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Wakefield Town Council
How the Wakefield Town Council voted, from the Town Council’s official minutes. 7 members elected townwide for three-year terms. The first Town Council under the new charter, after the April 2018 town election: Peter J. May (Chair), Anthony Longo (Vice-Chair), Mehreen N. Butt, Paul R. DiNocco, Edward F. Dombroski, Julie Smith-Galvin and Ann McGonigle Santos. Julie Smith-Galvin joined; Brian E. Falvey left. The council organized on May 14, 2018; the minutes of that meeting and of nine other 2018 meetings are not online (the town posted the agendas in their place), so the officers are taken from the attendance lists of later minutes. Covers 12 meetings, May 31 to April 22, 2019.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Town Council do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Town Council, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetYour Wakefield ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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From the agendas Wakefield posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
Members
"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Wakefield Town Council minutes from January 8, 2018 through September 14, 2026: 199 meetings and 2,587 votes. Wakefield’s new town charter replaced the seven-member Board of Selectmen with the seven-member Town Council after the April 2018 town election; the January–April 2018 meetings are the Board of Selectmen’s and are shown as the 2017–2018 board. The town’s Agenda Center holds minutes back to 2012; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. Not here: ten 2018 meetings (May 14, June 11, June 25, July 16, August 16, September 10, September 27, October 15, October 29 and November 15, 2018), where the file posted as the minutes is a copy of the agenda; a few other meetings with an agenda but no minutes online (among them the October 2, 2019 council retreat, the October 17, 2019 and October 21, 2020 Tri-Board meetings and the May 5, 2020 regional summit); meetings of council subcommittees (the 40A Subcommittee and the Town Administrator Contract Subcommittee); executive-session minutes; informal office hours and coffee hours; and meetings after September 14, 2026 (the September 28, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Nine sets of minutes are scanned images or have an unreadable text layer (April 24 and May 8, 2023; August 11, 12, 14, 18 and 26 and December 8, 2025); MassVoter read them with text recognition, so quoted words may keep small reading errors. Wakefield’s minutes give the mover, the seconder and a count (“Motion passed 7-0-0,” “Vote: Unanimous (7-0)”). When the count equals the members present, each is shown voting yes; when the minutes name the members who voted no or abstained, or list how each voted, they are shown by name. When the minutes say a member arrived late, left early or stepped out and the count matches the others present, that member is left out of the vote, with a note. Where a count does not match the members present, we show the count only (9 votes); where the minutes give no count or names, including motions that “passed by acclamation” (mostly adjournments), we show the result only (42 votes). Joint meetings with the School Committee, Board of Health, Library Trustees, Gas & Light Commissioners and the Tri-Board meetings are included, but only the members’ votes are shown. Three sets of minutes leave a member off the attendance list who moved, seconded or voted (February 22 and March 8, 2021; June 24, 2024); that member is counted present, with a note. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Apr 8Re-appoint Jeanne Stinson to the Recreation Commission with a…Motion: Member Santos motioned to re-appoint Jeanne Stinson to the Recreation Commission…Passed 6–0 · see note
April 8, 2019: Re-appoint Jeanne Stinson to the Recreation Commission with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022
Councilor Santos motioned to re-appoint Jeanne Stinson to the Recreation Commission with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Longo recusing.
Yes: Butt, DiNocco, Dombroski, May, Santos, Smith-GalvinThe minutes say Anthony Longo stepped aside (recused), so that member is not shown as voting. The third number in the count (6-0-1) is the member who stepped aside.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to re-appoint Jeanne Stinson to the Recreation Commission with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Longo recusing..” (Motion: Santos, second: Dombroski)
Mar 25Ratify the Town Administrator’s appointment of Lt. Steven Skory…Motion: The Town Council unanimously ratified the appointment by a 7-0-0 vote.Passed Unanimous, 7 present · see note
March 25, 2019: Ratify the Town Administrator’s appointment of Lt. Steven Skory as Police Chief as of June 1, 2019
The Town Council unanimously ratified the appointment by a 7-0-0 vote.
Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio announced his choice; the minutes say the Town Council unanimously ratified the appointment by a 7-0-0 vote and do not name a mover or seconder.
From the minutes
“The Town Council unanimously ratified the appointment by a 7-0-0 vote..”
Mar 25Appoint John McDonald to the Permanent Building Committee with…Motion: Member Dombroski motioned to appoint John McDonald to the Permanent Building…Passed 6–0 · Abstained: Smith-Galvin
March 25, 2019: Appoint John McDonald to the Permanent Building Committee with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022
Councilor Dombroski motioned to appoint John McDonald to the Permanent Building Committee with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining.
Yes: Butt, DiNocco, Dombroski, Longo, May, SantosAbstained: Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Councilor Dombroski motioned to appoint John McDonald to the Permanent Building Committee with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Santos)
Mar 25Appoint Joseph Bertrand to the Permanent Building Committee with…Motion: Member Longo motioned to appoint Joseph Bertrand to the Permanent Building…Passed 6–0 · Abstained: Smith-Galvin
March 25, 2019: Appoint Joseph Bertrand to the Permanent Building Committee with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022
Councilor Longo motioned to appoint Joseph Bertrand to the Permanent Building Committee with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining.
Yes: Butt, DiNocco, Dombroski, Longo, May, SantosAbstained: Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Councilor Longo motioned to appoint Joseph Bertrand to the Permanent Building Committee with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining..” (Motion: Longo, second: Santos)
Mar 25Appoint Thomas Galvin to the Permanent Building Committee with…Motion: Member Santos motioned to appoint Thomas Galvin to the Permanent Building…Passed 6–0 · Abstained: Smith-Galvin
March 25, 2019: Appoint Thomas Galvin to the Permanent Building Committee with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022
Councilor Santos motioned to appoint Thomas Galvin to the Permanent Building Committee with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining.
Yes: Butt, DiNocco, Dombroski, Longo, May, SantosAbstained: Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to appoint Thomas Galvin to the Permanent Building Committee with a term beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2022. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining..” (Motion: Santos, second: Dombroski)
Mar 25Approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article as presented…Motion: Member Dombroski motioned to approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article…Failed 3–4 · No: Butt, DiNocco, Longo, Santos
March 25, 2019: Approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article as presented by the Director of the Department of Public Works in the amount of $1,996,000.00 with the addition of every Saturday and…
Councilor Dombroski motioned to approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article as presented by the Director of the Department of Public Works in the amount of $1,996,000.00 with the addition of every Saturday and 2nd and 4th Sunday except holidays and curbside pickup. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion failed 3-4-0 with Councilor Dombroski, Councilor May and Councilor Smith-Galvin voting in favor and Councilor Santos, Councilor Longo, Councilor Butt and Councilor DiNocco voting against the motion.
Yes: Dombroski, May, Smith-GalvinNo: Butt, DiNocco, Longo, Santos
From the minutes
“Councilor Dombroski motioned to approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article as presented by the Director of the Department of Public Works in the amount of $1,996,000.00 with the addition of every Saturday and 2nd and 4th Sunday except holidays and curbside pickup. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion failed 3-4-0 with Councilor Dombroski, Councilor May and Councilor Smith-Galvin voting in favor and Councilor Santos, Councilor Longo, Councilor Butt and Councilor DiNocco voting against the motion..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: DiNocco)
Mar 25Approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article as presented…Motion: Member Santos motioned to approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article…Passed 6–0 · see note
March 25, 2019: Approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article as presented by the Director of the Department of Public Works in the amount of $1,996,000.00
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article as presented by the Director of the Department of Public Works in the amount of $1,996,000.00. Councilor Longo seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Dombroski voting against the motion.
The minutes give the count as 6-0-1 and name Edward F. Dombroski (no), which does not add up with the 7 members present. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the Refuse and Recycling Warrant Article as presented by the Director of the Department of Public Works in the amount of $1,996,000.00. Councilor Longo seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Dombroski voting against the motion..” (Motion: Santos, second: Longo)
Mar 11Approve the February 25, 2019 regular council minutes as…Motion: Member Smith-Galvin motioned to approve the February 25, 2019 regular council…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: May
March 11, 2019: Approve the February 25, 2019 regular council minutes as presented
Councilor Smith-Galvin motioned to approve the February 25, 2019 regular council minutes as presented. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilor May abstaining.
Yes: Butt, DiNocco, Dombroski, Smith-GalvinAbstained: May
From the minutes
“Councilor Smith-Galvin motioned to approve the February 25, 2019 regular council minutes as presented. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilor May abstaining..” (Motion: Smith-Galvin, second: Dombroski)
Mar 11Approve the RCN Cable Contract for ten (10) years…Motion: Member Dombroski motioned to approve the RCN Cable Contract for ten…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Smith-Galvin
March 11, 2019: Approve the RCN Cable Contract for ten (10) years for the period commencing on March 9, 2019 and terminating on March 8, 2029
Councilor Dombroski motioned to approve the RCN Cable Contract for ten (10) years for the period commencing on March 9, 2019 and terminating on March 8, 2029. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining.
Yes: Butt, DiNocco, Dombroski, MayAbstained: Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Councilor Dombroski motioned to approve the RCN Cable Contract for ten (10) years for the period commencing on March 9, 2019 and terminating on March 8, 2029. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 4-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: DiNocco)
Feb 11Approve the Police Department budget in the amount of…Motion: Member DiNocco motioned to approve the Police Department budget in the…Passed 5–2 · No: Butt, Smith-Galvin
February 11, 2019: Approve the Police Department budget in the amount of $5,899,868.00 as presented by Town Accountant Kevin Gill with the addition of $38,000.00 to salaries and $10,000.00 to supplies for a…
Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the Police Department budget in the amount of $5,899,868.00 as presented by Town Accountant Kevin Gill with the addition of $38,000.00 to salaries and $10,000.00 to supplies for a total budget of $5,947,868.00. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 5-2-0 with Councilor Butt and Councilor Smith-Galvin voting against the motion.
Yes: DiNocco, Dombroski, Longo, May, SantosNo: Butt, Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the Police Department budget in the amount of $5,899,868.00 as presented by Town Accountant Kevin Gill with the addition of $38,000.00 to salaries and $10,000.00 to supplies for a total budget of $5,947,868.00. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 5-2-0 with Councilor Butt and Councilor Smith-Galvin voting against the motion..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Dombroski)
From the Wakefield Town Council’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Agenda Center (Town Council). We check every vote against the members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos (the town’s website has no member photos): Jonathan Chines from his own Wakefield Patch posts (2026); Stacey Constas (2025), John Crisley (2025, captioned group photo) and Ami Ruehrwein Wall (April 2026 WCAT candidate forum screenshot) from the Wakefield Daily Item; Douglas Butler and John Carney from WCAT’s 2024 candidate interview photos (Barbara Worley); Brian Fox from WCAT’s board page (2021). All cropped by MassVoter. Former members show initials.
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