Personnel Board approves firefighter vacation carryovers with December deadline

WAYLAND — May 6, 2025 — Wayland Personnel Board approves firefighter vacation carryovers and re-elects Maryanne Peabody as chair. The board voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve carryover requests totaling 49 vacation days and 42 vacation nights for 17 firefighters, plus payment in lieu of two days and two nights for Capt. Dean Casali under a pre-2017 hire provision. Fire Chief Neil McPherson said three firefighters out on injured-on-duty status — including Casali and Lindsay Byrne — exceeded the standard two-week cap; the board required all carried time be used by December 2025. HR Manager Kate Ryan reported the classification and compensation study by MGT Talent Solutions launched last week, with completion targeted for early October ahead of June 2026 contract expirations. Members Paul Morenberg, Jill Zukerman and Mary Ellen Castagno all declined the chair role; Peabody was re-elected 4-0.