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.