Wayland Public Works advances $38 million water warrant funded entirely by ratepayers

WAYLAND — December 16, 2025 — Wayland advances $38 million water warrant after Select Board pushes full cost to ratepayers. The Board of Public Works voted 5-0 Tuesday to send the renamed "Wayland Long-Term Water Supply Construction Funding" article to the Finance Committee, with Chair George Uveges saying he was "more than disappointed" the Select Board rejected a split between water rates and taxation. Vice-Chair Michael Wegebauer warned a Proposition 2½ exclusion route would trigger a ballot election and confuse voters. The project will be financed through a 0 percent state revolving fund loan with an administrative fee under 1 percent, with the contract expected to be signed in October. Debt service in the water enterprise fund is set to rise from $4.9 million to $6.2 million in FY27. DPW Director Tom Holder said roughly $1.5 million in PFAS settlement money from DuPont and 3M is expected over 10 years, with $678,000 already received.