Personnel Board approves $85,782 hire for long-vacant DPW project manager job

WAYLAND -- January 17, 2023, Wayland Personnel Board approves $85,782 starting salary to finally fill DPW project manager job. The board voted 5-0 Tuesday to hire a candidate with nearly 20 years of construction experience at Grade 7, Step 6, after HR Director Kate told members an earlier offer fell through because the town "couldn't even match" the applicant's existing salary. Chair Maryanne Peabody also took up a request from Planning Board Chair Annette Lewis for administrative support in a part-time position unfunded since fiscal 2020 and unfilled since about 2010. Lewis said she personally drafted a special-permit decision and filed abutter notices during the town planner's vacation, warning it is "not good government policy to have a singleton with no backup" in a state-mandated regulatory office. Peabody agreed to meet with acting Town Manager John Bugbee before permanent Town Manager Michael starts in late February.