Wayland energy committee nears sustainability manager hire after months-long search

WAYLAND — March 15, 2023 — Wayland Energy and Climate Committee closes in on first sustainability manager hire. Co-Chair Ellen Tohn told the panel Wednesday the town has extended an offer to a finalist with construction management and grant-writing experience and a master's in sustainability, with Facilities Manager Ben Keller estimating the hire will be finalized within "three weeks to a month." Abutter Jeff Ranney of 6 Lillian Way urged the committee to fix water and icing problems at existing solar canopies before adding more at the new Council on Aging building, calling the runoff "unbelievable." Keller said the COA design will add gutters and underground drainage omitted from earlier installations on cost grounds, and credited existing canopies with saving roughly $100,000 a year. The committee also reported 76 of 179 households tracked under Wayland Saves Energy have scheduled or completed work since December, and voted 4-0 to approve Feb. 8 minutes.