Wayland Town Meeting adopts moderator's Finance Committee appointment plan

WAYLAND — May 15, 2022 — Wayland voters reject Select Board, back moderator on Finance Committee appointments. Town Meeting on Monday approved Article 21, 58-41, creating a three-member appointing authority — the moderator, the Select Board chair, and a former Finance Committee member chosen by the moderator — after defeating the Select Board's competing Article 20 by 27-72. Outgoing Moderator Dennis Berry, presiding over his 12th and final town meeting before successor Miranda Jones takes over, argued a sitting Finance Committee chair would exert "undue influence" over members seeking reappointment. Select Board member Adam Gutbizal countered that the moderator's plan limited the candidate pool to roughly 16 residents. Voters also approved a $99,726,007 operating budget 114-18, a $5.46 million capital plan 105-14, and authorized pursuing Massachusetts Water Resources Authority membership 162-6 to capture a $7 million connection-fee waiver.