MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
November 4, 2024
14 recorded votes, 8 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · Agenda
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Present: Douglas S. Butler, Mehreen N. Butt, John F. Carney, Jonathan P. Chines, Edward F. Dombroski, Michael J. McLane, Robert E. Vincent
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Mehreen N. Butt took part remotely.
- Mehreen N. Butt arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Every vote, in order
Tax Classification - Fiscal Year 2025 Public Hearing
Open the public hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Classification
Jonathan P. Chines moved to open the public hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Classification. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote.
Yes: Butler, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentThe minutes say “Mehreen N. Butt arrived at 7:40 p.m.”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Mehreen N. Butt is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to open the public hearing for Fiscal Year 2025 Tax Classification. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
A minimum residential factor of 0.906978
Jonathan P. Chines moved for a minimum residential factor of 0.906978. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 by roll call vote with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the residential tax factor motion, citing that what wasn't presented or discussed is the assumption of going the full 2 ½ percent.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, McLane, VincentNo: Dombroski
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved for a minimum residential factor of 0.906978. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 by roll call vote with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the residential tax factor motion, citing that what wasn't presented or discussed is the assumption of going the full 2 ½ percent..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Not to offer an Open Space Discount
Jonathan P. Chines moved not to offer an Open Space Discount. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved not to offer an Open Space Discount. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Not to offer a Residential Exemption
Jonathan P. Chines moved not to offer a Residential Exemption. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved not to offer a Residential Exemption. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Not to grant a Small Commercial Exemption
Jonathan P. Chines moved not to grant a Small Commercial Exemption. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 by roll call vote with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentNo: Butler
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved not to grant a Small Commercial Exemption. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 by roll call vote with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Close the Public Hearing at 8:01 p.m
Jonathan P. Chines moved to close the Public Hearing at 8:01 p.m. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to close the Public Hearing at 8:01 p.m. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Presentations
Install No Idling Signs at the schools with the language Active Loading Only - No Idling Zone
John F. Carney moved to install No Idling Signs at the schools with the language Active Loading Only - No Idling Zone. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. Jonathan P. Chines stated Robert E. Vincent II has drafted a motion with language to comply with the law and suggested that the council vote against the current motion. After a roll call vote the motion failed 0-7-0.
No: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, Vincent
From the minutes
“John F. Carney moved to install No Idling Signs at the schools with the language Active Loading Only - No Idling Zone. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. Jonathan P. Chines stated Robert E. Vincent II has drafted a motion with language to comply with the law and suggested that the council vote against the current motion. After a roll call vote the motion failed 0-7-0..” (Motion: Carney, second: Dombroski)
In accordance with Wakefield Town Charter Section 8-4(b) and Wakefield ECode Division 2, Chapter 211 - Traffic Rules and Orders, the Town Council shall authorize the installation and maintenance...
Robert E. Vincent II moved that in accordance with Wakefield Town Charter Section 8-4(b) and Wakefield ECode Division 2, Chapter 211 - Traffic Rules and Orders, the Town Council shall authorize the installation and maintenance of No Idling signs at all Wakefield public school property. The location and wording of each No Idling sign shall conform with the requirements set forth in M.G.L. ch.90, §16B and 540 CMR 27.00. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-2-0 by roll call vote with Douglas S. Butler and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, McLane, VincentNo: Butler, Dombroski
From the minutes
“Robert E. Vincent II moved that in accordance with Wakefield Town Charter Section 8-4(b) and Wakefield ECode Division 2, Chapter 211 - Traffic Rules and Orders, the Town Council shall authorize the installation and maintenance of No Idling signs at all Wakefield public school property. The location and wording of each No Idling sign shall conform with the requirements set forth in M.G.L. ch.90, §16B and 540 CMR 27.00. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-2-0 by roll call vote with Douglas S. Butler and Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. voting against the motion..” (Motion: Vincent, second: Chines)
Approve the Grant of Easement Location with the project conditions as outlined by the Department of Public Works
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the Grant of Easement Location with the project conditions as outlined by the Department 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 approve the Grant of Easement Location with the project conditions as outlined by the Department of Public Works. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Reallocate $54,600.00 from the Fit Court Account to the Galvin Middle School Solar Project
Michael J. McLane moved to reallocate $54,600.00 from the Fit Court Account to the Galvin Middle School Solar Project. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 5-2-0 by roll call vote with Douglas S. Butler and Jonathan P. Chines voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Dombroski, McLane, VincentNo: Butler, Chines
From the minutes
“Michael J. McLane moved to reallocate $54,600.00 from the Fit Court Account to the Galvin Middle School Solar Project. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 5-2-0 by roll call vote with Douglas S. Butler and Jonathan P. Chines voting against the motion..” (Motion: McLane, second: Vincent)
Approve Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 for presentation at Town Meeting
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 for presentation at Town Meeting. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 for presentation at Town Meeting. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the October 21, 2024 Town Council Meeting Minutes and October 28, 2024 Tri-Board Meeting Minutes
Approval of Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the October 21, 2024 Town Council Meeting Minutes and October 28, 2024 Tri-Board Meeting Minutes. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7- 0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the October 21, 2024 Town Council Meeting Minutes and October 28, 2024 Tri-Board Meeting Minutes. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 7- 0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Approve the October 21, 2024 Town Council Executive Meeting Minutes
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the October 21, 2024 Town Council Executive Meeting Minutes. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 by roll call vote with John F. Carney abstaining.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentAbstained: Carney
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the October 21, 2024 Town Council Executive Meeting Minutes. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 by roll call vote with John F. Carney abstaining..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Jonathan P. Chines moved to adjourn at 10:51 p.m. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 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: Jonathan P. Chines moved to adjourn at 10:51 p.m. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed by acclamation..” (Motion: Chines, second: Vincent)
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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