By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Town Councilor Robert Vincent this week reported on an initiative to improve transparency and ease in finding Town Council policies and procedures on the town’s website. He said that he and Chief Administrative Officer Sherri Dalton had worked together on the changes.
Previously, he said, to find the policies and procedures approved by the Town Council, you had to use the search box on the town website. Now, a direct link to “Policies” has been added to the side menu on the Town Council’s web page. That link goes directly to a page listing the following nine Town Council approved policies:
• Asset Naming Policy
• Bench and Structure Policy
▪ Complete Streets Policy
▪ Financial Policy
▪ Flag Policy
▪ Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Policy
▪ Public Participation Policy
▪ Traffic Calming Policy
▪ Use of Lake Quannapowitt Shore Property, Adjacent Areas and Certain Public Ways for Celebrations, Fundraisers and Other Organized Events or Gatherings
That page also lists the the town’s regulations on hawkers and peddlers, alcoholic beverages and traffic rules and orders. In addition, the page provides links to information on Wakefield’s Affordable Housing Trust established by the 2023 Annual Town Meeting.
Vincent also proposed that, since there are 12 Town Council approved policies and regulations, the Council could review one policy per month each year going forward. Since there is no formal orientation process for new members, he suggested that such a practice could serve to bring new board members up to speed in those areas.
Councilor Jonathan Chines agreed that reviewing each policy once a year would make sense.
But Councilor Douglas Butler found such annual reviews a bit excessive. Since each councilor serves for three years, he suggested spreading out the policy reviews over a three-year period.
Town Councilor Edward Dombroski agreed with Vincent that there was insufficient orientation for new Town Councilors.
“The more we can have initiation and training, the better,” he said.
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In other business this week the Town Council:
▪ Approved a common victualler and entertainment license for “Inspire Cafe at 411 Main St.
▪ Approved a Class II automobile dealer’s license for “Green Team Junk Removal” on New Salem Street.
▪ Approved a donation of $1,800 to the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library.
▪ Approved a $500 donation to the Environmental Sustainability Committee.