By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The Town Council approved four more departmental budgets this week. All budgets are also scrutinized by the Finance Committee before going before the voters at the May 5 Annual Town Meeting.
Assistant Town Administrator/Chief Financial Officer Kevin Gill presented the budgets with new Town Accountant Liz Rourke alongside.
Gill presented the General Insurance Budget at a total of $582,600, which includes an increase of $23,175.
The Town’s Insurance Agent, John Spinello, was on hand to discuss the budget. There was some question of when would be the appropriate time to drop insurance on the current high school as construction of the new school is well under way.
The Town Council approved the General Insurance budget.
The Workers’ Compensation budget was also approved at $669,476, including an increase of $167,566.
The Town Council approved the level-funded Animal Inspector’s budget at $41,325 and the Parking Clerk’s budget budget of $11,125 including an increase of $210.
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The Town Council this week reviewed the quarterly report of the Affordable Housing Trust for the period ending Dec. 31, 2024. The Council requires any town department or agency that received ARPA monies to file a quarterly report on expenditures.
The Affordable Housing Trust received $200,000 in ARPA funds to use to assist first-time home-buyers or renters.
The Trust reported expending $6,150 as of Dec. 31, but Maio told the Town Council that so far in 2025, another $17,000 has been spent to assist those purchasing or renting in Wakefield.
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The Town Council also reviewed its “Asset Naming Policy” at this week’s meeting as part of a process suggested by Councilor Robert Vincent whereby one policy would be reviewed by the board each month.
Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio went over aspects of the three-page policy, including guidelines, process and criteria for naming or renaming a town-owned asset or property.
Maio noted that, according to the Town Charter, the Town Council controls nearly all buildings in town, including school buildings. The only exceptions are the library and the Light Department building.
He pointed out that the intention of the policy was to be sparing in the naming of assets, and any naming or renaming requires the affirmative votes of five members of the Town Council.