Wakefield Town Council Notes -- September 9, 2024

Here's what we discussed at Monday night's Town Council meeting:

• The Town Council approved recommendations from the Traffic Advisory Committee to install speed limit signage on Meriam Street and designate a 15-minute parking space on Richardson Avenue. A majority of the Council rejected a recommendation to add a "No Outlet" sign on Walton Street. We also received an update on traffic and parking restrictions on Farm Street -- please note that there is no parking permitted on the west (southbound) side of Farm Street.

• At the request of the Town Council chair, representatives from the Environmental Sustainability Committee were invited to the Council meeting to discuss the potential for a Zero Emission Vehicle Policy for the Town. Since the Committee is still researching the topic and has not advanced any proposal, there was no specific policy for the Council to consider. The Council also had a lengthy discussion about the composition and mission of the Environmental Sustainability Committee.

• The Friends of Lake Quannapowitt presented some possible ideas for fishing line disposal receptacles to be installed around the Lake. Inspired by a similar program at Horn Pond in Woburn, the receptacles represent a low-cost opportunity to minimize a potential threat to local wildlife. FOLQ will work with the Department of Public Works to discuss possible placement and design for these receptacles.

• The DPW reported that painting of the bike lane on North Avenue has been delayed due to ongoing drainage and curbing work. While the Town Council voted to have the previously-approved flex posts placed as soon as this work is finished, it is not clear if these posts can be placed for more than a couple of weeks before they need to be removed for the winter. The DPW also reported that a Request for Proposals for the Galvin School solar project has been issued, with the expectation that a contractor will be selected in October.

• Town Administrator Maio updated the Town Council on Wakefield's recent credit surveillance call with bond rating agencies, which reaffirmed Wakefield's AAA bond rating. The high bond rating is great news as we will be bonding for the high school building project in the coming weeks. The rating agencies did give Wakefield a negative outlook rating, indicating a 1-in-3 chance that our bond rating could be lowered in future years. While the agencies were positive about Wakefield's strong financial management practices and funding strategies for long-term pension and retirement obligations, they expressed an interest in seeing Wakefield's reserves grow beyond the current level of 10%.

• The Town Council set the Regular Town Meeting for Saturday, November 16 beginning at 8:00 AM at Galvin Middle School. The warrant for Town Meeting will close on October 4 at 12 noon.

Our next meeting will be Monday, September 16 at 7:00 PM, where we will be approving the bonding for the high school building project. Please also save the date for Wakefield's Annual Town Day on Saturday, September 21. There will be food, entertainment, and exhibitors at the Common between 1:00 and 4:00 -- I hope you can join us!