MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
May 13, 2024
16 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your Wakefield ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Attendance
Present: Douglas S. Butler, Mehreen N. Butt, John F. Carney, Jonathan P. Chines, Edward F. Dombroski, Michael J. McLane, Robert E. Vincent
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Presentations / Updates
Temporarily lift the current restrictions on the east side of Farm Street where current signage restrict parking from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from the front of the high school to just past the...
Michael J. McLane moved to temporarily lift the current restrictions on the east side of Farm Street where current signage restrict parking from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from the front of the high school to just past the Woodville Elementary School through September 30, 2024 and that the developer for the High School project bag the existing signage and supply traffic cones to prevent parking in unauthorized spaces that interfere with visibility. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to temporarily lift the current restrictions on the east side of Farm Street where current signage restrict parking from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from the front of the high school to just past the Woodville Elementary School through September 30, 2024 and that the developer for the High School project bag the existing signage and supply traffic cones to prevent parking in unauthorized spaces that interfere with visibility. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approve the Inter-Municipal Agreement between the Town of Wakefield and the Town of Reading for Animal Control services commencing July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027
Inter-Municipal Agreement: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the Inter-Municipal Agreement between the Town of Wakefield and the Town of Reading for Animal Control services commencing July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Inter-Municipal Agreement: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the Inter-Municipal Agreement between the Town of Wakefield and the Town of Reading for Animal Control services commencing July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Authorize Town Counsel Mullen to respond appropriately to Mr. McCauley and to the Attorney General
The Town Council acknowledged receipt of the complaint and Michael J. McLane moved to authorize Town Counsel Mullen to respond appropriately to Mr. McCauley and to the Attorney General. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“The Town Council acknowledged receipt of the complaint and Michael J. McLane moved to authorize Town Counsel Mullen to respond appropriately to Mr. McCauley and to the Attorney General. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Adopt the Proclamation for ALS Awareness Month
ALS Awareness Month: Michael J. McLane moved to adopt the Proclamation for ALS Awareness Month. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“ALS Awareness Month: Michael J. McLane moved to adopt the Proclamation for ALS Awareness Month. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Licenses
Approve the Pledge of License and to submit to the ABCC for approval
Michael J. McLane moved to approve the Pledge of License and to submit to the ABCC for approval. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to approve the Pledge of License and to submit to the ABCC for approval. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approve Farmers Market Winery Licenses for Blisspoint Meadery and House Bear Brewing
Farmers Market Winery Licenses: Michael J. McLane moved to approve Farmers Market Winery Licenses for Blisspoint Meadery and House Bear Brewing. Meheen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Farmers Market Winery Licenses: Michael J. McLane moved to approve Farmers Market Winery Licenses for Blisspoint Meadery and House Bear Brewing. Meheen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Appointments
Appoint Joseph Giacobbe to the Veteran Advisory Board with a three-year term ending April 30, 2027
Appointments: Veteran Advisory Board: Michael J. McLane moved to appoint Joseph Giacobbe to the Veteran Advisory Board with a three-year term ending April 30, 2027. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Appointments: Veteran Advisory Board: Michael J. McLane moved to appoint Joseph Giacobbe to the Veteran Advisory Board with a three-year term ending April 30, 2027. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Appoint Hyon Leon to the Human Rights Commission with a three-year term ending April 30, 2027
Human Rights Commission: Michael J. McLane moved to appoint Hyon Leon to the Human Rights Commission with a three-year term ending April 30, 2027. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Human Rights Commission: Michael J. McLane moved to appoint Hyon Leon to the Human Rights Commission with a three-year term ending April 30, 2027. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Donations
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $445.00 from various donors with thanks
Donations: Council on Aging: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $445.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7- 0-0.
From the minutes
“Donations: Council on Aging: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $445.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7- 0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Youth Council for $50.00 from various donors with thanks
Youth Council: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Youth Council for $50.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Youth Council: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Youth Council for $50.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $5,605.00 from various donors with thanks
Library: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $5,605.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Library: Michael J. McLane moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $5,605.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the April 22, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes, April 22, 2024 Town Council executive meeting minutes, May 2, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes, May 2, 2024 Town Council executive meeting...
Approval of Minutes: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the April 22, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes, April 22, 2024 Town Council executive meeting minutes, May 2, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes, May 2, 2024 Town Council executive meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 5-0-2 with Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Michael J. McLane, and Robert E. Vincent II voting in favor. Douglas S. Butler and John F. Carney abstained.
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentAbstained: Butler, Carney
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes: Michael J. McLane moved to approve the April 22, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes, April 22, 2024 Town Council executive meeting minutes, May 2, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes, May 2, 2024 Town Council executive meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 5-0-2 with Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Michael J. McLane, and Robert E. Vincent II voting in favor. Douglas S. Butler and John F. Carney abstained..” (Motion: McLane, second: Butt)
Matters Not Anticipated for Agenda
Authorize Town Administrator Maio to draft an advocacy letter for the inclusion of an accessibility project at Wakefield station to the MBTA as part of the MBTA's capital plan
Matters Not Anticipated for Agenda: John F. Carney moved to authorize Town Administrator Maio to draft an advocacy letter for the inclusion of an accessibility project at Wakefield station to the MBTA as part of the MBTA's capital plan. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Matters Not Anticipated for Agenda: John F. Carney moved to authorize Town Administrator Maio to draft an advocacy letter for the inclusion of an accessibility project at Wakefield station to the MBTA as part of the MBTA's capital plan. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Carney, second: Butt)
Reorganization
Elect Michael J. McLane as Chair
Michael J. McLane accepted the nomination, and with no other nominations announced, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to elect Michael J. McLane as Chair. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-0-2 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., John F. Carney, Douglas S. Butler, Robert E. Vincent, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor. Mehreen N. Butt and Michael J. McLane abstained.
Yes: Butler, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, VincentAbstained: Butt, McLane
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane accepted the nomination, and with no other nominations announced, Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to elect Michael J. McLane as Chair. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-0-2 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., John F. Carney, Douglas S. Butler, Robert E. Vincent, and Jonathan P. Chines voting in favor. Mehreen N. Butt and Michael J. McLane abstained..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Carney)
Elect Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. as Vice Chair
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. accepted the nomination, and with no other nominations announced, Jonathan P. Chines moved to elect Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. as Vice Chair. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. accepted the nomination, and with no other nominations announced, Jonathan P. Chines moved to elect Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. as Vice Chair. Michael J. McLane seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: McLane)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Jonathan P. Chines motioned to adjourn at 8:08 a.m. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0.
From the minutes
“Adjournment: Jonathan P. Chines motioned to adjourn at 8:08 a.m. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Dombroski)
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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →