Wayland ARPA panel backs $675,000 for Snake Brook Dam and defibrillators

WAYLAND — January 30, 2023 — Wayland's ARPA subcommittee recommends $675,000 for Snake Brook Dam and defibrillators, closing out a $4.1 million allocation. The 2-0 vote Monday sends $650,000 toward the estimated $2.2 million dam repair — on top of $900,000 already appropriated — and $25,000 to replace expiring defibrillators in town buildings, leaving roughly $27,000 unallocated. Subcommittee Chair Carol Martin said the panel fielded 38 requests totaling more than $9.7 million, calling each "well thought out." Member Tom cited a weekend dam failure elsewhere in the state and said ARPA money should "speed up that work." The panel declined to fund a $457,000 full-day kindergarten request, a $250,000 security camera package, a $1.6 million Council on Aging shortfall, and a WayCAM audio-visual upgrade of up to $75,000. Finance Director Brian Keveny warned the dam's cost estimate keeps climbing without a firm bid; the town awaits word in February on a federal Hazard Mitigation grant capped at $1 million.