← Wakefield Town Council

Wakefield Town Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting

September 14, 2020

17 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.

Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda

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Attendance

Present: Ann McGonigle Santos, Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Paul R. DiNocco, Edward F. Dombroski, Peter J. May

Absent: None

Every vote, in order

Approval of Minutes

Approve the August 03rd, 2020 regular Town Council meeting minutes

Minutes, page 1

Approve minutesPassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Approval of Minutes: Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the August 03rd, 2020 regular Town Council meeting minutes. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Approval of Minutes: Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the August 03rd, 2020 regular Town Council meeting minutes. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Approve the July 13th, 2020 executive session Town Council meeting minutes

Minutes, page 1

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the July 13th, 2020 executive session Town Council meeting minutes. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Councilor DiNocco motioned to approve the July 13th, 2020 executive session Town Council meeting minutes. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Zoning By-law Change

Refer to the Planning Board the proposed change to the Zoning By-law amending §190-48 and §190-31 as presented by Attorney Brian McGrail and his clients from The Savings Bank

Minutes, page 1

ApprovePassed · 6–0

Zoning By-law Change: Councilor DiNocco motioned to refer to the Planning Board the proposed change to the Zoning By-law amending §190-48 and §190-31 as presented by Attorney Brian McGrail and his clients from The Savings Bank. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 by a roll call vote with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining.

Yes: Butt, Chines, DiNocco, Dombroski, May, SantosAbstained: Smith-Galvin

From the minutes

“Zoning By-law Change: Councilor DiNocco motioned to refer to the Planning Board the proposed change to the Zoning By-law amending §190-48 and §190-31 as presented by Attorney Brian McGrail and his clients from The Savings Bank. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 by a roll call vote with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Appointments - Planning Board

Appointed Megan Menesale and Joanne Scouler to the Planning Board to fill un-expired terms through April 2021 at which time Ms. Menesale and Ms. Scouler can choose to run for the elected positions...

Minutes, page 2

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Councilor Chines motioned to appointed Megan Menesale and Joanne Scouler to the Planning Board to fill un-expired terms through April 2021 at which time Ms. Menesale and Ms. Scouler can choose to run for the elected positions on the April 2021 Town Election ballot, one five-year term and one two-year term. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 9-0-0 by a roll call vote.

Joint vote with another board; only the Town Council members’ votes are shown. The joint count (9-0-0) has no no votes or abstentions, so each councilor present is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“Councilor Chines motioned to appointed Megan Menesale and Joanne Scouler to the Planning Board to fill un-expired terms through April 2021 at which time Ms. Menesale and Ms. Scouler can choose to run for the elected positions on the April 2021 Town Election ballot, one five-year term and one two-year term. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 9-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Disability Commission

Appoint Levonne Coughlin, Cheryl Callanan and Maeve Conway to the Disability Commission with terms ending April 30th, 2023

Minutes, page 2

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Disability Commission: Councilor DiNocco motioned to appoint Levonne Coughlin, Cheryl Callanan and Maeve Conway to the Disability Commission with terms ending April 30th, 2023. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Disability Commission: Councilor DiNocco motioned to appoint Levonne Coughlin, Cheryl Callanan and Maeve Conway to the Disability Commission with terms ending April 30th, 2023. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Public Works Building Feasibility Study Sub-Committee

Appoint Peter May - Town Council liaison, Joseph Conway - Public Works Director, Ann Waitt - Public Works Business Manager, William Renault - Town Engineer, Christopher Hunt - Field Operations...

Minutes, page 2

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Public Works Building Feasibility Study Sub-Committee: Councilor DiNocco motioned to appoint Peter May - Town Council liaison, Joseph Conway - Public Works Director, Ann Waitt - Public Works Business Manager, William Renault - Town Engineer, Christopher Hunt - Field Operations Manager, Christopher Pierce - Public Works Building Manager, Richard Stinson - Citizen At Large and Joseph Harrington - Citizen At Large to the Public Works Building Feasibility Study Sub-Committee as recommended by Joseph Conway, Public Works Director. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Public Works Building Feasibility Study Sub-Committee: Councilor DiNocco motioned to appoint Peter May - Town Council liaison, Joseph Conway - Public Works Director, Ann Waitt - Public Works Business Manager, William Renault - Town Engineer, Christopher Hunt - Field Operations Manager, Christopher Pierce - Public Works Building Manager, Richard Stinson - Citizen At Large and Joseph Harrington - Citizen At Large to the Public Works Building Feasibility Study Sub-Committee as recommended by Joseph Conway, Public Works Director. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Public Hearing

Open the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department Public Hearing for Murray Street

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Councilor DiNocco motioned to open the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department Public Hearing for Murray Street. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Councilor DiNocco motioned to open the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department Public Hearing for Murray Street. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Dombroski)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Close the Public Hearing

Minutes, page 2

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Councilor DiNocco motioned to close the Public Hearing. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Councilor DiNocco motioned to close the Public Hearing. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Smith-Galvin)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Tax Classification

Set Thursday, October 15th, 2020 at 7:10 p.m. as the Public Hearing date for Tax Classification

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Tax Classification: Councilor DiNocco motioned to set Thursday, October 15th, 2020 at 7:10 p.m. as the Public Hearing date for Tax Classification. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Tax Classification: Councilor DiNocco motioned to set Thursday, October 15th, 2020 at 7:10 p.m. as the Public Hearing date for Tax Classification. Councilor Dombroski seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Dombroski)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Traffic Advisory Recommendations

Approve the follow Traffic Advisory Recommendations as presented by Lt

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Traffic Advisory Recommendations: Councilor Dombroski motioned to approve the follow Traffic Advisory Recommendations as presented by Lt. Joseph Anderson: No Parking on Crescent Street from Eaton Street to Centre Street; No Parking Here to Corner be posted on both sides of Eaton Street between #2 and #4 to the intersection of Crescent Street; Parking be restricted on the even side of Perham Street and the intersection be posted No Parking Here to Corner from the Perham Street side driveway of #304 Water Street to the intersection of Water Street on both sides; Parking permits be available for residents on Emerson Street from Chestnut Street to Prospect Street to park beyond the two-hour parking restriction; a Stop sign be installed on both sides of Newell Road. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Traffic Advisory Recommendations: Councilor Dombroski motioned to approve the follow Traffic Advisory Recommendations as presented by Lt. Joseph Anderson: No Parking on Crescent Street from Eaton Street to Centre Street; No Parking Here to Corner be posted on both sides of Eaton Street between #2 and #4 to the intersection of Crescent Street; Parking be restricted on the even side of Perham Street and the intersection be posted No Parking Here to Corner from the Perham Street side driveway of #304 Water Street to the intersection of Water Street on both sides; Parking permits be available for residents on Emerson Street from Chestnut Street to Prospect Street to park beyond the two-hour parking restriction; a Stop sign be installed on both sides of Newell Road. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: DiNocco)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Donation

Approve the request of the Library to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library in the amount of $130.00 from various donors with thanks

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Donation: Councilor Dombroski motioned to approve the request of the Library to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library in the amount of $130.00 from various donors with thanks. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Donation: Councilor Dombroski motioned to approve the request of the Library to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library in the amount of $130.00 from various donors with thanks. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Regular Town Meeting

Set Saturday, November 07th, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. in the Field House at the High School for the Regular Town Meeting

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Regular Town Meeting: Councilor DiNocco motioned to set Saturday, November 07th, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. in the Field House at the High School for the Regular Town Meeting. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Regular Town Meeting: Councilor DiNocco motioned to set Saturday, November 07th, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. in the Field House at the High School for the Regular Town Meeting. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Open the Regular Town Meeting Warrant

Minutes, page 3

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Councilor Chines motioned to open the Regular Town Meeting Warrant. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Councilor Chines motioned to open the Regular Town Meeting Warrant. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: DiNocco)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Close the Regular Town Meeting Warrant on October 08th, 2020 at 4:30 p.m

Minutes, page 3

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Councilor DiNocco motioned to close the Regular Town Meeting Warrant on October 08th, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Councilor DiNocco motioned to close the Regular Town Meeting Warrant on October 08th, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Debt Service

Transfer the sum of $1,000,000.00 from the General Fund to the Debt Service Capital Needs account

Minutes, page 3

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Debt Service: Councilor DiNocco motioned to transfer the sum of $1,000,000.00 from the General Fund to the Debt Service Capital Needs account. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Debt Service: Councilor DiNocco motioned to transfer the sum of $1,000,000.00 from the General Fund to the Debt Service Capital Needs account. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Special Legislation

Request special legislation as authorized in Article 21 of the June 20th, 2020 Annual Town Meeting

Minutes, page 3

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Special Legislation: Councilor Dombroski motioned to request special legislation as authorized in Article 21 of the June 20th, 2020 Annual Town Meeting. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Special Legislation: Councilor Dombroski motioned to request special legislation as authorized in Article 21 of the June 20th, 2020 Annual Town Meeting. Councilor DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: DiNocco)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

Adjournment

Adjourn

Minutes, page 3

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 7 present

Adjournment: Councilor Chines motioned to adjourn at 8:41 p.m. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.

From the minutes

“Adjournment: Councilor Chines motioned to adjourn at 8:41 p.m. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

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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