Wayland climate committee targets December vote on $1.15 million grant package

WAYLAND — November 5, 2025 — Wayland Energy and Climate Committee plots December Select Board push for $1.15 million state grant. Acting Chair Neil Gordon ran the Nov. 5 meeting with Chair Ellen R. Tohn traveling; members Bill Huss and Tom Sciacca approved September minutes 3-0 and set the next meeting for Dec. 9. New sustainability staffer Julie said the town's decarbonization roadmap and zero-emissions vehicle policy must clear the Select Board in early December to qualify Wayland for Climate Leaders funding, calling it "a $1.15 million grant" for facilities upgrades against a roughly $600,000 town shortfall. Eversource's Molly Cowell told the committee 6.5 percent of Wayland households have heat pumps — twice the state average — with about 500 customers enrolled in Connected Solutions thermostats and 25 in the battery program. Sustainability Coordinator Olivia Blaney said the annual Green Communities report was signed by Town Manager Michael McCall and filed before the Nov. 7 deadline.