Wakefield Town Council Notes -- October 6, 2025

Here's a summary of what we covered at our Town Council meeting on Monday, October 6:

• The Town Council approved a Town Meeting warrant article to extend Wakefield's Senior Property Tax Exemption Program for another three years. The program provides assistance to an average of 250 Wakefield seniors each year. We also approved two warrant articles related to drainage improvements and easements in the area of Middlesex Avenue.

• We received an update on the work of the Bylaw Review Committee, which will have six articles on the warrant for Town Meeting in November. The most significant article is a recodification of Wakefield's zoning bylaws. The proposed recodification is focused on clarifying confusing language in the existing zoning bylaw, correcting outdated statutory references, and making technical corrections. The recodification does not change Wakefield's zoning map, nor does it make any material changes to setback and dimensional requirements. Other warrant articles proposed by the Bylaw Review Committee would make technical and clarifying corrections to bylaws related to sidewalk cafes, newsracks, medical marijuana establishments, and scenic roadway designations.

• We received an update from Wakefield's Health and Human Services Department on an initiative to update the Town's alcohol regulations, which have not been reviewed in at least a dozen years. The Department is spending the fall gathering feedback from various community stakeholders, including public safety staff and Wakefield's business community, with the intention of presenting an initial proposal to the Town Council in early spring.

• The Council approved the warrant for the Regular Town Meeting scheduled for Saturday, November 8. The meeting will kick off at 8:00 AM at Galvin Middle School.

• The Town Council welcomed Wakefield's new Town Administrator, Denise Casey, who was sworn in earlier in the day. Interim Town Administrator Kevin Gill will return to his permanent role as Assistant Town Administrator.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 20 at 7:00 PM. Please join us in-studio at Wakefield Community Access TV or on Zoom.