Wayland Board of Health approves five-lot Mendler conservation cluster subdivision

WAYLAND — February 13, 2023 — Wayland Board of Health approves Mendler five-lot subdivision and opens debate on irrigation-well moratorium. The board voted to accept plans for a five-lot conservation cluster on the Mendler property presented by Russ Tett of Hancock Associates, including a shared two-tank septic system serving 30 bedrooms, with peer reviewer Burt Florey of DGT Associates calling the soils well-suited for disposal at eight to 15 minutes per inch. Dr. John Shuler moved approval; Dr. Bob Eyre seconded; Dr. Arnie Saslow, joining remotely, warned the abutting Sudbury Valley trail system must be protected from runoff. The board also conditionally approved a 10-chicken coop variance at 5 Pleasant Street, 75 feet from the nearest house instead of the required 150, pending a signed letter from the abutter at 90 Cumberton Road. BPW Chair Cliff Lewis urged a pause on new irrigation-well permits — Wayland has roughly 257 — saying "let's not drill anymore until we find out how all these things interact."