Wayland energy committee answers open-meeting complaint, hears canopy pushback

WAYLAND -- June 6, 2023, Wayland committee fields solar canopy pushback, settles open-meeting complaint, urges emissions review of transfer station. Residents of 4, 5 and 6 Lillian Way told the Energy and Climate Committee on Tuesday that the proposed solar canopies at the Council on Aging would stand roughly 20 feet tall and about 50 feet from their homes, with abutter Chris Hill faulting planners for not consulting neighbors and Susan Flicop calling the structures "industrial looking." The committee voted 5-0 to authorize member Ann Harris to respond to an open-meeting-law complaint by resident George Harris over use of the acronym "EECBG" on a March 15 agenda. A separate 4-0-1 vote, with Tom Sciacca abstaining, asked the Board of Public Works to include greenhouse-gas emissions in any future transfer station study. Sustainability Manager Abby Shute reported the town is pursuing a $98,000 Eversource rebate tied to Loker Elementary heat pumps, and that the Wayland Saves Energy campaign has engaged 231 households.