MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2023–2024 Council · Regular meeting
March 11, 2024
14 recorded votes, 7 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:
- Anne P. Danehy took part remotely.
- Anne P. Danehy arrived at 8:34 p.m.
Every vote, in order
Possible Executive Session
Go in to executive session to discuss strategy with respect to threatened litigation under G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) because an Open Session may have detrimental effects on the bargaining position...
Michael J. McLane moved to go in to executive session to discuss strategy with respect to threatened litigation under G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) because an Open Session may have detrimental effects on the bargaining position of the Town, with the intent of returning to Open Session immediately thereafter. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, Smith-Galvin, VincentThe minutes say “Anne P. Danehy arrived at 8:34 p.m.”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Anne P. Danehy is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to go in to executive session to discuss strategy with respect to threatened litigation under G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3) because an Open Session may have detrimental effects on the bargaining position of the Town, with the intent of returning to Open Session immediately thereafter. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield
Approve the request that week of March 11, 2024 through March 16, 2024 be declared "The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield Phonathon Week." Michael J
The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield: TJ White, Vice President of The Scholarship Foundation along with student members, requested the week of March 11, 2024 through March 16, 2024 be declared "The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield Phonathon Week." Michael J. McLane so moved. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, Smith-Galvin, VincentThe minutes say “Anne P. Danehy arrived at 8:34 p.m.”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Anne P. Danehy is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield: TJ White, Vice President of The Scholarship Foundation along with student members, requested the week of March 11, 2024 through March 16, 2024 be declared "The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield Phonathon Week." Michael J. McLane so moved. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Fiscal Year 2025 Budgets
Approve Budget #29 Department of Public Works for $7,252,058.00; Snow & Ice for $850,000.00; Sewer for $9,367,204.00; and Water for $7,470,570.00, as presented by Town Accountant Gill, Department...
Michael J. McLane moved to approve Budget #29 Department of Public Works for $7,252,058.00; Snow & Ice for $850,000.00; Sewer for $9,367,204.00; and Water for $7,470,570.00, as presented by Town Accountant Gill, Department of Public Works Director Conway and Business Manager Waitt. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, Smith-Galvin, VincentThe minutes say “Anne P. Danehy arrived at 8:34 p.m.”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Anne P. Danehy is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to approve Budget #29 Department of Public Works for $7,252,058.00; Snow & Ice for $850,000.00; Sewer for $9,367,204.00; and Water for $7,470,570.00, as presented by Town Accountant Gill, Department of Public Works Director Conway and Business Manager Waitt. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Annual Town Meeting
Approve Warrant Articles Eminent Domain for $1.00; Refuse/Recycling/Yard Waste for $2,456,958.00; Water Main Replacement (Borrowing) for $5,000,000.00; and Fueling Island Design for $150,000.00
Annual Town Meeting: Michael J. McLane moved to approve Warrant Articles Eminent Domain for $1.00; Refuse/Recycling/Yard Waste for $2,456,958.00; Water Main Replacement (Borrowing) for $5,000,000.00; and Fueling Island Design for $150,000.00. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, Smith-Galvin, VincentThe minutes say “Anne P. Danehy arrived at 8:34 p.m.”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Anne P. Danehy is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Annual Town Meeting: Michael J. McLane moved to approve Warrant Articles Eminent Domain for $1.00; Refuse/Recycling/Yard Waste for $2,456,958.00; Water Main Replacement (Borrowing) for $5,000,000.00; and Fueling Island Design for $150,000.00. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Refer the citizen petition MBTA Community amended article to the Planning Board
Michael J. McLane moved to refer the citizen petition MBTA Community amended article to the Planning Board. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 by roll call vote with Michael J. McLane, Mehreen N. Butt, Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Robert E. Vincent, II voting in favor. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. abstained.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, McLane, Smith-Galvin, VincentAbstained: Dombroski
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to refer the citizen petition MBTA Community amended article to the Planning Board. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 by roll call vote with Michael J. McLane, Mehreen N. Butt, Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Robert E. Vincent, II voting in favor. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. abstained..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Traffic Advisory Recommendations
Approve an intersecting street warning sign on Prospect Street between Morningside Road and Overlake Road; and the first two spaces on Princess Street be restricted to loading zone only between...
Traffic Advisory Recommendations: Michael J. McLane moved to approve an intersecting street warning sign on Prospect Street between Morningside Road and Overlake Road; and the first two spaces on Princess Street be restricted to loading zone only between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Traffic Advisory Recommendations: Michael J. McLane moved to approve an intersecting street warning sign on Prospect Street between Morningside Road and Overlake Road; and the first two spaces on Princess Street be restricted to loading zone only between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Presentations / Updates
Further amend by adding "and multi-modal transit bike/ped official town committee", after Traffic Advisory Committee in the same paragraph
Julie Smith-Galvin moved to further amend by adding "and multi-modal transit bike/ped official town committee", after Traffic Advisory Committee in the same paragraph. The amended motion passed 5-2-0 by roll call vote with Anne P. Danehy, Robert E. Vincent II, Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor. Michael J. McLane and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Smith-Galvin, VincentNo: Dombroski, McLane
From the minutes
“Julie Smith-Galvin moved to further amend by adding "and multi-modal transit bike/ped official town committee", after Traffic Advisory Committee in the same paragraph. The amended motion passed 5-2-0 by roll call vote with Anne P. Danehy, Robert E. Vincent II, Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor. Michael J. McLane and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion..” (Motion: Smith-Galvin)
Main motion: Approve the plan as presented
The main motion passed 5-2-0 with Anne P. Danehy, Robert E. Vincent II, Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor. Michael J. McLane, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Smith-Galvin, VincentNo: Dombroski, McLane
From the minutes
“The main motion passed 5-2-0 with Anne P. Danehy, Robert E. Vincent II, Julie Smith-Galvin, Mehreen N. Butt, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor. Michael J. McLane, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion..” (Motion: Smith-Galvin, second: Butt)
Allocate $150,000.00 for INspire Café renovations
Anne P. Danehy moved to allocate $150,000.00 for INspire Café renovations. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Anne P. Danehy moved to allocate $150,000.00 for INspire Café renovations. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Danehy, second: Dombroski)
Allocate $25,000.00 for historical structures repair estimates
Robert E. Vincent II moved to allocate $25,000.00 for historical structures repair estimates. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Robert E. Vincent II moved to allocate $25,000.00 for historical structures repair estimates. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Vincent, second: McLane)
Donations
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $913.28 from various donors with thanks
Donations: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $913.28 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Donations: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $913.28 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $150.00 from various donors with thanks
Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $150.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $150.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the February 26, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes
Approval of Minutes: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the February 26, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the February 26, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed unanimously..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Michael J. McLane motioned to adjourn at 10:36 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Adjournment: Michael J. McLane motioned to adjourn at 10:36 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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