Wayland climate panel drafts first multi-year sustainability capital budget

WAYLAND — October 11, 2023 — Wayland climate committee drafts first sustainability capital budget as Green Communities deadline looms. Sustainability Manager Abby Shute presented a multi-year spreadsheet built on the Climate Action Plan, with capital requests due Friday and a Green Communities grant application — capped at $200,000 — due the following week. The committee agreed to anchor the grant with $89,000 in Department of Public Works retro-commissioning and to phase a town hall weatherization project that Guardian Energy Management estimated at over $200,000. Chair Ellen R. Tohn said the Select Board had requested the budget because "the sustainability office doesn't have a budget." Member Harvey Michaels pushed for the document to reflect savings, not just outlays. Student member Tara Zwicker reported gathering 315 signatures in one lunch period on a curriculum petition headed to the School Committee on Nov. 18. A structural engineer also flagged that Loker Elementary's roof may not support the planned 300-kilowatt solar array, potentially eliminating a 100-kilowatt battery.