Personnel Board weighs reduced role under Town Manager Act

WAYLAND — February 7, 2024 — Wayland Personnel Board weighs shift to advisory role as Chapter 43 rewrite advances. KP Law attorney Carolyn Murray told the board Wednesday that the 2022 Town Manager Act prevails over the personnel bylaw where the two conflict, leaving the board with diminished authority over reclassifications, step increases and collective bargaining. Chair Maryanne Peabody pressed for clearer language distinguishing daily operations from policy oversight, while member Deborah said the board should pivot toward HR policy advice because it lacks budget visibility to make "really informed decisions." Town Manager Michael McCall said Murray has already produced an initial redlined draft of a revised Chapter 43 that will be updated to reflect Wednesday's discussion. HR Manager Kate Ryan separately outlined 3.8 new FTEs in the FY25 town-side budget, including a full-time land use coordinator for the Zoning Board of Appeals and custodial staff for the new Council on Aging building. The board reconvenes Feb. 26.