Wayland assessors weigh CPA funding for $55,500 historic book restoration

WAYLAND -- November 6, 2023, Wayland assessors eye CPA grant to restore eight crumbling record books from 1778-1919. The Board of Assessors on Monday backed pursuing Community Preservation Act funding for a $55,500 reconstruction project covering eight deteriorating assessors' volumes, some with mold, torn bindings and ripped pages, that must be repaired before the Boston Public Library can digitize them for free. Chair Zachariah L. Ventress pushed back on the single-bid quote of roughly $7,000 per book, citing town practice of seeking multiple quotes above $10,000. Staff also reported a printer error sent more than 300 property owners nine duplicate disclosure postcards at no added cost, and said Wayland is competing with four communities for priority state certification ahead of a Nov. 20 classification hearing, with Dec. 4 as backup. The board unanimously approved Sept. 26 and Oct. 10 minutes before entering executive session at 6:23 p.m.