Riley, Makela appointed to Wakefield library board

By CHARITY SMITH

[email protected]

Wakefield — The Wakefield City Council filled two vacancies on the library board during its regular council meeting on Monday night.

Alicia D. Riley was selected by Mayor Dale White to fill a full-term vacancy on the library board. The council approved the nomination unanimously. Riley’s term will end on Jan. 31, 2027.

“I’m so thankful for the different libraries I have had access to through my life,” Riley said in her letter of interest. “My children and I have greatly benefited from the Wakefield Public Library and I would like to see it thrive in the future.”

White nominated and the board also approved the appointment of Kathy Makela. She fills a partial term which expires on Jan. 31, 2025.

“I feel it is vital for a community to maintain a public library,” Makela said in her letter of interest. “A public library serves its community by helping to keep the community members informed, educated, and entertained.”

Makela said that she feels the library board is an integral part of keeping the library available to all. She said she feels the library is an “invaluable” resource which she can contribute her professional perspective to.

The council also:

—Heard an update on the progress of the Gus Maker Tournament to be held in Wakefield this summer.

—Adopted the 2022 poverty exemption guidelines.

—Tabled addressing the issue of duplicate street names until the next meeting on Feb. 28, to allow city staff more time to review the annual street name map. According to White, city staff had found several issues with street names and need more time in order to give an accurate list of streets with duplicate names. The issue of street names arose after EMS services were delayed in arrival to residents homes as a result of being diverted to the wrong street with a similar name.