MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2025–2026 Council · Regular meeting
February 9, 2026
16 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Your Wakefield ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Attendance
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
Offsetting Revenue
Approve the Tax Department (Budget #7) for fiscal year 2027 for $341,558.96 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Tax Department (Budget #7) for fiscal year 2027 for $341,558.96 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Tax Department (Budget #7) for fiscal year 2027 for $341,558.96 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Budget #15 - Board of Appeals
Approve the Board of Appeals (Budget #18) budget for Fiscal Year 2027 for $27,800.00
MOTON: Move to approve the Board of Appeals (Budget #18) budget for Fiscal Year 2027 for $27,800.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTON: Move to approve the Board of Appeals (Budget #18) budget for Fiscal Year 2027 for $27,800.00. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Strategic Plan
Approve the Fire Alarm and Traffic Signal budget for Fiscal Year 2027 for $83,000.00 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Fire Alarm and Traffic Signal budget for Fiscal Year 2027 for $83,000.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Fire Alarm and Traffic Signal budget for Fiscal Year 2027 for $83,000.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Budget #20 - Inspectional Services
Approve the Inspectional Services Department (Budget #20) for fiscal year 2027 for $503,220.00 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Inspectional Services Department (Budget #20) for fiscal year 2027 for $503,220.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Inspectional Services Department (Budget #20) for fiscal year 2027 for $503,220.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines)
Budget #27 - Recreation Department
Approve the Recreation Department (Budget #27) for fiscal year 2027 for $136,136.00 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Recreation Department (Budget #27) for fiscal year 2027 for $136,136.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Recreation Department (Budget #27) for fiscal year 2027 for $136,136.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Discussion
Moved to approve the Street Lights budget for fiscal year 2027 for $178,131.00 as presented
MOTION: Moved to approve the Street Lights budget for fiscal year 2027 for $178,131.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Moved to approve the Street Lights budget for fiscal year 2027 for $178,131.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Budget 38
Approve the Historical Commission budget for fiscal year 2027 for $2,000.00 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Historical Commission budget for fiscal year 2027 for $2,000.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Historical Commission budget for fiscal year 2027 for $2,000.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Budget 41
Approve the Unemployment budget for fiscal year 2027 for $75,000.00 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Unemployment budget for fiscal year 2027 for $75,000.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Unemployment budget for fiscal year 2027 for $75,000.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Budget 42
Approve the Reserve Fund budget for fiscal year 2027 for $400,000.00 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Reserve Fund budget for fiscal year 2027 for $400,000.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Reserve Fund budget for fiscal year 2027 for $400,000.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Budget 44
Approve the professional medical budget for fiscal year 2027 for $15,500.00 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the professional medical budget for fiscal year 2027 for $15,500.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the professional medical budget for fiscal year 2027 for $15,500.00 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Economic Development Council Appointment
Appoint Tess Kohanski to a term on the Economic Development Council ending October 31, 2027
MOTION: Move to appoint Tess Kohanski to a term on the Economic Development Council ending October 31, 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to appoint Tess Kohanski to a term on the Economic Development Council ending October 31, 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Disclosure by Non-Elected Municipal Employee of Financial Interest
Approve the exemption from the conflict of interest law for Allyson Houghton to sign quarterly financial reports from the Economic Development Council in her capacity as chair, and further moved...
MOTION: Move to approve the exemption from the conflict of interest law for Allyson Houghton to sign quarterly financial reports from the Economic Development Council in her capacity as chair, and further moved to authorize Town Council Chair Mehreen N. Butt to sign a letter on the Council's behalf to that effect. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the exemption from the conflict of interest law for Allyson Houghton to sign quarterly financial reports from the Economic Development Council in her capacity as chair, and further moved to authorize Town Council Chair Mehreen N. Butt to sign a letter on the Council's behalf to that effect. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Donations
Accept donations in the amount of $5,801 to the Beebe Library from various donors with thanks
MOTION: Move to accept donations in the amount of $5,801 to the Beebe Library 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 $5,801 to the Beebe Library from various donors with thanks. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Annual Town Meeting
Set the date for the Annual Town Meeting for Monday, May 4th, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Galvin Middle School Auditorium; and further moved to open the warrant for Town Meeting today, February 9th,...
MOTION: Move to set the date for the Annual Town Meeting for Monday, May 4th, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Galvin Middle School Auditorium; and further moved to open the warrant for Town Meeting today, February 9th, 2026, and close the warrant Friday, March 13th, 2026, at 12:00 noon. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to set the date for the Annual Town Meeting for Monday, May 4th, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Galvin Middle School Auditorium; and further moved to open the warrant for Town Meeting today, February 9th, 2026, and close the warrant Friday, March 13th, 2026, at 12:00 noon. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the Town Council meeting minutes for January 26, 2026
MOTION: Move to approve the Town Council meeting minutes for January 26, 2026. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Town Council meeting minutes for January 26, 2026. 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: 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
“MOTION: Move to adjourn the meeting. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: 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.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →