The Board of Health unanimously approved a revised wastewater design flow for the Wayland High School septic system, increasing the daily estimate from 4,580 to 7,235 gallons to reflect a more accurate average based on school-day usage. Town Engineer Abigail Charest said the new flow uses a conservative calculation — 200 percent of the average daily metered flow — to account for meter variability and the exclusion of non-school days.
Health Director Julia Junghanns noted that although the original wastewater system included a discharge area capable of handling up to 12,000 gallons per day, it was never fully utilized and has sat idle for years. Charest added that the previous system was overdesigned, which led to treatment failure due to insufficient flow volume.
Charest and Department of Public Works Engineer Darren MacCaughey confirmed that design flexibility remains to accommodate potential expansions or system upgrades, subject to further soil and groundwater testing. The Board approved the motion 5-0 to support a Title 5 system design of 7,235 gallons per day.
Public Health Nurse Michele Fronk Schuckel reported that the measles outbreak originating in Texas has spread to 25 U.S. states, with over 700 confirmed cases and two deaths. Massachusetts currently has no reported cases.
Schuckel also announced that Wayland is now enrolled in the Massachusetts Vaccines for Children program, which allows the town to offer free childhood vaccinations to residents under 19. The program, part of a regional partnership among the seven towns in the Great Meadows Public Health Collaborative, will primarily support students new to the U.S. who need vaccinations to meet school requirements. Dr. Ellen Mahoney of Wayland Pediatrics has agreed to provide standing orders for vaccine administration.
Schuckel also noted that norovirus rates remain above average statewide but are not unusually high in Wayland. The flu season is ending, with the CDC estimating 45 million illnesses nationwide this year. Declining vaccination rates have prompted plans to increase public health outreach before the next flu season. The town plans to utilize the Oct. 4 town fair as a platform to distribute vaccine information.
Schuckel updated the board on a middle school mental health initiative funded by a grant to hire a wellness coach to support students and staff. The town is continuing to collaborate with Human Relations Service to expand mental health services across the school district. Schuckel also reported the conclusion of a Boston College nursing internship and ongoing mentorship of other public health and nursing students.
The Board reviewed the status of environmental remediation at 195 Main St., the former DPW site. Junghanns said the property is now classified as a Public Involvement Plan (PIP) site, requiring a formal state oversight process and public participation. A recorded presentation by Ben Gould of CMG Environmental, outlines historical contamination, testing progress, groundwater concerns and next steps. The Health Department will serve as the public repository for review of the PIP’s environmental documents.
The board also reviewed permit fees for temporary food events, trade shows and farmers markets. Junghanns proposed a tiered structure for temporary events. These recommendations will be compiled for Select Board approval.
Junghanns also confirmed that the town’s contact tracing and case investigation grant, originally funded through March 2026, will now end on June 30, 2025. She expressed concern about a lack of communication from the state regarding the cut but said the team will continue its current health equity assessment across the region.
Discussion turned to the new state guidance on accessory dwelling units and septic systems. A follow-up will be scheduled for a future meeting. The board is awaiting a groundwater mounding analysis from Town’s peer reviewer Greg Roy for the proposed Veritas Christian Academy septic system. Junghanns also shared updated information from MassDEP on nitrogen loading zones, affirming that the entire facility area counts toward the calculation, including portions outside Zone II areas.
The board reviewed a mid-year report from Human Relations Service. Board members questioned the accessibility and affordability of counseling services, noting that none of the 43 reported clients were subsidized. Junghanns offered to invite HRS staff to a future meeting to discuss the program’s reach and criteria.
Other updates included a request by Beit Olam Cemetery to allow green burials, which would require removing the current requirement for concrete vaults. Junghanns said the Health Department will confer with the Department of Public Works to determine whether regulations allow for such burials or if further approvals are needed. Board members expressed interest in developing regulations to allow home and green burials without requiring a Town Meeting vote.
Finally, the board addressed a noise complaint related to leaf blowers used during spring clean-up. Junghanns contacted the landscaping company and requested they be considerate of neighbors. She noted that such complaints are seasonal and not regulated under the state’s noise pollution regulations.
