Whomever the Wakefield Town Council appointed this week as the next Town Administrator, it was sure to spark questions. Here’s one: Out of the 23 individuals who submitted resumes, was there really only one qualified male?

A lot of people thought that local resident Ann Santos, having grown up in Wakefield, had the inside track and was a shoo-in to get the Town Administrator job. Those people have not been paying attention.

It’s been a long time since Wakefield roots conferred any kind of advantage. These days, being a townie is more of a liability than a plus.

As a woman, Santos had only a slightly better chance than Joe Domelowicz, who, as a man, had no shot at all. Domelowicz is also a military veteran. At one time, that would have warranted at least an honorable mention. But his name wasn’t even uttered at Monday’s Town Council meeting.

That said, congratulations are in order for Denise Casey, who aced her interview and has all the qualities of a good administrator. Still, she will need some assistance getting oriented to a new position in a new town. I’m here to offer a few helpful tips.
First, learn the difference between Richardson Street and Richardson Avenue. Ditto Greenwood Avenue and Greenwood Street.
In addition, know where Greenwood and Montrose are located. Also, the North Ward and the West Side. (Not the “West End” as one transplant running for selectman once called it.)

Bonus points for knowing where “The Gulch” is.

And unlike a certain Planning Board member, the next Town Administrator should understand that “the Junction” does not refer the train station on North Avenue.

And it is North Avenue, not “North Street” or “Northern Avenue.” If you want to sound like a native, simply call it “North Ave.”

The new Town Administrator will also need to know that the structure in the center of the Lower Common is the Bandstand. It’s not the “Gazebo” and it’s not the “Pagoda.”

And as she gazes out the window of her second-floor Town Hall office, she should know that she’s looking at the Common, not the “Commons.”

She will also need to practice pronouncing the name of Wakefield’s jewel. It’s Lake Quannapowitt, not “Quinnapowitt” as one high-profile Town Hall employee insists upon calling it. (He might want to just call it “the Lake.”)

Also, Wakefield’s Town Counsel is named Tom Mullen, not Tom “Mullins” as one longtime Town Councilor persists in calling him.

The new Town Administrator will also need to know that when Town Councilor John Carney refers to “the Junior High” he means the Galvin Middle School. And when any old-timer mentions “the Armory,” she should understand that he’s talking about the Americal Civic Center.

And the structure across Main Street from the Americal is and will forever be known as “the Molise building,” even though Ristorante Molise moved out of town more than a decade ago.

Speaking of local names, the new Town Administrator should never refer to the statue at the Rockery as the “Minuteman.” Also, she’ll need to know where the Rockery is.

From all indications, Ms. Casey has been immersing herself in Wakefield culture and already has a leg up on the local lexicon.

Welcome to Wakefield.
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[This column originally appeared in the August 21, 2025 Wakefield Daily Item.]