MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2025–2026 Council · Regular meeting
April 28, 2025
15 recorded votes, 2 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, Stacey Constas, John Crisley
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Action Items / Votes Anticipated
Accept the WCAT Working Group Final Report with thanks, to instruct the Town Administrator to begin drafting a Memorandum of Understanding as outlined in the report, and to disband the WCAT...
Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept the WCAT Working Group Final Report with thanks, to instruct the Town Administrator to begin drafting a Memorandum of Understanding as outlined in the report, and to disband the WCAT Working Group. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to accept the WCAT Working Group Final Report with thanks, to instruct the Town Administrator to begin drafting a Memorandum of Understanding as outlined in the report, and to disband the WCAT Working Group. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
B. Hemlock Road / Farm Street
Approve the Order of Right-of-Way Layout Alteration for Farm Street as presented
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the Order of Right-of-Way Layout Alteration for Farm Street as presented. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the Order of Right-of-Way Layout Alteration for Farm Street as presented. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Declaration of school property as shown as surplus
Declare the school property described as Parcel A as surplus to the needs of the high school building
Jonathan P. Chines moved to declare the school property described as Parcel A as surplus to the needs of the high school building. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to declare the school property described as Parcel A as surplus to the needs of the high school building. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
C. Fourth of July Events
Approve the request from the Westside Social Club 4th of July Committee for use of the Town Common beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request from the Westside Social Club 4th of July Committee for use of the Town Common beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request from the Westside Social Club 4th of July Committee for use of the Town Common beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve the request from the Independence Day Committee for the Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2025
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request from the Independence Day Committee for the Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2025. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the request from the Independence Day Committee for the Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2025. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
E. Contract
Approve the contract between the Town of Wakefield and the Wakefield Massachusetts Laborers District Council Local 272 as presented
Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the contract between the Town of Wakefield and the Wakefield Massachusetts Laborers District Council Local 272 as presented. Douglas S. Butler seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the contract between the Town of Wakefield and the Wakefield Massachusetts Laborers District Council Local 272 as presented. Douglas S. Butler seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butler)
F. Special Town Election
The Special Town Election to fill the unexpired Town Council term be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025
John F. Carney moved that the Special Town Election to fill the unexpired Town Council term be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“John F. Carney moved that the Special Town Election to fill the unexpired Town Council term be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Jonathan P. Chines seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Carney, second: Chines)
G. Town Administrator Search Committee
The committee will include the Assistant Town Administrator, the Superintendent of Schools, three community members, and two individuals selected among Town employees and Town volunteer committee...
Jonathan P. Chines moved that the committee will include the Assistant Town Administrator, the Superintendent of Schools, three community members, and two individuals selected among Town employees and Town volunteer committee members. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved that the committee will include the Assistant Town Administrator, the Superintendent of Schools, three community members, and two individuals selected among Town employees and Town volunteer committee members. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Licenses
Approve the following licenses as presented: A. One Day Liquor License: Kidcasso Art Studio - event at Kidcasso Art Studio, 101 Albion Street on May 3, 2025
Licenses: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the following licenses as presented: A. One Day Liquor License: Kidcasso Art Studio - event at Kidcasso Art Studio, 101 Albion Street on May 3, 2025. B. One Day Liquor License: Hannah's Brewing Co. - event at Wakefield Bowladrome on June 28, 2025. C. Secondhand Dealer License: Felinos Barbershop, 407 Main Street (selling clothing and sneakers). D. Secondhand Dealer License Renewal: Indy Clover, 390 Main Street. E. Pool Table License Renewal: Lakeside Tavern, 595 North Avenue. John F. Carney seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Licenses: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the following licenses as presented: A. One Day Liquor License: Kidcasso Art Studio - event at Kidcasso Art Studio, 101 Albion Street on May 3, 2025. B. One Day Liquor License: Hannah's Brewing Co. - event at Wakefield Bowladrome on June 28, 2025. C. Secondhand Dealer License: Felinos Barbershop, 407 Main Street (selling clothing and sneakers). D. Secondhand Dealer License Renewal: Indy Clover, 390 Main Street. E. Pool Table License Renewal: Lakeside Tavern, 595 North Avenue. John F. Carney seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Appointments
Appoint Nancy Dillon as the Tenant Representative to the Wakefield Housing Authority for a 5-year term
Jonathan P. Chines moved to appoint Nancy Dillon as the Tenant Representative to the Wakefield Housing Authority for a 5-year term. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“Jonathan P. Chines moved to appoint Nancy Dillon as the Tenant Representative to the Wakefield Housing Authority for a 5-year term. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the April 14, 2025 Town Council Executive Session meeting minutes as presented
Approval of Minutes A. April 14, 2025 Town Council Executive Session Meeting Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the April 14, 2025 Town Council Executive Session meeting minutes as presented. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 4-0-2, with Stacey Constas and John Crisley abstaining.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, ChinesAbstained: Constas, Crisley
From the minutes
“Approval of Minutes A. April 14, 2025 Town Council Executive Session Meeting Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the April 14, 2025 Town Council Executive Session meeting minutes as presented. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 4-0-2, with Stacey Constas and John Crisley abstaining..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
B. April 14, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes
Approve the April 14, 2025 Town Council meeting minutes as presented
B. April 14, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the April 14, 2025 Town Council meeting minutes as presented. Douglas S. Butler seconded. The motion passed 4-0-2, with Stacey Constas and John Crisley abstaining.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, ChinesAbstained: Constas, Crisley
From the minutes
“B. April 14, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes: Jonathan P. Chines moved to approve the April 14, 2025 Town Council meeting minutes as presented. Douglas S. Butler seconded. The motion passed 4-0-2, with Stacey Constas and John Crisley abstaining..” (Motion: Chines, second: Butler)
Reorganization
Nominate Mehreen N. Butt as Chair for the 2025-2026 term
Reorganization A. Chair: Jonathan P. Chines moved to nominate Mehreen N. Butt as Chair for the 2025-2026 term. John F. Carney seconded. Mehreen N. Butt accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations. The motion passed 6-0- 0.
From the minutes
“Reorganization A. Chair: Jonathan P. Chines moved to nominate Mehreen N. Butt as Chair for the 2025-2026 term. John F. Carney seconded. Mehreen N. Butt accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations. The motion passed 6-0- 0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
B. Vice-Chair
Nominate Jonathan P. Chines as Vice-Chair for the 2025-2026 term
B. Vice-Chair: John F. Carney moved to nominate Jonathan P. Chines as Vice-Chair for the 2025-2026 term. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. Jonathan P. Chines accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations. The motion passed 6-0-0.
From the minutes
“B. Vice-Chair: John F. Carney moved to nominate Jonathan P. Chines as Vice-Chair for the 2025-2026 term. Mehreen N. Butt seconded. Jonathan P. Chines accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations. The motion passed 6-0-0..” (Motion: Carney, second: Butt)
Adjournment
Adjourn
Adjournment: Jonathan P. Chines moved to adjourn the meeting. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6- 0-0.
From the minutes
“Adjournment: Jonathan P. Chines moved to adjourn the meeting. John F. Carney seconded. The motion passed 6- 0-0..” (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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