Personnel Board reworks Chapter 43 rewrite ahead of warrant deadline

WAYLAND -- March 4, 2024, Wayland Personnel Board races to finalize Chapter 43 rewrite before March 18 warrant deadline. Chair Maryanne Peabody led a nearly four-hour line edit of the proposed bylaw Monday, with HR Manager Kate Ryan incorporating comments from KP Law's Carolyn Murray. The board agreed to shorten member terms from five years to three for future appointments, exempt only Wayland Public Schools employees from the bylaw's scope, and replace "advice" with "guidance and recommendations" throughout, keeping the board advisory on classifications and job descriptions but joint with the town manager on personnel policies. Member Paul Morenberg won support for a reporting-back clause so the board learns whether its formal recommendations are "accepted, rejected, or partially accepted." Members rejected Ryan's softened language on retaining clerical help, citing $30-an-hour minute-taker costs unfunded in the current budget. A follow-up meeting was set for 4 p.m. March 13.