Wayland Board of Health backs first HRS funding hike since 2019

WAYLAND — November 13, 2023 — Wayland Board of Health forwards Human Relations Service's first funding-increase request since 2019. The mental health agency, which serves Wayland, Weston and Wellesley, asked to raise its annual town grant from about $63,000 to roughly $76,000, an increase of 19 to 21 percent benchmarked to consumer-price inflation. Executive Director Lindsay said HRS provided 677 hours of individual therapy to Wayland residents in fiscal 2023, took on 20 to 25 new clients, and ran three urgent psychiatric evaluations averaging 10 hours each. Business Manager Stephen Robbins said staffing accounts for 85 percent of the agency's budget. Member Jonathan Storer urged a phased approach, saying any catch-up should be spread "within two to three years." The board also approved septic variances at 171 Gleason Lane and a restructured permit-fee schedule, and reviewed a phase one report finding petroleum, metals and PFAS contamination at the former DPW garage site.