Week in Review: Jan. 31 to Feb. 6

Though towns across the state and even country are dealing with budget dilemmas, Wilmington likely won’t be one of them this year when its 2012 figures are finalized.

On Monday night at the Board of Selectmen meeting, members applauded Town Manager Michael Caira as he in front of a room of residents.

While the budget would be a decrease from last year, Caira said it would also feature zero pink slips, an upkeep of the town’s services and the ability to put money aside in a rainy day fund.

“I like what I see,” said Selectman Mike McCoy. “And I’d like to state that I’m glad we still take a conservative approach. The economy is not great, and we have to deal with that, but things have gone well for this town.”

Just after the selectmen’s meeting ended, the Wilmington High School boys hockey team dropped the puck at during a game against second-place Newburyport.

The Wildcats hopped out to a 2-0 lead and clung to it entering the third period, but the Clippers struck in the first minute of the final frame, and tied the game later. Head coach Steve Scanlon’s charges , which was the first time in Cape Ann League play they hadn’t put a game in the win column.

“The most dangerous lead in hockey is the two-goal lead,” said Scanlon, whose team improved to 10-0-1 after the tie. “Going down the stretch we’ll be playing better teams and we have to come for three periods. We had a lousy first period, and we were lucky to survive.”

may be the best way to describe the winter Wilmington has seen in 2011-12.

Students were released early on Tuesday as snow began to hit the area, and classes were cancelled on Wednesday for the fifth time this year.

Commissioner of Education Mitchell sent a letter to all superintendents in the state addressing the high number of snow cancellations and laying out alternatives for districts who are coming closer to the end up June for release.

Despite the high amount of snow days, Wilmington Superintendent of Schools Joanne Benton said the school for its slated June 20 last day of school.

“We start before Labor Day precisely for the reason that some years, winters are bad and more days are needed,” said Benton. “Now let’s just hope we don’t have a heat wave at the end of June.”

As a result of the snow, buildings around Massachusetts are under stress and danger of collapse.

On Wednesday, this threat came to reality as Markham Metals on Andover Street .

The received reports of 70 roof collapses or buildings that have sustained potential structural damage from the weight of snow and ice loads on roofs.

Wilmington Building Inspector Al Spaulding that rather than attempting to clear their own roofs, they hire a professional.

“Roofs are dangerous enough in the summer. Add snow to it and you have situations,” said Spaulding. “It’s not worth the risk. My advice is you hire someone, and make sure they are insured.”

Basketball fans who enjoy offense were in for a treat Friday night at Wilmington High School as the boys basketball team .

The two teams combined for 134 points in the first three quarters alone. The Wildcats eventually suffered their second loss of the year, 92-85.

“They can score, we can score, but we need to do a better job offensively,” said Wildcat mentor Joseph Maiella. “That’s two good offensive teams that can score quickly, and the games can get crazy like that.”