December 21, 2010
The funeral for Dick Wilde was held at Saint Margaret's church on Saturday December 18th.
Many of you who may be new to Burlington and might be unfamiliar with Dick but for long term residents of Burlington he was certainly no stranger. Dick served in a number of elected or appointed positions including a 17 year stint on the board of selectmen during the 60 years he lived in Burlington.
Dick was one of a few remaining people that were entirely connected to politics and governance in Burlington during the period of time it went from a small farming community of 4000 people in the early 50's to the regional economic powerhouse we are today. Make no mistake about the fact that Dick Wilde had his hands in many of the decisions that fostered the growth and success that we have enjoyed these many years.
The two things that drove Dick throughout his public life was a love of the community and a deep and abiding respect for democracy.
Dick attributed his early interest in our way of government through his introduction to civics in middle school. Coupled with that early study of theory and history, was the real application of the concept of democracy in the election process. He was involved early on in politics in his own election as the president of his high school class but also shortly thereafter on a town wide level when his father ran and won a seat on the board of selectmen in 1957 and served until 1964. These were particularly crucial years in the economic development of the town as it encompassed the period in which route 128 was built and the sewer system was constructed.
What Dick eventually evolved into was a seasoned political operative. When I say seasoned I mean that Dick Wilde was involved in some way in every single local, state and national election from his adolescence until his passing. The depth of the involvement was his hallmark in Burlington politics.
Dick was an old school campaigner. In his mind, winning a leadership seat was an honor, not an entitlement. In order to earn that honor you had to work for it. Dick's idea of campaigning was Tip O’Neil style, you knocked on every door, you shook every hand and you asked for every vote.
Dick applied these principles when he was a candidate, recruited candidates, supported candidates or ran the campaign for a candidate. When Dickie said he was “with you”, it meant he expected to be with you holding your sign on the corner of Bedford street at 6:30 a.m, knocking on doors on weekends, mailing flyers, makings phone calls and counting your votes on election night.
Once that campaign was over, win or lose Dick had a remarkable ability to let bygones be bygones. If he lost he was gracious, if he won he was humble and the next time around he was willing to work with anyone who was involved with the same candidate as he was. All of the people occupying elected positions of authority for any length of time in Burlington had some connection to Dick Wilde. At some time over the past 50 years or so, if you had any involvement in politics you were either working with him or working against him or both in the same year.
For what purpose did Dick use this political skill and influence? In my view he applied it to the best interest of Burlington as he confronted every vote in his political life. Dick loved Burlington. His early life was in a very small town in which everyone knew everybody. Dick could tell you who owned what store, or gas station, or farm or the largest families or who scored a winning touchdown or what house burned down in Burlington.
As the town grew so did opportunities and challenges and Dick was in leadership positions when those issues presented themselves. From 1974 to 1977 Dick served on the planning board when the entire zoning by law was written and site plan approval was implemented.
Major milestones in development occurred during that period including the completion of Lahey Clinic, Burlington Woods and the approval of the Marriot. The politics over the Marriot was very hot and heavy and in the final scene it passed at town meeting by a 62 to 30 vote, just 2 more than necessary to pass. One major disappointment was the defeat of the reconstruction of Skilton Lane which finally came to fruition over 30 years later. Dick never gave up on an issue even if it took 30 years.
In 1980 Dick joined the board of selectmen winning one of two seats in a crowded six person field. The challenges were many and Dick joined an experienced board that was in place to deal with those challenges.
The town was now starting to decline in school aged population and many school buildings including the Center school, Union School, Francis Wyman and Meadowbrook were all vacant. One by one each building was dealt with and was returned to the rolls as a performing asset generating revenue or use for the town.
In 1982 the town was dealt a crushing blow when it was determined that wells 3, 4 and 5 in the Great Meadow were contaminated by volatile organic compounds. This began a nearly 15 year process that resulted in a large litigation settlement, construction of as water treatment plants, upgrading of the reservoir and upgrade of the water distribution system. Many millions of dollars were spent to ensure that Burlington will be water independent into the future. Dick was involved in every aspect of these decisions.
Other critical decisions that were made during the period were the selection of new police and fire chiefs, DPW superintendent and town engineer, town administrators, new town counsel and the selection of many of the employees that have served in the past and continue to serve us well in the present.
By 1998 Dick had decided to move on from the board however as he entered his retirement years he didn’t slow down. He continued his campaigning efforts as well as service on the Ways and Means Committee, at town meeting, and his last position as the gubernatorial appointment to the Burlington Housing Authority.
There are so many more facets of Dick's involvement at every level that can't be clearly communicated here, but let it be said and noted that Burlington has lost a great contributor to our success as a community. He was truly a son of Burlington.
