Wayland Board of Public Works Elects New Chair, Authorizes Water Restrictions at May Meeting

WAYLAND -- May 20, 2025, Wayland Board of Public Works elected a new chair, authorized outdoor water restrictions, and raised transfer station fees at its May 20 meeting. Jonathan Storer was elected Chair and Michael Wegerbauer moved to Vice Chair in a unanimous vote, capping a three-hour session dominated by a contentious first look at the FY26 water rate model. Finance Director Brian Keveney warned the board that the state Department of Revenue has challenged the water fund's revenue projections for three consecutive years, citing increases of 16 percent in FY24, 8 percent in FY25, and 12 percent in FY23 over prior-year actuals, while consultant Matt Abrahams presented projections showing the fund's annual budget could grow from roughly $4.7 million today to $8.2 million by FY31 if the water enterprise fund absorbs all dual-source MWRA debt service. The board voted unanimously to authorize DPW staff to enact and lift outdoor watering restrictions based on production capacity, with Water Superintendent Don Millett warning that Baldwin Pond and Happy Hollow wells are at roughly half capacity. Transfer station full stickers were raised from $185 to $200 with the $10 credit card surcharge eliminated, a net $5 increase for card users; the board set a follow-up rate working session for June 11 and a formal rate hearing for June 17.