Schools cut $400K from spending plan...

May 29, 2020 by

Published in the May 29, 2020 edition By MARK SARDELLA WAKEFIELD — The School Department will cut $400,000 from its FY 2021 budget proposal as part of the overall plan to trim $2.6 million from the town’s budget due to projected revenue shortfalls as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown. The town anticipates a significant drop in local receipts (excise tax, hotel tax and local option meals tax). In addition to that, the town is preparing for cuts in state aid. School Superintendent Douglas Lyons detailed his plan to go forward with a reduced School Department budget of $43,576,659 at Tuesday’s School Committee meeting. Lyons highlighted some of the new challenges related to safety and re-opening during the on-going pandemic. The reduced budget will support what the Wakefield Public Schools (WPS) need in order to create a safe teaching...

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Reverend Dr. Steven Wigall, 69

May 28, 2020 by

Published in the May 28, 2020 edition. LAWRENCE — The Reverend Doctor Steven Ray Wigall, 69, was born in Lindsay, Calif., on April 15, 1951, son of Donald and Irma Wigall. He entered God’s Kingdom on April 23, 2020 from natural causes in Lawrence. He is survived by his wife of nearly 47 years Loleata Bunton Wigall and son Martin Ross Wigall. Lolly and Steve hosted exchange students who are also family; Anke Breusing, Tuija Karanko, Jose Aceituno, Konstantin Guericke, and Synnove Haga. Steve graduated from North High School, Bakersfield, Calif. in 1968. He attended the Bible Institute of Los Angeles University from 1968-1970. He earned his bachelor’s degree in World Religions from Stevenson College at the University of California Santa Cruz in 1972. In 1973, he earned a teaching credential from the California...

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Robert Maloney, 87

May 28, 2020 by

Published in the May 28, 2020 edition. WAKEFIELD — Robert M. Maloney, 87, of Wakefield, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at his residence surrounded by his family. Born in Malden on December 28, 1932 he was the son of the late Patrick and Alice (Forlot) Maloney. Mr. Maloney was born and raised in Malden and was a graduate of Malden Catholic High School, Class of 1950. He then enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years during the Korean War. Upon returning home, Robert received his associate’s degree and went to work for Northeast Airlines and later Delta Airlines. In 1965, while working in Florida, he met his wife, Mary (Reilly) and the two married in 1967. Taking a promotion that would bring him to work at Logan Airport, Robert and Mary settled...

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FOLQ, DPW partner on Lake parks project...

May 28, 2020 by

Published in the May 28, 2020 edition. WAKEFIELD — Thanks to a gift from the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, the Gertrude Spaulding and Colonel Connelly parks are in the process of being rehabilitated. The improvements include improved stormwater treatment and erosion measures. These parks are located at the intersection of Lowell Street and Quannapowitt Parkway at the head of the Lake. Enhancements will include upgrading the pathway, which has eroded below the surrounding lawn area. In its current condition, the pathway creates a swale that concentrates stormwater and increases erosion of the beach into the lake. The new pathways will be re-graded to not only help eliminate the beach erosion, but also meet the Americans with Disabilities Act grading tolerances. The project also includes enhancements to provide improved stormwater treatment and erosion stabilization. A new catch basin, forebay,...

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Back to the drawing board on graduation...

May 28, 2020 by

Published in the May 28, 2020 edition. By MARK SARDELLA WAKEFIELD — As of last night, it appeared that the School Department will once again modify its 2020 graduation plan and try to do a larger event in July or August that will have most, if not all 260 graduates together for one ceremony. Superintendent of Schools Douglas Lyons told the Board of Health last night that due to the strong feelings of senior class members and their families as well as School Committee members, the School Department would in all likelihood attempt to do a larger graduation ceremony later in the summer when restrictions on large gatherings are expected to be relaxed. On Tuesday night, Lyons had presented to the School Committee a graduation ceremony proposal that would have had rotating, smaller groups of...

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Mary V. Dumont, 86

May 26, 2020 by

Published in. the May 26, 2020 edition. WAKEFIELD — Mary V. Dumont, 86, is a life-long resident of Wakefield. She is the daughter of Sara (McGonagle) Muse and Arthur Muse, also of Wakefield. She is predeceased by her husband Arthur L. Dumont and her sister Martha (Muse) Stikeman. Mary is survived by her four children, Dennis L. Dumont and his wife Eileen of Weymouth, Arthur Dumont and his wife Ann of Holyoke, Amy (Dumont) Franklin and her husband David of Whitman, and William Dumont and his wife Kristen of Melrose. Mary is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Lily and Emma Dumont, Evelyn and Nolan Dumont, Matthew Franklin, and Rebecca and Patrick Dumont. Mary’s 86 years are a life overflowing with love and devotion to family. Exemplified early as a young woman while simultaneously caring...

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