MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town CouncilWakefield Town Council · 2025–2026 Council · Regular meeting
April 27, 2026
18 recorded votes, 6 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
Trust Fund Revenue
Approve the Salary Contingency Budget for $728,461.59 for fiscal year 2027 as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the Salary Contingency Budget for $728,461.59 for fiscal year 2027 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Salary Contingency Budget for $728,461.59 for fiscal year 2027 as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Reduce the Accounting Department budget by $75,000 for fiscal year 2027
MOTION: Move to reduce the Accounting Department budget by $75,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to reduce the Accounting Department budget by $75,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Moved to reduce the Assessing Department budget by $15,000 for fiscal year 2027
MOTION: Moved to reduce the Assessing Department budget by $15,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Moved to reduce the Assessing Department budget by $15,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Reduce the Police Department budget by $45,000 for fiscal year 2027
MOTION: Move to reduce the Police Department budget by $45,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to reduce the Police Department budget by $45,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Reduce the Animal Control budget by $5,000 for fiscal year 2027
MOTION: Move to reduce the Animal Control budget by $5,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to reduce the Animal Control budget by $5,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Reduce the Veterans Department budget by $20,000 for fiscal year 2027
MOTION: Move to reduce the Veterans Department budget by $20,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to reduce the Veterans Department budget by $20,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Reduce the cut to $30,000, effectively restoring the $20,000 for the Hurd School
MOTION: Move to reduce the cut to $30,000, effectively restoring the $20,000 for the Hurd School. Moved by: Douglas S. Butler Second: John Crisley Vote: 2-5 motion did not pass. Douglas S. Butler and John Crisley in favor. Jonathan P. Chines, John F. Carney, Stacey Constas, Brian Fox, and Mehreen N. Butt voting against the motion.
Yes: Butler, CrisleyNo: Butt, Carney, Chines, Constas, Fox
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to reduce the cut to $30,000, effectively restoring the $20,000 for the Hurd School. Moved by: Douglas S. Butler Second: John Crisley Vote: 2-5 motion did not pass. Douglas S. Butler and John Crisley in favor. Jonathan P. Chines, John F. Carney, Stacey Constas, Brian Fox, and Mehreen N. Butt voting against the motion..” (Motion: Butler, second: Crisley)
Reduce the Department of Public Works budget by $50,000 for fiscal year 2027
MOTION: Move to reduce the Department of Public Works budget by $50,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to reduce the Department of Public Works budget by $50,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Reduce the Group Health Insurance budget by $552,500 for fiscal year 2027 for a total budget of $14,172,864 with $12,672,864 coming from tax levy, and $1,500,000 coming from OPEB Trust Fund
MOTION: Move to reduce the Group Health Insurance budget by $552,500 for fiscal year 2027 for a total budget of $14,172,864 with $12,672,864 coming from tax levy, and $1,500,000 coming from OPEB Trust Fund. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to reduce the Group Health Insurance budget by $552,500 for fiscal year 2027 for a total budget of $14,172,864 with $12,672,864 coming from tax levy, and $1,500,000 coming from OPEB Trust Fund. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Reduce the Parking Lots Construction Warrant Article from $350,000 to $100,000 for fiscal year 2027
MOTION: Move to reduce the Parking Lots Construction Warrant Article from $350,000 to $100,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: 6-1 motion passed. Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion.
Yes: Butt, Carney, Chines, Constas, Crisley, FoxNo: Butler
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to reduce the Parking Lots Construction Warrant Article from $350,000 to $100,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: 6-1 motion passed. Douglas S. Butler voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Eliminate the Retaining Wall Repair Warrant Article for fiscal year 2027
MOTION: Move to eliminate the Retaining Wall Repair Warrant Article for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to eliminate the Retaining Wall Repair Warrant Article for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Rescind approval of the Building Space and Capital Needs Assessment Warrant Article in the amount of $150,000 for fiscal year 2027
MOTION: Move to rescind approval of the Building Space and Capital Needs Assessment Warrant Article in the amount of $150,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: 6-1 motion passes. John Crisley voting against the motion.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, Constas, FoxNo: Crisley
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to rescind approval of the Building Space and Capital Needs Assessment Warrant Article in the amount of $150,000 for fiscal year 2027. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: 6-1 motion passes. John Crisley voting against the motion..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Bench and Structure Policy
Table the Bench and Structure Policy to a future meeting to allow circulation of proposed clarifications
MOTION: Move to table the Bench and Structure Policy to a future meeting to allow circulation of proposed clarifications. Moved by: John F. Carney Second: Jonathan P. Chines Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to table the Bench and Structure Policy to a future meeting to allow circulation of proposed clarifications. Moved by: John F. Carney Second: Jonathan P. Chines Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Carney, second: Chines)
Licenses
Approve the Class II renewal license for New England Detroit Diesel-Allison, Inc. d/b/a Vintage Automotive
MOTON: Move to approve the Class II renewal license for New England Detroit Diesel-Allison, Inc. d/b/a Vintage Automotive. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTON: Move to approve the Class II renewal license for New England Detroit Diesel-Allison, Inc. d/b/a Vintage Automotive. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approve the Secondhand renewal license for Indy Clover, 390 Main Street
MOTION: Move to approve the Secondhand renewal license for Indy Clover, 390 Main Street. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the Secondhand renewal license for Indy Clover, 390 Main Street. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: Unanimous (7-0).” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
Approval of Minutes
Approve the April 13, 2026, Town Council meeting minutes as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the April 13, 2026, Town Council meeting minutes as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: 6-0-1 motion passed. Brian Fox abstained.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, Constas, CrisleyAbstained: Fox
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the April 13, 2026, Town Council meeting minutes as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: 6-0-1 motion passed. Brian Fox abstained..” (Motion: Chines, second: Carney)
2. April 15, 2026 Tri-Board Meeting Minutes
Approve the April 15, 2026, Tri-Board meeting minutes as presented
MOTION: Move to approve the April 15, 2026, Tri-Board meeting minutes as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: 5-0-2 motion passed. Brian Fox and John Crisley abstaining.
Yes: Butler, Butt, Carney, Chines, ConstasAbstained: Crisley, Fox
From the minutes
“MOTION: Move to approve the April 15, 2026, Tri-Board meeting minutes as presented. Moved by: Jonathan P. Chines Second: John F. Carney Vote: 5-0-2 motion passed. Brian Fox and John Crisley abstaining..” (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 →