Wayland DPW board pushes for outside review of underperforming PFAS plant

WAYLAND — November 19, 2024 — Wayland DPW board demands second opinion on PFAS plant running at 55 percent of design capacity. Vice-Chair Michael Wegebauer, presiding Tuesday, pushed back on vendor ECT2 over the Happy Hollow treatment system, which has produced roughly 550 gallons per minute versus a promised 900 gpm for more than two years. "I think we need to have another look at this," Wegebauer said. Director Tom Holder reported the town paid $101,000 to run the MWRA emergency connection for 50 days this summer and confirmed the $34 million permanent connection carries an FY27 placeholder. A new MassDOT inspection found "considerable deterioration" at the Sherman Bridge, prompting Holder to accelerate a $70,000 design request and a $500,000 FY27 construction request, split with Sudbury. The board voted 5-0 to authorize the 2024 water-lien letter; ending transfer-station cash stands at $232,000.