Wayland DPW board votes to split $35 million water debt between taxes and rates

WAYLAND — October 21, 2025 — Wayland DPW board recommends splitting $35 million in water debt between taxes and rates. The Board of Public Works voted 5-0 Tuesday to send the Select Board a proposal funding a $22 million MWRA connection through real estate taxes and a roughly $14 million Happy Hollow plant rebuild through water rates, with PFAS litigation proceeds applied to debt service. DPW Director Tom Holder said the town has received $200,000 from DuPont with another $600,000 expected this month and a 3M settlement pending, projecting more than $2 million total. Chair George Uveges said a fully rate-funded plan would push the average residential bill from $623 to roughly $1,100 and warned of "a 74 percent water rate increase." The board separately approved 4-1 two motions by Michael Wegebauer locking retained earnings and long-term capital borrowing into the warrant. Holder also told residents a revised Sherman Bridge deck design responding to Oct. 9 workshop feedback will post by Oct. 29.