This post was contributed by a community member.
Here's a summary of what we covered at our Town Council meeting on Monday, September 28:
- We received an update from the Conservation Commission about Wakefield's Open Space and Recreation Plan for 2024-2031.The plan provides a comprehensive overview of undeveloped space and recreational resources in Wakefield, and includes recommendations for protecting and expanding these assets. The plan has already received provisional approval from the state Department of Conservation Services, and the letter of support approved by the Town Council last night is all that is left to secure final approval. Having an approved plan in place will allow Wakefield to qualify for state funds targeted at open space preservation.
- The Town Council received an overview of a proposed Wetlands Bylaw that the Conservation Commission will be bringing to the November Town Meeting for consideration. The bylaw would address certain areas left uncovered by the state's Wetland's Protection Act, including isolated wetlands and vernal pools. The bylaw is consistent with local ordinances adopted by all of Wakefield's neighboring communities.
- The Council approved various recommendations from the Traffic Advisory Committee, including "No Parking To Corner" signs on Water Street and Pleasant Street, four speed feedback signs on Montrose Avenue, new streetlights on Parker Road and Hanson Street, and on-trail stop signs for users of the rail trail. We also discussed the replacement of the railway crossing gates on Broadway, which will be completed in calendar year 2027 thanks to a federal earmark secured a few years ago.
- We approved a new, three-year collective bargaining agreement with Wakefield's supervisory union. The agreement includes cost-of-living adjustments of 2.5% each year, and a variety of contractual language clarifications. Significantly, it also includes a new performance evaluation process for supervisory employees.
- The Town Council approved the warrant for the state election on November 3, 2026, and referred four zoning-related bylaws proposed for discussion at Town Meeting to the Planning Board for public hearings. The proposed bylaws make some technical corrections to Wakefield's zoning code, and create new flexibilities in Wakefield's inclusionary zoning requirement intended to provide additional funding for affordable housing.
- Vice Chair Stacey Constas presented the Town Council's annual performance review for Town Administrator Denise Casey. The Council gave the Town Administrator an overall rating of "Exceeds Expectations", driven by high marks for her efforts to bring additional transparency and rigor to Wakefield's budget process, and her focus on improving our human resources practices. Under the merit-based salary provisions of the Town Administrator's contract, her Exceeds Expectations rating translates to an annual salary increase of 2.25%.
Our next meeting will be on Monday, October 19, followed by the first Tri-Board meeting of the Fiscal Year 2028 budget cycle the following Monday, October 26. As always, please join us in-studio at Wakefield Community Access Television or on Zoom.
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