MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
March 10, 2025
15 recorded votes, 5 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:
- Douglas S. Butler arrived at 6:45 p.m.
- Douglas S. Butler joined the meeting.
Every vote, in order
Executive Session
Go into Executive Session to discuss the Wakefield Massachusetts Laborers District Council, Local 272 because an open session may have detrimental effects on the bargaining position of the town...
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to go into Executive Session to discuss the Wakefield Massachusetts Laborers District Council, Local 272 because an open session may have detrimental effects on the bargaining position of the town with the intent to returning to open session immediately thereafter. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentThe minutes say “Douglas S. Butler arrived at 6:45 p.m.”; “Douglas S. Butler joined the meeting”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Douglas S. Butler is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to go into Executive Session to discuss the Wakefield Massachusetts Laborers District Council, Local 272 because an open session may have detrimental effects on the bargaining position of the town with the intent to returning to open session immediately thereafter. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield
Approve the request that week of March 10, 2025 through March 15, 2025 be declared "The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield Phonathon Week." Jonathan P
The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield: Vice President of The Scholarship Foundation along with student members, requested the week of March 10, 2025 through March 15, 2025 be declared "The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield Phonathon Week." Jonathan P. Chines so moved. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentThe minutes say “Douglas S. Butler arrived at 6:45 p.m.”; “Douglas S. Butler joined the meeting”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Douglas S. Butler is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield: Vice President of The Scholarship Foundation along with student members, requested the week of March 10, 2025 through March 15, 2025 be declared "The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield Phonathon Week." Jonathan P. Chines so moved. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Dombroski)
Pledge of License
Approve the Pledge of License
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the Pledge of License. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentThe minutes say “Douglas S. Butler arrived at 6:45 p.m.”; “Douglas S. Butler joined the meeting”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Douglas S. Butler is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the Pledge of License. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Discussions
Open the public comment period with the expectation the Town Council will bring this back for a vote at the April 14, 2025 meeting
Jonathan P. Chines moved to open the public comment period with the expectation the Town Council will bring this back for a vote at the April 14, 2025 meeting. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Dombroski, McLane, VincentThe minutes say “Douglas S. Butler arrived at 6:45 p.m.”; “Douglas S. Butler joined the meeting”. The count (6-0-0) matches the 6 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Douglas S. Butler is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to open the public comment period with the expectation the Town Council will bring this back for a vote at the April 14, 2025 meeting. Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Dombroski)
Support and participate in the Local Initiative Program for the affordable housing project referred to as 484-504 Salem Street being lots 16, 16D, 16G, and 16FA as shown on Wakefield Assessor Map...
John F. Carney moved that the Town Council support and participate in the Local Initiative Program for the affordable housing project referred to as 484-504 Salem Street being lots 16, 16D, 16G, and 16FA as shown on Wakefield Assessor Map 39A and by doing so we hereby direct the Wakefield Senior Town Planner to work with the development team to move the development forward including but not limited to preparation and submission of the Local Initiative Program Application for Comprehensive Permit project to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and to authorize the Town Administrator or Town Council chair to sign the Local Initiative Program Application for Comprehensive Permit project and to request letter of support. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“John F. Carney moved that the Town Council support and participate in the Local Initiative Program for the affordable housing project referred to as 484-504 Salem Street being lots 16, 16D, 16G, and 16FA as shown on Wakefield Assessor Map 39A and by doing so we hereby direct the Wakefield Senior Town Planner to work with the development team to move the development forward including but not limited to preparation and submission of the Local Initiative Program Application for Comprehensive Permit project to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and to authorize the Town Administrator or Town Council chair to sign the Local Initiative Program Application for Comprehensive Permit project and to request letter of support. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Carney, second: Chines)
Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets
Approve Budget #2 Accounting Department for $488,814.00
Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve Budget #2 Accounting Department for $488,814.00. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Fiscal Year 2026 Budgets: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve Budget #2 Accounting Department for $488,814.00. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Approve Budget #17 Fire Department for $7,826,406.00
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #17 Fire Department for $7,826,406.00. Douglas S. Butler seconded. The motion passed 7-0- 0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve Budget #17 Fire Department for $7,826,406.00. Douglas S. Butler seconded. The motion passed 7-0- 0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butler)
Approve the Cable Television budget for $493,500.00
Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the Cable Television budget for $493,500.00. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the Cable Television budget for $493,500.00. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Town Meeting Referrals
Refer the proposed Public Way Acceptance, Farm Street Right of Way Alteration and DCR Easement, the Floodplain Overlay District, and the proposed Marijuana Zoning Bylaw Amendments Town Meeting...
Town Meeting Referrals: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to refer the proposed Public Way Acceptance, Farm Street Right of Way Alteration and DCR Easement, the Floodplain Overlay District, and the proposed Marijuana Zoning Bylaw Amendments Town Meeting Articles for the Annual Town Meeting on May 5, 2025 to the Planning Board. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Town Meeting Referrals: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to refer the proposed Public Way Acceptance, Farm Street Right of Way Alteration and DCR Easement, the Floodplain Overlay District, and the proposed Marijuana Zoning Bylaw Amendments Town Meeting Articles for the Annual Town Meeting on May 5, 2025 to the Planning Board. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Licenses
Approve the Common Victualler application for Wakefield Convenience Store located at 4 Elm Street
Licenses: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the Common Victualler application for Wakefield Convenience Store located at 4 Elm Street. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Licenses: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the Common Victualler application for Wakefield Convenience Store located at 4 Elm Street. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Appointments
Appoint John L. Barrett as the vacation replacement for the Inspector of Buildings
Appointments: Inspector of Buildings Vacation Replacement: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to appoint John L. Barrett as the vacation replacement for the Inspector of Buildings. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Appointments: Inspector of Buildings Vacation Replacement: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to appoint John L. Barrett as the vacation replacement for the Inspector of Buildings. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Appoint Kathleen Shine Cain to the Human Rights Commission with a term ending April 30, 2028
Human Rights Commission: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to appoint Kathleen Shine Cain to the Human Rights Commission with a term ending April 30, 2028. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Human Rights Commission: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to appoint Kathleen Shine Cain to the Human Rights Commission with a term ending April 30, 2028. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Donation
Accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $225.00 from various donors with thanks
Donation: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $225.00 from various donors with thanks. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Donation: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the Council on Aging for $225.00 from various donors with thanks. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Minutes
Approve the February 24, 2025 meeting minutes as presented
Minutes: February 24, 2025 Town Council Minutes: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the February 24, 2025 meeting minutes as presented. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote.
From the minutes
“Minutes: February 24, 2025 Town Council Minutes: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to approve the February 24, 2025 meeting minutes as presented. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 7-0-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Dombroski, second: Chines)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to adjourn at 10:02 p.m. Jonathan P. Chines 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: Edward F. Dombroski, Jr. moved to adjourn at 10:02 p.m. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 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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