Wakefield Town Council Notes -- April 28, 2025

Here’s what we covered at our Town Council meeting on Monday, April 28:

• The Council reviewed and adopted the final report of the Wakefield Community Access Television Working Group, which was tasked with identifying ways to create sustainable revenue sources for WCAT in the future. While WCAT historically has relied on cable franchise fees for funding, these fees are declining as an increasing number of households choose to go without cable service. The report recommends that the Town and WCAT negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding that specifically delineates which functions WCAT will continue to provide at no cost given its charitable mission, and which services will require payment from the Town, the Wakefield Public Schools, or other sources.

• We voted to approve alterations to the Farm Street right-of-way that will allow for traffic safety modifications near Wakefield Memorial High School. Modifications planned include the alignment of the Hemlock Road and Nahant Street intersections with Farm Street, and the creation of a roundabout to reduce traffic speeds and lessen the likelihood of car accidents.

• Looking ahead to the summer season, the Town Council approved requests from the West Side Social Club and Wakefield Independence Day Committee to hold our annual 4th of July parade, fireworks, and other events. We also approved the use of sidewalk space for outdoor dining downtown and in other commercial areas in Wakefield this summer and fall.

• The Town Council approved a one-year collective bargaining agreement with the Laborers District Council Local 272, the union that represents 59 of our Department of Public Works employees. The costs associated with this new agreement already have been incorporated into the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that will be considered at Town Meeting next week.

• The Council set the date for a special election to fill the remainder of the Town Council term vacated by now-Treasurer Ed Dombroski. The election will be on Tuesday, June 24, with nomination signatures due 35 days ahead of that date. Nomination papers are now available in the Town Clerk’s office.

• The Town Council established the composition of the Town Administrator Screening Committee, which will work with our contracted search form to recommend 3-4 Town Administrator candidates to the Town Council for consideration. The committee will include the Assistant Town Administrator, the Superintendent of Schools, three community members, and two individuals selected among the Town’s employees and volunteer committee members. The specific individuals who will fill each of these spots will be named at our May 19 meeting.

• We approved two One-Day Liquor Licenses, two Second-Hand Dealer Licenses, and one Pool Table license. We also appointed Nancy Dillon to fill a five-year term as the Tenant Representative to the Wakefield Housing Authority Board, and designated Councilor Carney as the Town Council’s warrant signer.

• The Council selected Councilor Butt as our chair for the next year. I will be serving as our vice chair.

Our next meeting will be on Monday, May 19 at 7:00 PM. In the meantime, please mark your calendars for the Annual Town Meeting, to be held this coming Monday, May 5 at 7:00 PM at the Galvin Middle School. All registered voters are eligible to participate and vote, and the Boys & Girls Club of Metro North will be providing free child care to children ages 4 and up. I hope you can join us!