Wayland panel selects Turner, Perlman for civic awards at town meeting

WAYLAND — March 12, 2025 — Wayland committee names Turner and the late Perlman for civic awards. The Public Ceremonies Committee voted unanimously March 12 to give the Gossels Award to Chair Richard P. Turner and the Lydia Maria Child Award posthumously to David Perlman, a longtime youth-sports volunteer who died unexpectedly Feb. 14. Turner recused himself during deliberations on a field that also included former town moderator Dennis Berry. Member Cynthia Miller praised Turner for work that "buttons it all up behind the scenes." Member Joseph Berkowitz, who submitted Perlman's late nomination, told the committee roughly 500 people attended Perlman's funeral and called the award his "only shot." Wayland Junior Warriors swim coach Jeanie Downs, a second Child Award nominee, will carry over to 2026. The town moderator has limited both presentations to a combined five minutes at the April 7 annual town meeting.