Select Board pitches DPW debt reclassification ahead of Dec. 11 special election

WAYLAND — December 1, 2025 — Wayland Select Board takes special-election forum public ahead of Dec. 11 vote on $700,000 DPW debt reclassification. Town Manager Michael McCall told the board the town faces a fiscal 2027 shortfall of $700,000 to $1 million driven by pension and health insurance costs, and that moving the 2013 Department of Public Works construction debt outside the levy would create "breathing room" without raising fiscal 2026 taxes. Chair Carol B. Martin said a yes vote would "free up $700,000 that can be used to balance next year's budget." Separately, the board spent more than an hour on how to fund roughly $38 million in debt for the pending MWRA water connection; Finance Director Brian Keveney warned the water enterprise fund balance has fallen from $4 million to about $1 million. The board also approved 2026 liquor and business license renewals and two AT&T small-cell wireless facilities, all by 5-0 votes.