MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
May 11, 2020
28 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Edward F. Dombroski, Ann McGonigle Santos, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Paul R. DiNocco, Peter J. May, Julie Smith-Galvin
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Approval of Minutes
Approve the April 27, 2020 regular Town Council Meeting Minutes
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the April 27, 2020 regular Town Council Meeting Minutes. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the April 27, 2020 regular Town Council Meeting Minutes. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
Reduce the Town Council budget by $95,000 (eliminating the Economic Development Director position)
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the reduction of $95,000.00 from the Town Council budget. Councilor May seconded. Councilor Chines stated that he would be voting against this reduction as this is the amount that will fund the Economic Development Director position and feels that this is a much-needed position given the current situation with the businesses in town. Councilor Smith-Galvin, Councilor DiNocco, and Councilor Butt supported Councilor Chines comment. Councilor Santos asked if there was a compromise from not filling the position to filling the position. Town Administrator Maio stated that he has had conversations with Mass Business Development with how they could help the town in the interim and that he would work with the MAPC for planning assistance. The Mass Business Development did state that as of right now people are kind of leery to accept new job offers because if the economy becomes worse they are afraid of being let go. With not knowing what the "new normal" is going to be, Mr. Maio stated that he would like to make sure we get the right candidate. He further stated that it is important that the Town Council sets the tone that there is some sacrifice that is going to have to happen across all departments and that no everyone got what they wanted. He recommended going carefully as he thinks that things will be getting better hopefully by the end of the summer and this position could be added back into the budget in November which is a compromise. Chair
Yes: Dombroski, May, SantosNo: Butt, Chines, DiNocco, Smith-GalvinThe minutes write the count as “4-3-0” and say the motion did not pass, with Jonathan P. Chines, Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt and Paul R. DiNocco voting against and Ann McGonigle Santos, Peter J. May and Edward F. Dombroski voting in favor of eliminating the position, so the vote was 3 in favor and 4 against.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the reduction of $95,000.00 from the Town Council budget. Councilor May seconded. Councilor Chines stated that he would be voting against this reduction as this is the amount that will fund the Economic Development Director position and feels that this is a much-needed position given the current situation with the businesses in town. Councilor Smith-Galvin, Councilor DiNocco, and Councilor Butt supported Councilor Chines comment. Councilor Santos asked if there was a compromise from not filling the position to filling the position. Town Administrator Maio stated that he has had conversations with Mass Business Development with how they could help the town in the interim and that he would work with the MAPC for planning assistance. The Mass Business Development did state that as of right now people are kind of leery to accept new job offers because if the economy becomes worse they are afraid of being let go. With not knowing what the "new normal" is going to be, Mr. Maio stated that he would like to make sure we get the right candidate. He further stated that it is important that the Town Council sets the tone that there is some sacrifice that is going to have to happen across all departments and that no everyone got what they wanted. He recommended going carefully as he thinks that things will be getting better hopefully by the end of the summer and this position could be added back into the budget in November which is a compromise. Chairman Dombroski stated that obviously this position is a priority but the timing of it is just not right. The messaging would be awfully inconsistent as a Council, as all of the other departments were told that they need to make cuts and sacrifices. He went on to say that we are very lucky that Mr. Maio has not talked about layoffs and furloughs and he prays that this will continue. Councilor May stated that he supports the Town Administrator, Councilor Santos, and Chairman Dombroski. Motion to eliminate the Economic Development Director position from the budget did not pass 4-3-0 by a roll call vote with Councilors Chines, Smith-Galvin, Butt, and DiNocco voting against the motion and Councilors Santos, May, and Dombroski voting in favor of eliminating the position from the budget..” (Motion: Santos, second: May)
Approve the recommendation to reduce the Police Department budget by $38,000.00
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the recommendation to reduce the Police Department budget by $38,000.00. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the recommendation to reduce the Police Department budget by $38,000.00. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: May)
Approve the recommendation to reduce the DPW budget by $110,000.00
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the recommendation to reduce the DPW budget by $110,000.00. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the recommendation to reduce the DPW budget by $110,000.00. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: May)
Approve the recommendation to reduce the Health budget by $100,000.00
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the recommendation to reduce the Health budget by $100,000.00. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the recommendation to reduce the Health budget by $100,000.00. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
Approve the recommendation to reduce the Library budget by $50,000.00
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the recommendation to reduce the Library budget by $50,000.00. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the recommendation to reduce the Library budget by $50,000.00. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: May)
Economic Development Council
Table this for further discussion
Councilor DiNocco motioned to table this for further discussion. Councilor Chines seconded. Councilor Smith-Galvin thinks it is a great idea to get as many people involved as we can but has some hesitation as to who is going to manage the Council with not having an Economic Development Director. Councilor Chines agrees with Councilors DiNocco and Smith-Galvin. Motion to table passed 5-2-0 by a roll call vote with Councilor's May and Dombroski voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, DiNocco, Santos, Smith-GalvinNo: Dombroski, May
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to table this for further discussion. Councilor Chines seconded. Councilor Smith-Galvin thinks it is a great idea to get as many people involved as we can but has some hesitation as to who is going to manage the Council with not having an Economic Development Director. Councilor Chines agrees with Councilors DiNocco and Smith-Galvin. Motion to table passed 5-2-0 by a roll call vote with Councilor's May and Dombroski voting against the motion..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)
Committee Appointments
Appoint the first eight (8) applicants that applied to be appointed as voting members to the Youth Council and the last two (2) applicants as associate non-voting members to the Youth Council with...
Councilor Santos motioned to appoint the first eight (8) applicants that applied to be appointed as voting members to the Youth Council and the last two (2) applicants as associate non-voting members to the Youth Council with one-year terms. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to appoint the first eight (8) applicants that applied to be appointed as voting members to the Youth Council and the last two (2) applicants as associate non-voting members to the Youth Council with one-year terms. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Re-advertise for the Middle School appointments to the Youth Council
Councilor Chines motioned to re-advertise for the Middle School appointments to the Youth Council. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Chines motioned to re-advertise for the Middle School appointments to the Youth Council. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: DiNocco)
Appoint Catherine Dhingra as the Adult Advisor to the Youth Council
Councilor DiNocco motioned to appoint Catherine Dhingra as the Adult Advisor to the Youth Council. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to appoint Catherine Dhingra as the Adult Advisor to the Youth Council. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Santos)
Appoint Michael Owen to the Veteran's Advisory Board with a three-year ending April 30, 2023
Councilor Santos motioned to appoint Michael Owen to the Veteran's Advisory Board with a three-year ending April 30, 2023. Councilor Chines seconded. Motioned passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to appoint Michael Owen to the Veteran's Advisory Board with a three-year ending April 30, 2023. Councilor Chines seconded. Motioned passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Re-advertise for an appointment to the Conservation Commission to fill an un-expired three-year term through April 30, 2023 due to a resignation
Councilor DiNocco motioned to re-advertise for an appointment to the Conservation Commission to fill an un-expired three-year term through April 30, 2023 due to a resignation. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to re-advertise for an appointment to the Conservation Commission to fill an un-expired three-year term through April 30, 2023 due to a resignation. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: May)
Advertise for appointments to the MSBA High School Building Committee
Councilor Santos motioned to advertise for appointments to the MSBA High School Building Committee. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Councilor Butt asked Steve and Sherri to make sure the advertisement identifies the obligation. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to advertise for appointments to the MSBA High School Building Committee. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Councilor Butt asked Steve and Sherri to make sure the advertisement identifies the obligation. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
Union Contracts
Approve the Police contract as presented
Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the Police contract as presented. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the Police contract as presented. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Santos)
Approve the Fire contract as presented
Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the Fire contract as presented. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the Fire contract as presented. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Santos)
Approve the Supervisors contract as presented
Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the Supervisors contract as presented. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the Supervisors contract as presented. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Santos)
Town Owned Land
Reduce the purchase price to $117,000.00 as presented
Councilor DiNocco motioned to reduce the purchase price to $117,000.00 as presented. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to reduce the purchase price to $117,000.00 as presented. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Santos)
Surplus Equipment
Approve the request of the Department of Public Works to auction surplus equipment
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the request of the Department of Public Works to auction surplus equipment. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the request of the Department of Public Works to auction surplus equipment. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Farmer's Market
Approve the proposed 2020 Farmer's Market plan and also the 2020 License Agreement with section 9 local Non-Profit deleted for the 2020 season
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the proposed 2020 Farmer's Market plan and also the 2020 License Agreement with section 9 local Non-Profit deleted for the 2020 season. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the proposed 2020 Farmer's Market plan and also the 2020 License Agreement with section 9 local Non-Profit deleted for the 2020 season. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Banner Request
Approve the request of the Wakefield Elementary Schools to hang a banner across Main Street just outside of the Americal Civic Center from June 1, 2020 through June 15, 2020
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the request of the Wakefield Elementary Schools to hang a banner across Main Street just outside of the Americal Civic Center from June 1, 2020 through June 15, 2020. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motioned passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the request of the Wakefield Elementary Schools to hang a banner across Main Street just outside of the Americal Civic Center from June 1, 2020 through June 15, 2020. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motioned passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
Agreement
Approve the three-year Inter- Municipal Agreement for the School Nutrition Director as proposed
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the three-year Inter- Municipal Agreement for the School Nutrition Director as proposed. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the three-year Inter- Municipal Agreement for the School Nutrition Director as proposed. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
Committee Updates
Support the project recommendations from the Clean Lake Committee as presented and further instruct public works to apply for action grant funding through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness...
Councilor DiNocco motioned to support the project recommendations from the Clean Lake Committee as presented and further instruct public works to apply for action grant funding through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program for the Main Street corridor from Carriage Lane to Salem Street as the project will provide much needed water quality improvements to the town's most valuable natural asset Lake Quannapowitt. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to support the project recommendations from the Clean Lake Committee as presented and further instruct public works to apply for action grant funding through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program for the Main Street corridor from Carriage Lane to Salem Street as the project will provide much needed water quality improvements to the town's most valuable natural asset Lake Quannapowitt. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Santos)
The addition of a non-voting student liaison to the Clean Lake Committee and for the publishing of the liaison through the Town Council Clerk
Councilor Santos motioned for the addition of a non-voting student liaison to the Clean Lake Committee and for the publishing of the liaison through the Town Council Clerk. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned for the addition of a non-voting student liaison to the Clean Lake Committee and for the publishing of the liaison through the Town Council Clerk. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: DiNocco)
Town Council Re-Organization
Nominate Ann Santos as Chair for the upcoming year
Councilor DiNocco nominated Ann Santos as Chair for the upcoming year. There being no other nominations and Ann Santos having accepted the nomination, Chairman Dombroski declared the nominations closed. Councilor Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco nominated Ann Santos as Chair for the upcoming year. There being no other nominations and Ann Santos having accepted the nomination, Chairman Dombroski declared the nominations closed. Councilor Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Butt)
Nominate Julie Smith-Galvin as Vice-Chair for the upcoming year
Councilor Chines nominated Julie Smith-Galvin as Vice-Chair for the upcoming year. There being no other nominations and Julie Smith-Galvin having accepted the nomination, Chair Santos declared the nominations closed. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Chines nominated Julie Smith-Galvin as Vice-Chair for the upcoming year. There being no other nominations and Julie Smith-Galvin having accepted the nomination, Chair Santos declared the nominations closed. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: DiNocco)
Matters Not Anticipated for Agenda
Waive the section of the policy which states you must have and event at the Americal Civic Center in order for the Human Rights to raise the Pride flag
Councilor DiNocco motioned to waive the section of the policy which states you must have and event at the Americal Civic Center in order for the Human Rights to raise the Pride flag. Council Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to waive the section of the policy which states you must have and event at the Americal Civic Center in order for the Human Rights to raise the Pride flag. Council Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Butt)
Approve the request of the Human Rights Commission to raise the Pride flag at the Americal Civic Center for Pride month
Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the request of the Human Rights Commission to raise the Pride flag at the Americal Civic Center for Pride month. Councilor Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the request of the Human Rights Commission to raise the Pride flag at the Americal Civic Center for Pride month. Councilor Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Butt)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Councilor DiNocco motioned to adjourn. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to adjourn. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)
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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