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Wakefield Town Council
How the Wakefield Town Council voted, from the Town Council’s official minutes. 7 members elected townwide for three-year terms. Douglas S. Butler and John F. Carney joined after the April 2024 town election (first meeting May 2, 2024); Anne P. Danehy and Julie Smith-Galvin left (last meeting April 22, 2024). On May 13, 2024 the board elected Michael J. McLane Chair (5-0-2, Mehreen N. Butt and Michael J. McLane abstaining) and Edward F. Dombroski Vice Chair (7-0-0). Covers 22 meetings, May 2 to April 14, 2025.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Town Council do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Town Council, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetYour Wakefield ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
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From the agendas Wakefield posts on its official site. Agendas can change; the posted agenda is the official one.
Members
Douglas S. ButlerMember · At-large · at 20 of 22 meetingsMehreen N. ButtMember · At-large · at 22 of 22 meetings
John F. CarneyMember · At-large · at 21 of 22 meetings
Jonathan P. ChinesMember · At-large · at 22 of 22 meetingsRobert E. VincentMember · At-large · at 22 of 22 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Wakefield Town Council minutes from January 8, 2018 through September 14, 2026: 199 meetings and 2,587 votes. Wakefield’s new town charter replaced the seven-member Board of Selectmen with the seven-member Town Council after the April 2018 town election; the January–April 2018 meetings are the Board of Selectmen’s and are shown as the 2017–2018 board. The town’s Agenda Center holds minutes back to 2012; MassVoter has loaded 2018 on. Not here: ten 2018 meetings (May 14, June 11, June 25, July 16, August 16, September 10, September 27, October 15, October 29 and November 15, 2018), where the file posted as the minutes is a copy of the agenda; a few other meetings with an agenda but no minutes online (among them the October 2, 2019 council retreat, the October 17, 2019 and October 21, 2020 Tri-Board meetings and the May 5, 2020 regional summit); meetings of council subcommittees (the 40A Subcommittee and the Town Administrator Contract Subcommittee); executive-session minutes; informal office hours and coffee hours; and meetings after September 14, 2026 (the September 28, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). Nine sets of minutes are scanned images or have an unreadable text layer (April 24 and May 8, 2023; August 11, 12, 14, 18 and 26 and December 8, 2025); MassVoter read them with text recognition, so quoted words may keep small reading errors. Wakefield’s minutes give the mover, the seconder and a count (“Motion passed 7-0-0,” “Vote: Unanimous (7-0)”). When the count equals the members present, each is shown voting yes; when the minutes name the members who voted no or abstained, or list how each voted, they are shown by name. When the minutes say a member arrived late, left early or stepped out and the count matches the others present, that member is left out of the vote, with a note. Where a count does not match the members present, we show the count only (9 votes); where the minutes give no count or names, including motions that “passed by acclamation” (mostly adjournments), we show the result only (42 votes). Joint meetings with the School Committee, Board of Health, Library Trustees, Gas & Light Commissioners and the Tri-Board meetings are included, but only the members’ votes are shown. Three sets of minutes leave a member off the attendance list who moved, seconded or voted (February 22 and March 8, 2021; June 24, 2024); that member is counted present, with a note. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Apr 14The Town Council, in order to accommodate bicyclists traveling…Motion: North Avenue Bike Lane Configuration: Robert E. Vincent II moved that…Passed 4–3 · No: Butler, Butt, Chines
April 14, 2025: The Town Council, in order to accommodate bicyclists traveling in the northbound and southbound lanes of North Avenue and in accordance with the recommendations of the Fire and Police Chiefs,...
North Avenue Bike Lane Configuration: Robert E. Vincent II moved that the Town Council, in order to accommodate bicyclists traveling in the northbound and southbound lanes of North Avenue and in accordance with the recommendations of the Fire and Police Chiefs, approve Councilor Vincent's Proposed Cross Section as set forth in Item 6A of the Town Council's April 14, 2025 Agenda. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. During discussion, Town Engineer Bill Renault presented a brief history of the project modifications requested by the council and Safe Streets group which led to the current configuration trial. The new configuration would remove the 5-foot northbound protected bike lane and the 3-foot buffer zone with flex posts. The current configuration provides no southbound accommodation for bicycles and reduced the width of the travel lanes down to 11.5 feet in each direction. Reiterated points about safety concerns (vehicle lane width, emergency access, flex post issues) versus the need for data and adherence to the approved plan/process were discussed. Concerns about safety implications of the proposed narrower southbound shoulder were raised. The motion passed 4-3-0 with Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion.
Yes: Carney, Dombroski, McLane, VincentNo: Butler, Butt, Chines
From the minutes
“North Avenue Bike Lane Configuration: Robert E. Vincent II moved that the Town Council, in order to accommodate bicyclists traveling in the northbound and southbound lanes of North Avenue and in accordance with the recommendations of the Fire and Police Chiefs, approve Councilor Vincent's Proposed Cross Section as set forth in Item 6A of the Town Council's April 14, 2025 Agenda. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. During discussion, Town Engineer Bill Renault presented a brief history of the project modifications requested by the council and Safe Streets group which led to the current configuration trial. The new configuration would remove the 5-foot northbound protected bike lane and the 3-foot buffer zone with flex posts. The current configuration provides no southbound accommodation for bicycles and reduced the width of the travel lanes down to 11.5 feet in each direction. Reiterated points about safety concerns (vehicle lane width, emergency access, flex post issues) versus the need for data and adherence to the approved plan/process were discussed. Concerns about safety implications of the proposed narrower southbound shoulder were raised. The motion passed 4-3-0 with Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, and Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion..” (Motion: Vincent, second: Dombroski)
Apr 14The Climate Leader Communities Assessment and Evaluation Process document,…Motion: Climate Leader Communities: Robert E. Vincent moved that the Climate Leader…Failed 2–5 · No: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski
April 14, 2025: The Climate Leader Communities Assessment and Evaluation Process document, which was unanimously approved by the Town Council on February 24, 2025, be added to the Policies/Trust section of the...
Climate Leader Communities: Robert E. Vincent moved that the Climate Leader Communities Assessment and Evaluation Process document, which was unanimously approved by the Town Council on February 24, 2025, be added to the Policies/Trust section of the Town Council website. John F. Carney seconded. The motion failed 2-5-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, Douglas S. Butler and John F. Carney voting against the motion.
Yes: McLane, VincentNo: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski
From the minutes
“Climate Leader Communities: Robert E. Vincent moved that the Climate Leader Communities Assessment and Evaluation Process document, which was unanimously approved by the Town Council on February 24, 2025, be added to the Policies/Trust section of the Town Council website. John F. Carney seconded. The motion failed 2-5-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jonathan P. Chines, Mehreen N. Butt, Douglas S. Butler and John F. Carney voting against the motion..” (Motion: Vincent, second: Carney)
Apr 14Authorize the Town Council Clerk to post a request…Motion: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to authorize the Town Council Clerk…Passed 6–1 · No: McLane
April 14, 2025: Authorize the Town Council Clerk to post a request for applicants interested in being a part of the search committee for the next Town Administrator with a deadline of May…
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to authorize the Town Council Clerk to post a request for applicants interested in being a part of the search committee for the next Town Administrator with a deadline of May 5, 2025. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Councilors previously stated the committee will be comprised of 7 individuals and would like to the firm's feedback on the composition by roles of the search committee. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Michael J. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, VincentNo: McLane
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to authorize the Town Council Clerk to post a request for applicants interested in being a part of the search committee for the next Town Administrator with a deadline of May 5, 2025. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Councilors previously stated the committee will be comprised of 7 individuals and would like to the firm's feedback on the composition by roles of the search committee. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Michael J. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Apr 14Approve the license for Sahajanand Inc d/b/a Mobile Mart…Motion: John F. Carney moved to approve the license for Sahajanand Inc…Passed 6–1 · No: Butler
April 14, 2025: Approve the license for Sahajanand Inc d/b/a Mobile Mart at 950 Main Street for the sale of Wine & Malt Beverages not to be drunk on the premises, with hours…
John F. Carney moved to approve the license for Sahajanand Inc d/b/a Mobile Mart at 950 Main Street for the sale of Wine & Malt Beverages not to be drunk on the premises, with hours of operation from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Sunday. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-1-0 with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentNo: Butler
From the minutes
“John F. Carney moved to approve the license for Sahajanand Inc d/b/a Mobile Mart at 950 Main Street for the sale of Wine & Malt Beverages not to be drunk on the premises, with hours of operation from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Sunday. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-1-0 with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion..” (Motion: Carney, second: Chines)
Apr 14Approve Budget 1 Town Council for $896,226.00Motion: Budget #1 Town Council: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget…Passed 5–2 · No: Dombroski, McLane
April 14, 2025: Approve Budget 1 Town Council for $896,226.00
Budget #1 Town Council: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget 1 Town Council for $896,226.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-2-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, VincentNo: Dombroski, McLane
From the minutes
“Budget #1 Town Council: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget 1 Town Council for $896,226.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-2-0 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Mar 24Retain Community Paradigm Associates, LLC. and to negotiate a…Motion: John F. Carney moved to retain Community Paradigm Associates, LLC. and…Passed 6–1 · No: Butler
March 24, 2025: Retain Community Paradigm Associates, LLC. and to negotiate a one-year guarantee and written to provide written questions to applicants
John F. Carney moved to retain Community Paradigm Associates, LLC. and to negotiate a one-year guarantee and written to provide written questions to applicants. The award is contingent upon two reference checks by the Town Administrator or Town Counsel. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentNo: Butler
From the minutes
“John F. Carney moved to retain Community Paradigm Associates, LLC. and to negotiate a one-year guarantee and written to provide written questions to applicants. The award is contingent upon two reference checks by the Town Administrator or Town Counsel. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion..” (Motion: Carney, second: Chines)
Mar 24Approve the budget for $169,952.00, that Wakefield withdraw from…Motion: Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets: Budget #24 Veterans Department - Edward F.…Passed 6–1 · No: Butler
March 24, 2025: Approve the budget for $169,952.00, that Wakefield withdraw from the Intermunicipal Agreement with Melrose and Saugus and move $58,598.00 from Professional Services to Personal Services
Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets: Budget #24 Veterans Department - Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved approve the budget for $169,952.00, that Wakefield withdraw from the Intermunicipal Agreement with Melrose and Saugus and move $58,598.00 from Professional Services to Personal Services. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentNo: Butler
From the minutes
“Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets: Budget #24 Veterans Department - Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved approve the budget for $169,952.00, that Wakefield withdraw from the Intermunicipal Agreement with Melrose and Saugus and move $58,598.00 from Professional Services to Personal Services. Robert E. Vincent II seconded. The motion passed 6-1-0 with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Vincent)
Mar 24Approve the Eminent Domain article for $1.00Motion: Eminent Domain - Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the…Passed 5–0 · see note
March 24, 2025: Approve the Eminent Domain article for $1.00
Eminent Domain - Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the Eminent Domain article for $1.00. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motioned passed 5-0-0. Robert E. Vincent II and Douglas S. Butler were not present for the vote.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLaneThe minutes say Robert E. Vincent and Douglas S. Butler were not present for the vote, so they are not shown as voting.
From the minutes
“Eminent Domain - Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the Eminent Domain article for $1.00. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motioned passed 5-0-0. Robert E. Vincent II and Douglas S. Butler were not present for the vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Mar 24Approve the April 22, 2025 Annual Town Election Warrant…Motion: Town Election Warrant: John F. Carney moved to approve the April…Passed 5–0 · Abstained: Dombroski, McLane
March 24, 2025: Approve the April 22, 2025 Annual Town Election Warrant as presented
Town Election Warrant: John F. Carney moved to approve the April 22, 2025 Annual Town Election Warrant as presented. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 5-0-2 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. and Michael J. McLane abstaining.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, VincentAbstained: Dombroski, McLane
From the minutes
“Town Election Warrant: John F. Carney moved to approve the April 22, 2025 Annual Town Election Warrant as presented. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 5-0-2 with Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. and Michael J. McLane abstaining..” (Motion: Carney, second: Chines)
Mar 24Approve the March 10, 2025 Town Council executive meeting…Motion: Minutes: March 10, 2025 Town Council Executive Meeting Minutes: Jonathan P.…Passed 6–0 · Abstained: Butler
March 24, 2025: Approve the March 10, 2025 Town Council executive meeting minutes as presented
Minutes: March 10, 2025 Town Council Executive Meeting Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the March 10, 2025 Town Council executive meeting minutes as presented. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 by roll call vote Douglas S. Butler abstaining.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentAbstained: Butler
From the minutes
“Minutes: March 10, 2025 Town Council Executive Meeting Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the March 10, 2025 Town Council executive meeting minutes as presented. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 6-0-1 by roll call vote Douglas S. Butler abstaining..” (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.
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