By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — A Special Election will be held on Tuesday, June 24 to fill the one year remaining on the term of former Town Councilor Edward Dombroski, who resigned after he was elected to the position of Town Treasurer in the April 22 Town Election. Wakefield’s Charter prohibits anyone from holding more than one elected position.
Dombroski, whose Town Council term would have expired in April 2026, was the winner of a four-way race for Town Treasurer.
The Town Council set the date for the Special Election at this week’s meeting.
Councilor John Carney said that he was not thrilled with the prospect of holding a Special Election in the summer. He noted that the Town Council generally does not conduct much business over the summer, meeting only once in the months of July and August. He didn’t see much downside in waiting to hold the election in September, when voters are likely to be more engaged.
But others argued in favor of having the seat filled sooner rather than later. Councilor Douglas Butler noted that at least one important decision will be made over this coming summer, when the board hires the next Town Administrator to replace Stephen P. Maio, who is retiring.
New Town Councilor Stacey Constas favored holding the Special Election in June, noting that there is a learning curve for Town Council and a new member would benefit from joining the board earlier.
Chairman Mehreen Butt said that having the Special Election in June would also be better because school will not be in session, making for an easier process at the Galvin Middle School polling place.
Councilor Jonathan Chines noted that there is precedent as the Town has held elections in June before.
Nomination papers are available now at the Town Clerk’s Office for anyone interested in running in the Special Town Council Election. One potential candidate, Samuel Hockenbury of 18 Emerson St., has already pulled papers to run for the seat.
Dombroski, whose unexpired term created the one-year vacancy, was first elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2017. He was re-elected in 2020 and 2023, even as the name of the board was changed to “Town Council.”
Dombroski was known for his fiscally conservative, pro-taxpayer positions during his eight years on the board.