Boards appoint Chiang, Uvigis to fill Public Works vacancies

WAYLAND — November 21, 2022 — Wayland fills two Public Works vacancies with an engineer and a CPA. The Select Board and Board of Public Works voted jointly 8-0 Monday to appoint civil engineer Edward Chiang and former Finance Committee member George Uvigis from a field of four candidates, with the seats running through annual town meeting in May. Chair Cherry Carlson said the boards sought to replace departed members Robert Goldsmith and Michael Lowry with "someone financial and someone with an engineering background" as the town weighs a permanent MWRA connection and new water rates. Public Works Chair Clifford Lewis made the motion. Select Board member Adam Gutbezahl urged unsuccessful candidate Jerry Reed, a parent of three young children, to run in the spring, calling his voice "desperately needed." Separately, HRDEIC Chair Yamini Ranjan presented a Nov. 19 advisory letter urging the board to apply "a diversity, equity and belonging lens" to conflict-resolution policies in the wake of allegations against Superintendent Dr. Omar Easy.