At the Select Board meeting Feb. 10, Fire Chief Neil McPherson presented an update on the ongoing discussions about transitioning to a regional dispatch model. The Select Board considered joining the Middlesex Regional Emergency Communication Center, a district model that includes Wayland, Natick, and Framingham. McPherson highlighted cost savings, improved staffing, staff career path opportunities and retention, and better oversight as key benefits. He pointed out that due to proximity, Natick and Framingham are working heavily with Wayland already as mutual aid partners.
The transition is expected to be fully funded for the first three years through state grants. The center will be in Framingham next to that city’s Memorial Building. Concerns raised included ensuring that Wayland retains decision-making authority and the potential impact on local dispatch employees. The board wanted to review the text before signing an intermunicipal agreement (IMA) and a letter of attestation to secure grant funding before the March 6 deadline.
Several residents spoke during the public comment session about the proposed development of 195 Main St., including concerns over the exclusion of alternative uses, such as school expansion, from discussions. Residents questioned whether the Select Board was prioritizing a commercial indoor sports complex without adequately considering environmental risks and public input. Concerns were also raised about potential contamination from PFAS and the need for additional environmental assessments. Some residents called for further study before moving forward with any specific development plan.
A group of residents, led by Nicolette Mascari, presented a proposal to establish a fenced-in dog park in Wayland, citing benefits such as safer off-leash spaces and reduced environmental impact on conservation land. Three potential sites were suggested: the Route 20 South Landfill, the Town Center Green, and the Greenways conservation land at the Paine Estate. The board expressed general support but recommended further feasibility assessments and discussions with town officials.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) was notified two weeks ago that it was selected for a state grant from the Clean Water Trust for Stormwater Asset Management Planning that would cover 60% of the cost, with the town contributing $41,000 in in-kind services and another $41,000 in direct funding. The state requires appropriation of the full amount of $206,950 and rebates funds on completion.
The grant would allow the DPW to inventory the more than 2,000 catch basins, manholes, and culverts in support of compliance with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MS4 permit, now in its seventh year of twenty. The board supported moving the request forward to the Finance Committee.
The board discussed the need to balance using $250,000 for Route 20 Corridor Redevelopment Planning with other major initiatives, such as the connection of the town’s water supply to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). This funding would initiate the need for a 25% design by a qualified engineering firm for roadway improvements needed to qualify for the state’s Transportation Improvement Program.
The board agreed to follow last year’s process for the performance evaluation of Town Manager Michael McCall. Members will submit individual evaluations by Feb. 17, with the chair compiling a consensus draft for review.
The board reviewed various warrant articles, including a resolution for 195 Main St. and the establishment of an energy revolving fund.
On advice from town counsel, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) articles N and NN were withdrawn. The language was deemed too vague in its direction to CPC grant recipients and to the finance director on how to accurately track and credit funds back to the CPC balance.
Town counsel advocated the use of a sunset clause after three years going forward and indicated the use of individual articles for rescinding prior appropriations. This leaves $1.4 million in appropriated funds with outstanding remainders that will need to be rescinded by individual articles.
In discussing the funding amount for Town Meeting Article W, 195 Main St. environmental cleanup, member Anne Brensley stated that she thought that the majority of the $250,000 request seemed to be going towards additional consulting and assessment, rather than the actual soil remediation work.
McCall, town manager, said the building at 27 Sherman Bridge Road has been demolished, part of the Town’s 2022 purchase agreement of the property; and the scheduled demolition of an abandoned house at 212 Cochituate Road (which was taken for a tax lien) will happen next week.
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was used to produce the Municipal Meeting Recaps. NPS, developed by the Wayland Post, includes the use of artificial intelligence and automation programs. These programs are used to record, transcribe, and summarize town government meetings and events. Municipal Meeting Recaps are reviewed and edited by Wayland Post staff members prior to publication. Many of the meeting recordings were produced by WayCAM, whose government on-demand recordings can be viewed at www.waycam.tv/government-on-demand.
