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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. Anne P. Danehy joined after the April 2021 town election; Paul R. DiNocco left (his last meeting was April 12, 2021). On May 10, 2021 the board chose Julie Smith-Galvin as Chair and Mehreen N. Butt as Vice-Chair (each 7-0-0 by roll call). Peter J. May died in the fall of 2021 (his last meeting was September 13, 2021; the board honored him on October 14, 2021). Michael J. McLane won the February 22, 2022 special election for the rest of that term and joined on February 28, 2022. Covers 25 meetings, May 10 to April 25, 2022.
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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- Wed, Oct 14Council on Aging →
From the agendas Wakefield posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
Members
Jonathan P. ChinesMember · At-large · at 25 of 25 meetingsAnne P. DanehyMember · At-large · at 25 of 25 meetingsEdward F. DombroskiMember · At-large · at 25 of 25 meetingsPeter J. MayMember · At-large · at 5 of 10 meetings · until Sep 2021Michael J. McLaneMember · At-large · at 5 of 5 meetings · from Feb 2022Ann McGonigle SantosMember · At-large · at 25 of 25 meetings"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 25A two-week extension for the removal of abandoned vehicles…Motion: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. motioned for a two-week extension for the…Passed 6–1 · No: McLane
April 25, 2022: A two-week extension for the removal of abandoned vehicles and other material to May 9th, 2022
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. motioned for a two-week extension for the removal of abandoned vehicles and other material to May 9th, 2022. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-1-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Jonathan P. Chines, Ann Santos, Anne P. Danehy, Mehreen N. Butt and Julie Smith-Galvin voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Dombroski, Santos, Smith-GalvinNo: McLane
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. motioned for a two-week extension for the removal of abandoned vehicles and other material to May 9th, 2022. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-1-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Jonathan P. Chines, Ann Santos, Anne P. Danehy, Mehreen N. Butt and Julie Smith-Galvin voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Apr 11Move the slate to appoint the applicants as proposed…Motion: Appointments: Mehreen N. Butt motioned to move the slate to appoint…Passed Unanimous, 7 present · see note
April 11, 2022: Move the slate to appoint the applicants as proposed with three-year terms starting May 1st, 2022 and ending April 30th, 2025 to the Advisory Board of Public Works; Albion Cultural…
Appointments: Mehreen N. Butt motioned to move the slate to appoint the applicants as proposed with three-year terms starting May 1st, 2022 and ending April 30th, 2025 to the Advisory Board of Public Works; Albion Cultural Exchange Committee; Arts Council; Capital Planning Committee; Commission on Disabilities; Council on Aging; Historical Commission; Human Rights Commission; Permanent Building Committee and Veteran Advisory Board. Ann Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0 with Julie Smith Galvin recusing from the Permanent Building Committee.
The minutes say the slate passed 7-0, with Julie Smith-Galvin stepping aside (recusing) only from the Permanent Building Committee appointment; the 7-0 count includes her vote on the rest of the slate.
From the minutes
“Appointments: Mehreen N. Butt motioned to move the slate to appoint the applicants as proposed with three-year terms starting May 1st, 2022 and ending April 30th, 2025 to the Advisory Board of Public Works; Albion Cultural Exchange Committee; Arts Council; Capital Planning Committee; Commission on Disabilities; Council on Aging; Historical Commission; Human Rights Commission; Permanent Building Committee and Veteran Advisory Board. Ann Santos seconded. Motion passed 7-0 with Julie Smith Galvin recusing from the Permanent Building Committee..” (Motion: Butt, second: Santos)
Mar 14Authorize the Town Council chair to execute the Settlement…Motion: Ann Santos motioned to authorize the Town Council chair to execute…Passed 6–0 · see note
March 14, 2022: Authorize the Town Council chair to execute the Settlement Participation forms as proposed
Ann Santos motioned to authorize the Town Council chair to execute the Settlement Participation forms as proposed. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0 by a roll call vote.
Yes: Chines, Danehy, Dombroski, McLane, Santos, Smith-GalvinThe minutes say “Mehreen N. Butt left the meeting”; “Mehreen N. Butt rejoined the meeting”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Mehreen N. Butt is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Ann Santos motioned to authorize the Town Council chair to execute the Settlement Participation forms as proposed. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Feb 28Approve Budget #26 Health and Human Services department in…Motion: Mehreen N. Butt motioned to approve Budget #26 Health and Human…Passed 6–1 · No: Dombroski
February 28, 2022: Approve Budget #26 Health and Human Services department in the amount of $383,076.00 Ann Santos seconded
Mehreen N. Butt motioned to approve Budget #26 Health and Human Services department in the amount of $383,076.00 Ann Santos seconded. Motion passed 6-1-0 with Mehreen N. Butt; Ann Santos; Jonathan P. Chines; Anne P. Danehy, Michael J. McLane and Julie Smith-Galvin voting in favor of the motion. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion and stated the work the department does is important but the whole budget is a step too far.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, McLane, Santos, Smith-GalvinNo: Dombroski
From the minutes
“Mehreen N. Butt motioned to approve Budget #26 Health and Human Services department in the amount of $383,076.00 Ann Santos seconded. Motion passed 6-1-0 with Mehreen N. Butt; Ann Santos; Jonathan P. Chines; Anne P. Danehy, Michael J. McLane and Julie Smith-Galvin voting in favor of the motion. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion and stated the work the department does is important but the whole budget is a step too far..” (Motion: Butt, second: Santos)
Feb 14End the mask mandate for municipal buildings upon the…Motion: Matters Not Anticipated for Agenda: Jonathan P. Chines motioned to end…Passed 5–1 · No: Butt
February 14, 2022: End the mask mandate for municipal buildings upon the expiration of the town-wide mask mandate enacted by the Wakefield Board of Health
Matters Not Anticipated for Agenda: Jonathan P. Chines motioned to end the mask mandate for municipal buildings upon the expiration of the town-wide mask mandate enacted by the Wakefield Board of Health. Ann Santos seconded. Motion passed 5-1-0 with Mehreen N. Butt voting against the motion. Jonathan P. Chines; Ann Santos; Edward F. Dombroski, Jr.; Anne P. Danehy and Julie Smith- Galvin voting in favor of the motion.
Yes: Chines, Danehy, Dombroski, Santos, Smith-GalvinNo: Butt
From the minutes
“Matters Not Anticipated for Agenda: Jonathan P. Chines motioned to end the mask mandate for municipal buildings upon the expiration of the town-wide mask mandate enacted by the Wakefield Board of Health. Ann Santos seconded. Motion passed 5-1-0 with Mehreen N. Butt voting against the motion. Jonathan P. Chines; Ann Santos; Edward F. Dombroski, Jr.; Anne P. Danehy and Julie Smith- Galvin voting in favor of the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Santos)
Jan 24Approve Budget #20 Inspectional Services in the amount of…Motion: Mehreen N. Butt motioned to approve Budget #20 Inspectional Services in…Passed 5–1 · No: Dombroski
January 24, 2022: Approve Budget #20 Inspectional Services in the amount of $438,778.00
Mehreen N. Butt motioned to approve Budget #20 Inspectional Services in the amount of $438,778.00. Ann Santos seconded. Motion passed 5-1-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion as he feels there is not a need to add a full-time position. Mehreen N. Butt, Ann Santos, Julie Smith-Galvin, Anne P. Danehy and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor of the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Santos, Smith-GalvinNo: Dombroski
From the minutes
“Mehreen N. Butt motioned to approve Budget #20 Inspectional Services in the amount of $438,778.00. Ann Santos seconded. Motion passed 5-1-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion as he feels there is not a need to add a full-time position. Mehreen N. Butt, Ann Santos, Julie Smith-Galvin, Anne P. Danehy and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor of the motion..” (Motion: Butt, second: Santos)
Jan 10Fiscal Year 2023 BudgetsMotion: Motioned to approve Budget #25 Council on Aging in the amount…Passed Unanimous, 6 present · see note
January 10, 2022: Fiscal Year 2023 Budgets
Motioned to approve Budget #25 Council on Aging in the amount of $27,800.00. Seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0 by a roll call vote.
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“Motioned to approve Budget #25 Council on Aging in the amount of $27,800.00. Seconded. Motion passed 6-0-0 by a roll call vote..”
Jan 10Approve the Traffic Advisory Recommendation that a No Parking…Motion: Traffic Advisory Recommendation: Ann Santos motioned to approve the Traffic Advisory…Passed 5–0 · see note
January 10, 2022: Approve the Traffic Advisory Recommendation that a No Parking restriction be approved for the westerly side of Hopkins Street from the Reading town line to the corner of South Street
Traffic Advisory Recommendation: Ann Santos motioned to approve the Traffic Advisory Recommendation that a No Parking restriction be approved for the westerly side of Hopkins Street from the Reading town line to the corner of South Street. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. Motion passed 5-0-1 by a roll call vote with Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Anne P. Danehy, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Ann Santos and Julie Smith-Galvin voting in favor. Jonathan P. Chines recused.
The minutes record Jonathan P. Chines both ways. Showing the count only.
From the minutes
“Traffic Advisory Recommendation: Ann Santos motioned to approve the Traffic Advisory Recommendation that a No Parking restriction be approved for the westerly side of Hopkins Street from the Reading town line to the corner of South Street. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. Motion passed 5-0-1 by a roll call vote with Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Anne P. Danehy, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Ann Santos and Julie Smith-Galvin voting in favor. Jonathan P. Chines recused..” (Motion: Santos, second: Butt)
Nov 8Hold a Special Election to fill the unexpired term…Motion: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. motioned to hold a Special Election to…Failed 1–5 · No: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Santos, Smith-Galvin
November 8, 2021: Hold a Special Election to fill the unexpired term on the Town Council through April 2022
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. motioned to hold a Special Election to fill the unexpired term on the Town Council through April 2022. Ann Santos seconded. Motion did not pass 1-5-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor. Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Anne P. Danehy and Ann Santos voting against the motion.
Yes: DombroskiNo: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Santos, Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. motioned to hold a Special Election to fill the unexpired term on the Town Council through April 2022. Ann Santos seconded. Motion did not pass 1-5-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor. Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Anne P. Danehy and Ann Santos voting against the motion..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Santos)
Oct 14Appoint Elaine Silva of 1 Furness Circle to the…Motion: Board of Health member Gourville motioned to appoint Elaine Silva of…Passed Unanimous, 6 present · see note
October 14, 2021: Appoint Elaine Silva of 1 Furness Circle to the Board of Health for the unexpired term through April 2022 (joint vote with the Board of Health)
Board of Health member Gourville motioned to appoint Elaine Silva of 1 Furness Circle to fulfill the unexpired term on the Board of Health through April 2022. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote with Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Anne P. Danehy, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Ann Santos and Laurel Skinder Gourville voting.
Joint vote with another board; only the Town Council members’ votes are shown. The minutes say the motion, made by Board of Health member Laurel Skinder Gourville, passed 7-0-0 by roll call “with Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Anne P. Danehy, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Ann Santos and Laurel Skinder Gourville voting.”
From the minutes
“Board of Health member Gourville motioned to appoint Elaine Silva of 1 Furness Circle to fulfill the unexpired term on the Board of Health through April 2022. Motion passed 7-0-0 by a roll call vote with Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Anne P. Danehy, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Ann Santos and Laurel Skinder Gourville voting..”
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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