Wayland Public Works approves $1 million Kleinfelder design contract for MWRA connection

WAYLAND — September 19, 2023 — Wayland Public Works greenlights $1 million Kleinfelder design contract in 4-1 sole-source vote. The Board of Public Works on Sept. 19 approved Phase 1A of the engineering and permitting work for the town's planned MWRA connection, drawing roughly half of the $2.016 million Town Meeting appropriated for design. Member Michael Wegebauer voted no, objecting that "it's sole source" and arguing a project this size should be competitively bid; member George Uveges countered that a one-year rebidding delay would cost more than $1 million in construction inflation on the projected $20 million project. DPW Director Tom Holder said the 18-month scope would produce cost estimates for both hybrid and full-MWRA supply scenarios in time for an April Town Meeting funding article. The board also limited the Oct. 14 shredding event to Transfer Station sticker holders and raised Holder's water-abatement authority to $5,000.