By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The Spaulding Street Playground will soon have a new recreational feature thanks to an Eagle Scout project by an enterprising member of local Boy Scout Troop 701.
The Town Council this week approved the proposal of Eagle Scout candidate Benjamin Belyea to construct two picnic tables with built-in chess and checker boards. One of the picnic tables will be handicapped accessible with a cut-out for a wheelchair. The tables will be located near the playground equipment at the Spaulding Street location next to the Lower Common.
“I love the game of chess, and I believe that this will help people and their love for chess,” Belyea told the Town Council during his presentation requesting approval of the project. “Studies have shown that chess improves cognitive ability and grades in kids. It would also be helpful to the town because it would allow more people to have fun at the parks and make some people in the town happier.”
The picnic tables will be average-sized, which is six feet long, 29 inches wide and 31 inches high, Belyea explained. The benches will be the usual six feet long, 9 ½ inches wide and attached to the table. On top of each picnic table, will be affixed one or two chess/checkers boards. A normal-sized picnic table can fit up to two chess boards. The boards will be made from steel sign material. The alternative would be to wood-burn the chess/checker board onto the tables.
Belyea said that he had met with Cemetery, Forestry, and Parks Supervisor Dennis Fazio, who shared his enthusiasm for the project.
The tables would be constructed off-site by Belyea and a group of scouts with some adult supervision. Fazio has volunteered the DPW to help move the completed tables to the installation site at the playground.
One of the requirements of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is to plan, develop and provide leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, school or community, according to the Boy Scouts of America. Through this requirement, Scouts practice what they have learned and gain valuable project management and leadership experience.
In accordance with the Town’s Bench and Structure Policy, there must be be a 30-day public comment period on any proposed new structure around the Lake. Community members are encouraged to review the proposal and submit their comments.
To ensure your feedback is included in the discussion at the July 14, 2025, Town Council meeting, please email your comments to Sherri Dalton, Chief Administrative Officer at sdalton@wakefield.ma.us by July 9, 2025.—————
In other business this week, the Town Council:
- Approved the warrant for the June 24 Special Election to fill an unexpired one-year term on the Town Council.
- Heard an update from Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio on the FY 2026 state budget.
- Approved an Entertainment License for Beebe Library’s “Plaza Jazz” program, held on Thursday evenings throughout the summer.
- Renewed the Second-hand Dealer License for Indy Clover at 390 Main St.
- Appointed Assistant Town Administrator Kevin Gill to serve as interim Town Administrator starting on July 4 until a new Town Administrator is appointed to replace retiring Stephen P. Maio.
- Accepted donations from various donors totaling $500 to the Rail to Trail project.
- Accepted donations to Beebe Library totaling $562 from various donors.