Wayland HRDEI Committee approves Disability Pride Month statement, seats three new members

WAYLAND — July 15, 2025 — Wayland's HRDEI Committee seated three new members and reelected its officer slate. Chair Karen Blumenfeld, Vice Chair Heather Pino and newly elected Treasurer Denise Fortin were each approved unanimously; the clerk seat remained open after no member volunteered. Mariam Libdy, Sarah Sutton and Fortin were welcomed as new members, bringing the panel to nine voting members. The committee unanimously approved a Disability Pride Month statement drafted by member Kevin Brandon marking the 35th anniversary of the ADA, with amendments replacing periods with commas and adding "and the needed supports" to the first bullet. Members previewed an Oct. 8 hate-crimes forum with Middlesex DA Marian Ryan from 6:30 to 8 p.m., a Sept. 27 Good Neighbor Day co-sponsorship with the library, and the inaugural Oct. 4 Wayland Fest backed by $9,500 in town funding.