Published in the January 31, 2019 edition.

By MARK SARDELLA

WAKEFIELD — Improvements to the Paddy Heights Veterans Memorial will be coming in the spring thanks to the efforts of a local Boy Scout. Another Eagle Scout project could bring enhancements to the Dog Park in the Junction, once a few details are hammered out with the DPW.

Life Scouts Joshua Polischuk and Spencer Little of local Troop 701 brought their Eagle Project proposals to the Town Council this week for approval. An Eagle Scout Service Project is the opportunity for a Boy Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community.

Polischuk reminded the board that the Paddy Heights Memorial at the top of Melvin Street is dedicated to Irish-American soldiers from Wakefield who fought in World War II. He displayed images that showed the existing conditions and what he proposed to do.

He told the board that he would like to create a path of either gravel or wood chips that would lead to a circle of three benches behind the existing flagpole and plaque. He added that he was working on getting the gravel or wood chips donated and was also hoping to get a company to donate the granite for the benches. He also plans to install donated plantings around the flagpole and plaque.

Polischuk said that he had the support of DPW Director Rick Stinson and Veterans Advisory Board chairman Jay Pinette.

Town Councilor Ann Santos said that she supported the project but wondered if the name “Paddy Heights” could be replaced with “Irish-American.” It was noted that the plaque says “Paddy Heights” and it would be expensive to change it. In the end, Santos said that she understood the historical significance of the area and had no problem with it.

“I think it’s great and I’m all in favor of the project,” she said.

Chairman Peter May asked Town Councilor Mehreen Butt how the benches would comport with a policy on benches that is currently being drafted by the Bench and Lake Structure Committee. Butt is involved with that committee.

Butt said that the policy wasn’t finished yet. She suggested holding off on the bench aspect of the project until the policy was drafted.

But Town Councilor Edward Dombroski maintained that the proposed project was a stand-alone that was separate from the issues of uniformity that the board was trying to address regarding benches around the Lake.

Santos said that she couldn’t understand why anyone would turn down a donation of granite. She made a motion to approve the project as presented.

Butt argued that out of respect for the efforts of the Bench Committee, the bench aspect of the project should be deferred until the policy is finished.

“That’s exactly why we’re writing a policy,” she said, “so these one-offs don’t happen.”

In the end, the project was approved as presented by a 4-3 vote. In favor were Dombroski, Santos, Longo and May. Voting no were Butt, Paul DiNocco and Julie Smith-Galvin.

Life Scout Spencer Little next presented his Eagle Scout project proposal to create a dog agility course at the Dog Park on Main Street in the Junction. He displayed images showing proposed weaving poles, jumps, a tire tunnel and a wooden ramp.

DiNocco asked if there was room at the park for all of the equipment.

Little said that he had taken measurements at the Dog Park and felt that the equipment would fit towards the rear. He said that dog owners he spoke to at the park expressed enthusiasm for his proposal.

May, who played a lead role in the creation of the Dog Park, said the he would like to see a sketch showing where the various elements would be.

Santos expressed concern over the maintenance of a wooden ramp, but otherwise liked the proposal.

After further discussion, the Town Council and Little agreed to table the matter so that Little can meet with DPW Parks Supervisor Dennis Fazio to discuss the project. Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio said that he would he happy to set up a meeting with Little and Fazio.