MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2025–2026 Council · Regular meeting
February 23, 2026
15 recorded votes, 1 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
A. 610 Salem Street
Designate the Chair of the Town Council as the Chief Executive Officer for the Town of Wakefield for the purposes of signing the Local Initiative Program application for 610 Salem Street and any...
MOTION: Move to designate the Chair of the Town Council as the Chief Executive Officer for the Town of Wakefield for the purposes of signing the Local Initiative Program application for 610 Salem Street and any future applications. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to designate the Chair of the Town Council as the Chief Executive Officer for the Town of Wakefield for the purposes of signing the Local Initiative Program application for 610 Salem Street and any future applications. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Accept and execute the restrictive covenant for conservation and open space protection regarding 200 to 400 Quannapowitt Parkway
MOTION: Move to accept and execute the restrictive covenant for conservation and open space protection regarding 200 to 400 Quannapowitt Parkway. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to accept and execute the restrictive covenant for conservation and open space protection regarding 200 to 400 Quannapowitt Parkway. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Accept and execute an easement providing public access pathway rights at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway
MOTION: Move to accept and execute an easement providing public access pathway rights at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to accept and execute an easement providing public access pathway rights at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Accept and execute a lease agreement for the public safety office at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway
MOTION: Move to accept and execute a lease agreement for the public safety office at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to accept and execute a lease agreement for the public safety office at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Accept and execute a license permitting access to town-owned land adjacent to the property for maintenance purposes at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway
MOTION: Move to accept and execute a license permitting access to town-owned land adjacent to the property for maintenance purposes at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to accept and execute a license permitting access to town-owned land adjacent to the property for maintenance purposes at 200-400 Quannapowitt Parkway. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Licensing
Approve the Information Technology budget (Budget #3) for fiscal year 2027 for $630,643 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Information Technology budget (Budget #3) for fiscal year 2027 for $630,643 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: Stacey Constas Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Information Technology budget (Budget #3) for fiscal year 2027 for $630,643 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: Stacey Constas Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Constas)
Approve the Treasury Department (Budget #4) budget for Fiscal Year 2027 for $257,360.16
MOTON: Move to approve the Treasury Department (Budget #4) budget for Fiscal Year 2027 for $257,360.16. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: Stacey Constas Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTON: Move to approve the Treasury Department (Budget #4) budget for Fiscal Year 2027 for $257,360.16. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: Stacey Constas Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Constas)
Budget Adjustments
Approve the Planning Department's budget for fiscal year 2027 for $11,000 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Planning Department's budget for fiscal year 2027 for $11,000 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Planning Department's budget for fiscal year 2027 for $11,000 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Staffing Challenges
Approve the police department budget (Budget #16) for fiscal year 2027 for $8,031,261 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the police department budget (Budget #16) for fiscal year 2027 for $8,031,261 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the police department budget (Budget #16) for fiscal year 2027 for $8,031,261 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Budget Details
Approve the Library Department budget (Budget 34) for fiscal year 2027 for $2,147,295, as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Library Department budget (Budget 34) for fiscal year 2027 for $2,147,295, as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Library Department budget (Budget 34) for fiscal year 2027 for $2,147,295, as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Budget 24
Approve the Parking Clerk budget (Budget #24) for fiscal year 2026, for $11,081.50 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Parking Clerk budget (Budget #24) for fiscal year 2026, for $11,081.50 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Parking Clerk budget (Budget #24) for fiscal year 2026, for $11,081.50 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Permit/License
Approve the application for a One-Day Special Alcohol Permit to Margi Dennis for the INspire Café fundraiser on March 21, 2026
MOTION: Move to approve the application for a One-Day Special Alcohol Permit to Margi Dennis for the INspire Café fundraiser on March 21, 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 application for a One-Day Special Alcohol Permit to Margi Dennis for the INspire Café fundraiser on March 21, 2026. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve the application for a Common Victualler License to The Remedy Exchange, located at 41 Tuttle Street
MOTION: Move to approve the application for a Common Victualler License to The Remedy Exchange, located at 41 Tuttle Street. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the application for a Common Victualler License to The Remedy Exchange, located at 41 Tuttle Street. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0) by roll call.” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve the Town Council meeting minutes from February 9, 2026
MOTION: Move to approve the Town Council meeting minutes from February 9, 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 Town Council meeting minutes from February 9, 2026. 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: 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.
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