Message from Town Manager, Michael McCall | |
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It’s hard to believe that it has been over a year since I arrived in Wayland as the Inaugural Town Manager. It has been an exciting and productive time. During the last year, my staff and I worked hard to put together the FY 2025 budget, prepare the Warrant for Annual Town Meeting, settle collective bargaining agreements, and advance several large permitting projects including the housing project at Saint Ann’s and the Council on Aging/Community Center project, all of which were part of my shared goals with the Select Board.
In furtherance of my and the Select Board’s goal of creating effective communication with our citizenry, earlier this year, my staff conducted a communications survey. The results of the survey indicated that our residents would like more regular communications from Town Hall and a more user friendly website. To that end, staff and I are updating our social media presence, working on our communications and social media policies, and looking at ways to improve our website navigation. The most significant step that we are taking to achieve this goal is to start a newsletter. It is our hope that our regular newsletter will provide our citizens with timely and insightful content regarding issues facing our community and upcoming events. I want to give a special thanks to staff members Jailyn Bratica and Kelsi Power-Spirlet for driving these endeavors.
As always, my door is always open for questions, and I continue to hold my monthly Town Manager Office evening hours. My next evening office hours will be on July 8th. I wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July, and I look forward to many positive and productive years working for Wayland and its residents.
Sincerely,
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The Building Department has updated their page on the Town’s website with information that residents might find helpful. In addition, due to the increased volume of inspection requests, the Department requests that appointments be scheduled at least 24 to 48 hours ahead of time via email: build-permit@wayland.ma.us.
Please, no voicemail or call in requests: inspections will be scheduled for the following day that is available. In addition, please provide the permit number and address of work site when scheduling an inspection.
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As of July 1st, 2024, the 10th edition of 780 CMR (also known as the Massachusetts state building code) will take effect. The 10th edition consists of the 2018 international I-codes with Massachusetts amendments. Please visit the following website to purchase the 10th Edition: MA State Building Code 780 CMR
In addition, the New Specialized MA Energy Code will go into effect on July 1st; please visit the following Mass.gov website to learn more: Specialized MA Energy Code
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Council on Aging/Community Center
Project is approximately 25% complete with expected completion in late 2024 or early 2025. The interior slab and exterior insulation has been completed and the metal roof installation has started.
Fire Station 2
Renovations including living quarter and operational improvements are 70% complete with an anticipated late summer completion.
Wayland Free Public Library
Accessibility, Children's room renovations, connection to Town septic and HVAC upgrades are in the design phase with work expected to begin in the Fall.
Stone's Bridge (located on Old Stonebridge Road)
Repairs and stabilization will begin this summer. The repairs will be preformed in keeping with the original dry laid stone construction and the historical status of the bridge.
Schools
Multiple projects are scheduled for completion during Summer break including Middle School tile replacement, High School Fieldhouse track repairs, new walk in refrigerator/freezers at Happy Hollow and Claypit Elementary Schools.
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Save Wayland's Wildlife
Are you interested in saving Wayland's little critters, help preserve our biodiversity and make an positive impact on the world? Sign up to become a Ribbit Ranger!
Wayland's Conservation Department with the help of the Conservation Commission has started a Ribbit Ranger program to help Wayland's amphibians (Frogs, Salamanders) safely cross the road on their way to forests to wetlands on rainy nights!
The Ribbit Rangers patrolled Glezen Lane between 126 and Weston Town line in late June and saved 14 frogs - mostly green frogs, bullfrogs and gray tree frogs!
For more information and to sign up to be a Ribbit Ranger, please click on the box below!
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Outdoor Concerts in July
Join the Council on Aging for their All-Ages Summer Outdoor Concert Series on Thursdays at 7pm in the courtyard behind Town Building.
July 11: Sudbury Valley New Horizons Band, conducted by Diane Muffitt who was a band teacher at Wayland Middle School for 32 years! Join for jazz classics, marches, movie theme songs and more!
July 18: Classic Grove, from R&B and Top 40 to smooth jazz and Latin music!
July 25: The Deloreans, fantastic brass section and pizazz to your favorite 70s' and 80s' hits!
Concerts will be canceled in inclement weather, check the Town website for updates.
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If you Love the Boston Red Sox
Then join the COA on Tuesday, July 23 10 a.m. in the Council on Aging for Herb Crehan, contributing writer for the Red Sox returns for another fascinating program on the 2004 Red Sox and the 2004 World Champion Trophy. Relive the season that ended the 86-year drought and brought joy to Red Sox nation.
At 11 a.m. the trophy will arrive (with body guards) for one hour, make sure to admire it or take your picture! And at 12 p.m. stay for a hot dog, chips and ice cream for $5.
Registration is required, please email coa@wayland.ma.us or call 508-358-2990.
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COA Logo Contest
The Council on Aging needs your help to design a new logo! We expect to move into our new home in the Community Center in early 2025.
Can you design our new logo? Our logo contest is open to all ages! Everyone can submit ideas, and everyone can vote on the final choices. Details about the contest rules and guidelines can be found on the COA webpage under the tab "Logo Contest".
The submission deadline is October 15.
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Department of Public Works | |
The Town of Wayland is pleased to provide trash and recycling disposal services at the Transfer Station. The Town offers “green” recycling of metal, Styrofoam bubble material, electronics, oil, batteries, tires, mattresses & box springs, yard waste, give-n-take items and textile materials & composting. Additional services include paper-shredding events and the disposal of bulky waste items (non-recyclables too large to fit in PAYT (Pay As You Throw) bags). Residents with an active Transfer Station sticker may pay these disposal fees at the Transfer Station at the time of disposal. | |
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Wayland Joined Emergency Water Connection with MWRA
Wayland recently joined the Emergency Water Connection to Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) which will supplement the Town's local water source as needed. Having access to a back up water supply provides the Town with more flexible and resilient options to deliver safe, clean drinking water to the public.
Please Click Here for more Information.
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Storm water, or storm water run-off occurs when precipitation flows over impervious surfaces on the ground, such as roads, sidewalks, driveways and roofs. As the water flows, it collects sediment, oils, trash, and other pollutants. These end up in our public rivers and lakes like Dudley Pond and Sudbury River. To prevent the negative impacts, please follow these tips! | | |
Wayland Free Public Library | |
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With the summer upon us, the Health Department reminds residents that mosquitoes begin to multiply in puddles or standing water that lasts for more than four days. Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus and breeding sites can be anywhere. We have initiated catch basin treatments using a larvicide made of naturally occurring bacteria to kill mosquito larvae before they hatch.
Residents can also take action to reduce the number of mosquitoes and breeding areas around your home and neighborhood. Organize a neighborhood clean-up day to pick up containers from vacant lots and parks and to encourage people to keep their yards free of standing water.
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For information on other ways to stay safe this summer; mosquito and tick bite prevention, safety reminders around swimming, summer heat waves and more, visit our website at http://www.wayland.ma.us/health-department. | | |
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Photo: From Left to right, Chief Burman, Sgt. Henderson, Officer Pugh and Sgt. Hebert
On Monday June 3, 2024 Chief Burman promoted Tim Henderson and Mark Hebert to Sergeant. We would also like to introduce Officer Rachel Pugh who joined us in April from the Berklee College of Music Police Department.
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Officer Zink (middle) was presented a Letter of Commendation by Chief Burman (left) and Sgt. Walsh (right) for her apprehension of a suspect that broke into a property in Wayland.
Congratulations Officer Zink on a job well done!
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Evan Scourtas started with our department in February 2024. He attended the career recruit program at the Massachusetts Fire Academy and started his career as a call firefighter in Nahant in 2019. Evan worked at the Winchester Fire Department, where he began his career as a full time firefighter. He has worked for a private ambulance service as an EMT and a paramedic. | |
Anna Pelevina started with our department in February 2024. She has over 10 years of experience in the fire service, having worked for Palm Beach County Fire and Rescue in Florida and the Baltimore County Fire Department in Maryland. She has attended numerous career recruit programs in other states, and has worked as a medic for the Discovery Channel, ITV and CNBC. | |
Tim Oxley, a veteran of the United States Army, started with our department in January 2024. He attended the career firefighter program and the Massachusetts Fire Academy, has five years of experience as a career firefighter in North Attleborough, and is a licensed paramedic. | |
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Town Beach at Lake Cochituate
Town Beach is now open daily from 10am - 7pm. Residents can purchase a season pass or day pass at the gate! Boat Rentals and the Snack Bar are now open.
Season Pass: $50 Wayland |$75 Non-Wayland
Day Pass: $5 Wayland | $10 Non-Wayland
The water is tested weekly by the Health Department and lab results are posted to the website.
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The Recreation Department is in full summer mode! The sold-out Summer camps opened on June 17 and we have over 760 campers in a variety of Summer camps - Sports, Sun, Swimming, Trips and fun!
The Recreation Department has hired almost 100 Seasonal Staff.
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Special Events at Hannah Williams Playground
July 10 10am-10:30am & 11-11:30am: Wild Word of Reptiles
Joy from Joys of Nature will introduce children to snakes, turtles, lizards and even a crocodile! For children ages 4 and up, with caregivers.
August 7 2pm: Rolie Polie Guacamole
Rockin' fun for babies to 8 years with their grownups! Rolie Polie Guacamole has a smart, friendly musical style that dresses up original tunes and classic covers with vibrant harmonies!
All Summer: Story Walk: Enjoy a story walk of the book Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! By Bob Barner.
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The 2024 Fall Program Brochure is in the works and will arrive to residents in late July/Early August. This will include RecPass and activities for residents. | |
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Wayland’s first Sustainability Manager is Abigail Shute, and her focus is to implement the Town’s Climate Action Mobilization Plan (CAMP), a resident-driven initiative endorsed by the Select Board in 2021. She works within the facilities department to develop and administer programs, policies, and initiatives to advance Wayland’s sustainability objectives, with also managing sustainability-related capital or infrastructure projects.
Since beginning in Wayland in April 2023, Abigail has secured the following grants related to sustainability:
- Mass EVIP Funding For Electric Vehicle Chargers ($28,965)
- Metropolitan Area Planning Council Accelerating Climate Resiliency Grant ($44,000)
- Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Competitive Grant ($92,813)
- Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Municipal Energy Technical Assistance Grant ($13,050)
- Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Building Decarbonization Roadmap ($14,000)
- Loker Elementary School Mass Save Commercial Air Source Heat Pump Rebate ($50,000)
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This program involves electricity aggregation, which is a type of collective purchasing initiative. Through this program, the Town aims to use the combined buying power of its residents and businesses to significantly increase the share of renewable energy in Wayland's electricity supply. If you have any questions you may contact customer support with Wayland’s program consultants at 1-844-202-6400 or you can go online to WaylandElectricityChoice.com. | |
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Do you take advantage of online bill pay with your bank? The Treasurer/Collectors office would like to share some info that will help with applying checks to the correct invoices. The office receives hundreds of checks from banks, and with no remittance included, it can be challenging to verify how the funds should be applied:
- Please clearly indicate in the memo field what bill you are paying, with your bill #, which you can find on the upper right of your bill.
- It may take up to ten business days for the office to receive the check from the bank and the Treasurer/Collectors office does not honor postmarked dates.
- Please check online at City Hall Systems before the due date to confirm your check was received and applied to your account.
Sign up for an account with City Hall Systems to receive your bills electronically, pay online, and set up custom alerts: https://epay.cityhallsystems.com
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Wayland is a member of the West Suburban Veteran’s District. The West Suburban Veterans District is staying current on “everything VA” and would enjoy talking with you anytime you are available. The summer weather will soon be upon us, so please stop by so we can meet – because you never know, maybe this Veteran’s Services Officer can change your life for the better.
Wayland’s Veteran’s Agent, TJ Tedeschi is available at the Wayland Town Building on Tuesdays, 9am – 4pm. For appointments outside of office hours, please contact Sarada Kalpee at (781) 850-5504.
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Volunteer on Board or Committee | |
RiverFest Summer 2024: Celebrating our Local Wild and Scenic Rivers
July 6 - July 28
RiverFest is the annual celebration of the federally protected Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers. This year, it takes place over three-weeks, offering you more opportunities to participate!
Events will be hosted on and along the rivers highlighting the historic, recreational, scenic, and ecological values of our Wild and Scenic Rivers. From guided paddles to interpretive walks, educational talks, family-friendly events, and kids' activities.
The River Stewardship Council was created to promote the protection of the rivers and their resources. The RSC is a partnership of representatives from each of the eight Wild and Science River communities, state, and federal agencies, and two regional conservation organizations.
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