On Sept. 23 the Select Board addressed preparations for the 2025 Annual Town Meeting in the spring, early-voting hours for the November election, and ongoing discussions about affordable housing initiatives at 212 Cochituate Road.
Chaired by William Whitney, the meeting was held in person and via remote means, with several public officials and board members in attendance.
The board began by discussing early-voting hours for the November election. Town Clerk Trudy Reid outlined the proposed schedule, which included a reduction in early-voting hours for the first week. Reid explained that the reduced hours were based on low voter turnout in the first week of previous elections, and emphasized that the second week typically saw higher numbers.
“We’ve found that most voters show up during the second week,” Reid noted, adding that her office was preparing for increased mail-in ballots.
The board unanimously approved the reduced hours, ensuring that early voting will run from Oct. 19 to the Nov. 5 election date, excluding Sundays.
Following the approval, the board moved on to discuss the preparations for the 2024 Annual Town Meeting. The main focus was the potential introduction of a consent calendar, a tool used to expedite non-controversial articles by voting on them as a group. Town Moderator Miranda S. Jones explained that the goal of the Consent Calendar was to make the meeting more efficient.
“It’s been tried before with mixed results, but I believe it’s worth exploring again to help streamline the process,” Jones said. She acknowledged that Wayland’s Town Meeting culture, which favors open debate, might resist the idea, but she noted that the board could introduce the consent calendar on a trial basis.
Board member Carol Martin supported the proposal but suggested that the board take steps to educate the public before the meeting.
“It’s important that we explain what the consent calendar is and how it will work to avoid confusion or resistance,” Martin said.
The board agreed to revisit the issue in the coming weeks, with plans to finalize the calendar’s structure before the warrant is distributed to residents.
The conversation then shifted to the ongoing efforts to develop affordable housing at 212 Cochituate Road, a town-owned property. The board is exploring the possibility of using the site for both affordable housing units and a group home for individuals with disabilities.
Board member Anne Brensley conveyed the strong support from the Wayland Housing Trust for the project.
“The Housing Trust is enthusiastic about the dual use of this site for both affordable housing and supportive living,” Brensley said, emphasizing the community benefits of the development.
Town Manager Michael McCall provided updates on the site, noting that environmental assessments and remediation efforts were still needed before any construction could begin.
“We’re working to address asbestos and other environmental concerns, but we’ll need further evaluations to ensure the site is ready for development,” McCall said.
The board discussed the possibility of presenting a preliminary plan to town meeting voters to secure the necessary approvals for the land transfer and development.
Board member Doug Levine raised concerns about ensuring transparency and clarity when the project is presented to voters.
“We need to provide residents with a clear understanding of what we’re proposing, including the scope of the project and its potential impact,” Levine said, recommending that the board prepare detailed information on the number of housing units and potential site designs before Town Meeting.
The Select Board meeting concluded with an update on outdoor dining and liquor licensing. The board is considering revisions to the town’s liquor-license policies to accommodate expanded outdoor dining areas for restaurants. McCall explained that the changes were prompted by state law amendments allowing local municipalities greater control over outdoor dining licenses. However, McCall noted that Wayland’s existing bylaws on outdoor dining might conflict with the new state rules, and further discussions with the town’s legal counsel would be necessary before moving forward.
With several important decisions and projects still in development, the board agreed to reconvene on Oct. 7 to continue discussions on Town Meeting preparations and the housing project at 212 Cochituate Road.
