MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
June 24, 2024
15 recorded votes, 5 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · Agenda
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Note on these minutes: The attendance list leaves out Michael J. McLane, who made, seconded or voted on motions at this meeting, so Michael J. McLane is counted present.
Present: Douglas S. Butler, Mehreen N. Butt, John F. Carney, Jonathan P. Chines, Edward F. Dombroski, Robert E. Vincent, Michael J. McLane
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Presentations / Updates
Not include the flex poles as a component to the improvements being made on North Avenue
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to not include the flex poles as a component to the improvements being made on North Avenue. John F. Carney seconded. The motion failed 3-4-0 by roll call vote with Douglas S. Butler, Robert E. Vincent II, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines voting against the motion.
Yes: Carney, Dombroski, McLaneNo: Butler, Butt, Chines, Vincent
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to not include the flex poles as a component to the improvements being made on North Avenue. John F. Carney seconded. The motion failed 3-4-0 by roll call vote with Douglas S. Butler, Robert E. Vincent II, Mehreen N. Butt, Jonathan P. Chines voting against the motion..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Carney)
Maintain the 11.5-foot drive lanes and the a 3-foot buffer as proposed in design cross-sections 2, normal section area with any variation in the road due to variation in the roadway coming from...
Jonathan P. Chines moved to maintain the 11.5-foot drive lanes and the a 3-foot buffer as proposed in design cross-sections 2, normal section area with any variation in the road due to variation in the roadway coming from the width of the bike lane with the understanding that the bike lane would be between 5 and 6 feet and further move that the 3-foot buffer include the flex poles as discussed by the Council in 2022. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 4- 3-0 by roll call vote with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., John F. Carney, and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Chines, VincentNo: Carney, Dombroski, McLane
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to maintain the 11.5-foot drive lanes and the a 3-foot buffer as proposed in design cross-sections 2, normal section area with any variation in the road due to variation in the roadway coming from the width of the bike lane with the understanding that the bike lane would be between 5 and 6 feet and further move that the 3-foot buffer include the flex poles as discussed by the Council in 2022. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 4- 3-0 by roll call vote with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., John F. Carney, and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Amend the motion temporarily extending the moratorium that is currently in place until the Advisory Board of Public Works submits their recommendation to the Town Council
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to amend the motion temporarily extending the moratorium that is currently in place until the Advisory Board of Public Works submits their recommendation to the Town Council. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The amendment and motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to amend the motion temporarily extending the moratorium that is currently in place until the Advisory Board of Public Works submits their recommendation to the Town Council. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The amendment and motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Vincent)
Public Hearing
Open the Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 Water & Sewer Rates
Jonathan P. Chines moved to open the Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 Water & Sewer Rates. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to open the Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 Water & Sewer Rates. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butt)
Increase the Water and Sewer Service changes by 10% as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works
Jonathan P. Chines moved to increase the Water and Sewer Service changes by 10% as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 by roll call vote with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, McLane, VincentNo: Dombroski
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to increase the Water and Sewer Service changes by 10% as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 by roll call vote with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Increase the water rate for Fiscal Year 2025 by 5% as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works
Jonathan P. Chines moved to increase the water rate for Fiscal Year 2025 by 5% as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 4-3-0 by roll call vote with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Douglas S. Butler, and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, VincentNo: Butler, Dombroski, McLane
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to increase the water rate for Fiscal Year 2025 by 5% as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 4-3-0 by roll call vote with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr., Douglas S. Butler, and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Set the sewer rate increase at 0% for Fiscal Year 2025 as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works
Jonathan P. Chines moved to set the sewer rate increase at 0% for Fiscal Year 2025 as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to set the sewer rate increase at 0% for Fiscal Year 2025 as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Set the sewer flat rate at $402.03 per bill as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works
Jonathan P. Chines moved to set the sewer flat rate at $402.03 per bill as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to set the sewer flat rate at $402.03 per bill as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Set the manual read meter fee and the septic disposal rate formula as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works at the Fiscal Year 2024 rates
Jonathan P. Chines moved to set the manual read meter fee and the septic disposal rate formula as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works at the Fiscal Year 2024 rates. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to set the manual read meter fee and the septic disposal rate formula as recommended by the Advisory Board of Public Works at the Fiscal Year 2024 rates. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butt)
Close the Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 Water and Sewer Rates
Jonathan P. Chines moved to close the Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 Water and Sewer Rates. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to close the Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 Water and Sewer Rates. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Licenses
Approve the Common Victualler license request and Entertainment license request for The Branch located at 1117 Main Street
Licenses: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the Common Victualler license request and Entertainment license request for The Branch located at 1117 Main Street. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7- 0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Licenses: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the Common Victualler license request and Entertainment license request for The Branch located at 1117 Main Street. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7- 0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butt)
Appointments
Create a subcommittee of three members of the Town Council to work with Town employees and others to draft a zoning bylaw compliant with the State Directive as described in Chapter 40A for the...
40A Subcommittee: Jonathan P. Chines moved that the Town Council create a subcommittee of three members of the Town Council to work with Town employees and others to draft a zoning bylaw compliant with the State Directive as described in Chapter 40A for the Fall Town meeting (expected to occur in November 2024) and that the Chair be authorized to appoint three Town Council members. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“40A Subcommittee: Jonathan P. Chines moved that the Town Council create a subcommittee of three members of the Town Council to work with Town employees and others to draft a zoning bylaw compliant with the State Directive as described in Chapter 40A for the Fall Town meeting (expected to occur in November 2024) and that the Chair be authorized to appoint three Town Council members. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Donation
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $985.26 from various donors with thanks
Donation: Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $985.26 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Donation: Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $985.26 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butt)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the June 10, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes
Approval of Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the June 10, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 by roll call vote with Michael J. McLane abstaining.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, VincentAbstained: McLane
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the June 10, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 by roll call vote with Michael J. McLane abstaining..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butt)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Jonathan P. Chines motioned to adjourn at 11:01 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Adjournment: Jonathan P. Chines motioned to adjourn at 11:01 p.m. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, 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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