Council on Aging targets April 1 move-in, June 5 opening for new center

WAYLAND — January 6, 2025 — Wayland's new Council on Aging Community Center is on track to open June 5 after an April 1 move-in. Chair Betsy Soule and Vice Chair William Sterling told the board Jan. 6 that exterior doors are installed, interior painting and tile work are nearly complete, and Public Buildings Director Mike Bayer is comfortable with the June opening date. The Friends of the COA will cover roughly $50,000 in added furnishings — a patio set, screened-porch furniture and other items — bringing their total contribution to about $160,000 on the $12 million project. The planned rooftop solar array, however, may be scrapped after contractor Solect could not deliver a cost-competitive design. "If this were a medical condition, the prognosis is grave," Sterling said, floating geothermal pipes under the Sudbury River as an alternative. Director Julie Secord said Wayland riders are using about 90 percent of the free Wayland-Sudbury hospital shuttle slots while volunteer-driver programs await legal sign-off.