Wakefield tables Senior Center payroll request; disbands Hatchery Board and delays allocation of $146,000

Wakefield — The Wakefield City Council on Oct. 8, 2025, heard a request from the Wakefield Senior Center and voted to table action until November, while separately accepting a Hatchery Board recommendation to disband and postponing decisions about how to use the board’s remaining funds.

Ruth Beckman, representing the Wakefield Senior Center Board, told the council the center had a current balance of $48,000, roughly $22,000 in annual payroll obligations and an average annual loss of about $16,000. Because the Senior Center is a 501(c)(3) organization independent of the City, Beckman’s request that the City assume payroll requires legal review; the council agreed to table further discussion until the Nov. 2025 meeting so the City Attorney can advise on legal and fiscal implications.

Separately, the Hatchery Board submitted a letter recommending the board be disbanded, citing the 2021 sale of the Hatchery building, lack of incubator space and limited business interest. The minutes record the Hatchery holds approximately $146,000 at BankFirst and that state guidance recommends those funds continue to be used for economic development purposes. Council Member Geiser moved to accept the Hatchery Board’s recommendation to disband; Council Member Brenn seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Council agreed to table discussion on the allocation of the remaining funds until the December meeting to allow time for a fuller review of options.

Councilors did not make any allocation decisions at the Oct. 8 meeting; staff were asked to prepare additional information for upcoming meetings.