Wayland HRDEI committee endorses climate panel's state grant bid

WAYLAND -- July 16, 2024, Wayland HRDEI committee endorses climate panel's clean-energy grant bid and delegates Sudbury Foundation grant authority. The Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee voted unanimously to send a letter of support for the Energy and Climate Committee's application for a state block grant of up to $50,000, or $75,000 with insulation work, due Aug. 16, after Co-Chair Ellen Tong said 79 percent of town emissions come from homes and transportation. Tong proposed outreach to low- and moderate-income seniors via the Council on Aging and to the Chinese-speaking community, which American Community Survey data show includes 268 residents reporting limited English proficiency. With the Sudbury Foundation's $5,000 JEDI grant due Aug. 9 and no meeting before then, members authorized Chair Karen Gimantel and member Jessica to draft an application with a town partner, with staffer John saying the money is best used "to assess a problem." The committee also approved $65.06 and $173.67 in Multicultural Festival reimbursements and honored graduating student member Carlin Gruber.