Wayland Select Board reallocates $599,878 in ARPA money from Snake Brook Dam

WAYLAND -- November 4, 2024, Wayland Select Board reroutes nearly $600,000 in ARPA money to beat federal spending deadline. The board voted 4-0 Monday to move $599,878 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the Snake Brook Dam project to public-safety radio and records capital accounts, with Finance Director Brian Keveney explaining the freed free cash will be recertified and returned to Snake Brook in the fiscal 2026 capital budget, restoring full funding of $2.9 million. Town Manager Michael McCall said the swap avoids forfeiting money that must be obligated by Dec. 31 and spent by December 2026: "The last thing we want to do is get money back to the feds." Separately, McCall promoted financial analyst Kelsi Power-Spirlet to assistant town manager. The board also voted 3-0-1 to direct McCall to oversee an Economic Development Committee survey on Route 20 zoning, with Planning Board input due Nov. 15; member Christopher Reynolds abstained. Pauline Cesari was reappointed to the Senior Tax Relief Committee and Rick Capasso appointed to the Board of Registrars.