Energy committee recommends Town Meeting article creating dedicated energy fund

WAYLAND — December 10, 2024 — Wayland Energy and Climate Committee unanimously recommends Town Meeting article establishing a dedicated energy fund. The 3-0 vote at the Dec. 10 remote meeting authorizes Chair Ellen Tohn and member Neil Gordon to represent the committee before the Select Board on the proposal, which would divert energy-related rebates and incentives from the general fund into an account used to accelerate municipal energy projects and pay for project management. Tohn said former Select Board and Finance Committee chair Steve Correia, consulted as a citizen, urged the committee to draft article language and flagged that the diversion could complicate the town's projected fiscal 2027 override picture. Tohn called incoming energy revenues "pretty lumpy" and difficult to budget. Member Bill Huss made the motion; member Ann seconded. The committee also approved Nov. 12 minutes and rescheduled its January meeting to Jan. 7.