Wayland Finance Committee unanimously opposes remote town meeting article

WAYLAND — February 15, 2023 — Wayland Finance Committee unanimously opposes article affirming remote town meeting legislation. The 5-0 vote on Article HH came despite town meeting having authorized the home-rule petition in 2021; members said the unknown future cost of a remote-voting platform, layered on top of roughly $60,000-per-meeting handheld voting, could not be justified amid a looming operating override. Member Pam said she was "torn," praising expanded access but asking whether Wayland should be on the "leading edge or the bleeding edge." The committee also voted 5-0 to back Article X, relocating a 1965 town easement at 51 Millwood Lane where a homeowner's addition encroached seven feet, and 5-0 to back Article A rescinding unissued debt tied to a failed Army-property bid. Town counsel advised that tapping sale-of-real-estate reserves for debt service requires only a majority vote.