MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2023–2024 Council · Regular meeting
January 22, 2024
7 recorded votes, 4 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
During the meeting:
- Edward F. Dombroski took part remotely.
Every vote, in order
Fiscal Year 2025 Budgets
Approve the following Fiscal Year 2025 budgets: Budget #4 Treasury Department for $237,756.00; Budget #18 Fire Alarm / Traffic Signals for $72,511.00; Budget #19 Emergency Management Department...
Michael J. McLane moved to approve the following Fiscal Year 2025 budgets: Budget #4 Treasury Department for $237,756.00; Budget #18 Fire Alarm / Traffic Signals for $72,511.00; Budget #19 Emergency Management Department for $92,253.00; Budget #20 Inspectional Services Department for $482,638.00; Budget #36 Street Lights for $188,131.00; Budget #38 Historical Commission for $2,000.00; Budget #41 Unemployment for $75,000.00; Budget #42 Reserve Fund for $400,000.00; Budget #44 Professional Medical for $15,300.00. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to approve the following Fiscal Year 2025 budgets: Budget #4 Treasury Department for $237,756.00; Budget #18 Fire Alarm / Traffic Signals for $72,511.00; Budget #19 Emergency Management Department for $92,253.00; Budget #20 Inspectional Services Department for $482,638.00; Budget #36 Street Lights for $188,131.00; Budget #38 Historical Commission for $2,000.00; Budget #41 Unemployment for $75,000.00; Budget #42 Reserve Fund for $400,000.00; Budget #44 Professional Medical for $15,300.00. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approve Budget #13 Conservation Commission for $61,078.00
After a lengthy discussion Michael J. McLane moved to approve Budget #13 Conservation Commission for $61,078.00. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 4-3-0 by roll call vote with Mehreen N. Butt, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Julie Smith-Galvin, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane, Anne P. Danehy, and Robert E. Vincent II voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, Smith-GalvinNo: Danehy, McLane, Vincent
From the minutes
“After a lengthy discussion Michael J. McLane moved to approve Budget #13 Conservation Commission for $61,078.00. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 4-3-0 by roll call vote with Mehreen N. Butt, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Julie Smith-Galvin, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane, Anne P. Danehy, and Robert E. Vincent II voting against the motion..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Presentations / Updates
Refer the proposed MBTA Communities Overlay District Bylaw to the Planning Board
Michael J. McLane moved to refer the proposed MBTA Communities Overlay District Bylaw to the Planning Board. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6- 0-1 with Mehreen N. Butt, Anne P. Danehy, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Julie Smith-Galvin, Robert E. Vincent II, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane abstained.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Dombroski, Smith-Galvin, VincentAbstained: McLane
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to refer the proposed MBTA Communities Overlay District Bylaw to the Planning Board. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6- 0-1 with Mehreen N. Butt, Anne P. Danehy, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Julie Smith-Galvin, Robert E. Vincent II, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane abstained..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Appointments
Appoint Jason Cohen and Wayne Hardacker to the Permanent Building Committee for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2026
Appointments: Permanent Building Committee: License: Michael J. McLane moved to appoint Jason Cohen and Wayne Hardacker to the Permanent Building Committee for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2026. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Appointments: Permanent Building Committee: License: Michael J. McLane moved to appoint Jason Cohen and Wayne Hardacker to the Permanent Building Committee for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2026. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Donations
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $600.00 from various donors with thanks
Donations: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $600.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The donation was approved by acclamation.
The minutes say the motion passed “by acclamation” (a voice vote with no count or names). Showing the result only.
From the minutes
“Donations: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $600.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The donation was approved by acclamation..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the January 8, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes
Approval of Minutes: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the January 8, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The minutes were approved by acclamation.
The minutes say the motion passed “by acclamation” (a voice vote with no count or names). Showing the result only.
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the January 8, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The minutes were approved by acclamation..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Michael J. McLane motioned to adjourn at 10:02 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Adjournment: Michael J. McLane motioned to adjourn at 10:02 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed unanimously..” (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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