Wakefield Town Council Notes -- December 8, 2025

Here’s what was discussed at Wakefield's Town Council meeting on Monday, December 8:

• The Town Council approved a request from Verizon to relocate a utility pole on Nahant Street to accommodate a new roadway. We did not take action on another request from Verizon to relocate a utility pole on Hemlock Road, since it is on property owned by the Northeast Metro Tech vocational school.

• We had a lengthy discussion about the future of Crystal Lake as part of Wakefield's town water supply. Currently, Wakefield receives 10-20% of its water from Crystal Lake, with the balance coming from the MWRA. With new regulations governing the presence of certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water, we would need to invest at least $20 million in new capital and operating expenses to remediate our water treatment facility to continue drawing water from Crystal Lake. Due to the high cost of maintaining this local water supply, the Council decided to move entirely to the MWRA when the new PFAS regulations take effect.

• Following the summer's labor strike affecting Wakefield's trash collection vendor, Republic Services, the Department of Public Works has been negotiating a settlement agreement to make Wakefield whole for the additional costs we incurred to maintain trash collection. Public Works Director Joe Conway reported that he expects to have a final settlement agreement for the Town Council's consideration in January.

• The Council approved a reconfiguration of the Oak Street/Green Street/Greenwood Avenue intersection that will include better pedestrian crossings, clearer right-of-way configurations for drivers, and increased green space. The plan was advanced by the Traffic Advisory Committee after making modifications based on resident feedback. Construction will begin in the spring.

• The Town Council received an update from the Affordable Housing Trust about the Wakefield Rental Assistance Program. The program has spent approximately $115,000 of the $200,000 allocated by the Town Council to assist low-income residents with security deposits, moving expenses, and other transitional costs.

• The Council approved a wide variety of business licenses for calendar year 2026, including 68 restaurant licenses, 38 entertainment licenses, 32 liquor licenses, 4 lodging licenses, 1 fortune teller license, 5 automated entertainment device licenses, 6 new vehicle dealer licenses, and 37 used vehicle dealer licenses. We also appointed four members to the Permanent Building and two members to the Economic Development Council.

• Town Administrator Denise Casey announced that Acting Fire Chief Tom Purcell has been appointed as the permanent chief following the retirement of former Chief Michael Sullivan. She also announced the appointments of a new Deputy Chief, Captain, and Lieutenant.

• The Town Council approved an update to Wakefield's flag policy that will continue the current practice of flying the Pride and Juneteenth flags at the second flagpole at the Americal Civic Center during the month of June. The updated policy also continues the flying of the Americal Division flag the other 11 months of the year, as well as June 14th to commemorate the founding of the U.S. Army.

• Town Administrator Casey gave an update on her work since coming to Wakefield in October, as well as her short- and long-term priorities. Among her areas of focus for 2026 are completing the budget for Fiscal Year 2027, settling contracts with the police, fire, laborers, and supervisors unions, and preparing for the retirement of Deputy Town Administrator Kevin Gill in April. Long-term, she is focused on enhancing Wakefield's human resources functions including performance management and staff training, recovering Wakefield's AAA bond rating, and improving Wakefield's downtown.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026. Until then, check out our website (www.wakefieldma.gov) for information on all of the holiday events and activities planned in Wakefield. Enjoy the season!