MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2023–2024 Council · Regular meeting
May 8, 2023
12 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
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Present: Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Anne P. Danehy, Edward F. Dombroski, Michael J. McLane, Julie Smith-Galvin, Robert E. Vincent
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Engineering Update
Approve the request to hold the 76", 4'* of July Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 beginning at 5:00 p.m.; and to use North Avenue from the Wakefield/Reading line to the intersection with Church...
4 of July Parade: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request to hold the 76", 4'* of July Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 beginning at 5:00 p.m.; and to use North Avenue from the Wakefield/Reading line to the intersection with Church Street, Church Street to its intersection with Common Street, Common Street, and Main Street from Common Street to the Galvin Middle School driveway from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. or until the parade's conclusion; and to use Quannapowitt Parkway for staging purposes for the parade; and to use the Civic Center for | Lafayette Street Wakefield, MA 01880 * www.wakefield.ma.us * 781.246.6390 restroom facilities; and to use the Galvin Middle School parking lot for participants. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“4 of July Parade: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request to hold the 76", 4'* of July Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 beginning at 5:00 p.m.; and to use North Avenue from the Wakefield/Reading line to the intersection with Church Street, Church Street to its intersection with Common Street, Common Street, and Main Street from Common Street to the Galvin Middle School driveway from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. or until the parade's conclusion; and to use Quannapowitt Parkway for staging purposes for the parade; and to use the Civic Center for | Lafayette Street Wakefield, MA 01880 * www.wakefield.ma.us * 781.246.6390 restroom facilities; and to use the Galvin Middle School parking lot for participants. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Public Hearing
Set the date of June 26, 2023, at 7:02 p.m. for Fiscal Year 2024 Water and Sewer Rate Public Hearing
Public Hearing: Jonathan P. Chines moved to set the date of June 26, 2023, at 7:02 p.m. for Fiscal Year 2024 Water and Sewer Rate Public Hearing. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Public Hearing: Jonathan P. Chines moved to set the date of June 26, 2023, at 7:02 p.m. for Fiscal Year 2024 Water and Sewer Rate Public Hearing. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Public Engagement Policy
Table approval of the Policy to the next meeting, where the revised Public Engagement Policy can be viewed and voted on
After further discussion, Jonathan P. Chines moved to table approval of the Policy to the next meeting, where the revised Public Engagement Policy can be viewed and voted on. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. suggested that the Policy be first on the agenda and then have the Public Participation item next. Julie Smith- Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“After further discussion, Jonathan P. Chines moved to table approval of the Policy to the next meeting, where the revised Public Engagement Policy can be viewed and voted on. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. suggested that the Policy be first on the agenda and then have the Public Participation item next. Julie Smith- Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Committees/Appointments
Advertise for a Special Municipal Employee for the Wakefield Memorial High School project
Committees/Appointments: Special Municipal Employee: Jonathan P. Chines moved to advertise for a Special Municipal Employee for the Wakefield Memorial High School project. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Committees/Appointments: Special Municipal Employee: Jonathan P. Chines moved to advertise for a Special Municipal Employee for the Wakefield Memorial High School project. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Clarify the Permanent Building Committee terms to end December 31* as stated in Bylaw
Permanent Building Committee: Jonathan P. Chines moved to clarify the Permanent Building Committee terms to end December 31* as stated in Bylaw. Any member who has a current term ending April 30, 2026, will now end December 31, 2025; any member who has a current term ending April 30, 2025, will now end December 31, 2024; and any member who has a current term ending April 30, 2024, will now end December 31, 2023. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Permanent Building Committee: Jonathan P. Chines moved to clarify the Permanent Building Committee terms to end December 31* as stated in Bylaw. Any member who has a current term ending April 30, 2026, will now end December 31, 2025; any member who has a current term ending April 30, 2025, will now end December 31, 2024; and any member who has a current term ending April 30, 2024, will now end December 31, 2023. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Advertise for an open position on the Human Rights Commission to fill an unexpired term
Human Rights Commission: Jonathan P. Chines moved to advertise for an open position on the Human Rights Commission to fill an unexpired term. Julie Smith- Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Human Rights Commission: Jonathan P. Chines moved to advertise for an open position on the Human Rights Commission to fill an unexpired term. Julie Smith- Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Dissolve the Albion Cultural Exchange Committee and continue the management through Recreation Director McGrath, and Department of Public Works
Jonathan P. Chines moved to dissolve the Albion Cultural Exchange Committee and continue the management through Recreation Director McGrath, and Department of Public Works. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Further discussion ensued. Motion passed 6-1-0 with Jonathan P. Chines, Julie Smith-Galvin, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Anne P. Danehy, Robert E. Vincent II, and Mehreen N. Butt voting in favor of the motion. Michael P. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Dombroski, Smith-Galvin, VincentNo: McLane
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to dissolve the Albion Cultural Exchange Committee and continue the management through Recreation Director McGrath, and Department of Public Works. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Further discussion ensued. Motion passed 6-1-0 with Jonathan P. Chines, Julie Smith-Galvin, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Anne P. Danehy, Robert E. Vincent II, and Mehreen N. Butt voting in favor of the motion. Michael P. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Donations
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $20,690.00 from various donors with thanks
Donations: Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $20,690.00 from various donors with thanks. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Donations: Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $20,690.00 from various donors with thanks. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Approval of Minutes
Approve April 24, 2023, Town Council meeting minutes as presented
Approval of Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve April 24, 2023, Town Council meeting minutes as presented. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve April 24, 2023, Town Council meeting minutes as presented. Julie Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Town Council Reorganization
Nominate Jonathan P. Chines as Chair of the Town Council for May 2023-May 2024
Town Council Reorganization: Julie Smith-Galvin nominated Jonathan P. Chines as Chair of the Town Council for May 2023-May 2024. No other nominations and Jonathan P. Chines having accepted the nomination, Mehreen N. Butt declared the nominations closed unanimously 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Town Council Reorganization: Julie Smith-Galvin nominated Jonathan P. Chines as Chair of the Town Council for May 2023-May 2024. No other nominations and Jonathan P. Chines having accepted the nomination, Mehreen N. Butt declared the nominations closed unanimously 7-0-0..” (Motion: Smith-Galvin)
Nominate Michael J. McLane as Vice-Chair of the Town Council for May 2023-May 2024
Anne P. Danehy nominated Michael J. McLane as Vice-Chair of the Town Council for May 2023-May 2024. No other nominations and Michael J. McLane having accepted the nomination, Jonathan P. Chines declared the nominations closed unanimously 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Anne P. Danehy nominated Michael J. McLane as Vice-Chair of the Town Council for May 2023-May 2024. No other nominations and Michael J. McLane having accepted the nomination, Jonathan P. Chines declared the nominations closed unanimously 7-0-0..” (Motion: Danehy)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Michael J. McLane motioned to adjourn at 9:52 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Adjournment: Michael J. McLane motioned to adjourn at 9:52 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. Motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
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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