Kiosk Debate Dominates Town Council Meeting

WAKEFIELD — If it's true that Lake Quannapowitt was formed by glacial ice some 13,000 years ago, it's safe to say Monday night's Town Council meeting wasn't the first time the natives have argued over what's best for the roughly 250 acre lake.

But a spirited, even angry, debate over kiosks? Now that's different.

Wakefield's elected officials have been trying for years to lure you/me and anyone else who walks around the lake to take a slight detour into the town center and spend our money. Eat, drink, shop ... just spend. In 2014 a discussion started to add kiosks at key points around the lake that would inform walkers, etc., what was going on just a few steps away in downtown.

Wakefield Main Streets worked with Town Administrator Stephen Maio along with the Board of Selectmen to come up with a plan. Wakefield Main Streets even received a $100,000 grant along the way to make it all happen. They settled on four kiosks with one being digital on the lower common off Church Street. On May 31 the selectmen-turned-Town Council gave unanimous approval to the idea.

So with everything seemingly in place, why was Town Council chair Peter May saying, "It's turning into a zoo." Why was Ann Santos talking about "moronic emails" she had received? Why was Paul DiNocco telling those in the packed room at WCAT, "you're living in a cave if you didn't know about this." And why was Tony Longo upset that the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt (FOLQ) had included his home number on their Facebook page?

At one point an audience member fired back saying, "shame on you" in the direction of DiNocco. All this because of four kiosks, more specifically the digital kiosk off Church Street on the Lower Common.

Public participation started with Bill Conley, president of FOLQ asking the council to delay installation of the digital kiosk to get wider input. Cheryl Webb Scott, a director of the Wakefield Center Neighborhood Association said, "we're hoping that you reconsider." Others joined in protesting the digital kiosk placement. But Bob Mailhoit, president of Wakefield Main Streets said the kiosks were, "an important part of the puzzle to support Wakefield businesses" and stressed the digital kiosk wouldn't be on all night and was small, more like the television in most resident's homes. He also said the group would forfeit the $100,000 grant if they didn't act soon.

DiNocco saved his comments for last, and said the digital kiosk would only be 9-feet-9-inches tall, not 12-feet as was said on social media. And the screen itself would only be 25-by-38 inches. "Will it benefit businesses, absolutely." He also said comments that the council decision lacked transparency was like a "slap in the face."

No decision was made Monday night but it seemed clear the kiosks were coming to Wakefield.

"Will the kiosks work, we don't know yet," said May. "Is it worth trying some new things, yes."

With the kiosk discussion closed, most in the room departed. But the council's work continued.

The council unanimously approved a $38,000 reduction in taxes to the owner of 13-15 Albion Street. The site is the home of the Town Cobbler and a real estate office and the tax relief reflects money owed before the building was sold. It also reflects the positive work the current owner has done to the property.

The council also heard an update on plans for Greenwood Station, a proposed 40B property on Main Street. The property would have 27 rental units — 12 one-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedroom, and three three-bedroom units. Each unit would have one parking space, a major concern in that part of Wakefield ... and finally the council approved Peter Solomon as Wakefield Republican Town Registrar of Voters.

Bill Conley addresses the Town Council. Photo by Bob Holmes