Wayland Energy Committee adopts EV-first vehicle purchasing policy

WAYLAND — July 10, 2024 — Wayland Energy and Climate Committee unanimously endorses EV-first town vehicle policy. The 4-0 vote, with Tom Sciacca moving and William Huss seconding, advances a draft policy aligning Wayland with state climate-leader criteria and inserting Sustainability Manager Abigail Shoup into department vehicle decisions. Co-chair Ellen Tohn told the committee, "We've got to reduce the friction here." Shoup also reported Town Manager Michael McCall signed the Loker Elementary solar PPA on June 27, with projected savings exceeding $350,000 over 25 years, and confirmed a $144,000 Eversource make-ready rebate for Council on Aging EV chargers that will leave the town with roughly $24,000 in out-of-pocket costs on a $180,000 project. Members are choosing among $75,000 for Town Hall attic insulation, a revolving loan fund, or Chinese-language outreach for a federal block grant due Aug. 16.