MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2025–2026 Council · Regular meeting
January 12, 2026
12 recorded votes, 3 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, Brian Fox
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Public Hearings
Open the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. for Naba Durga Enterprise, Inc. d/b/a Salem Variety located at 222 Salem Street for a liquor license
MOTION: Move to open the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. for Naba Durga Enterprise, Inc. d/b/a Salem Variety located at 222 Salem Street for a liquor license. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to open the public hearing at 7:03 p.m. for Naba Durga Enterprise, Inc. d/b/a Salem Variety located at 222 Salem Street for a liquor license. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Continue the public hearing to January 26, 2026, at 7:30 p.m
MOTION: Move to continue the public hearing to January 26, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to continue the public hearing to January 26, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Council Discussion
Adopt the amended kiosk policy as presented
MOTION: Move to adopt the amended kiosk policy as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to adopt the amended kiosk policy as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
One Day Liquor License
Approve the request for a one-day liquor license for Chris DeFeo for January 30, 2026, at the Americal Civic Center
MOTION: Move to approve the request for a one-day liquor license for Chris DeFeo for January 30, 2026, at the Americal Civic Center. Made by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the request for a one-day liquor license for Chris DeFeo for January 30, 2026, at the Americal Civic Center. Made by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (second: Carney)
Housing Production Plan Advisory Committee
Disband the Housing Production Plan Advisory Committee on account of the fact that the housing production plan has been accepted by the Commonwealth
MOTION: Move to disband the Housing Production Plan Advisory Committee on account of the fact that the housing production plan has been accepted by the Commonwealth. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to disband the Housing Production Plan Advisory Committee on account of the fact that the housing production plan has been accepted by the Commonwealth. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Housing Trust
Appoint Anna Rao and Mark Iafrate to terms on the Housing Trust, ending October 31, 2027
MOTION: Move to appoint Anna Rao and Mark Iafrate to terms on the Housing Trust, ending October 31, 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to appoint Anna Rao and Mark Iafrate to terms on the Housing Trust, ending October 31, 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Economic Development Council
Appoint Alfred Rosenthal and Robert McGuire to the Economic Development Council for terms to expire October 31, 2027
MOTION: Move to appoint Alfred Rosenthal and Robert McGuire to the Economic Development Council for terms to expire October 31, 2027. Moved by: Stacey Constas Second: Jonathan P. Chines Discussion: Concerns were raised regarding potential conflicts of interest as both appointees are members of the Chamber of Commerce. It was clarified that while they are members, only one may be on the Chamber Board. A vote of "No" was registered citing concerns about the Chair reaching out. Vote: The motion passed 6-1-0 with Brian Fox voting no
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, Constas, CrisleyNo: Fox
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to appoint Alfred Rosenthal and Robert McGuire to the Economic Development Council for terms to expire October 31, 2027. Moved by: Stacey Constas Second: Jonathan P. Chines Discussion: Concerns were raised regarding potential conflicts of interest as both appointees are members of the Chamber of Commerce. It was clarified that while they are members, only one may be on the Chamber Board. A vote of "No" was registered citing concerns about the Chair reaching out. Vote: The motion passed 6-1-0 with Brian Fox voting no.” (Motion: Constas, second: Chines)
Accept donations in the amount of $645.00 to the Senior Center from various donors with thanks
MOTION: Move to accept donations in the amount of $645.00 to the Senior Center from various donors with thanks. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to accept donations in the amount of $645.00 to the Senior Center from various donors with thanks. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Fire Department
Accept donations in the amount of $4,740.00 from DiBiase Companies and Bond Building Construction to the Fire Department
MOTION: Move to accept donations in the amount of $4,740.00 from DiBiase Companies and Bond Building Construction to the Fire Department. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Discussion: Douglas S. Butler raised questions regarding the acceptance of equipment from a real estate firm. The Council agreed that for future targeted donations, the Department Head should provide a letter to explain the specific need. Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to accept donations in the amount of $4,740.00 from DiBiase Companies and Bond Building Construction to the Fire Department. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Discussion: Douglas S. Butler raised questions regarding the acceptance of equipment from a real estate firm. The Council agreed that for future targeted donations, the Department Head should provide a letter to explain the specific need. Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Library
Accept donations in the amount of $820.00 to the Library from various donors with thanks
MOTION: Move to accept donations in the amount of $820.00 to the Library from various donors with thanks. Made by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
The minutes do not say who made this motion.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to accept donations in the amount of $820.00 to the Library from various donors with thanks. Made by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (second: Carney)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the December 8, 2025, Town Council meeting minutes
MOTION: Move to approve the December 8, 2025, Town Council meeting minutes. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the December 8, 2025, Town Council meeting minutes. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Adjournment
Adjourn
MOTION: Move to adjourn the meeting. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to adjourn the meeting. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (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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