Wayland Select Board readies December ballot question on DPW debt reclassification

WAYLAND — October 20, 2025 — Wayland Select Board sets December ballot push to reclassify DPW debt and dodge fiscal 2027 override. The board, chaired by Carol B. Martin, will formally place the question on Friday and tentatively hold a public forum Dec. 1; reclassifying the remaining Department of Public Works building debt as excluded would free roughly $700,000 in levy capacity. The Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend the change, citing Moody's reaffirmation of Wayland's AAA rating. Separately, members voted 5-0 to accept an $884,000 state grant for the Snakebrook Dam but deferred a $295,000 construction-administration contract with Paré Corporation; Town Manager Michael McCall said he is "becoming less and less optimistic" about a long-pending $1.4 million FEMA hazard mitigation grant and expects to proceed alone on the $2.5 million project. The board also unanimously approved transferring the 302 Commonwealth Road package store license from Liquor World to Liquor Hub.