Wayland Select Board endorses joint mask advisory for essential businesses

WAYLAND -- April 17, 2020, Wayland Select Board backs joint mask advisory and accepts fiscal 2019 audit. Meeting remotely April 17, the board voted 5-0 to issue a joint advisory with the Board of Health strongly recommending face coverings for staff and customers at grocery stores, pharmacies and takeout restaurants, after Town Administrator Louise Miller's office cited April 15 Attorney General guidance that towns "can encourage" but not require coverings. Member Doug Levine, who pushed the motion, said he was "trying to just think about ways we can be conservative." Auditors Scott McIntyre and Alina Korsak of Melanson Heath reported an unassigned general fund balance of $12,882,925, about 16.1 percent of revenues, and four management letter findings including a health insurance withholding deficit of $150,000 to $200,000. The board also extended the property tax exemption deadline to May 1 after the Board of Assessors received 35 applications, two filed late.