Wayland wastewater commission backs $1.08 million FY27 operating budget

WAYLAND -- December 15, 2025, Wayland wastewater commission backs $1.08 million FY27 budget, orders fresh capacity study. Chair Michael Gitten and member Darrin Bock voted to support the $1,084,541 spending plan, up from roughly $953,000 in FY26, with instructions for staff to revise contractual and professional services to add a facility capacity study estimated at $35,000 and additional SCADA support before the Jan. 12 meeting. DPW Director Thomas Holder cited higher water, legal and contract costs; Operations Manager Jared Cotton reported new mixers brought nitrates back in compliance "almost overnight" after operators also raised the RAS rate from 84 to 130 gallons per minute. The commission accepted a roughly $70,000 privilege-fee check from Hastings Way and reviewed a draft 21 Cochituate Road application carrying an estimated $134,000 privilege fee for 2,400 gallons per day of new design flow. "I do think we do need to see what kind of motorcycle we're driving," Gitten said.