MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
January 13, 2025
21 recorded votes, 4 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, Michael J. McLane, Robert E. Vincent
Absent: Edward F. Dombroski
During the meeting:
- Robert E. Vincent II recused himself and left the room.
- Robert E. Vincent II rejoined the meeting.
Every vote, in order
Roadway Betterments
Approve the Certification to Assessors for the Flanders Lane Betterment
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the Certification to Assessors for the Flanders Lane Betterment. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-0-0.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, McLaneThe minutes say “Robert E. Vincent II recused himself and left the room”; “Robert E. Vincent II rejoined the meeting”. The count (5-0-0) matches the 5 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Robert E. Vincent is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the Certification to Assessors for the Flanders Lane Betterment. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve the Certification to Assessors for the Walton Lane Betterment
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the Certification to Assessors for the Walton Lane Betterment. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the Certification to Assessors for the Walton Lane Betterment. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Senior Center Renovations Discussion
Window option #2 be installed at the Senior Center
John F. Carney moved that window option #2 be installed at the Senior Center. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 4-2-0 with Robert E. Vincent II and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, ChinesNo: McLane, Vincent
From the minutes
“John F. Carney moved that window option #2 be installed at the Senior Center. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 4-2-0 with Robert E. Vincent II and Michael J. McLane voting against the motion..” (Motion: Carney, second: Chines)
Traffic Advisory Committee Requests
Approve the request of the Traffic Advisory Committee to install a No Thru Way Sign on Lakeshore Drive
Traffic Advisory Committee Requests: Lakeshore Drive - Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request of the Traffic Advisory Committee to install a No Thru Way Sign on Lakeshore Drive. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Traffic Advisory Committee Requests: Lakeshore Drive - Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request of the Traffic Advisory Committee to install a No Thru Way Sign on Lakeshore Drive. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve the request of the Traffic Advisory Committee to install a No Outlet Sign on Walton Street
Walton Street - Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request of the Traffic Advisory Committee to install a No Outlet Sign on Walton Street. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-1-0 with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, McLane, VincentNo: Butler
From the minutes
“Walton Street - Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request of the Traffic Advisory Committee to install a No Outlet Sign on Walton Street. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 5-1-0 with Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets
Approve Budget #5 Legal Department for $205,100.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #5 Legal Department for $205,100.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #5 Legal Department for $205,100.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Budget #7 Tax Collecting Department for $328,107.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #7 Tax Collecting Department for $328,107.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #7 Tax Collecting Department for $328,107.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Budget #8 Assessing Department for $271,657.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #8 Assessing Department for $271,657.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #8 Assessing Department for $271,657.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Reduce Budget #9 Town Clerk Department by $700.00 for a new total of $270,262.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to reduce Budget #9 Town Clerk Department by $700.00 for a new total of $270,262.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to reduce Budget #9 Town Clerk Department by $700.00 for a new total of $270,262.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Budget #10 Election & Registration for $38,800.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #10 Election & Registration for $38,800.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #10 Election & Registration for $38,800.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Budget #11 Election Expense for $13,900.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #11 Election Expense for $13,900.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #11 Election Expense for $13,900.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Budget #12 Finance Committee for $7,060.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #12 Finance Committee for $7,060.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #12 Finance Committee for $7,060.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Budget #13 Conservation Department for $87,468.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #13 Conservation Department for $87,468.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #13 Conservation Department for $87,468.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Budget #14 Planning Board for $10,775.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #14 Planning Board for $10,775.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #14 Planning Board for $10,775.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Budget #15 Zoning Board of Appeals for $31,000.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #15 Zoning Board of Appeals for $31,000.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #15 Zoning Board of Appeals for $31,000.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Budget #25 Council on Aging for $298,626.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #25 Council on Aging for $298,626.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #25 Council on Aging for $298,626.00. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Licenses - 2025 License Renewals
Approve the 2025 license renewals for Common Victualler, Entertainment, Restaurant liquor, Lodging House, and Class II as attached
Licenses - 2025 License Renewals: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the 2025 license renewals for Common Victualler, Entertainment, Restaurant liquor, Lodging House, and Class II as attached. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Licenses - 2025 License Renewals: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the 2025 license renewals for Common Victualler, Entertainment, Restaurant liquor, Lodging House, and Class II as attached. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Donations
Approve the request of the Library to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $21,450.00 from various donors with thanks
Donations: Library - Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request of the Library to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $21,450.00 from various donors with thanks. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Donations: Library - Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request of the Library to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Library for $21,450.00 from various donors with thanks. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve the request of the Council on Aging to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $500.00 from various donors with thanks
Council on Aging - Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request of the Council on Aging to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $500.00 from various donors with thanks. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Council on Aging - Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request of the Council on Aging to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $500.00 from various donors with thanks. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Minutes
Amend and then approve the December 16, 2024 Town Council minutes to reflect the MOU for the EDC is $1,000,000.00 and as presented
Minutes: December 16, 2024: Jonathan P. Chines moved to amend and then approve the December 16, 2024 Town Council minutes to reflect the MOU for the EDC is $1,000,000.00 and as presented. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Minutes: December 16, 2024: Jonathan P. Chines moved to amend and then approve the December 16, 2024 Town Council minutes to reflect the MOU for the EDC is $1,000,000.00 and as presented. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Jonathan P. Chines moved to adjourn at 9:51 p.m. John F. Carney 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 9:51 p.m. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed by acclamation..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
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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