MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting
October 15, 2020
19 recorded votes, 7 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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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 September 29th, 2020 executive session Town Council meeting minutes as proposed
Approval of Minutes: Peter May motioned to approve the September 29th, 2020 executive session Town Council meeting minutes as proposed. Paul DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes: Peter May motioned to approve the September 29th, 2020 executive session Town Council meeting minutes as proposed. Paul DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: May, second: DiNocco)
Approve the September 29th, 2020 regular Town Council meeting minutes as proposed
Julie Smith-Galvin motioned to approve the September 29th, 2020 regular Town Council meeting minutes as proposed. Paul DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Julie Smith-Galvin motioned to approve the September 29th, 2020 regular Town Council meeting minutes as proposed. Paul DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Smith-Galvin, second: DiNocco)
Appointments
Appoint John Murray (term to 2022) and Amanda Abbott (term to 2021) to the Fence Viewing Committee, as amended
Paul DiNocco motioned to appoint John Murray to the Fence Viewing Committee. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Jonathan Chines motioned to appoint Amanda Abbott to the Fence Viewing Committee. Mehreen Butt seconded. Edward Dombroski motioned to amend the motion by including the 2021 term date for Amanda Abbott and a 2023 term date for John Murray. Paul DiNocco seconded. Edward Dombroski further amended his motion with a 2022 term date for John Murray. Paul DiNocco seconded. Motions passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
The minutes record two appointment motions (Paul DiNocco / Julie Smith-Galvin for John Murray; Jonathan P. Chines / Mehreen N. Butt for Amanda Abbott) and Edward F. Dombroski’s amendments setting the term dates, then “Motions passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.”
From the minutes
“Paul DiNocco motioned to appoint John Murray to the Fence Viewing Committee. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Jonathan Chines motioned to appoint Amanda Abbott to the Fence Viewing Committee. Mehreen Butt seconded. Edward Dombroski motioned to amend the motion by including the 2021 term date for Amanda Abbott and a 2023 term date for John Murray. Paul DiNocco seconded. Edward Dombroski further amended his motion with a 2022 term date for John Murray. Paul DiNocco seconded. Motions passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Smith-Galvin)
Public Hearing - Fiscal Year 2021 Tax Classification
Open the public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 tax classification
At 7:10 p.m. Ann Santos called for a roll call vote to enter the Public Hearing. All seven (7) councilors unanimously agreed.
The minutes say all seven councilors unanimously agreed on a roll call; they later note that Julie Smith-Galvin made the motion and Paul R. DiNocco seconded it.
From the minutes
“At 7:10 p.m. Ann Santos called for a roll call vote to enter the Public Hearing. All seven (7) councilors unanimously agreed..” (Motion: Smith-Galvin, second: DiNocco)
Appointments
A minimum residential factor of .900579 which will maintain a shift factor of 1.75
Paul DiNocco motioned for a minimum residential factor of .900579 which will maintain a shift factor of 1.75. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Paul DiNocco motioned for a minimum residential factor of .900579 which will maintain a shift factor of 1.75. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)
Vote no on Residential Exemption
Paul DiNocco motioned a no vote on Residential Exemption. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Paul DiNocco motioned a no vote on Residential Exemption. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)
Vote no on an Open Space Discount
Paul DiNocco motioned a no vote on an Open Space Discount. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Paul DiNocco motioned a no vote on an Open Space Discount. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)
Vote no on a Small Commercial Exemption (Fiscal Year 2021 tax classification)
Paul DiNocco motion a no vote on a Small Commercial Exemption. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Paul DiNocco motion a no vote on a Small Commercial Exemption. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)
Close the Public Hearing
Paul DiNocco motioned to close the Public Hearing. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Paul DiNocco motioned to close the Public Hearing. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Smith-Galvin)
Joint Meeting - School Committee
Joint appointment with the School Committee to fill a School Committee vacancy (Darci Burns chosen)
Darci Burns was appointed to the School Committee having received ten (10) votes from Paul DiNocco, Ann Santos, Jonathan Chines, Michael Boudreau, Colleen Guida, Mehreen Butt, Edward Dombroski, Aimee Purcell, Julie Smith-Galvin and Thomas Markham with a term through April 2021.
A joint choice among five nominees by the Town Council and School Committee, so the result only is shown. The minutes say Darci Burns received ten votes, from Paul DiNocco, Ann Santos, Jonathan Chines, Michael Boudreau, Colleen Guida, Mehreen Butt, Edward Dombroski, Aimee Purcell, Julie Smith-Galvin and Thomas Markham.
From the minutes
“Darci Burns was appointed to the School Committee having received ten (10) votes from Paul DiNocco, Ann Santos, Jonathan Chines, Michael Boudreau, Colleen Guida, Mehreen Butt, Edward Dombroski, Aimee Purcell, Julie Smith-Galvin and Thomas Markham with a term through April 2021..”
Joint appointment with the School Committee to fill a second School Committee vacancy (Gregory Liakos chosen)
Gregory Liakos was appointed to the School Committee having received seven (7) votes from Ann Santos, Jonathan Chines, Peter May, Colleen Guida, Thomas Markham, Mehreen Butt and Julie Smith-Galvin with a term through April 2021.
A joint choice among the remaining nominees, so the result only is shown. The minutes say Gregory Liakos received seven votes, from Ann Santos, Jonathan Chines, Peter May, Colleen Guida, Thomas Markham, Mehreen Butt and Julie Smith-Galvin.
From the minutes
“Gregory Liakos was appointed to the School Committee having received seven (7) votes from Ann Santos, Jonathan Chines, Peter May, Colleen Guida, Thomas Markham, Mehreen Butt and Julie Smith-Galvin with a term through April 2021..”
Human Rights Commission
Move the question to begin the Human Rights Commission appointment process (joint vote with the School Committee)
Human Rights Commission: After a lengthy discussion which included Ann Santos stating that a Subcommittee will be formed sometime in the future, Thomas Markham motioned to move the question to begin the process. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 8-4-0 by a roll call vote with Edward Dombroski, Paul DiNocco, Peter May and Aimee Purcell voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Santos, Smith-GalvinNo: DiNocco, Dombroski, MayJoint vote with another board; only the Town Council members’ votes are shown. The minutes say the motion passed 8-4-0 by roll call with Edward Dombroski, Paul DiNocco, Peter May and Aimee Purcell (School Committee) voting against. The seven councilors and five School Committee members were present (12 in all), so the other four councilors are shown voting yes. The motion was made by School Committee member Thomas Markham.
From the minutes
“Human Rights Commission: After a lengthy discussion which included Ann Santos stating that a Subcommittee will be formed sometime in the future, Thomas Markham motioned to move the question to begin the process. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 8-4-0 by a roll call vote with Edward Dombroski, Paul DiNocco, Peter May and Aimee Purcell voting against the motion..” (second: Smith-Galvin)
Appoint Nicole Jacob to the Human Rights Commission (joint vote with the School Committee)
Michael Boudreau motioned to appoint Nicole Jacob to the Human Rights Commission with a term ending April 30th, 2023. Thomas Markham seconded. Motion passed 8-3-0 by a roll call vote with Edward Dombroski, Aimee Purcell and Paul DiNocco voting against the motion due to the process and not the applicants as they stated.
Joint vote with another board; only the Town Council members’ votes are shown. The minutes say the motion passed 8-3-0 by roll call with Edward Dombroski, Aimee Purcell (School Committee) and Paul DiNocco voting against “due to the process and not the applicants.” Only 11 of the 12 members present are counted, and the minutes do not say who did not vote, so the result only is shown. The motion was made by School Committee member Michael Boudreau.
From the minutes
“Michael Boudreau motioned to appoint Nicole Jacob to the Human Rights Commission with a term ending April 30th, 2023. Thomas Markham seconded. Motion passed 8-3-0 by a roll call vote with Edward Dombroski, Aimee Purcell and Paul DiNocco voting against the motion due to the process and not the applicants as they stated..”
Appoint Jeremy Little, Kimberley Ring Allen and Teresa Aravena-Gonzalez to the Human Rights Commission (joint vote with the School Committee)
Thomas Markham motioned to appoint Jeremy Little, Kimberley Ring Allen and Teresa Aravena- Gonzalez to the Human Rights Commission with terms through April 30th, 2021. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 9-3-0 by a roll call vote with Edward Dombroski, Aimee Purcell and Paul DiNocco voting against the motion due to the process and not the applicants as stated.
Yes: Butt, Chines, May, Santos, Smith-GalvinNo: DiNocco, DombroskiJoint vote with another board; only the Town Council members’ votes are shown. The minutes say the motion passed 9-3-0 by roll call with Edward Dombroski, Aimee Purcell (School Committee) and Paul DiNocco voting against “due to the process and not the applicants.” All 12 members present are counted, so the other five councilors are shown voting yes. The motion was made by School Committee member Thomas Markham.
From the minutes
“Thomas Markham motioned to appoint Jeremy Little, Kimberley Ring Allen and Teresa Aravena- Gonzalez to the Human Rights Commission with terms through April 30th, 2021. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 9-3-0 by a roll call vote with Edward Dombroski, Aimee Purcell and Paul DiNocco voting against the motion due to the process and not the applicants as stated..” (second: Smith-Galvin)
Farmers Market
Approve the addition of November 21st, 2020 and December 12th, 2020 to the current License Agreement
Edward Dombroski motioned to approve the addition of November 21st, 2020 and December 12th, 2020 to the current License Agreement. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Edward Dombroski motioned to approve the addition of November 21st, 2020 and December 12th, 2020 to the current License Agreement. Jonathan Chines seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Proposed Zoning By-law Articles
Refer the two (2) proposed Zoning By-law Articles for the Regular Town Meeting on November 7th, 2020 to the Planning Board for a Public Hearing
Proposed Zoning By-law Articles: Jonathan Chines motioned to refer the two (2) proposed Zoning By-law Articles for the Regular Town Meeting on November 7th, 2020 to the Planning Board for a Public Hearing. Paul DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Proposed Zoning By-law Articles: Jonathan Chines motioned to refer the two (2) proposed Zoning By-law Articles for the Regular Town Meeting on November 7th, 2020 to the Planning Board for a Public Hearing. Paul DiNocco seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: DiNocco)
Settlement Agreement
Authorize the proposed Settlement Agreement, subject to Town Meeting approval, between the Town of Wakefield and Woods, LLC for the property located on Butler Street in the amount of two billion...
Settlement Agreement: Edward Dombroski motioned to authorize the proposed Settlement Agreement, subject to Town Meeting approval, between the Town of Wakefield and Woods, LLC for the property located on Butler Street in the amount of two billion one hundred and fifty thousand. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Settlement Agreement: Edward Dombroski motioned to authorize the proposed Settlement Agreement, subject to Town Meeting approval, between the Town of Wakefield and Woods, LLC for the property located on Butler Street in the amount of two billion one hundred and fifty thousand. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Smith-Galvin)
Regular Town Meeting Warrant
Approve the Regular Town Meeting Warrant for November 07th, 2020
Regular Town Meeting Warrant: Jonathan Chines motioned to approve the Regular Town Meeting Warrant for November 07th, 2020. Mehreen Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Regular Town Meeting Warrant: Jonathan Chines motioned to approve the Regular Town Meeting Warrant for November 07th, 2020. Mehreen Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butt)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Jonathan Chines motioned to adjourn at 10:24 p.m. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Adjournment: Jonathan Chines motioned to adjourn at 10:24 p.m. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
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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