MassVoter.com← Wakefield Town Council
Wakefield Chair
Jonathan P. Chines
At-large · 8 terms in this record
Jonathan Chines
A monthly email on how they voted, starting in November.
Board years
Your Wakefield ballot: 13 quizzes, about a minute each.
Start my ballot →Record at a glance · 2019–2020 Council
On split votes, Chines voted the same way as…
- Mehreen N. Butt100% (8 of 8)
- Julie Smith-Galvin100% (8 of 8)
- Ann McGonigle Santos63% (5 of 8)
- Peter J. May43% (3 of 7)
- Paul R. DiNocco38% (3 of 8)
- Edward F. Dombroski38% (3 of 8)
How these numbers work
- Counted from the official minutes, for 2019–2020 Council only. Committee meetings and routine votes (adjourning, approving minutes) are not counted.
- Attendance counts the meetings where the minutes list Chines as present or absent at the start.
- Only votes the minutes record member by member are counted. Voice votes and votes given only as a count (for example 6-3 with no names) are not.
- Percentages are shown only when there are at least 10 meetings or votes to count.
- A split vote is one where at least one member voted yes and another voted no. “In the minority” means on the side with fewer votes; ties are not counted.
- “Whole board” combines every member’s record for the same term.
These numbers describe the record; they are not a grade. A no vote, an abstention or a minority vote is neither good nor bad. MassVoter never rates officials.
In the news
No recent stories found that name Jonathan P. Chines in the headline or opening.
Stories that name Jonathan P. Chines in the headline or opening, newest first, from 25 free news outlets (see the list). Headlines appear as each outlet published them; MassVoter does not write, choose or rate them. Only stories that are free to read are listed.
Disclosure: MassVoter’s founder, Michael Silvia, is the publisher of Fall River Reporter and New Bedford Guide.
Attendance
At the start of 23 of 23 Town Council meetings in 2019–2020 Council.
Missed none.
Every meeting (23)
- Apr 27, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Apr 13, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Apr 6, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Mar 23, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Mar 18, 2020 · Special: Present
- Mar 9, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Feb 24, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Feb 10, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Jan 27, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Jan 13, 2020 · Regular: Present
- Dec 9, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Nov 25, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Nov 13, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Oct 28, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Oct 7, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Sep 23, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Sep 9, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Aug 5, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jul 15, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jun 24, 2019 · Regular: Present
- Jun 10, 2019 · Regular: Present
- May 30, 2019 · Regular: Present
- May 13, 2019 · Regular: Present
Votes where members disagreed · 2019–2020 Council
Apr 13Re-appoint Warren Lasky and appoint Kenneth Alepidis to the…Motion: Member DiNocco motioned to re-appoint Warren Lasky and appoint Kenneth Alepidis…Passed 4–3 · Chines: No
April 13, 2020: Re-appoint Warren Lasky and appoint Kenneth Alepidis to the Conservation Commission, both for three-year terms ending April 30, 2023
Councilor DiNocco motioned to re-appoint Warren Lasky and appoint Kenneth Alepidis to the Conservation Commission, both for three-year terms ending April 30, 2023. Councilor May seconded. Councilor Butt asked Madam Clerk Dalton if there was a recommendation from the Conservation Commission. Madam Clerk Dalton answered yes. Chairman Dombroski read the recommendation in favor of Jim Luciani and Mickey Lasky. Councilor Chines stated in light of the recommendations from the Commission he is reluctant in voting Mr. Luciani off of the Conservation Commission and asked if there could be an associate member. Chairman Dombroski and Town Counsel Mullen stated that the Conservation Commission is statutorily set and is reflected in the Town of Wakefield's Charter. The Town Council does not have the power to change the number. Motion passed 4-3-0 by a roll call vote with Councilor Chines, Councilor Butt and Councilor Smith-Galvin voting against the motion.
Voted: No
Yes: DiNocco, Dombroski, May, SantosNo: Butt, Chines, Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to re-appoint Warren Lasky and appoint Kenneth Alepidis to the Conservation Commission, both for three-year terms ending April 30, 2023. Councilor May seconded. Councilor Butt asked Madam Clerk Dalton if there was a recommendation from the Conservation Commission. Madam Clerk Dalton answered yes. Chairman Dombroski read the recommendation in favor of Jim Luciani and Mickey Lasky. Councilor Chines stated in light of the recommendations from the Commission he is reluctant in voting Mr. Luciani off of the Conservation Commission and asked if there could be an associate member. Chairman Dombroski and Town Counsel Mullen stated that the Conservation Commission is statutorily set and is reflected in the Town of Wakefield's Charter. The Town Council does not have the power to change the number. Motion passed 4-3-0 by a roll call vote with Councilor Chines, Councilor Butt and Councilor Smith-Galvin voting against the motion..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: May)
Apr 6Pursuant to Section 1 of Chapter 45 of the…Motion: Member DiNocco moved that pursuant to Section 1 of Chapter 45…Passed 5–0 · Chines: Yes
April 6, 2020: Pursuant to Section 1 of Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 and because of the Governor's Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19, the Town election…
Councilor DiNocco moved that pursuant to Section 1 of Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 and because of the Governor's Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19, the Town election scheduled for April 28, 2020 be postponed to Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 5-0-2 by a roll call vote with Councilor Butt and Councilor Dombroski abstaining, as both indicated they were on this election's ballot.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Chines, DiNocco, May, Santos, Smith-GalvinAbstained: Butt, Dombroski
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco moved that pursuant to Section 1 of Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020 and because of the Governor's Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19, the Town election scheduled for April 28, 2020 be postponed to Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 5-0-2 by a roll call vote with Councilor Butt and Councilor Dombroski abstaining, as both indicated they were on this election's ballot..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Santos)
Mar 23Approve the March 09, 2020 Regular Town Council Meeting…Motion: Member Chines motioned to approve the March 09, 2020 Regular Town…Passed 4–0 · Chines: Yes
March 23, 2020: Approve the March 09, 2020 Regular Town Council Meeting Minutes as presented
Councilor Chines motioned to approve the March 09, 2020 Regular Town Council Meeting Minutes as presented. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 4-0-0 by a roll call vote.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, Smith-GalvinThe minutes say “Councilor Santos joined”. The count (4-0-0) matches the 4 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Ann McGonigle Santos is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Chines motioned to approve the March 09, 2020 Regular Town Council Meeting Minutes as presented. Councilor Smith-Galvin seconded. Motion passed 4-0-0 by a roll call vote..” (Motion: Chines, second: Smith-Galvin)
Mar 23Approve Budget #47 Cable TV Public Access Enterprise in…Motion: Member Santos motioned to approve Budget #47 Cable TV Public Access…Passed 4–0 · Chines: Yes
March 23, 2020: Approve Budget #47 Cable TV Public Access Enterprise in the amount of $577,120.00 as presented
Councilor Santos motioned to approve Budget #47 Cable TV Public Access Enterprise in the amount of $577,120.00 as presented. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 4-0-1 by a roll call vote with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, SantosAbstained: Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve Budget #47 Cable TV Public Access Enterprise in the amount of $577,120.00 as presented. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 4-0-1 by a roll call vote with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Mar 9Set the date of April 13, 2020 at 7:05…Motion: Member Chines motioned to set the date of April 13, 2020…Passed 5–0 · Chines: Yes
March 9, 2020: Set the date of April 13, 2020 at 7:05 p.m. at WCAT Studios as the Public Hearing for Ben 123, Inc. d/b/a Bamboo House located at 21 Broadway for an…
Councilor Chines motioned to set the date of April 13, 2020 at 7:05 p.m. at WCAT Studios as the Public Hearing for Ben 123, Inc. d/b/a Bamboo House located at 21 Broadway for an All Alcohol Liquor License. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, Santos, Smith-GalvinThe minutes say “Councilor DiNocco left the meeting at 9:51 p.m.”. The count (5-0-0) matches the 5 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Paul R. DiNocco is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Chines motioned to set the date of April 13, 2020 at 7:05 p.m. at WCAT Studios as the Public Hearing for Ben 123, Inc. d/b/a Bamboo House located at 21 Broadway for an All Alcohol Liquor License. Councilor Santos seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0..” (Motion: Chines, second: Santos)
Mar 9Continue the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department Public…Motion: Member Santos motioned to continue the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light…Passed 5–0 · Chines: Yes
March 9, 2020: Continue the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department Public Hearing from the January 27, 2020 Town Council meeting for Petition For Pole Locations at 4 Delcarmine Street to March 23,…
Councilor Santos motioned to continue the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department Public Hearing from the January 27, 2020 Town Council meeting for Petition For Pole Locations at 4 Delcarmine Street to March 23, 2020 at 7:05 p.m. at the Greenwood Elementary School. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, Santos, Smith-GalvinThe minutes say “Councilor DiNocco left the meeting at 9:51 p.m.”. The count (5-0-0) matches the 5 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Paul R. DiNocco is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to continue the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department Public Hearing from the January 27, 2020 Town Council meeting for Petition For Pole Locations at 4 Delcarmine Street to March 23, 2020 at 7:05 p.m. at the Greenwood Elementary School. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Mar 9Set the date of March 23, 2020 at 7:15…Motion: Member Santos motioned to set the date of March 23, 2020…Passed 5–0 · Chines: Yes
March 9, 2020: Set the date of March 23, 2020 at 7:15 p.m. at the Greenwood Elementary School as the Public Hearing for the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department for Petition For…
Councilor Santos motioned to set the date of March 23, 2020 at 7:15 p.m. at the Greenwood Elementary School as the Public Hearing for the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department for Petition For Pole Locations at 1 Murray Street. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, Santos, Smith-GalvinThe minutes say “Councilor DiNocco left the meeting at 9:51 p.m.”. The count (5-0-0) matches the 5 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Paul R. DiNocco is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to set the date of March 23, 2020 at 7:15 p.m. at the Greenwood Elementary School as the Public Hearing for the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department for Petition For Pole Locations at 1 Murray Street. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Mar 9Approve the request of the Library to accept and…Motion: Member Santos motioned to approve the request of the Library to…Passed 5–0 · Chines: Yes
March 9, 2020: Approve the request of the Library to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the library in the amount of $1,100.00 from various donors with thanks
Councilor Santos motioned to approve the request of the Library to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the library in the amount of $1,100.00 from various donors with thanks. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Butt, Chines, Dombroski, Santos, Smith-GalvinThe minutes say “Councilor DiNocco left the meeting at 9:51 p.m.”. The count (5-0-0) matches the 5 other members present, so they are shown voting yes and Paul R. DiNocco is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to approve the request of the Library to accept and expend a gift or gifts to the library in the amount of $1,100.00 from various donors with thanks. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 5-0-0..” (Motion: Santos, second: Chines)
Jan 27Refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw change affecting…Motion: Member DiNocco motioned to refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw…Passed 6–0 · Chines: Yes
January 27, 2020: Refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw change affecting Main Street, Avon Street and Chestnut Street to the Planning Board
Councilor DiNocco motioned to refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw change affecting Main Street, Avon Street and Chestnut Street to the Planning Board. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith- Galvin abstaining.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Butt, Chines, DiNocco, Dombroski, May, SantosAbstained: Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Councilor DiNocco motioned to refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw change affecting Main Street, Avon Street and Chestnut Street to the Planning Board. Councilor Chines seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith- Galvin abstaining..” (Motion: DiNocco, second: Chines)
Jan 27Refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw change to…Motion: Member Santos motioned to refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw…Passed 6–0 · Chines: Yes
January 27, 2020: Refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw change to Sections 190-31 L and M to the Planning Board
Councilor Santos motioned to refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw change to Sections 190-31 L and M to the Planning Board. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining.
Voted: Yes
Yes: Butt, Chines, DiNocco, Dombroski, May, SantosAbstained: Smith-Galvin
From the minutes
“Councilor Santos motioned to refer the applicant's request for zoning bylaw change to Sections 190-31 L and M to the Planning Board. Councilor May seconded. Motion passed 6-0-1 with Councilor Smith-Galvin abstaining..” (Motion: Santos, second: May)
Votes with no disagreement (267)
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 →