MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2025–2026 Council · Regular meeting
January 26, 2026
16 recorded votes, 0 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 7:09 p.m. for Asset Naming: Town-owned assets within and adjacent to the new Wakefield Memorial High School facility
MOTION: Move to open the public hearing at 7:09 p.m. for Asset Naming: Town-owned assets within and adjacent to the new Wakefield Memorial High School facility. 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 7:09 p.m. for Asset Naming: Town-owned assets within and adjacent to the new Wakefield Memorial High School facility. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Governor John A. Volpe
That, consistent with the recommendation of the Wakefield School Department and the Permanent Building Committee, the Town Council vote to name the following spaces within the new Wakefield...
MOTION: Move that, consistent with the recommendation of the Wakefield School Department and the Permanent Building Committee, the Town Council vote to name the following spaces within the new Wakefield Memorial High School: the running track shall be named the Sean Beasley Track and Field; the library shall be named the Governor Volpe Memorial Library; the main gymnasium shall be named the Frank Charbonneau Gymnasium; and the cafeteria shall be named for Dennis O'Leary. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move that, consistent with the recommendation of the Wakefield School Department and the Permanent Building Committee, the Town Council vote to name the following spaces within the new Wakefield Memorial High School: the running track shall be named the Sean Beasley Track and Field; the library shall be named the Governor Volpe Memorial Library; the main gymnasium shall be named the Frank Charbonneau Gymnasium; and the cafeteria shall be named for Dennis O'Leary. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Close the public hearing at 7:30 p.m
MOTION: To close the public hearing 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: To close the public hearing 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)
Budget 5
Approve Legal Department (Budget 5) for $207,810.09
MOTION: To approve Legal Department (Budget 5) for $207,810.09. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines. Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: To approve Legal Department (Budget 5) for $207,810.09. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines. Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Budget 8
Approve Assessing Department (Budget 8) for $282,088.58
MOTION: To approve Assessing Department (Budget 8) for $282,088.58. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: To approve Assessing Department (Budget 8) for $282,088.58. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Town Clerk (Budget 9) for $277,602.00
MOTION: To approve Town Clerk (Budget 9) for $277,602.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: To approve Town Clerk (Budget 9) for $277,602.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Election & Registration (Budget 10) for $46,300.00
MOTION: To approve Election & Registration (Budget 10) for $46,300.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: To approve Election & Registration (Budget 10) for $46,300.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Election Expense (Budget 11) for $25,400.00
MOTION: To approve Election Expense (Budget 11) for $25,400.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: To approve Election Expense (Budget 11) for $25,400.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Finance Committee (Budget 12) for $7,060.00
MOTION: To approve Finance Committee (Budget 12) for $7,060.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: To approve Finance Committee (Budget 12) for $7,060.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve Council on Aging (Budget 25) for $312,803.75
MOTION: To approve Council on Aging (Budget 25) for $312,803.75. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: To approve Council on Aging (Budget 25) for $312,803.75. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Human Rights Commission
Appoint Cara Nishino as the student representative for a term ending June 30, 2026
MOTION: Move to appoint Cara Nishino as the student representative for a term ending June 30, 2026. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to appoint Cara Nishino as the student representative for a term ending June 30, 2026. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Appoint Shelby Nikitin with a term ending April 30, 2028, and Kevin Yost with a term ending April 30, 2027, to the Veterans Advisory Board
MOTION: Move to appoint Shelby Nikitin with a term ending April 30, 2028, and Kevin Yost with a term ending April 30, 2027, to the Veterans Advisory Board. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to appoint Shelby Nikitin with a term ending April 30, 2028, and Kevin Yost with a term ending April 30, 2027, to the Veterans Advisory Board. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Fire Department donation requests
Accept a donation of $3,000 from Gilbane Building Company and $250 from the Abuzahra family to the Fire Department, with thanks
MOTION: Move to accept a donation of $3,000 from Gilbane Building Company and $250 from the Abuzahra family to the Fire Department, with thanks. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to accept a donation of $3,000 from Gilbane Building Company and $250 from the Abuzahra family to the Fire Department, with thanks. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve the request from the Wakefield Independence Day Committee to use the Galvin Middle School parking lot for a carnival fundraiser from April 19-26, 2026
MOTION: Move to approve the request from the Wakefield Independence Day Committee to use the Galvin Middle School parking lot for a carnival fundraiser from April 19-26, 2026. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the request from the Wakefield Independence Day Committee to use the Galvin Middle School parking lot for a carnival fundraiser from April 19-26, 2026. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve the January 12, 2026, Town Council meeting minutes
MOTION: Move to approve the January 12, 2026, Town Council meeting minutes. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the January 12, 2026, Town Council meeting minutes. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (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) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to adjourn the meeting. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (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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