MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
August 12, 2024
15 recorded votes, 3 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · Agenda
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Present: Mehreen N. Butt, John F. Carney, Jonathan P. Chines, Edward F. Dombroski, Michael J. McLane, Robert E. Vincent
Absent: Douglas S. Butler
Every vote, in order
Public Hearing
Open the Public Hearing for Life Love Cheese, LLC for an All Alcohol Package Store License located at 184 Water Street, Unit 101
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to open the Public Hearing for Life Love Cheese, LLC for an All Alcohol Package Store License located at 184 Water Street, Unit 101. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to open the Public Hearing for Life Love Cheese, LLC for an All Alcohol Package Store License located at 184 Water Street, Unit 101. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Approve the application for a new license for Life Love Cheese, LLC as presented by Attorney Steven Cicatelli and his client Kimi Ceridon
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the application for a new license for Life Love Cheese, LLC as presented by Attorney Steven Cicatelli and his client Kimi Ceridon. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the application for a new license for Life Love Cheese, LLC as presented by Attorney Steven Cicatelli and his client Kimi Ceridon. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Dombroski)
Close the Public Hearing
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to close the Public Hearing. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to close the Public Hearing. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Carney)
Appointments
Increase the Housing Production Plan Advisory Committee membership from 10 members to 12 members including five members of the public at large
Appointments: Robert E. Vincent II moved to increase the Housing Production Plan Advisory Committee membership from 10 members to 12 members including five members of the public at large. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Appointments: Robert E. Vincent II moved to increase the Housing Production Plan Advisory Committee membership from 10 members to 12 members including five members of the public at large. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Vincent, second: Chines)
Appoint Alex Guarino, Samuel Hockenbury, Karen McMaster, John T. Saeger, and Donald Valerio as the public at large members, and Carol Plotkin as the Council on Aging representative, Lorna Davidson...
Michael J. McLane moved to appoint Alex Guarino, Samuel Hockenbury, Karen McMaster, John T. Saeger, and Donald Valerio as the public at large members, and Carol Plotkin as the Council on Aging representative, Lorna Davidson Connelly as the Commission on Disabilities representative, Theodore Noell as the Planning Board representative, Karen DeJoie as the Housing Authority representative, and Gail Severt as the Housing Trust representative. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to appoint Alex Guarino, Samuel Hockenbury, Karen McMaster, John T. Saeger, and Donald Valerio as the public at large members, and Carol Plotkin as the Council on Aging representative, Lorna Davidson Connelly as the Commission on Disabilities representative, Theodore Noell as the Planning Board representative, Karen DeJoie as the Housing Authority representative, and Gail Severt as the Housing Trust representative. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: McLane, second: Carney)
Presentations / Updates
Discontinue proposals on both pathways, Linda Road to Fielding Street and Linda Road (wooded area)
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to discontinue proposals on both pathways, Linda Road to Fielding Street and Linda Road (wooded area). John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-1-0 with Jonathan P. Chines voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Dombroski, McLane, VincentNo: Chines
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to discontinue proposals on both pathways, Linda Road to Fielding Street and Linda Road (wooded area). John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-1-0 with Jonathan P. Chines voting against the motion..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Carney)
Amend the motion: from $75,000.00 to $88,680.00
Jonathan P. Chines amended the motion from $75,000.00 to $88,680.00. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 4-2-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, VincentNo: Dombroski, McLane
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines amended the motion from $75,000.00 to $88,680.00. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 4-2-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Reallocate $150,000.00 in ARPA funds from the pedestrian access to the lake (cemetery to the yacht club) which was previously allocated by the Town Council on March 25, 2024 to the Solar Panel...
Solar Panels for Galvin Middle School: Robert E. Vincent II moved to reallocate $150,000.00 in ARPA funds from the pedestrian access to the lake (cemetery to the yacht club) which was previously allocated by the Town Council on March 25, 2024 to the Solar Panel Project at the Galvin Middle School. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Solar Panels for Galvin Middle School: Robert E. Vincent II moved to reallocate $150,000.00 in ARPA funds from the pedestrian access to the lake (cemetery to the yacht club) which was previously allocated by the Town Council on March 25, 2024 to the Solar Panel Project at the Galvin Middle School. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Vincent, second: Chines)
Reallocate the $25,000.00 in ARPA funds for the Assessment of Historical Structures which was previously allocated by the Town Council on March 11, 2024 to repairing the roof and chimney of the...
Re-allotment of Funds: Robert E. Vincent II moved to reallocate the $25,000.00 in ARPA funds for the Assessment of Historical Structures which was previously allocated by the Town Council on March 11, 2024 to repairing the roof and chimney of the Westward Schoolhouse on Prospect Street. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Jonathan P. Chines added a friendly amendment to add $3,750.00 for Title Searches, $150.00 for the Civil War Monument Evaluation, $235.00 for WCAT Expenses. The motion passed 6- 0-0.
From the minutes
“Re-allotment of Funds: Robert E. Vincent II moved to reallocate the $25,000.00 in ARPA funds for the Assessment of Historical Structures which was previously allocated by the Town Council on March 11, 2024 to repairing the roof and chimney of the Westward Schoolhouse on Prospect Street. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Jonathan P. Chines added a friendly amendment to add $3,750.00 for Title Searches, $150.00 for the Civil War Monument Evaluation, $235.00 for WCAT Expenses. The motion passed 6- 0-0..” (Motion: Vincent, second: Chines)
Refunding of Bonds Authorization
In order to reduce interest costs on outstanding debt, the Town is authorized to issue bonds or notes for the purpose of refunding all or any portion of its bonds or notes that are outstanding as...
Refunding of Bonds Authorization: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved that in order to reduce interest costs on outstanding debt, the Town is authorized to issue bonds or notes for the purpose of refunding all or any portion of its bonds or notes that are outstanding as of the date of this vote, including, if any, the payment of any premium and accrued interest associated therewith, and all other costs incidental and related thereto, under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 21A of the Massachusetts General Laws, or any other enabling authority. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Refunding of Bonds Authorization: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved that in order to reduce interest costs on outstanding debt, the Town is authorized to issue bonds or notes for the purpose of refunding all or any portion of its bonds or notes that are outstanding as of the date of this vote, including, if any, the payment of any premium and accrued interest associated therewith, and all other costs incidental and related thereto, under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 21A of the Massachusetts General Laws, or any other enabling authority. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Donations
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $150.00 from various donors with thanks
Donations: Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $150.00 from various donors with thanks. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Donations: Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $150.00 from various donors with thanks. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $24,550.00 from various donors with thanks
Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $24,550.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $24,550.00 from various donors with thanks. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butt)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the July 15, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes
Approval of Minutes: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the July 15, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the July 15, 2024 Town Council meeting minutes. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Matters Not Anticipated for Agenda
Amend the motion: state be brought back at a future Town Council meeting
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. amended the motion to state be brought back at a future Town Council meeting. Jonathan P. Chines seconded the amendment. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. amended the motion to state be brought back at a future Town Council meeting. Jonathan P. Chines seconded the amendment. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. motioned to adjourn at 9:36 p.m. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The meeting was adjourned 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
“Adjournment: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. motioned to adjourn at 9:36 p.m. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The meeting was adjourned by acclamation..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
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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