Select Board opens public forums on draft Town Manager Act

WAYLAND -- July 17, 2019, Wayland Select Board opens six-forum tour pitching a stronger town manager structure. Chair Carol B. Martin led the first community forum Wednesday on a draft special act that would replace the town administrator with a town manager designated as chief financial officer and chief procurement officer, rename the Board of Selectmen the Select Board, and convert the elected town clerk to an appointed post. Martin said the current administrator carries roughly 20 direct reports across more than 40 boards and committees and cited a 2018 Collins Center finding that town financial management is "severely fragmented." A resident pushed back that the board had shown "no business case" and no dollar figures to back claims of inefficiency. Member Cherry Karlsson took notes for a planned FAQ; the next forum is July 23 at 2 p.m.