Michael Wegerbauer (incumbent)
ADDRESS: 7 Blossom Lane
OCCUPATION AND/OR PREVIOUS SERVICE TO THE TOWN: VP, Learning Solutions @ M & R Consultants Corporation (MRCC) – prior Board of Health member, current Board of Public Works Chair
CAMPAIGN WEBSITE AND/OR SOCIAL MEDIA, IF ANY: N/A
Water is a big issue everywhere. PFAS, droughts and water bans, lead pipes, etc. How will connecting to MWRA water help?
A dual source approach where the majority of water comes from Wayland sources and a portion from MWRA is the option BoPW has voted to approve (after 4+ years of study supported by DPW staff and engineering and financial consultants). This provides the lowest long-term operating cost while providing redundancy. In simplest terms, Wayland water is a resource and asset that the Town already “owns”. It requires treatment and filtering to ensure it meets state and federal regulations. Using a temporary filtering solution at the Happy Hollow wellfield, Wayland is delivering water at non-detect level for PFAS, but a permanent solution under design is required. That said, Wayland does not have sufficient space at the other 4 wellhead locations to accommodate filtering to meet upcoming standards, and, therefore, tying into the MWRA system as a source is necessary for redundancy and to help support demand during peak season (summer months).
The Board of Public Works has a very broad agenda. How do you make sure each department gets the full attention that it requires?
No question – it’s challenging to cover all aspects under BoPW purview, but the Board works closely with DPW staff, holds regular monthly meetings, and additional meetings and hearings as required. On a bi-annual basis we coordinate with the Planning Board to conduct shade/scenic road tree hearings. On an annual basis we review the 5-year paving plan, coordinated with the water main replacement plan, conduct hearings to set water, cemetery, and transfer station rates, review traffic calming requests, and review and discuss the operating and capital budgets for all departments, including the 5-year capital plan for each.
Beyond this, the Board initiates special projects such as the cross-departmental crosswalk analysis and improvement project designed to ensure Wayland road crossings are as safe as possible for children and adults. The Board welcomes public comment in each meeting and via e-mail and does its best to address comments as best possible.
