Municipal Meeting Recaps

The Capital Improvement Planning Committee has proposed an $8.3 million capital budget for fiscal 2027 – lower than both departmental requests and prior projections – marking a significant departure from the Town Manager’s draft five-year capital plan from December.In the CIPC’s Jan. 20 report for fiscal year 2027–31, the 26 high- and medium-high priority projects

The Planning Board voted 4–1 on Feb. 11 to approve the site plan for the St. Philopater Mercurius and St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church complex at 169 Rice Road, following a detailed, page-by-page review of its draft decision and conditions.The board’s review focused on the draft-written decision governing the proposed church campus. Included in that

The Finance Committee began a detailed review of the fiscal year 2027 Capital Plan at its Feb. 11 meeting, hearing from Town Manager Michael McCall and Finance Director Brian Keveny about significant revisions driven by new projects, policy constraints and the newly formed Capital Improvement Planning Committee (CIPC) recommendations.Keveny reported that the proposed FY27 capital

The Finance Committee opened its Jan. 28 warrant review for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting with a session focused almost entirely on initial discussion of 52 proposed warrant articles. Members emphasized the need to distinguish articles with and without financial impact and to streamline warrant presentation where possible.The discussion began with petitioner-sponsored items and moved

The Planning Board on Jan. 28 continued its public hearing on the Carroll School site plan at 37–45 Waltham Road to Feb. 25 after extended deliberations focused on stormwater modeling, traffic impacts, septic system revisions, proposed conditions of approval, and neighborhood concerns.Jason Kreil of ECT, the town’s peer reviewer, reported that the applicant had submitted

The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously on Jan. 26 to close the public hearing and continue deliberations on an appeal challenging permits for the Veritas Christian Academy project, explicitly reaching no decision on the merits of the case and scheduling further deliberations for Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m.Chair Thomas White opened the hearing noting

Before disucssing various Town Meeting articles at its Jan. 20 meeting, the Select Board heard public comments on the 25 Holiday Road parcel, property tax relief, and Sherman’s Bridge.Andrew Carpenter of Orchard Lane urged the board to delay proposed funding for an engineering study and appraisal related to Town Meeting Article DD, 25 Holiday Road.Carpenter

The Select Board on Dec. 15 heard a presentation from the Economic Development Committee outlining illustrative strategies to expand Wayland’s tax base, with discussion focused on growth priorities, zoning tools and the fiscal risks of maintaining the status quo.When asked by Select Board member Fay if a town-wide master plan was needed, Economic Development Committee

leslie.castillo@waylandpost.org Reading Specialist Sara Sontag shared updates on piloting two reading curricula and why adopting a new curriculum is an important district goal at the Wayland School Committee meeting on Jan. 27.Data shows that while 73% of students are at benchmark or above in reading, only 48.7% of students on IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and

The Select Board outlined the process and timeline for evaluating Town Manager Michael McCall at its Jan. 20 meeting.Members agreed to use the existing evaluation form, set early February deadlines for individual submissions, and schedule executive session review prior to a public discussion of the evaluation.McCall presented a summary of departmental accomplishments under his leadership

Select Board members voted Jan. 14 to advance a package of proposed 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant articles that would broaden the allowable window for scheduling Annual Town Meeting, transfer funds into the FY26 fire payroll budget ahead of an unresolved contract decision, seek a state-approved process for “green burials” on private land, fund early

The Elementary School Math Team, composed of the math coaches from the three elementary schools and Donna Krikorian — who holds dual roles as assistant principal of Happy Hollow and the district’s Math and Science curriculum coordinator — shared progress and next steps for the Bridges 3 curriculum at the Wayland School Committee meeting on

The Planning Board voted unanimously to extend the deadline for filing a decision on the St. Philopater Mercurius and St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church site plan application at 169 Rice Road to Feb. 13. It separately voted unanimously to close the public hearing record after concluding that it would proceed toward a decision covering the

In 2025, the Planning Board navigated complex and often competing considerations, weighing the concerns of taxpaying residents seeking to preserve the town’s pastoral neighborhoods alongside nonprofit organizations asserting that the Dover Amendment limits the town’s authority over certain large development projects.Neighbors living near Veritas Christian Academy, the Carroll School, and the St. Philopater & St.

The Planning Board and Conservation Commission met jointly Dec. 3 to review peer comments on the St. Philopater Mercurius & St. Mina Coptic Church and Carroll School construction projects. The Planning Board also met separately with church representatives to discuss additional issues. The meeting concluded with an abbreviated discussion of proposed zoning amendments related to

The Select Board on Dec. 1 continued detailed deliberations on how to finance the town’s proposed MWRA water connection and related DEP requirements, a project expected to involve roughly $38 million in borrowing. Members focused on a hybrid approach in which the general fund would carry the debt service under a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion,

Massachusetts’s Dover Amendment is often invoked as shorthand for a simple idea: some land uses are so central to statewide public policy that towns cannot use zoning to keep them out. But the statute’s real origin is narrower, and its court-shaped boundaries matter as much as its broad reputation.The amendment traces to a postwar-era conflict

Public comment dominated the Board of Public Works meeting Nov. 18 as 10 residents from both Wayland and Lincoln urged the board and Department of Public Works Director Tom Holder to slow traffic on Sherman’s Bridge, preserve its historic setting, and clarify the long-term implications of using glulam decking in MassDOT’s proposed rehabilitation. Residents said

The Route 20 South Landfill Visioning Committee focused its Dec. 1 meeting on narrowing potential non-housing uses for the 17-acre property. It includes a capped, but unlined landfill, with a low dike lying between the eastern end of the landfill location and the Sudbury River and Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge land. The landfill ceased operations

21 Cochituate Road — Restaurant Special Permit ApprovedThe Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved three required actions for Millbrook Group LLC’s proposal to convert the historic Collins Market building and currently Senne Real Estate at 21 Cochituate Road into a café and bistro called Town House. The structure is pre-existing and nonconforming, located in both

The Planning Board met on Oct. 29 to review the Carroll School site plan at 37-39-45 Waltham Road, and two Wayland bylaws were cited as applying — §198-601 (Dover-exempt site plan review) and §198-508 (Design Review). The Planning Board’s review under the bylaws is limited to bulk, height, setbacks, open space, and parking requirements for

Wayland’s School Committee met Nov. 5 and expressed strong support for the district’s formal discrimination-response protocol and for Superintendent David Fleishman’s handling of the recent racial incident at the high school.  Chair Erin Gibbons reaffirmed that the same investigation and notification procedures apply consistently to all reports of bias or harassment, regardless of whether the

Finance Committee Chair Phil Giudice briefed the board on the committee’s 5-0 vote recommending that the town reclassify the remaining debt for the Department of Public Works building at 66 River Road from general fund to excluded debt. Giudice said the change would “free up roughly $700,000 of levy capacity” in fiscal 2027, reducing pressure

The Select Board met Monday, Oct. 20 Liquor License Transfer After a public hearing, the board voted to approve a change of stock, officers, and manager for Liquor World, 302 Commonwealth Road. The store will be rebranded as Liquor Hub. Attorney Matthew Porter explained that Nitant Raval, previously 50 percent owner, is acquiring full ownership.

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