating 1920s weave room, and free parking is available at the Hamilton Canal Innovation District parking garage at 350 Dutton St. with a voucher from the museum. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one of five fee-free days this year. The others are April 16 (First Day of National Park Week), August 4 (Great American Outdoors Act Anniversary), September 24 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day). Get more information here.

MLK Community Conversation: Building the Beloved Community
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Zoom, register here

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tewksbury residents are invited to join our neighbors in Billerica to share dreams and celebrate Billerica as a multicultural community and the contributions of all the people that call this town their home. Provided by the Billerica Interfaith Association and hosted by First Congregational Church in Billerica and BATV.

Council on Aging
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Senior Center

The CoA will convene to seek volunteers for a “brown bag” event and discuss protocols to keep Senior Center visitors safe and a booster clinic planned for Jan. 26.

Tuesday, Jan. 18
Zoning Bylaw Committee Listening Session
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, in person or virtual on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

This will be the final opportunity for residents to offer input; the committee asks that those offering comments at the meeting make specific references to the draft bylaw and encourages review of the “Final Update to Proposed Zoning Map 2021” document on its web page. Draft bylaw information can be found here, and residents may view informational videos on the bylaw here.

With information gathered from this forum and previous surveys and listening sessions, a new draft will finalized for the 2022 Annual Town Meeting, where the town will vote on whether to adopt the proposed recommendations.

TTA Outreach Session
When: 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom, advance registration required

The TTA will offer a Zoom outreach session on Tuesday. Due to the large interest in joining these meetings, the TTA asks that participants register via the link above. After your registration is confirmed, you will receive a separate email (from the official TTA email account) with your own private link to the meeting. Your link will only work with the Zoom account you used to register (and only on one device). Registration will close Monday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. or whenever our meeting reaches capacity.

Wednesday, Jan. 19
Conservation Commission
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, in person or virtual on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

The Commission will discuss conservation issues at 50 Dalton St., 1022 South St., 161 Pringle St. and Bayberry Lane.

Tewksbury Girls Basketball Dine Out @ Kyoto
When: Open to close
Where: Kyoto, 1487 Main St.

Show the flyer, below, and Kyoto will donate 15% of your eat-in or takeout purchase to Tewksbury Girls Basketball.

Shawsheen Regional Technical Open House
When: 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Shawsheen Tech

Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District will host an open house on Jan. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.  This event is for anyone interested in learning about Shawsheen: Prospective students, alumni, those interested in adult education, community members, business partners and family and friends are all welcome to attend. Learn more.

Thursday, Jan. 20
School Councils
The Trahan, Ryan and Wynn councils meet at 8 a.m. (Trahan) and 6 p.m. (Ryan and Wynn). School councils are representative, school-building-based committees that comprise the building principal and parents, teachers and community members. School Councils are required in every public school in Massachusetts by the Education Reform Act of 1993, and members are considered municipal employees for purposes of the conflict of interest law. Learn more about these groups.

Board of Health
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Town Hall, in person or virtual on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

The Board of Health will appoint and re-appoint a number of Health Agents and Special Health Agents (see a list here) and provide an update on the situation at Oliviera Farm, which has been the subject of numerous animal cruelty allegations. The board will also discuss Covid rates in town.

VIRTUAL PROGRAM: How To Run For Elected Office In Tewksbury
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Zoom, register here

At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Town Clerk Denise Graffeo will hold a virtual workshop for residents who wish to learn how to run for elected office. The program, presented in conjunction with the Tewksbury Public Library, will include information on nomination papers and campaign finance reporting requirements. Participants may ask questions, but don’t look for campaign strategy or political advice! 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Town Hall

The DEI committee will introduce some new members and discuss a community survey and available educational opportunities.

Friday, Jan. 21
Board of Health Emergency Meeting
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Town Hall, in person or virtual on Tewksbury TV or Comcast (99) or Verizon (33)

The Board of Health will review Tewksbury’s Covid numbers and issue updated guidance as needed.

Film Screening: 13 Minutes
When: Friday, Jan. 21, doors open at 1:15 p.m.
Where: Senior Center Library. Registration required

Enjoy a screening of 13 Minutes, a thriller starring an ensemble cast, including Trace Adkins, Anne Heche and Peter Facinelli. Four families in a Heartland town are tested in a single day when a tornado hits, forcing paths to cross and redefining the meaning of survival. Rated PG-13. 109 minutes. 

Registration required. Limited to 20 seats. No candy & water will be served for the time being. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Tewksbury Public Library and Tewksbury Lions Club.