Wayland commission approves heat pump for historical society, weighs paint exemption

WAYLAND — May 16, 2024 — Wayland's Historic District Commission approved a heat pump for the historical society and debated dropping paint-color review. The commission issued a certificate of appropriateness for the Wayland Historical Society to replace a rear condenser with a stand-mounted heat pump, conditioned on painting the surface-mounted refrigerant conduit to match the building; members said the unit, set about 1.3 inches off the rear wall, is "minimally visible from the public way." Alternate member Gretchen Schuler walked the commission through Chapter 40C, Section 8, which lets local commissions exempt categories including paint color, and said the state Historical Commission encourages towns to consider it. Other members balked, warning that exempting paint could invite "painted lady" color schemes and that "we need to be careful what we wish for." No vote was taken. Commissioners also got an update on lamp restoration work by Scott Sweeney of Yankee Lighting Workshop and on the DCR rail trail gap between the Wayland depot and Sudbury, expected to follow the 2025 Sudbury-Hudson segment.