Wayland conservation panel approves Moore Road cabins, orders Oxbow peer review

WAYLAND — April 10, 2024 — Wayland conservation chair pledges showdown with town leaders over staffing of 1,200-acre portfolio. Chair Sean P. Fair told the April 10 meeting he would convene Town Manager Michael McCall, HR and Select Board liaison Tom Fay after Conservation Administrator Linda Hansen said two budget requests to convert seasonal positions to a year-round part-time role had been denied. Hansen called the department "overwhelmed" and noted it has "the second smallest budget in the town" despite managing one of its largest land holdings under sole full-time Land Manager Brian Harris. In permitting business, the commission unanimously approved an order of conditions for two cabins at 68 Moore Road, issued a negative determination with soils-testing conditions for a 2,500-square-foot addition at 14 Hill Street, referred 80 and 86 Oxbow Road to outside peer review, and approved a $3,000 performance-bond refund at 12 Crest Road. Resident George Bernard protested nine years of continuances on 24 School Street.