Wayland wastewater plant nears finish line on summer overhaul

WAYLAND — September 8, 2025 — Wayland's wastewater plant finishes summer overhaul but chases mystery power glitches. Operations Manager Jared Cotton told the Wastewater Management District Commission on Monday that new fine screens, recoated tanks and a cleaned-out equalization basin are essentially complete, pending a communications box to link the screens to SCADA. The unfinished link has driven up water use, and Administrator Sarah Pawluczonek said roughly $5,700 in extra cost will be charged to the $526,000 capital project, which still has about $44,000 unspent. Cotton reported intermittent power issues have twice reset the plant's PLC; member Darrin Bock, citing his own field experience, said he suspects grounding problems. DPW Director Thomas Holder said town counsel has been engaged on the Oxbow fats, oils and grease violations. Terrain's $128,556 privilege fee will help offset Route 20 conveyance design borrowing.