Wakefield Town Council Notes - August 11, 2025

Here’s what we covered at our Town Council meeting on Monday, August 11:

• We received a presentation on the new Town and Police Department websites, which include a refreshed design, easier navigation to frequently-used pages, and a wider array of user accessibility options. Check out the new sites at www.wakefieldma.gov and www.wakefieldmapd.gov, and let us know if you have any feedback!

• The Council received an update from the Bylaw Review Committee, which has been working on a re-codification of Wakefield’s zoning bylaws for presentation at this fall’s Town Meeting. The purpose of this effort is not to make substantive changes to our zoning bylaws, but rather to clarify language where the intent is unclear, address areas of conflict with prevailing state laws, and correct any errors. The latest draft is available on the Town website, and there will be additional committee hearings on these proposals during the fall.

• The Town Engineer provided the Council with an update on the Envision Wakefield Downtown revitalization and Rail Trail projects. The first phase of the Envision Wakefield project (Albion Street) was completed a few years ago, and the second phase is part of the state’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal year 2028. This phase will consist of roadway and sidewalk improvements for Main Street in the area of Galvin Middle School and Water Street between Main Street and Wakefield Avenue, as well as completion of the rail trail between Salem Street and Fosters Lane. The entire effort is estimated to cost approximately $32 million, funded entirely by the state, and is slated for construction between 2028 and 2030. There will be additional meetings for public input on the design later this fall and next spring. The third phase of the Envision Wakefield project, including streetscape and pedestrian improvements in the downtown section of Main Street, has not been included in the state TIP to date, so possible construction dates are still to be determined.

• The Town Council approved a recommendation from the Traffic Advisory Committee to install signage notifying drivers on major roads entering Wakefield to allow four feet of space in passing cyclists, as required by state law. The Council did not act on a recommendation from the Committee to install wayfinding signage along the sections of the Mystic Highlands Greenway located in Wakefield. We also requested that the Town Engineer prepare a road sign inventory for the entire community with the goal of identifying unnecessary signs for possible removal.

• We approved a one day liquor license for the beer garden at Wakefield’s annual Town Day celebration in September. We also approved restaurant licenses for Gong Cha and Monica’s Pizza, both on Main Street.

Monday’s meeting was the beginning of a busy week for the Town Council, as we are meeting to interview four Town Administrator candidates on Tuesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 14. We’ll be meeting again next Monday, August 18 at 7:00 PM to discuss those interviews, and choose a single finalist.