Municipal Meeting Recaps

By Steven Klitgord Wayland’s Senior Tax Relief Committee, which reports to the Select Board, was formed about 25 years ago. Its directive is to propose tax relief programs to make it easier for Wayland’s senior citizens who have contributed to the town for many years but now live on fixed incomes. Thanks to the committee’s

By Carole Plumb The 212 Cochituate Road Advisory Committee met on Oct. 22 to press on with receiving more professional advice regarding the potential ways the four-acre town-owned property could be set up as housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Committee has been advised on how individualized caregiving details for a person

By Rachel G. Bratt, Member, Wayland Housing Partnership The Wayland Housing Partnership and the Wayland Planning Board will host a public forum Nov. 12, 7 p.m., at Town Building to discuss the state’s new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) law. The forum will provide information about how residents can go about creating ADUs on their property

At the Housing Partnership Meeting on Oct. 22 Katherine Provost reported back on progress on developing 212 Cochituate Road meeting. See article on page 5. On St. Anne’s Senior Housing Project, member Rachel Bratt relayed an update from project manager Philip Crean, who joined the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) for the Archdiocese of

The Planning Board opened two major Dover Amendment hearings on Oct. 15. Both the Coptic Church and the Carroll School presented plans that would substantially expand existing facilities while remaining exempt from local zoning under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 3. See articles on Church pg 10; School pg 1. The board approved an

The Finance Committee Appointing Board voted 3–0 to appoint Pamela Roman to a term ending June 30, 2027, and Robert Quimby to a term ending June 30, 2028. The board cited the benefits of formally reappointing Roman, instead of filling an interim position so the vacancy and future recruitment timeline are clear. Members Cherry Karlson,

The Wayland Select Board’s Oct. 6 meeting moved the EV-First vehicle policy closer to adoption. Sustainability Coordinator Olivia Blaney and Facilities Director Michael Faia presented a revised Electric Vehicle (EV) First Light-Duty Vehicle Policy, the final requirement for Wayland to qualify as a Massachusetts DOER Climate Leader Community. The designation would make the town eligible

At the School Committee on Sept. 10, Superintendent David Fleishman noted that the school year began before Labor Day for the first time in years, which depressed attendance during the first two days but otherwise produced a smooth opening aided by mild weather in buildings without air conditioning.Official enrollment figures will be reported after October

The Design Review Advisory Board on September 8 opened its first discussion of a major redevelopment plan for the St. Philopater Mercurius & St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church at 169 Rice Road and began work on updating the town’s design guidelines. Church redevelopment previewBoard Chair William Sterling said the applicant could not attend but submitted

The Economic Development Committee met on September 12 to discuss their latest development initiatives. The committee debated the potential benefits of implementing vacancy fees for empty storefronts and the feasibility of revisiting MBTA community zoning to increase housing density for its potential property tax revenues. Members also considered the financial impact of town home development

At its September 16 meeting, members of the Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (HRDEIC) welcomed new student member Sophie Chen and discussed planning for the October 4 Wayland Festival sponsored this year by the HRDEI committee, Arts Wayland and the Recreation Department. Member Mary Ann Borkowski said that for the last two

The most extensive hearing at the Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 9 focused on Millbrook Group LLC’s proposal to convert the historic Collins Market building at 21 Cochituate Road into a café and bistro called Town House. Collins Market ProposalApplicant Kirstyn Lipson presented plans for weekday coffee and light fare service from 7:30 a.m.

The Economic Development Committee plan moved one step closer to building a playground, splash pad, amphitheater and pavilion in Town Center after a 5-0 vote on August 28. A memo to the Select Board requesting authorization to begin cross-board coordination and public outreach was approved, with a target installation date of 2027 for a Town

Most of the Aug 27 Planning Board meeting was devoted to a joint discussion with Housing Partnership members Kathleen Boundy and Rachel Bratt on how to simplify and speed up the process for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their properties. The Affordable Homes Act of 2024 allows for ADUs as of right

The Wastewater Management District Commission on Sept. 8 heard updates on plant maintenance, finances, and ongoing issues with fats, oils, and grease from the Alta Oxbow apartment complex.Treatment plant maintenance Public Works Director Tom Holder reported that the wastewater treatment plant has undergone extensive maintenance this year, including tank coatings and equipment replacements. About $44,000

Town Clerk Trudy Reid briefed the Personnel Board on September 3 about the town’s ongoing recodification of all bylaws, the first comprehensive review in more than two decades. Reid explained that the vendor, General Code who hosts the Town bylaws online, consultants spent several months comparing Wayland’s bylaws with state law. The review recommended eliminating

On August 13, the Planning Board discussed zoning for ground-mounted solar and energy storage with Town Engineer Abigail Charest, Facilities Director Mike Faia, and Sustainability Coordinator Olivia Blaney. Charest opened the discussion by noting that under state law, solar power installation is a protected use by right, though towns may adopt reasonable bylaws based on

On August 13, the Board of Health reviewed that adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) constitutes a “change in use” under Title 5, requiring a septic inspection to ensure public health and water protection. Any ADU proposal must show the septic system can support the added bedroom; older or undersized systems may require upgrades or

During the public comment session at the August 6 meeting of the 212 Cochituate Road Advisory Committee, DC Brazil introduced her daughter, Sydney Brazil Davis, who is deaf-blind and resides in a local group home, and urged the committee to address the unmet housing needs of deaf-blind adults. The committee heard from Larry Oaks, president

On August 19, the Recreation Commission heard a proposal from residents Nicolette Mascari, Jessica Greher Traue, and Jon Weintraub for a town dog park, citing the benefits of community, safety, and economics. They recommended a one-half- to two-acre fenced site with separate areas for large and small dogs, wood-chip surfacing, waste stations, and ADA-accessible features.

The Housing Partnership spent most of its July 8 virtual meeting fine‑tuning strategies to increase affordable housing, from accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to bigger redevelopment projects, while agreeing to keep veteran chair Mary Antes at the helm. ADU outreach moves ahead Members Rachel Bratt and Kathleen Boundy said their talks with the Board of Health revealed that “continued dialogue”

The Board of Assessors on July 14 approved a third‑round motor vehicle and trailer excise commitment totaling $140,451. It rejected a proposed change that would have stopped billing owners of small personal property accounts to save on postage. The panel voted 4‑0 to sign the warrant, sending the excise bills to Treasurer‑Collector Lily Nguyen for mailing

Most of the board’s July 15 meeting was dedicated to discussing and approving $38 million for an MWRA connection and a new PFAS treatment plant (see story page 1). In other business, Holder warned that MassDOT may close Sherman’s Bridge Road if the towns of Wayland and Sudbury do not proceed with a $1.65 million deck

The Design Review Board on July 16 unanimously endorsed revised plans for Terrain’s mixed‑use garden retail, restaurant, and event complex at 297 and 311 Boston Post Road, forwarding the proposal to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission for final signoffs on signage, lighting, and landscaping. The team behind the project, led by architect Jennifer Caliagas and development

At its July 8 meeting, the Municipal Affordable Housing Trustees voted 4‑0 to let Chair Michael Staiti execute the purchase‑and‑sale (P&S) agreement and related paperwork for Habitat for Humanity’s three‑bedroom house at 11–12 Hammond Road. “Once we have the P&S signed, we’ll have at least 30 days until closing,” Staiti said, adding that the nonprofit still must secure an

Members of the newly seated 212 Cochituate Road Advisory Committee opened their first meeting July 16 by revisiting a key assumption of the project voters endorsed at April’s Annual Town Meeting (ATM): that at least one affordable housing group home for adults with intellectual, developmental, and/or physical disabilities would be built on the four‑acre parcel seized by

The Zoning Board of Appeals on July 8 cleared a half‑dozen home‑addition requests. Home projects advance Owners of 10  White Pine Knoll Rd. were granted a special permit to replace a carport with a two‑car garage and enlarged entry hall on the 1959 ranch. Homeowner Yingchun Cao secured permission to add a full second story and

At the Planning Board’s July 9 meeting, Chair Anette Lewis led a unanimous 5‑0 vote to endorse “final mylar” plans for a new three-lot subdivision at 13 Charena Rd. after Town Planner Robert Hummel confirmed missing signatures and fire lane corrections had been added. The board pivoted to drafting a Planned Redevelopment Zoning District for the town’s

The Wayland School Committee unanimously approved the use of $45,000 in state funds to purchase a van for the district’s transition programming for high school special education students at its meeting on July 16. The grant comes from surplus funds from the state Fair Share Act, a tax on incomes of $1 million or more

The Human Rights, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (HRDEI) welcomed three new members: Maryam Libdi, Sarah Shtudin, and Denise Fortin. The committee recapped the town’s packed July 3 public reading of Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” co‑sponsored with the library and historical societies. Looking ahead, members pledged volunteers for the library’s

While the Educational Development met on July 10 to review the status of businesses exiting or planning to move into Wayland, most of their discussion focused on developing a plan to fill the vacant buildings in town, and on the Route 20 beautification campaign. Chair Rebecca Stanizzi stated that “a lot of different groups in

On July 1, the Design Review Board reviewed Urban Outfitters’ proposal for 297-311 Boston Post Rd. that involves adaptive reuse of the former Whole Foods and adjacent retail buildings. The development project will create a multi-use site featuring a Terrain-branded home and garden retail store, a full-service restaurant called Terrain Café, and wedding-oriented event venue.

The Board of Public Works voted unanimously on June 20 to maintain current water rates for fiscal 2026 following an extended discussion about the use of contingency funds and retained earnings. The vote came after a public hearing that drew no new public comments beyond those made during the board’s regular session. Resident Tom Sciacca

Wayland Public Schools is expected to close out its fiscal year with a balanced budget despite unexpected costs and a budget freeze earlier this year, Susan Bottan, the district’s finance director, announced at a School Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 25. “There have been a wide range of challenges,” Bottan said. “Offsetting those challenges, there

On June 13, the Economic Development Committee discussed the potential acquisition of 14 West Plain St., a 5,300-square-foot two-story office building that’s available for sale for the first time in 27 years The 1997 office building across from CVS in the Cochituate Village business district A on a half-acre lot is listed at $1.4 million.

Wastewater facility at WHS The wastewater treatment plant at Wayland High School has been offline since 2019 (only seven years after it was built), requiring sewage to be hauled off site biweekly. The Board of Health discussed a proposed scope of work for engineering firm Tighe & Bond to design a new Title 5-compliant system.

On June 11, Elementary Curriculum Coach Sarah Sontag updated the School Committee on aligning K–5 reading instruction with the “science of reading,” drawn from a year-long partnership with the Massachusetts Tiered Literacy Academy. She noted that while two reading curricula, Fundations and Heggerty, have built strong phonemic awareness skills, students lack consistent background knowledge support.

The Select Board voted to impose penalities on two establishments for liquor law violations Chief of Police Ed Burman backed keeping the Town Building as the sole polling site, saying it needs fewer officers, causes less disruption at the Middle School, and reduces traffic. The board agreed to extend the trial and that they still

At its May 20, 2025 meeting, the Board of Public Works (BoPW) members started the annual process of analyzing Fiscal Year 2025 budget results and forecasting expenses, revenues and water rates for FY26. The Board voted to elect George Uveges as chair and Michael Wegerbauer as vice chair for the coming year, swapping seats. For

Editor’s note: This meeting was inadvertently omitted from the May 30, 2025 issue. At a May 5 meeting, Historical Commission Chair Katherine Gardner-Wescott proposed using $2,500 from the town’s $33,175 (Select Board 5/5/25 packet) 250th anniversary programming allocation to sponsor historically themed performances and presentations. At the May meeting, she recommended booking “History at Play,”