Wayland sets May 15 outdoor town meeting, fills six volunteer seats

WAYLAND -- September 21, 2020, Wayland Select Board sets May 15 outdoor town meeting and fills six volunteer seats. The board voted 5-0 to schedule the 2021 annual town meeting for Saturday, May 15, continuing through May 18 if needed, with the annual election May 11, choosing a later date to preserve an outdoor option if COVID-19 persists. In separate unanimous votes, the board appointed Steve Correa, Bill Steinberg and Christine Roberts to the Finance Committee from a field of five candidates, and Joanne Barnett, Luke Legere and John Sullivan to the Conservation Commission. Chair Cherry Carlson warned a late meeting "can't" be allowed to stretch the budget cycle. Town Moderator Dennis Berry and Electronic Voting Committee Chair Dave Bernstein, debriefing the September meeting, said the board should consider cutting per-article debate from 45 minutes to 25. The board also accepted Town Administrator Louise Miller's recommendation to award the local school roof contract to low bidder Tower Construction at roughly $1 million under estimate.