MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2019–2020 Council · Regular meeting
9 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your Wakefield ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Present: Edward F. Dombroski, Ann McGonigle Santos, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Paul R. DiNocco, Julie Smith-Galvin
Absent: Peter J. May
Executive Session to discuss Woods Subdivision litigation because an open meeting may have detrimental effects on the bargaining position of the Town, with the intent of returning to open session
Councilor Dombroski called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and stated there is a need for Executive Session to discuss Woods Subdivision litigation because an open meeting may have detrimental effects on the bargaining position of the Town, with the intent of returning to open session. Councilor Santos so motioned. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed on a roll call vote with all six councilors voting in the affirmative.
“Councilor Dombroski called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and stated there is a need for Executive Session to discuss Woods Subdivision litigation because an open meeting may have detrimental effects on the bargaining position of the Town, with the intent of returning to open session. Councilor Santos so motioned. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed on a roll call vote with all six councilors voting in the affirmative..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
Approve the September 09, 2019 Minutes as presented
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the September 09, 2019 Minutes as presented. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-0-1 with Councilor DiNocco abstaining.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, Santos, Smith-GalvinAbstained: DiNocco
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the September 09, 2019 Minutes as presented. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-0-1 with Councilor DiNocco abstaining..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Appoint Laura Cutone Godwin as an interim Library Trustee with a term ending April 21, 2020
These Appointments two (2) appointments are to fill two (2) unexpired terms Councilor Santos motioned to appoint Laura Cutone Godwin as an interim Library Trustee with a term ending April 21, 2020. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 13-0-0 with seven (7) Library Trustees and six (6) Town Councilors voting in favor of the motion.
Joint vote with another board; only the Town Council members’ votes are shown. The joint count (13-0-0) has no no votes or abstentions, so each councilor present is shown voting yes.
“These Appointments two (2) appointments are to fill two (2) unexpired terms Councilor Santos motioned to appoint Laura Cutone Godwin as an interim Library Trustee with a term ending April 21, 2020. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 13-0-0 with seven (7) Library Trustees and six (6) Town Councilors voting in favor of the motion..” (Motion: Santos, second: Smith-Galvin)
Appoint Adam Rodgers as an interim Library Trustee with a term ending April 21, 2020
Councilor Santos motioned to appoint Adam Rodgers as an interim Library Trustee with a term ending April 21, 2020. Cindy Schatz seconded. Motion passed 13-0-0 with seven (7) Library Trustees and six (6) Town Councilors voting in favor of the motion.
Joint vote with another board; only the Town Council members’ votes are shown. The joint count (13-0-0) has no no votes or abstentions, so each councilor present is shown voting yes. It was seconded by Cindy Schatz, who is not a Town Council member.
“Councilor Santos motioned to appoint Adam Rodgers as an interim Library Trustee with a term ending April 21, 2020. Cindy Schatz seconded. Motion passed 13-0-0 with seven (7) Library Trustees and six (6) Town Councilors voting in favor of the motion..” (Motion: Santos)
Grant the posting of signs
Councilor Santos motioned to grant the posting of signs. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0.
“Councilor Santos motioned to grant the posting of signs. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
Transfer $1,000,000.00 from the General Fund to the Debit Service Capital Needs Account
Councilor Chines motioned to transfer $1,000,000.00 from the General Fund to the Debit Service Capital Needs Account. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motioned passed 6-0-0.
“Councilor Chines motioned to transfer $1,000,000.00 from the General Fund to the Debit Service Capital Needs Account. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motioned passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: DiNocco)
Approve the One Day Liquor License request for a private event fundraiser at the Wakefield Masonic Building on October 26, 2019
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the One Day Liquor License request for a private event fundraiser at the Wakefield Masonic Building on October 26, 2019. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0.
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the One Day Liquor License request for a private event fundraiser at the Wakefield Masonic Building on October 26, 2019. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the library in the amount of $2,873.50 from various donors with thanks
Councilor Chines motioned to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the library in the amount of $2,873.50 from various donors with thanks. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0.
“Councilor Chines motioned to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the library in the amount of $2,873.50 from various donors with thanks. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Santos)
Adjourn
Councilor Santos motioned to adjourn. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0.
“Councilor Santos motioned to adjourn. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →