To the Editor:
Wayland’s Annual Town Meeting is April 7, 2025 and the Warrant, a green booklet explaining the Articles to be voted, is now arriving in residents’ mailboxes. The first Article is “Recognize Citizens and Employees for Particular Service to the Town” and Article 31 codifies this practice for future Annual Town Meetings.
Article 31 codifies our way of recognizing service to Wayland: we acknowledge individual’s names publicly and we observe a moment of silence for those who have died. Launching Annual Town Meeting with this message of respect, honor, and gratitude sets the right tone. Wayland is more than a geographical location and a municipal budget, it is people who contribute and change over time.
Annual Town Meeting is the appropriate forum for public recognition of long-time, retiring & deceased employees, volunteers, and honorees for Lydia Maria Child Award, Ken Moon Conservation Award, and C. Peter R. Gossels Good Government Award.
Benefits:
- Family and friends attend Town Meeting and arrive early, helping to ensure a quorum.
- Newer residents learn Wayland’s history/culture.
- Publicly honoring people who have served Wayland encourages others to volunteer time, energy, skills, and expertise.
- Volunteers save money for Wayland.
- Self-government requires active participation – this article celebrates democracy.
- Honorees’ names & their service published in Warrant and Annual Report creates a permanent memorial easily accessed by future generations.
Please attend Town Meeting and vote yes on Article 31.
Bonnie Gossels
15 Bennett Road
