It's Unanimous, Joe Conway New Head Of Wakefield DPW

WAKEFIELD, Ma. - Even with 20 impressive applicants and five talented finalists, there was little doubt who would become the new director of the town's Department of Public Works.

"The best person for this job is Joe Conway," said Town Administrator Steve Maio at Monday's Town Council meeting.

The council made it official Monday, voting 7-0 to give the job vacated after Rick Stinson retired to Conway, a proud graduate of Wakefield High School's class of 2003. Conway has filled virtually every role in the department since starting there in November of 2007.

"He knows the town, he knows the workers," said Maio, one of the nine members of the selection committee.

"There's no learning curve here," said chairman Ed Dombroski. "You have a real opportunity to chart your own course."

The meeting's Warrior theme started with Wakefield senior Jimmy Crump. After leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Crump detailed his plans to become an Eagle Scout by restoring the trail that starts from JJ Round parking lot and ends on Holland Road.

"Thanks for your efforts and we look forward to seeing the results," said Dombroski after the 7-0 in support of Crump.

Bob Mailhoit, President of Wakefield Main Streets, won approval from the council to place sponsorship plaques, roughly the size of a bumper sticker, on the town's four kiosks. The plaques would acknowledge the main financial sponsors of the kiosks, The Savings Bank, Rebirth, Keith's Trees, and the Wakefield Daily Item. But before the 6-1 vote, Mailhoit was frustrated by the council's lengthy questioning whether plaques belonged on the kiosks and what format they should take.

"I think it's horrible that we're even getting to this point," said councilor Peter May.

Mailhoit agreed, saying "I don't really understand what the issue is."

Eventually the council approved the plaques with Dombroski voting no. The council chair wanted each plaque to have the name of one of the sponsors and minus the Wakefield Main Streets logo.

The council also heard plans to place electric vehicle charging stations in three town locations. The stations would be donated by Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light. The idea was well received but with many questions, councilor Julie Smith-Galvin was made point person to explore the idea and report back, possibly at the council's next meeting Sept. 9.

Speaking of the next meeting, it will be a first for Wakefield. The Sept. 9 Town Council meeting will be held outside on the lower common. Dombroski called it, "a unique opportunity for us."