MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2023–2024 Council · Regular meeting
March 25, 2024
19 recorded votes, 8 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
Fiscal Year 2025 Budgets
Restore the recipient line item from $90,000.00 to $110,000.00
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to restore the recipient line item from $90,000.00 to $110,000.00. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to restore the recipient line item from $90,000.00 to $110,000.00. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Butt)
Main motion as amended: approve Budget #28 Veteran Services Department
The vote on the original motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“The vote on the original motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approve Budget #40 Medicare for $1,030,195.00, as presented by Town Accountant Gill
Michael J. McLane moved to approve Budget #40 Medicare for $1,030,195.00, as presented by Town Accountant Gill. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to approve Budget #40 Medicare for $1,030,195.00, as presented by Town Accountant Gill. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approve the Cable Television budget for $559,216.00, as presented by Town Accountant Gill and WCAT Director Ian McDermott
Michael J. McLane moved to approve the Cable Television budget for $559,216.00, as presented by Town Accountant Gill and WCAT Director Ian McDermott. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to approve the Cable Television budget for $559,216.00, as presented by Town Accountant Gill and WCAT Director Ian McDermott. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Annual Town Meeting
Approve Warrant Article Capital Planning for $2,051,816.00 as presented by Capital Planning Committee chair Phil Renzi and Department of Public Works Director Conway
Annual Town Meeting: Michael J. McLane moved to approve Warrant Article Capital Planning for $2,051,816.00 as presented by Capital Planning Committee chair Phil Renzi and Department of Public Works Director Conway. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Annual Town Meeting: Michael J. McLane moved to approve Warrant Article Capital Planning for $2,051,816.00 as presented by Capital Planning Committee chair Phil Renzi and Department of Public Works Director Conway. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Presentations / Updates
Approve the placement of a storage container at the rear of the Americal Civic Center for the Food Panty as presented by Food Pantry Director Miller and members of the Board of Directors
Presentations / Updates: Food Pantry Storage Container: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the placement of a storage container at the rear of the Americal Civic Center for the Food Panty as presented by Food Pantry Director Miller and members of the Board of Directors. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Presentations / Updates: Food Pantry Storage Container: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the placement of a storage container at the rear of the Americal Civic Center for the Food Panty as presented by Food Pantry Director Miller and members of the Board of Directors. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Remove $220,000.00 from the Fuel Assistance Fund and add that amount to the General Fund
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to remove $220,000.00 from the Fuel Assistance Fund and add that amount to the General Fund. Michael J. McLane seconded. Jonathan P. Chines made a friendly amendment to return the unspent funds allocated from the Fuel Assistance Fund for this current heating season. The motion passed 5-2-0 with Robert E. Vincent II, Anne P. Danehy, Michael J. McLane, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor. Julie Smith-Galvin and Jonathan P. Chines voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Danehy, Dombroski, McLane, VincentNo: Chines, Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to remove $220,000.00 from the Fuel Assistance Fund and add that amount to the General Fund. Michael J. McLane seconded. Jonathan P. Chines made a friendly amendment to return the unspent funds allocated from the Fuel Assistance Fund for this current heating season. The motion passed 5-2-0 with Robert E. Vincent II, Anne P. Danehy, Michael J. McLane, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor. Julie Smith-Galvin and Jonathan P. Chines voting against the motion..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: McLane)
Amend the motion: removing the $250,000.00 for Sidewalk Extensions, and remove $150,000.00 for Pedestrian Access to the Lake, and add $400,000.00 for Solar Panels to the Galvin Middle School
Robert E. Vincent II amended the motion by removing the $250,000.00 for Sidewalk Extensions, and remove $150,000.00 for Pedestrian Access to the Lake, and add $400,000.00 for Solar Panels to the Galvin Middle School. Michael J. McLane seconded. Robert E. Vincent II modified the amended motion by removing the $250,000.00 for Sidewalk Extensions, and remove $150,000.00 for Pedestrian Access to the Lake, and removing $100,000.00 from the Housing Trust Fund and putting the $500,000.00 into the solar panels. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion failed 3-4-0 with Robert E. Vincent II, Anne P. Danehy, and Michael J. McLane voting in favor. Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion.
Yes: Danehy, McLane, VincentNo: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Robert E. Vincent II amended the motion by removing the $250,000.00 for Sidewalk Extensions, and remove $150,000.00 for Pedestrian Access to the Lake, and add $400,000.00 for Solar Panels to the Galvin Middle School. Michael J. McLane seconded. Robert E. Vincent II modified the amended motion by removing the $250,000.00 for Sidewalk Extensions, and remove $150,000.00 for Pedestrian Access to the Lake, and removing $100,000.00 from the Housing Trust Fund and putting the $500,000.00 into the solar panels. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion failed 3-4-0 with Robert E. Vincent II, Anne P. Danehy, and Michael J. McLane voting in favor. Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion..” (Motion: Vincent, second: McLane)
Amend the main motion by removing $150,000.00 for Pedestrian Access to the Lake
Robert E. Vincent II moved to amend the main motion by removing $150,000.00 for Pedestrian Access to the Lake. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion failed 2-5-0 with Robert E. Vincent II and Michael J. McLane voting in favor of the motion. Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombrowski, Jr. voting against the motion.
Yes: McLane, VincentNo: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Dombroski, Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Robert E. Vincent II moved to amend the main motion by removing $150,000.00 for Pedestrian Access to the Lake. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion failed 2-5-0 with Robert E. Vincent II and Michael J. McLane voting in favor of the motion. Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombrowski, Jr. voting against the motion..” (Motion: Vincent, second: McLane)
Amend the motion: 800 square feet of the renovations to the Senior Center be allocated to The Friends of Beebe Library and that they are given reasonable access to the building
Michael J. McLane amended the motion that 800 square feet of the renovations to the Senior Center be allocated to The Friends of Beebe Library and that they are given reasonable access to the building. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion failed 2-5-0 with Robert E. Vincent II and Michael J. McLane voting in favor of the motion. Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion.
Yes: McLane, VincentNo: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Dombroski, Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane amended the motion that 800 square feet of the renovations to the Senior Center be allocated to The Friends of Beebe Library and that they are given reasonable access to the building. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion failed 2-5-0 with Robert E. Vincent II and Michael J. McLane voting in favor of the motion. Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion..” (Motion: McLane, second: Vincent)
With respect to the $400,000.00 to the renovations of the Senior Center that the funds not be used to any department for office space build out within the facility
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved with respect to the $400,000.00 to the renovations of the Senior Center that the funds not be used to any department for office space build out within the facility. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Robert E. Vincent, II, Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Dombroski, Smith-Galvin, VincentNo: McLane
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved with respect to the $400,000.00 to the renovations of the Senior Center that the funds not be used to any department for office space build out within the facility. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Robert E. Vincent, II, Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: McLane)
Main motion as amended: allocate the remaining ARPA funds ($1,000,000 Small Business Incubator Fund, $40,000 Food Pantry, $400,000 Senior Center renovations, $250,000 sidewalk extensions, $150,000 ped
The main motion passed 6-1-0 with Robert E. Vincent II, Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, Dombroski, Smith-Galvin, VincentNo: McLane
From the minutes
“The main motion passed 6-1-0 with Robert E. Vincent II, Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor of the motion. Michael J. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Smith-Galvin, second: Dombroski)
Instruct Town Administrator Maio to put together a Warrant Article for the Regular Town Meeting with regards to solar panels for the Galvin Middle School roof
Jonathan P. Chines asked for a motion to instruct Town Administrator Maio to put together a Warrant Article for the Regular Town Meeting with regards to solar panels for the Galvin Middle School roof. Michael J. McLane so moved. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Robert E. Vincent II, Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Michael J. McLane, Jonathan P. Chines, and Mehreen N. Butt voting in favor of the motion. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Danehy, McLane, Smith-Galvin, VincentNo: Dombroski
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines asked for a motion to instruct Town Administrator Maio to put together a Warrant Article for the Regular Town Meeting with regards to solar panels for the Galvin Middle School roof. Michael J. McLane so moved. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Robert E. Vincent II, Anne P. Danehy, Julie Smith-Galvin, Michael J. McLane, Jonathan P. Chines, and Mehreen N. Butt voting in favor of the motion. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Licenses
Approve the request for a One Day Liquor License for an event at the Library on April 27, 2024
Licenses: One Day Liquor License: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the request for a One Day Liquor License for an event at the Library on April 27, 2024. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Licenses: One Day Liquor License: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the request for a One Day Liquor License for an event at the Library on April 27, 2024. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approve the request for a Livery License for A Class Limousine
Livery License: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the request for a Livery License for A Class Limousine. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Livery License: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the request for a Livery License for A Class Limousine. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approve the request for a Common Victualler License for AA Sumo Inc
Common Victualler License: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the request for a Common Victualler License for AA Sumo Inc. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Common Victualler License: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the request for a Common Victualler License for AA Sumo Inc. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the March 11, 2024 Town Council executive meeting minutes
Approval of Minutes: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the March 11, 2024 Town Council executive meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 with Robert E. Vincent II, Julie Smith-Galvin, Michael J. McLane, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor of the motion. Anne P. Danehy abstaining.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, Smith-Galvin, VincentAbstained: Danehy
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the March 11, 2024 Town Council executive meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 with Robert E. Vincent II, Julie Smith-Galvin, Michael J. McLane, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting in favor of the motion. Anne P. Danehy abstaining..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approve the March 11, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes
Michael J. McLane moved to approve the March 11, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to approve the March 11, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Michael J. McLane motioned to adjourn at 10:54 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
From the minutes
“Adjournment: Michael J. McLane motioned to adjourn at 10:54 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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