After reviewing the agenda and receiving public comment.  Selectmen will conduct a public hearing on the application of Sandy Burr Country Club to permit sale of beer on the golf course during tournaments.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., the Board will discuss possible modifications to the mitigation agreement for the Danforth Green housing project off Old Connecticut Path just over the town line in Framingham.  Recent interest in reducing the size of the project and offering new benefits to both towns are tied to requests for changes in the mitigation plan.  Input from several boards and citizens who participated in negotiations of the 2005 agreement will be heard.

Later, Selectmen will consider creating two temporary advisory committees.  The first panel will review the proposed amenities and layout of the town green to be constructed at the Wayland Town Center development.  The second group will include stakeholders involved with Wayland Cares program, reviewing programs to determine which might continue if no new grant funds are secured when the current funding expires in 2013.

The Board will review the status of various articles submitted for inclusion in the 2012 Annual Town Meeting Warrant.  It is customary that the text of some articles are modified to achieve stated goals and meet legal requirements during the vetting process that is ongoing through the printing of the Warrant in mid-March.

Selectmen will then consider the consent calendar and review correspondence before listening to the weekly report of the Town Administrator and previewing of the schedule and agenda topics for the next several meetings.  Selectmen will then offer their reports and concerns, including an update on continuing efforts to improve financial reporting and discuss issues related to the construction of Town Center.

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room.

Fred Turkington
Town Administrator

This post was submitted by Kathryn109.

The Wayland Public Schools METCO Program presents the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Community Celebration “A DREAM FULFILLED”
Featuring Vocalist Katani Sumner

Time:  Dinner 6:00–7:15 featuring the WMS Jazz Band/ Program 7:30–9:00
When: Friday, January 20, 2012 
Where: Wayland Middle School, 201 Main St., Wayland (RTE. 27)
Please join us as we celebrate in this community event and participate in a raffle, bake sale and Children’s Crafts.

Please bring a dessert: Last name A-L for Bake Sale Table; M-Z for Dinner Table

Please complete the form below.

If you have any questions, please call Rena at the METCO office (508) 358-3755

            ***********************************************************************************

                                                MLK Dinner Reservation Form  

Please reserve_____ chicken, rice, salad, drinks

Please reserve_____ 2 slices of pizza, salad, drinks

            Chicken dinner $10.00 per person, Pizza dinner $6.00 per person

            Dinner includes admission to the program. Program only–$5.00 per person

            Please return no later than January 13, 2012

Tickets are also available at the door, but reservations are preferred and advantageous if you want the chicken dinner.

Please send/enclose your check made payable to: Boston Parent Council.

41 Cochituate Rd., Wayland, MA  01778 or email it to rena_santillo@wayland.k12.ma.us

          Name___________________________Tele.#________________

          We need volunteers for the night, will you help? Call (508) 358-3755

Sponsored by: Wayland METCO Program and Boston Parent Council.  Coordinated by Wayland METCO Program

December 21, 2011 marks the end of a little more than a half-century of memorable learning experiences in the current facility.  On January 3rd, we shall begin making new memories in a markedly improved, state of the art facility – one that every student who attends Wayland High School deserves.  While we’re eager to move in, settle in, and start maximizing use of the many bells and whistles, we are particularly mindful of  this unique opportunity to reflect on who we are as a school community.  Who are we and what are the ties that bind us together?  This is a big question to which there are many fitting answers.  However, there is a particular strand we want to highlight as we prepare for this momentous move: respect and empathy.   There many wonderful aspects of the Wayland High School culture, yet respect and empathy are foundation pieces of who we are.  Now is the perfect time to strengthen our foundation. 

The strongest of school cultures are those shaped and nurtured by educators and students in a collaborative fashion.  Accordingly, we intend to proceed with strengthening our foundation with a partnered approach.  BATHE (Being A Teenager is Hard Enough) is a student action group whose focus is to promote respect and understanding among the student body.  BATHE has morphed from a club to a course offering peopled by nearly 40 students representing the diversity of Wayland High School.  Last year, the group spent considerable time focusing on the anti-bullying effort.  This year, the group’s primary focus is to take full advantage of the grand opportunity the move to the new facility presents.  BATHE has been hard at work planning for major event on January 5th.  The event is titled Rachel’s Challenge.   

Rachel Scott was among the student fatalities in the Columbine incident in 1999. Her parents later discovered her sincere intentions to have a positive impact on the world through the contents of six diaries she left behind.  Rachel’s intentions have become the foundation of one of the most profound school culture programs in the country.

The mission of Rachel’s Challenge is “to inspire, equip and empower every person to create a permanent positive culture change in their school, business and community by starting a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.”  They carry the mission and the message forth via an hour-long presentation to the entire student body.  Sustaining the message of respect and empathy beyond the presentation is key.  Accordingly, immediately following the formal presentation, there will be a training session involving close to 100 students and members of the faculty.  The training equips attendees with the tools and the know how to sustain the momentum created by the assembly.  As Rachel’s Challenge puts it, “The assembly creates the ‘want to’ or desire for positive change. The training session teaches the ‘how to’ and ensures that the positive impact will continue.”  

So many of the values of the school and aspects of its culture are reinforced in homes and in the broader community.  Accordingly, Rachel’s Challenge will lead an evening presentation for parents and community leaders on the same day (7pm start time).   Much of the presentation highlights that which student will experience in the morning presentation.  The facilitators will go a step further in making recommendations on how parents and members of the community can reinforce the message. Kindly mark your calendars now.

Sincerely,

McKenna Kiefer, Grade 11
Jen Mast, Guidance Counselor
Patrick Tutwiler, Principal

The Board of Selectmen will meet on Monday, December 5 in Town Building.

After reviewing the agenda and receiving public comment, Selectmen will meet jointly with the Finance Committee to hear a presentation by Melanson & Heath, the town's auditors.  The firm will present the financial statements and results of the audit for FY2011, as well as offer recommendations to management for improved financial management practices.

Next, the Selectmen will meet with the chairs of the Library Board of Trustees and the Council on Aging.  The committees are seeking approval of a peer review of the feasibility study for a joint facility to be built on the municipal parcel at Town Center, including an evaluation of the constraints on the site that might limit flexibility in the design of the building.

The Board will meet with representatives of Russell's Garden Center to learn more about the frequency of one-day wine tasting events held as part of the winter farmer's market and safeguards for the sale of alcohol at such events.  Later, Selectmen will discuss the specifications for electronic voting for the tentative dates for the 2012 Annual Town Meeting.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., the Board will receive an update from leaders of the Economic Development Committee on their initiative to consider a housing development, some of which to be affordable, on town-owned land under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works on Boston Post Road adjacent to the transfer station.

After considering the consent calendar and reviewing correspondence, the Board will hear the weekly report of the Town Administrator featuring an update on pending projects and a preview of agenda topics for the next several meetings.  Selectmen will then offer their reports and concerns, including discussion on the proposed increased financial reporting initiative.

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room.

At the recent Special Town Meeting (STM), the 818 residents in attendance overwhelmingly voted to fund our town’s operating budget with an additional $4 million in free cash. The petitioners who submitted this article did an excellent job of crafting a message and gathering support for it.  Although our board had recommended a lower amount, we are committed to implementing the approved approach. 

First, our Board interprets the free cash vote as more than a simple transfer of cash from one account to another. Rather, the vote represents an affirmation that the stagnant economy requires even greater diligence by elected and appointed officials to control taxes.  As homeowners, all of us understand the difference between wants vs. needs. We will insist upon a renewed emphasis on such an approach in the budgeting process. For example, our Board will be cautious in considering the scope, magnitude and timing of the capital projects that have been discussed in town for the past few years, such as a new DPW building, new athletic fields, and a new senior center/library.  Although we will seriously consider the idea of postponing significant capital expenditures, the favorable bidding and borrowing climate should not be dismissed, nor can we ignore situations like the current DPW garage which presents serious environmental and safety challenges that will require investment.  Like all operating and capital spending, however, it will be town meeting attendees who decide. 

Moreover, we will also continue our search for ways to reduce the rate of tax growth. The FY2012 budget reflects tighter estimates of anticipated revenue.  The Finance Committee will work with departments and committees to improve the predictability of expenditures.  The result of this effort will be lower turn backs. However, this effort will also reduce our flexibility to respond to unforeseen circumstances.  Voters at the Special Town Meeting spoke loud and clear of their desire to reduce our free cash balance and consider appropriations as each is presented.  

Second, it is clear voters desire improved reporting relative to the town’s finances.  While extensive financial information has been available on our town website for some time, even more information is expected.  Toward this end, our Board will soon consider adopting permanent requirements relative to financial reporting, beyond what is now provided to residents, consistent with best financial management practices, consultant recommendations, and the fine work in this area by our peer towns.   In addition, we will work closely with other boards to evaluate and, if prudent, reduce reserve balances in the Town’s various funds.   

Third, as our Board has stated repeatedly, responsible commercial development is critical to lessen the residential tax burden.  At long last, Town Center is underway.  This project will bring significant new revenues to our town.  We look forward to working with the owners of the Finnerty’s site in Cochituate when they approach the town soon seeking necessary permits for retail development. We also applaud the Economic Development Committee’s out-of-the-box thinking in proposing senior housing on Route 20, adjacent to and including the former septic facility. This plan would bring market rate and affordable apartments to Wayland, while providing millions of dollars of commercial revenue to the town.  As other opportunities arise, we will explore them as well.  We plan to do this while being mindful of the desire to preserve our town’s semi-rural character. 

Fourth, we will also look for other ways to reduce spending.  The Finance Committee has already begun requiring tighter revenue and expense budgets.  This should reduce turn backs, which had previously led to growth in our free cash balance. Moreover, we will work closely with other boards to minimize high reserve balances in the Town’s various funds.  This process is already underway with the Board of Assessors and the overlay reserve.  

Finally, we will continue our practice of working with residents to explore new ways to better serve the public.  Many have worked very hard to understand the complexities of municipal finance.  This knowledge will be invaluable as we progress through the upcoming years.

We would like to thank all those who attended the recent Special Town Meeting. It is important for us to understand our citizens’ needs.  For those of you who didn’t attend, the decisions made at town meeting have, as we stated in our last article, “… far-reaching effects.” We understand this challenge and we accept the charge your vote represents. 

The Board of Selectmen
November 28, 2011

A truck, described as a roll-off dumpster, maroon or reddish brown in color, struck the traffic signals at the intersection causing extensive damage to the signals and causing the loss of power to the traffic signal equipment.  This resulted in a traffic jam for vehicles travelling on Commonwealth Road (Route #30) and Main Street (Route #27).  The truck left the area without stopping. 

Police ask anyone that may have witnessed this accident to contact Off. Tyler Castagno of the Wayland Police Department at 508-358-4721.

7:30pm. The main venue is full, and the auditorium has been opened for additional seating.

7:32pm. Alan Reiss is making the motion under Article 1.
7:43pm. Stan Robinson is making the main con argument against the motion
8:09pm. Article passed on a voice vote

Article 2: A motion to pass over the article was passed unanimously on a voice vote

Article 3: The Lead Petitioners are making the main motion in support of their article, Donna Bouchard, Tony Boschetto, Kim Cook and Kent George.

8:26pm Cherry Karlson is presenting the main argument against the article.

Tom Fay made a motion to amend the motion under Article 3, to reduce the amount to be taken from Free Cash to $2.25 million

Tony Boschetto is making the main argument against the amendment

The amendment was defeated on a voice vote.

John Dyer made an amendment to reduce the amount to 3.3 million, which failed on a voice vote

The vote on the main motion passed on a voice vote.

Article 4 was passed over. Meeting adjourned at 9:32

818 voters in attendance this evening.

The Board of Selectmen will meet on Monday, November 14 in Town Building.    

After reviewing the agenda and receiving public comment, Selectmen will consider the consent calendar and review correspondence. 

At 7:30 p.m., the Board will conduct the Special Town Meeting Warrant Hearing.  This public hearing is an opportunity for the public to ask questions about the Warrant, town meeting procedures, or to pose questions to the Moderator or any of the proponents of the four articles to be consider at the Special Town Meeting.  Requested information relevant to the discussion on the articles will be compiled and posted on the website prior to town meeting and also made known at town meeting.  A copy of the Warrant and supplemental information can be accessed by clicking http://www.wayland.ma.us/Pages/WaylandMA_Selectmen/stm2011 

Following the Warrant Hearing, Selectmen will discuss the Warrant and supplemental mailing prepared by the Finance Committee, and review new information about each of the four articles.  Following discussion, the Board will vote their recommendations to citizens on each of the articles. 

Later, the Board will hear the weekly report of the Town Administrator featuring an update on final logistics for Special Town Meeting, consideration of expanding the intermunicipal agreement with Sudbury for recreation services, and a preview of agenda topics for the next several meetings.  Selectmen will then offer their reports and concerns, including discussion regarding the schedule for office hours in December and consider whether to extend the charge and appointments of the Operational Review Committee to December 22, 2011 and the Dudley Area Advisory Committee to April 30, 2012.

The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Large Hearing Room.

Due to the truncated schedule caused by the petitioned call for Special Town Meeting, the Finance Committee has prepared this supplemental information to allow residents to more fully consider additional information related to the articles that will be considered at town meeting.

As predicting turnout at town meeting is more art than science, and in anticipation of heightened interest in the article topics, the Town is preparing to open the Middle School auditorium as a second venue (with audio/video services to assure full participation) should attendance exceed 800 citizens. Because parking could not accommodate crowds in excess of this size, shuttle bus service will be provided between Town Building and the Middle School beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Novmber 17 through the conclusion of town meeting that late that evening. Residents are encouraged to car pool with neighbors and those living north of Boston Post Road should consider the shuttle service.

The Board of Selectmen will conduct the Special Town Meeting Warrant Hearing on Monday, November 14, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Large Hearing Room in Town Building. This public hearing is an opportunity for the public to ask questions about the Warrant, town meeting procedures, or to pose questions to the Moderator or any of the proponents of the four articles to be consider at the Special Town Meeting on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 7:30pm in the Wayland Middle School gymnasium (and auditorium if crowds so require). Requested information will be compiled and posted on the website prior to town meeting and also made known at Town Meeting.

As recently as 2006, Wayland’s free cash levels dropped to dangerously low levels—about 2 percent—in part because we used large amounts of free cash to help pay for our operating budgets several years in a row to avoid raising taxes beyond the 2 1/2% allowed under Proposition 2 1/2.  This was not a good long-term strategic plan.

• Maintain current service levels.
• Continue to plan for no operating overrides through FY2015 or later.
• Reduce free cash levels steadily until we meet our 5 -10% target.
• Reduce the FY2012 tax rate to provide immediate tax relief. The Finance Committee is supportive of immediate tax relief in FY2012 that takes into account the impact on Town services and future tax increases. 
• Tighten future revenue estimates. We implemented tighter revenue budgets that will track actual revenues more closely, thereby reducing that source of free cash generation.
• Minimize expense budget increases.   Expense turn backs reflect good cost control by departments, and although it is difficult to estimate employee turnover, utility costs, and many other variables, we are implementing processes to more accurately forecast these amounts. For at least the seventh consecutive year, we have already given guidance to Town departments to continue flat or decreased non-personnel budgets or to provide a detailed and compelling case as to why an increase is needed.
• Continue to use free cash to minimize increases in the tax rate beyond the amount allowed under Proposition 2 ½. For future years, we plan to avoid large swings in the tax rate in any particular year through measured and targeted use of free cash.
• Closely monitor build-ups in reserve accounts and discourage boards from accumulating excesses. We expect to achieve this goal through improved and more frequent financial reporting as has already been planned as a result of The Abrahams Group review and the Operational Review Committee’s recommendations.

On Saturday, October 29

Anyone may anonymously drop off prescription drugs at the Wayland Public Safety Building for proper disposal during the four hour time period established by the Drug Enforcement Agency.  Last year, during the four hour period, nearly two hundred members of the public turned in 175 pounds of prescription drugs.  These drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposal.

With sincere thanks,
The Magura Family

This post was submitted by Mandibrucemagura.

The Board of Selectmen has scheduled the State of the Town meeting for Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Large Hearing Room, Town Building.  This fall's topic is capital projects and community priorities.  The format will feature brief, prepared remarks from boards and department directors expected to sponsor major capital building projects in the next 3-10 years.  These projects include:  library and senior/community center at Town Center municipal pad; replacement DPW maintenance facility; and construction of multi-purpose athletic fields throughout town.  After an overview of the projects and a presentation by the Finance Committee on the status of the town's existing debt repayment schedule and potential tax impact of the proposed projects, citizens will break into small discussion groups to discuss their priorities with Selectmen and other town officials facilitating the discussions.  Each of the small groups will report to the meeting with a summary of the thoughts expressed.

For background, see the Town's FY2012 capital budget and the Finance Committee's December 2010 capital and debt presentation (especially pp. 15, 19-21) online here

Fred Turkington
Town Administrator