Wayland HRDEI Committee tables Multicultural Festival budget pending revisions

WAYLAND — November 19, 2024 — Wayland HRDEI Committee delays vote on $33,000 Multicultural Festival budget, citing scope concerns. Member Ya Wu presented a draft showing the committee's share at $19,354 — up from roughly $16,000 last year — driven mostly by about $13,700 in tent, table and chair rentals for a Town Green event jointly planned with Arts Wayland. Treasurer Heather Pino warned the jump from last year's $12,000 town contribution was "a pretty large ask" and urged organizers to return with a combined sponsorship-and-town figure. Members pushed back on the proposed six- to seven-hour length, with Jessica Schendel noting the gap between "covering a table for four hours and covering a table for a whole day." The committee separately voted 10-0 to approve a Human Rights Day statement for its Dec. 10 event, pledging to "promote the basic human rights" of those who live, work, learn or worship in Wayland.