Friday, November 16, 2012
Voters approved measure at town meeting Thursday night by a 143-9 margin.
Town meeting voters approved a zoning by-law Thursday night aimed at ensuring that a medical marijuana dispensary will not be able to set up shop in Wakefield. The by-law passed with a 143-9 vote following a presentation by Police Chief Richard Smith, who laid out a number of different concerns about the way Question 3 - the ballot initiative approved by voters on November 6th allowing medical marijuana in Massachusetts - will be implemented and what some of its unintended effects could be. "Although I have deep compassion for those that are ill and infirm, I also feel that allowing a compassion center is not a fit for the town of Wakefield," said the Chief, who noted that the law will allow up to 35 medical marijuana dispensaries to open …
Election Day, 14,576 Wakefield residents voted. At town meeting less than two weeks later, 152 of them showed up to vote on the town budget, medical marijuana zoning, and more.
Town Meeting is one of the most time-tested and storied traditions in New England. That said, things aren't quite what they used to be for this venerable institution. In Wakefield, as long as one resident apparently shows up at a town meeting, there's a quorum. At Thursday's Fall town meeting, approximately 152 of them showed up, based on the number of votes counted on the medical marijuana zoning bylaw. This is a stark contrast to the 14,576 people who showed up to cast ballots in Wakefield a couple of weeks ago on Election Night - which marked an 85% turnout. Granted, that was a presidential election that drew heavy interest from partisans and independents of all stripes. A look at the calculator finds that there was about a 96-1 …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Competing warrant articles at Wakefield's fall town meeting would permit medical marijuana dispensaries in town, or try to rezone them out.
On Election Day this year, Massachusetts voters will consider a ballot proposal that would allow medical marijuana sales in the state. While it remains to be seen if the measure will actually pass, some implications are already being weighed at the local level. Wakefield Board of Health Director Ruth Clay was a guest speaker Tuesday at the Wakefield Rotary Club meeting to discuss a warrant article on this fall's town meeting ballot seeking to allow an organization to run a medical marijuana dispensary in town. Clay said that the state ballot initiative would allow five such operations in each Massachusetts county and that Wakefield came up as a potential location in good part because of its open town meeting law. Clay noted that Reading …
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Article 3 of the May 14 Town Meeting warrant articles asks voters if they will restore and repair athletic fields and facilities at Wakefield Memorial High School.
Up for a vote at the upcoming Town Meeting is an article that would appropriate a 15-year, $5 million bond to restore and improve the athletic fields and facilities at Wakefield Memorial High School. The repairs would go to upgrade several fields and facilities. First on the list is Landigran field, which would include a new turf field, bleachers with a press box, a concession stand, bathrooms and team rooms. Next is Beasley Field, which would include a new turf field, a re-surfaced track, and lights. The Capital Planning Committee is also recommending replacing the WHS field house floor, replacing the Dobbins tennis courts, and resurfacing the Veterans Field tennis courts. Except before you go reaching for your checkbook, Wakefield's …
John Mitchell
5:22 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
I think that Wakefield should be proud to have a Chief willing to take on such a difficult issue. It is obvious from the vote (143-9), what the difference can be when people have more facts. Those who desire medical treatment from marijuana or any other drugs have rights, however they do not represent the majority of our population, and their rights are not more important than the rights of … more ›