Wakefield News
Healthy Living Expo draws hundreds
Published in the September 18, 2017 edition. By GAIL LOWE WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce along with the Board of Health for Wakefield, Melrose and Reading, held their first annual Healthy Living Expo on Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Americal Civic Center on Main Street. The free Expo focused on health, wellness, fitness, lifestyle changes and financial retirement health, along with complimentary and interactive health screenings, fitness demonstrations, healthy food presentations, giveaways, prize drawings and a flu clinic. Hundreds of people attended to receive flu shots from Hallmark Health Medical Associates, watch fitness demonstrations, participate in music thearpy and meet the Boston Bruins mascot Blades. The Expo also featured a raffle for prizes such as a Mary Kay basket and amazon.com gift card from The Savings Bank. A face painter and balloon artist were also on hand to delight the younger set. Co-chair Roseann Russell, owner of Move to Joy, a company focused on yoga and mind/body movement classes said that since health is her passion, she volunteered her time to help move the Expo along for the Chamber of Commerce. She shared responsibilities with Co-chair Sarah MacDonald and Janice Casoli, president of the Chamber’s board of directors, to get the event off the ground. Marie Smith, administrative assistant for the Chamber, was also instrumental in helping to make the Expo a success. “Former Executive Director Marianne Cohen started the Expo,” said Russell. “It was the signature program for members to get behind healthy living. All the businesses involved perform good services, including health and fitness, for people.” Rebirth, a fitness company, was on hand to demonstrate how fitness can be achieved without using weights. Roman Music Therapy held a drumming session. A Zumba demonstration was performed by dancers from the Reading Burbank YMCA of Greater Boston, and a martial arts demonstration was also held.. “The turnout has been really good,” said Russell on Saturday around noon. “We probably had about 150 people by the time 11 a.m. rolled around.” Sponsors of the Expo included Gold sponsors Hallmark Health and Lahey Health, Silver sponsors Rebirth and Whole Foods and Bronze sponsor the Boys & Girls Club of Stoneham and...
read moreSex for a fee charges imminent
Published on the September 15, 2017 edition. WAKEFIELD — Police continue to investigate a couple of local establishments where they believe employees offer sex for a fee. Undercover officers went to an address in the 100 block of Albion Street yesterday morning and another in the 800 block of Main Street in Greenwood in the afternoon after Wakefield detectives found various services offered on the internet. At about 10:30 a.m., after detectives noticed an advertisement on backpage.com, an undercover officer was sent to the Albion Street business. He went in for a massage and reportedly a 34-year-old woman made “an inappropriate advancement” toward him. At that point local detectives went into the establishment, investigated and in all likelihood will file a sex for a fee violation, a spokesman reported. Just before 2 p.m. police conducted the same type of operation at the Greenwood location after seeing an advertisement on Craigslist. This time, a 46-year-old woman solicited an undercover officer. —– A 32-year-old Lynnfield man was charged with drunk driving and other offenses last night after he reportedly rear-ended a motor vehicle stopped at a red light at the Four Corners intersection of Lowell and Vernon streets. Sometime around 9:35 p.m. Mark Monkiewicz, 18 Temple Rd., Lynnfield was driving a 2008 Mercury Sable and collided with a 2017 Toyota RAV 4. He then took off. Police gave chase and initially Monkiewicz did not pull over, officers said. When he did, was charged with drunk driving, leaving the scene of property damage and failing to stop for police. —– At 8:45 a.m. yesterday police were told that construction workers were parking their vehicles on the island at Hopkins and Brook streets. Police said the workers would move their vehicles to a different location. —– A woman walking around an abandoned property on Tarrant Lane just before 9 a.m. yesterday was sent on her way by police. —– A 2009 Mazda 5 heading north on Main Street near Franklin Street come into contact with a 2010 International truck owned by the Municipal Gas and Light Department around 9:45 a.m. yesterday. The truck was in the north lane facing south as workers were checking electrical lines. —– Someone reported around 9:50 a.m. yesterday that a wallet was lost the previous night, possibly at Wakefield Memorial High. —– Someone fell on Lafayette Street around 11:15 a.m. yesterday and required medical attention. —– A debit car was lost by a pedestrian walking around Lake Quannapowitt sometime before 1:17 p.m. yesterday. —– Police went to an area behind the Greenwood School around 5 p.m. yesterday after being told of a fight there involving four men. They denied fighting and said they were just talking. Police sent them on their...
read moreDog park grand re-opening Sept. 23
Published on the September 15, 2017 edition. WAKEFIELD — The Town of Wakefield would like to welcome the canine public and their human companions to the grand re-opening of the Wakefield Dog Park located at 667 Main St. on Saturday, September 23, at 12 noon. There will be a ribbon cutting as well as light refreshments. The park has recently undergone a renovation to include dog and human friendly water stations, benches and friendlier turf. “We are excited to see this park become a reality for Wakefield Citizens” said Selectman Peter May. The park was initially created in the Fall of 2016 and has undergone several upgrades and feature enhancements since opening as resident feedback came in. With increased usage, positive feedback and help from the Department of Public Works, we were able to resurface the entire park and make it an even better resource for our canine public and their human companions. “This is a great example of resident feedback being put into action” said Town Administrator Stephen Maio. The ribbon cutting will happen at 12 noon sharp. Gone to the Dogs pet supply store of Albion Street will be at the event handing out doggie treats and information. For more information about this event or if your business would like to participate in the Wakefield Dog Park Grand Re-opening event, please e-mail Chris J. Carino at...
read moreWeekend T details emerge
Published in the September 14, 2017 edition. WAKEFIELD — The MBTA plans to temporarily stop weekend commuter rail service along its Haverhill line beginning a week from Saturday. Earlier this week, Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio and Selectman Mehreen Butt attended an informational meeting in Reading and learned that the shuttle bus service bringing train riders to the T’s Oak Grove station in Malden and Melrose will be free. They will ride in luxury aboard private motor coaches as well. Maio said in a text message that customers will then pay the normal $2.75 price for the subway at Oak Grove. You can also use a commuter rail pass if you have one. Multiple motor coaches will run, since one full bus does not equal on train. On the weekend of October 21 and 22 the shuttles will run to North Station as work will be commenced on the Orange Line. Temporary bus stops at North Avenue and Greenwood Stations will be marked. Between Sept. 23 and Dec. 2 (with the exception of Oct. 21 and 22), shuttle buses will leave the North Avenue stop to Oak Grove at 8:54 a.m., 11:49 a.m., 2:54 p.m., 5:54 p.m., 8:59 p.m. and 11:49 p.m. The buses will leave Greenwood about seven minutes later. The shuttle buses will leave Oak Grove to Haverhill at 9:45 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 9:50 p.m. and 12:25 a.m. There will be no train service on weekends in Wakefield while the MBTA installs a new train safety control system on the Haverhill commuter rail line. This is a federally-mandated upgrade that will prevent human error and reduce train collisions and derailments. The MBTA must shut down service to effectively meet deadlines required by the Federal Railroad Administration. Weekday services will not be impacted. For updated information go to...
read moreDPW to work on roads
Published in the September 14, 2017 edition. WAKEFIELD — The Department of Public Works has announced the following roadway improvements which will begin the week of Sept. 17. The goal is complete all phases of the projects by November 15 or sooner, weather permitting. During some of the work phases, updates will provide additional details and schedules. Questions should be directed to Don Schneider, Highway Supervisor at 781-246-6314 or Eric Sherman at 781-246-6308, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please note there will be a five year moratorium on non-emergency roadway excavations once the work is completed. Water Street (Farm Street to Butler Avenue) – beginning Sept. 17 • Phase 1 – Sunday evening Sept. 17 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and, if necessary, Monday evening, Sept. 18 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. – milling of the existing roadway surface. • Phase 2 – Adjusting and repair of roadway structures – date to be determined. • Phase 3 – Roadway paving – date to be determined • Phase 4 – Where necessary, traffic markings, curbing repair, sidewalk repair, and driveway aprons – date to be determined. NOTES: (1) during certain phases of the work, no parking will be allowed along the road from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2) all work is weather permitting. In the case of rain, the schedule will be moved up one day or until the weather clears. Albion Street (Byron Street to Broadway) – beginning Sept. 18 • Phase 1 – Monday evening Sept. 18 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and, if necessary, Tuesday morning, Sept. 19 6 a.m. to 12 noon – milling of the existing roadway surface. • Phase 2 – Adjusting and repair of roadway structures – date to be determined. • Phase 3 – Roadway paving – date to be determined • Phase 4 – Where necessary, traffic markings, curbing repair, sidewalk repair, and driveway aprons NOTES: (1) during certain phases of the work, no parking will be allowed along the road from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2) all work is weather permitting. In the case of rain, the schedule will be moved up one day or until the weather clears. Brook Street (Hopkins to end of cul-de-sac) – beginning Sept. 19 • Phase 1 – Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. – milling of the existing roadway surface. • Phase 2 – Adjusting and repair of roadway structures – date to be determined. • Phase 3 – Roadway paving – date to be determined • Phase 4 – Where necessary, traffic markings, curbing repair, sidewalk repair, and driveway aprons NOTES: (1) during certain phases of the work, no parking will be allowed along the road from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (2) all work is weather permitting. In the case of rain, the schedule will be moved up one day or until the weather clears. The DPW appreciates your cooperation and apologizes for any inconvenience the work may cause, noting the improvements will be beneficial to the areas being...
read moreSmith on snow day policy
Published in the September 13, 2017 edition WAKEFIELD — In her September 2017 “Superintendent’s Monthly Update” newsletter, Dr. Kim Smith focused on news about technology, facilities and curriculum after a schools tour ensuring her that all summer projects had been completed. She also shared information about the school cancellation policy as it pertains to snow days. For the first time in Wakefield’s public schools, snow days will not be made up at the end of the year. Dr. Smith said that the practice is “no longer necessary with the digital tools we have at our fingertips at school and home.” “Even more important, these late summer make-up days are not comparable to quality, timely learning experiences that should take place within the curriculum sequence. “It is long overdue that school districts develop plans for real-time learning that continues regardless of winter weather.” Dr. Smith’s plan, which is part of the “Learn Anywhere” project, is to provide students with quality, curriculum-aligned assignments that can be completed in place of a school cancellation day. The idea is that learning can happen anytime and anywhere, not just inside the four walls of a school or classroom or the start and end of a school day. The college and career readiness program now in place will help students to work independently. “Managing distractions and task while completing work outside a workplace is a skill to be mastered,” said Dr. Smith. “It is our belief that that providing our students with the opportunity to engage in independent learning experiences, particularly using digital tools, is yet another steppingstone in college and career readiness.” “Learn Anywhere” contributes to this idea. A central tenet of the “Learn Anywhere” school cancellation project is that student work will never be due on the day that students return to school following an unexpected snow day. “Some students may not have access to a device or Internet at home,” said Dr. Smith. “They may have left resources or materials at school on an unexpected snow day. And some students require IEP or ELL support services to access their assignments.” Following this tenet will allow educators to build in the time and support structures necessary to ensure all students have equitable access and the adult or educator support needed to successfully complete their assignments. Dr. Smith also reported on school facilities, technology and curriculum. Beginning with technology, Dr. Smith reported that the Fiscal Year 2018 budget supported the addition of Chromebook carts in grade 2 so that “every pair of teachers has a full classroom set of Chromebooks to share.” “We refreshed a full grade 5 fleet of Chromebooks as part of our ongoing renewal plan at the Galvin Middle School,” she said. At Wakefield Memorial High School, classrooms were outfitted with mounted projectors to ensure an optimum wireless experience with instructional technology throughout the school. Dr. Smith also was pleased to see that the Greenwood and Woodville school libraries had been reconfigured to create a more “modern day” Learning Commons for print and digital collections with spaces for student projects and collaboration. The high school has transformed its former computer lab suite into a computer science and engineering area. In addition, the Band Room has a new ceiling and improved lighting while the Charbonneau Field House has a new sound system....
read moreTown Meeting to get shot at new selectmen’s name
Published in the September 12, 2017 edition. WAKEFIELD — All selectmen taking part in last night’s meeting backed changing their board’s name, a decision that now heads to the November 6 Town Meeting and if approved there, to the April election ballot. The majority — Ed Dombroski, Ann Santos, Mehreen Butt and Paul DiNocco — voted that the name be changed to “town council” in the warrant article the board will sponsor at Town Meeting. Peter May and Tony Longo supported “board of directors.” Brian Falvey was absent. Because the board’s new name would require a change to the Town Charter, two thirds of those voting at the November Town Meeting would need to approve. Then town voters would get a shot at the proposal in April. The debate over whether to change Board of Selectmen to some gender neutral name began in June. At the time, Town Administrator Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio noted that “selectman” is the only municipal office that is specific by gender. About 30 communities in Massachusetts have made the change to something not gender-specific, like “selectboard,” Maio said. Any change in Wakefield would require a change to the Town Charter, Maio said. A Charter Review Committee is currently reviewing the Town Charter for possible change recommendations. Longo asked if there was any way that the town could vote on it. Town Counsel Thomas Mullen said that any changes to the Charter would have be approved by a two-thirds Town Meeting vote and then go before the voters in an election. Santos said that she wanted to make it clear that the impetus for the discussion did not come from her or the other woman currently on the board, Mehreen Butt. Santos said that she has always referred to herself as a “selectman,” but admitted that at times it felt a little awkward. She agreed that it made sense to consider changing the name, since it is the only one that is gender-specific. In response to a question regarding the process from Dombroski, Mullen elaborated that there are actually two ways to amend the Charter: the aforementioned two-thirds Town Meeting vote followed by an election; or Town Meeting could vote by simple majority to petition the state Legislature to change the Charter, which would still come back to a vote at a local election. Butt wanted to know why changing the name of the board with the only gender specific name had to be voted on town-wide. Mullen explained that that was the legal way to change the Charter. “If you’re going to change the Charter,” Mullen said, “that is how you do it.” He added that if the board wanted to informally and unofficially call itself by another name, it was free to do so. However, if they wanted the change to appear on official documents, etc., a Charter Change would be required. Butt noted that the Charter Review Committee is not planning to bring recommendations to Town Meeting until the fall of 2018, and wanted to know what the board could do in the meantime outside the Charter. May pointed out that the term “selectman” has been around since the 1600s, and observed that the word “woman” also contains ‘man.’” Dombroski said that he didn’t think the current members of the board should...
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