Published April 15, 2020
The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, marched in the 2015 Wakefield Independence Day Parade.
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Town leaders have had to make some difficult decisions of late, and certainly this week’s decision to cancel Wakefield’s traditional full-day Fourth of July celebration was one of the hardest.
At Monday night’s Town Council meeting, held via Zoom teleconferencing, Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio reluctantly recommended the cancelation of the Fourth of July Parade and all related events on that day.
Maio spoke wistfully of the town’s July Fourth traditions, noting that as a Wakefield native he had only fond memories of the multigenerational celebration.
But Maio observed that it takes a lot of money to run those events. He said that in speaking with representatives of the Wakefield Independence Day Committee and the West Side Social Club, the two organizations primarily responsible for the local July Fourth celebration, he learned that at this time they feel uncomfortable asking for donations from people who may be currently facing financial hardship and job loss.
Regarding the idea of holding a smaller parade, Maio said that from the town’s perspective, the preparation would still be the same and would involve blocking streets, and having all police officers on duty, etc.
“It pains me,” Maio said of having to recommend canceling the Fourth of July Parade and events.
He suggested handling it in the form of a blanket cancelation of all one-day events in town, including things like charity walks around the Lake, etc., until July 6.
Maio said that he was hopeful that restrictions would be relaxed and things will open up soon. “But it won’t be like turning on a light switch,” he stressed. “It will be a slow opening up.”
Maio had initially suggested canceling all one-time events until July 4. Town Councilor Paul DiNocco suggested extending it to July 6 to encompass the entire holiday weekend. Maio agreed and noted that the town’s Police, Fire and Emergency Management departments were all on board with the decision to cancel all one-time events through early July.
Maio noted that the Wakefield Center Neighborhood Association had not yet made a decision on whether to hold its annual Festival by the Lake in early June. But, Maio added that the town could “take them off the hook” by making the decision for them. He suggested that perhaps some of these events could be rescheduled to the fall.
Maio said that this decision would not apply to the Farmers Market, which is not a one-day event. He also pointed out that farmers markets, like grocery stores, are in a a different category. In addition, he noted that the Farmer’s Market had not yet come in for its permit for this summer and suggested that the Town Council would have an opportunity to discuss the issue further at that time.
Town Councilor Jonathan Chines said that he reluctantly agreed with Maio’s recommendation and said that the consistency of canceling all one-day events until a certain date made sense. He said that the town might want to think about alternative ways to observe the Fourth of July in some kind of appropriate socially distant way, such as running a house decorating contest or holding some kind of street fair for businesses.
Chairman Edward Dombroski said that canceling the July Fourth celebration and other one-time events was not a decision that the Town Council wanted to make but it seemed like a vote that was necessary.
Councilor Ann Santos said that she also supported the decision, noting that she did not want to put any added burden on first responders at this time. Regarding the Farmers Market, she suggested that the board keep an open mind with regard to possible alternative locations for the market, where things could be more spread out.
Town Councilor Julie Smith-Galvin said that she supported the decision on the cancelations and suggested giving local groups and events priority when things are finally opened up. Maio agreed.
Dombroski said he agreed with the decision, adding that the he would not want to see all of the social distancing efforts abandoned “as we are about to turn the corner.”
The Town Council vote was 7-0 to cancel all one-time events until July 6.
