Wayland Select Board confirms Berman as permanent police chief, 5-0

WAYLAND -- December 4, 2023, Wayland confirms Edward Berman as police chief after 21 months as acting. The Select Board voted 5-0 Monday to confirm Town Manager Michael McCall's appointment of Berman, subject to contract negotiations, capping a search that included consultant Badge Quest and a department-head screening panel. Member Adam Gutbezahl called Berman "the embodiment of community policing" and "the easiest decision I've ever had to make." The board also said it will formally oppose the only article at Wednesday's citizen-petitioned special town meeting, with member Thomas J. Fay serving as principal opposition speaker; Vice Chair Carol B. Martin said the issue is "process and precedent," not employees. Officials are preparing the high school auditorium for up to 587 voters, with check-in at 6 p.m. and secret-ballot voting. Finance Director Brian Keveney reported a $112 million budget, a 5.9 percent tax-levy increase and a $15.52 rate. Gutbezahl announced he will not seek re-election, citing family matters.