WaylandeNews.com

‘Wayland A to Z’: ‘S’ is for ‘Slavery’

Wayland Town Crier 3/11/10: 'Wayland A to Z': 'S' is for 'Slavery'. Very little is known about slaves in Massachusetts before 1700, due to poor record keeping, a lack of wills, and few newspapers to advertise slave sales or announce rewards for capturing runaways. Many of Sudbury’s settlers, along with the rest of New England’s colonists, were simply too busy clearing fields and raising livestock, dividing land, and preparing for Indian attacks to have the leisure time to write letters or journals. Thus far, only one record has been found of individual slaves or slave owners living in Sudbury before 1700. But that does not mean there were no slaves here. Slaves may have been part of Sudbury households as early as 1653, as can be inferred from town meeting records regarding the division of a new land grant. Most town freemen wanted the land to be divided equally, but a small number had a different suggestion: "The lands shall be divided by the inhabitants according to their several estates and family and counting the family to be the husband, wife, children and such servants as men have that they have either bought or brought up…" Why would this method of land division be proposed if no one in the town had an indentured servant or slave they had paid for?

DPW director urges selectmen to support new water meters

Wayland Town Crier 3/11/10: DPW director urges selectmen to support new water meters. Don Ouellette, director of Wayland’s Department of Public Works, persuasively urged the Board of Selectmen on Monday to support the installation of a fixed network system for water meter readings later this year. The measure will be up for a vote at Town Meeting in May. Water meters, Ouellette said, which were last installed in Wayland in 1996 and 1997, have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Regardless of whether the town decides to remain with its present drive-by system, or adopt newer technology, the meters will have to be replaced in the near future. In order to go to the new system, Ouellette continued, the town will need to install new boxes over the existing ones. He estimated the cost to make this replacement this summer at $621,000 and would enable readings 3-4 times/day. Savings would result from quick identification of aberrations in usage patterns, virtually eliminating undetected leaks (and resulting write-offs), and reducing personnel time dealing with complaints over excessive bills. It would also help identify meter tampering and water ban violations.

League of Women Voters sponsors important program on Lyme disease

Wayland Town Crier 3/11/10: League of Women Voters sponsors important program on Lyme disease. The Weston League of Women Voters sponsored an in-depth program on the topic of Lyme disease on March 2. A concerned audience of about 50 people heard three professionals with very different viewpoints about the tick-born disease and its affect on residents of all ages. Many questions revealed the high level of alert in the community and a growing consciousness of the problems associated with undiagnosed and untreated Lyme. Conceived by Dr. Barbara Fullerton of Weston, the evening was organized around the personal stories of Constance Bean, Wayland author of the book "Beating Lyme," Dr. Corinne Ertel, a Weston pediatric physician, and Kurt Upham, owner of a landscaping company called Oh Deer.

Local town Web sites win e-Government awards

Metrowest Daily News 3/10/10: Local town Web sites win e-Government awards. Common Cause Massachusetts will honor 180 cities and towns, including about 20 in this region, with its annual e-Government Award for municipalities that publish public documents online. Those recognized in this area are Ashland, Bellingham, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medway, Newton, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sudbury, Upton, Uxbridge, Waltham, Wayland, Westborough and Weston. Common Cause released the results of its annual survey of municipal websites today and will present its awards on Tuesday, March 16, in a ceremony at the State House. Their full report is available online here.

Residents participating in Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race

Wayland Town Crier 3/9/10: Residents participating in Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race. Philip Schneider, Terry Shirey, Robert Flanagan and Ted Fiust, all of Wayland, and Josh Kattef of Weston are among early entries for the 28th Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race in Boston on Sunday, April 25. The Run of the Charles is held to benefit the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and its efforts to protect the health, beauty and accessibility of the Charles River. For more information on registration, becoming a volunteer, or any other aspect of the race, call 508-698-6810, e-mail rotc@crwa.org or visit the Charles River Watershed Association website.

New principal of Wayland Middle School will start July 1

Wayland Town Crier 3/10/10: New principal of Wayland Middle School will start July 1. Superintendent Gary Burton has selected Elizabeth (Betsy) Gavron of Natick as the next principal of Wayland Middle School beginning on July 1. Gavron will replace John Kavaleski, who is retiring in June after serving as a Middle School administrator for 27 years. She met with the School Committee on Monday. From a pool of 60 candidates from 17 states, Gavron emerged as the individual who possessed the professional and personal skills and talents identified as essential for this position. Gavron is currently serving as the assistant principal of Wayland Middle School, after teaching mathematics there for 10 years, during which she also served as house leader for nine of those years.

Upcoming events on women’s suffrage and Fire Department history

Wayland Town Crier 3/10/10: Upcoming events on women's suffrage and Fire Department history. Next Friday, March 19 at 7pm, the story of the struggle behind women’s suffrage in the U.S. will be brought vividly to life by a screening of "Iron-Jawed Angels," starring Hilary Swank as Alice Paul, Frances O’Connor as Lucy Burns, and Anjelica Huston as Carrie Chapman Catt. The screening will take place in the High School’s Little Theater and is being co-sponsored by the Wayland League of Women Voters and the Wayland Historical Society. Meanwhile, on Sunday, March 14, the Historical Society will present Deputy Chief Vinnie Smith of the Wayland Fire Department, who will talk about the department’s history. Firefighting in Wayland really began as a private enterprise in the late 19th century, when the owners of shoe factories in Cochituate and their insurance carriers shared a common interest in protecting their physical plants. In the early days, the men themselves hauled their equipment to a fire; horses came on the scene in 1884. But the pivotal moment in the transformation of the Wayland Fire Department from a part-time, volunteer organization came with the devastating Mansion Inn fire in 1956. This beautiful Victorian structure overlooking Dudley Pond was originally built by a wealthy family as a wedding present for a young bride.

Enjoy great performances in ‘Pippin’

Wayland Town Crier 3/10/10: Enjoy great performances in 'Pippin'. Last Thursday, the young actors at Wayland Middle School were rehearsing their parts in the upcoming musical as … actors in a musical? From Wednesday to Saturday, March 10 to 13, the students will be performing their version of the popular Broadway musical "Pippin."

Trinity’s Sam Adams Climbs the Charts

Trinity Tripod 3/9/10: Trinity's Sam Adams Climbs the Charts. Ranked number five on iTunes' list of top albums at the time of press, senior Samuel Adams Wisner's "Boston's Boy" has received national recognition since its release on Thursday, March 4. Wisner, who performs under the name "Sam Adams" is a Trinity senior and tri-captain of the men's soccer team who burst onto the music scene seven months ago with "I Hate College," a remix of Asher Roth's "I Love College." The YouTube video of "I Hate College" currently has over one million hits and two thousand comments. Born in Cambridge, Mass. Wisner moved to Wayland, Mass. at a young age and graduated from Wayland High School in 2006. After graduation, Wisner attended Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS) in upstate New York. In his sophomore year, Wisner transferred from HWS to Trinity College. He found success in athletics and was placed on the All-NESCAC soccer team in 2008. At Trinity, Wisner pursed his lifelong passion for music. He began recording original rap and hip-hop in Cybersound in Boston and Westlake in Los Angeles after signing with 1st Round Records. Wisner's music quickly gained a fan base and his highly anticipated EP secured Wisner a place in the music industry. On Tuesday, Jan. 19, Wisner created a fan page on Facebook and in less than two months, the page displays over 17,700 fans. Wisner is currently in competition for popular music blog www.1ststophiphop.com's artist of the week.

120-pound loss spurs 26-mile run for vets

Wayland Town Crier 3/9/10: 120-pound loss spurs 26-mile run for vets. After Eric Knowlton's promotion, he started thinking about his shoes. At 300-plus pounds, tying his shoes in the morning was a challenge for the Wayland native who'd found the courage to go after a manager's position "I normally wouldn't have considered" after reading televangelist Joel Osteen's book, "Your Best Life Now." Knowlton said he wasn't looking for religious inspiration when he saw Osteen on TV about two years ago, but was intrigued by the book's theme, and "looking back, that was the start for me. It opened my eyes to life in general. I didn't start trying to lose weight at that point," but he did think about the open job at the Boston nonprofit where he works, and decided, "where's the harm in applying?" And when that worked out well, he began to work on himself.

Wayland Junior Warrior Swim Team wins league championship

The Wayland Junior Warriors won their tenth consecutive league championship on Saturday, March 6 at Boston University.  Details to be added later.

Wayland Athletic Director to be interviewed for Natick job on Thursday

Metrowest Daily News 3/5/10: Wayland Athletic Director to be interviewed for Natick job on Thursday. The three finalists vying to replace retiring Athletic Director Tom Lamb will be at the school next week to be interviewed by the audience. The finalists – Martha Jamieson, Robert Pearl and Michael Plansky – will each have half an hour on Thursday, March 11, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Natick High School Cafeteria to convince people they should have the job.

A true story: Trapped in a bathroom at Logan Airport

Wayland Town Crier 3/4/10: A true story: Trapped in a bathroom at Logan Airport. "Please use the bathroom before we board the plane," was the request Simon Clark’s mother asked of him. The 10-year-old Wayland native had gotten up at 4 a.m. the Friday preceding February vacation to catch an early morning flight from Logan to Salt Lake City for a family ski vacation. The men’s room was closed, so he used the family bathroom next to it. Here’s what happened, according to Simon and his mom.

Roundtable hosts talk on encouraging healthy relationships

Wayland Town Crier 3/4/10: Roundtable hosts talk on encouraging healthy relationships. In an environment where brutality, aggression and sexual expectations are embedded in virtually every form of pop culture from music to films to video games, children are in danger of committing, witnessing, and being victimized by violence at increasingly younger ages. Several years ago, the discussion centered on bullying among middle school children. Today, however, there is also enhanced awareness of dating patterns among adolescents that can be described as violent and abusive. If you’re a concerned parent or other adult interested in learning how to talk with children about bullying and dating abuse, you’re invited to join the upcoming Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable discussion about supporting young people in healthy relationships. For more information visit the Domestic Roundtable website. The event, which will focus on the dynamics of bullying and dating abuse, will be facilitated by Joanne Patterson, director of education and prevention programs at REACH (Refuge Education Advocacy and Change) Beyond Domestic Violence, headquartered in Waltham. The discussion will take place on Tuesday, March 9 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Wayland Public Safety Building.

Minuteman Regional School to make case for renewal

Boston Globe 3/4/10: Minuteman Regional School to make case for renewal. During the past 25 years, the 16 communities comprising the Minuteman Regional School District have invested nearly a half-billion dollars to renovate or build their own local schools. In that same time period, no money has been spent to improve the 31-year-old building that houses the Minuteman Career and Technical High School in Lexington. School officials and parents hope that changes this spring when residents vote on a feasibility study that will look at renovation options for the school. For the study to go forward, all 16 communities have to approve funds for the project. The study will cost $725,000, but 40 percent will be reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The towns must cover the remaining cost, with each share based on enrollment. The amounts range from a low of $1,034 a year for Dover, Lincoln, and Weston, to a high of $27,823 a year for Arlington. Most communities would pay less than $5,000 a year for the next five years to pay off the bond.

Hypnotist entrances audience at Great Presenters Series

Wayland Town Crier 3/3/10: Hypnotist entrances audience at Great Presenters Series. A former high school English teacher at Keefe Tech in Framingham, Virginia Slep of Wayland retired last year after more than 40 years. However, that doesn’t mean she’s stopped teaching. From her private practice, she now gives a different kind of instruction. As the speaker for the third event in the Wayland Library’s "Great Presenters Series," she had the audience entranced last Thursday, speaking about the potential of hypnosis as a method of alternative healing.

Residents to run for Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team

Wayland Town Crier 3/2/10: Residents to run for Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team . On April 19, Mary Kachadurian and Michael Peterson of Weston, and Kerry Peterson and Valene Yorston of Wayland, will be running in the 114th Boston Marathon to help conquer cancer as members of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC) team. To contribute or to support a runner visit www.RunDFMC.org or email the DFMC office (or call 617-632-1970).

Spring College A Cappella Concert

Wayland Town Crier 3/2/10: Spring College A Cappella Concert. The Mount Holyoke Diversions, a female a cappella group with Wayland High School alumna Jen Walsh, will perform at Wayland’s Spring College A Cappella Concert on Friday, March 26 at Wayland Middle School. Other performers will include University of Oregon’s On the Rocks and the UMass Dynamics. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Wayland Middle School auditorium. Tickets are $15 and are on sale at Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland and the Wayland High School main office. This show tends to sell out, so please buy your tickets early. The event is sponsored by the Creative Arts Parents Association (CAPA). Proceeds support performing and visual arts at Wayland High School.

Wayland resident in ‘a closer look’ exhibit in Medfield

Wayland Town Crier 3/2/10: Wayland resident in 'a closer look' exhibit in Medfield. Becky Kisabeth Gibbs of Wayland is included in the exhibit "a closer look" at the Zullo Gallery in Medfield through April 4, with her abstracted, nature-influenced oil paintings. For more information or directions visit the Zullo Gallery website or call 508-359-3711. Gallery hours are 12-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. A reception for the artists will take place Saturday, March 6, 7-9pm.

‘Weatherizing Your Home for Ultimate Savings’

Wayland Town Crier 3/2/10: 'Weatherizing Your Home for Ultimate Savings'. Saving the planet while reducing energy costs is one of the hottest topics of the day. Everywhere you look, the world is "going green." So you might want to consider arriving early to ensure a seat at the upcoming seminar "Weatherizing Your Home for Ultimate Savings," to be given by the Massachusetts Municipal Association on Monday, March 8 at 7pm at the Wayland Library. This is one of more than 100 such workshops being given statewide. Here in town, it is co-hosted by the library and Wayland’s Energy Initiatives Advisory Committee. It is also supported by Energy Unlimited, a local business providing energy conservation products, wood stoves and fireplaces, which will raffle off an item at the event. Expect the discussion to be comprehensive, covering electricity and appliances, water, heat, air-sealing and insulation, and technical and financial resources, including how to hire a contractor for in-depth alterations. It will also provide information on free MassSAVE home energy audits for one- to four-unit buildings.

Wayland resident exhibits artwork at Emerson Hospital

Wayland Town Crier 3/2/10: Wayland resident exhibits artwork at Emerson Hospital. Patients and visitors at Emerson Hospital can view local talent in the current exhibition of paintings and photographs in the hospital’s main hallway. On display currently in the Emerson gallery are photographs by John Grabill of Wayland. For the past 10 years, Grabill has taken photographs of the flora, fauna, water and sky around New England and beyond, but mostly he focuses on reflections found in puddles and in the Sudbury River near his home in Wayland and scenes in the surrounding conservation lands of Lincoln, Concord, Sudbury and Waltham.

All Ivy Women’s Swimming & Diving — 2009-10

Ivy League Sports 3/1/10: All Ivy Women's Swimming & Diving — 2009-10. UPenn Senior Melissa Gardel (WHS '06) was named to the All Ivy Swimming and Diving second team.

Runaway health costs are rocking municipal budgets

Boston Globe 2/28/10: Runaway health costs are rocking municipal budgets. A six-month review by the Globe found that municipal health plans, which cover employees, retirees, and elected officials, provide benefit levels largely unheard of in the private sector. Copays are much lower. Some communities do not force retirees onto Medicare at age 65. Many citizens on elected boards – some after serving as few as six years – receive coverage for life, too. As medical costs across the board rose over the past decade, municipal health care expenses exploded, draining local budgets and forcing major cuts in services, higher property tax bills, and billions in new debt. The cost of municipal health care more than doubled from fiscal 2001 to 2008, adding more than $1 billion in all to city and town budgets, according to state Department of Revenue data. A Globe survey of 25 communities found that they now devote, on average, 14 percent of their budgets to health care, up from 8 percent a decade ago.

Coach guides Wayland swimmers to win boys’ and girls’ championships, twice

Boston Globe 2/28/10: Coach guides Wayland swimmers to win boys’ and girls’ championships, twice. It’s not that the father wished to put undue pressure on his son. It was just a subtle reminder. OK, maybe not so subtle. Last year, Mike Foley guided the Wayland High boys’ swim team to the Division 2 state title. He coaches the girls’ team too. The girls’ meet was the next day. In between meets, Foley said, “my father pointed out that nobody had ever won the boys’ and girls’ titles in the same year.’’ The girls matched the boys’ title, and Mike Foley stood alone. His dad knew a thing or two about championships. In 35 years as the swim coach at archrival Weston High, Pete Foley won 18 state titles. His son, now with seven, is chipping away. But Pete never won a state crown with the boys’ and girls’ teams in the same year. It gets better. Last weekend, at Harvard, both of his teams repeated as state champs. “I’m still in shock,’’ said Foley.

Despite heavy rain, no roads flooded in Wayland

Wayland Town Crier 2/26/10: Despite heavy rain, no roads flooded in Wayland. Despite the heavy rains, the Sudbury River has not flooded Pelham Island Road or any of the surrounding streets in Wayland. With less rain predicted in the forecast through this weekend, Police Chief Robert Irving is hopeful there will be no major flooding problems. "The river has risen a bit, but as of now, there are no roads closed," Irving said. "With Pelham Island, we’re always watching out for it, but so far there’s no problem. We will continue to watch it carefully."

Tutwiler: limited parking to be available next year

Wayland Student Press Network 2/24/10: Tutwiler: limited parking to be available next year. At a meeting with parents and students this Tuesday, Principal Patrick Tutwiler unveiled plans for limited parking next year: roughly 130 spots for an estimated 195 senior drivers. Earlier this year, Superintendant Gary Burton said there would be no student parking due to construction of the new high school building. However, High School Principal Patrick Tutwiler, working in tandem with Wayland’s public buildings director John Moynihan and dean of students Scott Parseghian, came up with a plan to have limited parking space on campus available to students. Parking is “an important part of the senior experience,” said Tutwiler at the meeting on Tuesday. Tutwiler emphasized that the on-campus parking effort would be “focused 100% on the seniors.”

Local author shares story

Wayland Student Press Network 2/24/10: Local author shares story. In Wayland, many students pursue some form of higher education after they graduate, but many others students don’t know what they want to do after college. This often a source of frustration or anxiety. Local author Juliette Fay asks why not knowing is a bad thing. Local writer Juliette Fay came to Wayland High during Winter Week to talk about her experiences as a published author. Fay wrote Shelter Me, a novel about a recently widowed woman in a small town not unlike Wayland. As the main character, Janie LaMarche, struggles to cope with a personal loss, she finds support from unexpected sources of comfort. Shelter Me is Fay’s first published novel. A Boston College and Harvard University graduate, Fay originally entered human services and worked in the field for several years. “There was this thing at the back of my head egging me to do something different, and I didn’t really figure that out until about five years ago,” explained Fay, “It took me a while to get to the job that I was meant for.”

Extensive menu at new Thai restaurant

Wayland Town Crier 2/26/10: Extensive menu at new Thai restaurant. Aficionados of crispy rolls with sweet and sour sauce, chicken satay and beef masaman will be thrilled to hear that a new Thai restaurant, Spice & Pepper, has opened right in Wayland center, on the site of the old Benson’s coffee shop. Don’t let the fact that it’s a small place fool you. A quick count of the menu shows that, with 100 items available, it’s extensive. And this doesn’t even include the "creation corner," where you can make your own combinations from various meats, veggies and sauces. There is also roast duck, barbecued ribs with ginger garlic sauce, and soft-shelled crabs in season (May through July). With all this, during the lunch and dinner hours, cook and partner Tom Kaewsprasert is in virtual nonstop mode, preparing appetizers, soups, curries, stir fries, noodle dishes and more.

Olé for new Mexican restaurant!

Wayland Town Crier 2/26/10: Olé for new Mexican restaurant!. Olé! Viva Mexican Grill and Tequileria has arrived in Wayland. And this is certainly not your grandmother’s burrito bar. The minute you enter the establishment, the second one opened by restaurateur Carlos Mendez (the first is the award-winning Jose’s on Sherman Street in Cambridge), you get the impression of sleek sophistication, warm and glowing colors, and excellent hospitality. After passing the bar area on the left, where bartender Gilad Avital (Mendez’ second cousin by marriage) whips up Viva’s signature margaritas and other cocktails, you will enter a large dining room. The menu is extensive, ranging from starters, salads, soups and casual fare, to traditional Mexican selections and specialties from the grill. And, yes, there are burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and tacos. But there is also fresh fish, lamb, chicken breast, and slow-cooked pork loin. According to Mendez, his restaurant features authentic homemade central Mexican cuisine in the atmosphere of a Mexican country estate.

No override expected, but residents to vote on capital items

2/24/10: No override expected, but residents to vote on capital items. Wayland residents will not be asked to approve an override for fiscal 2011 due to a healthy reserve of free cash and ambulance receipts used to balance the town operating budget of $58.8 million recommended by the Finance Committee. This marks the second year in a row without an override request. A $610,000 deficit in the operating budget will be filled by taking $250,000 from free cash and $360,000 from ambulance receipts. However, voters will be asked to approve $2.35 million in capital items at the polls and at Town Meeting in May that will cause a temporary increase in the tax rate. Finance Committee Chairman Sam Peper presented the proposed FY11 budget at a public hearing on Monday.

FinCom's Budget Presentation from February 22 is available online here.

Resident files new complaint over School Committee evaluations

Wayland Town Crier 2/24/10: Resident files new complaint over School Committee evaluations. A plethora of redactions and a missing 2006 evaluation have spurred further controversy from the recent release of individual comments created for Superintendent Gary Burton’s performance evaluations from 2004 to 2009 by School Committee members. A complaint, filed with the Middlesex district attorney on Friday, requests a review of the redactions made to the evaluation comments of committee members. If it is determined the comments were "improperly suppressed," the information originally redacted may be restored. In addition, the filer of the complaint, Alan Reiss, asked for the release of School Committee member Jeff Dieffenbach’s 2006 evaluation comments, which "were not prepared at a meeting convened under the Open Meeting Law," according to the complaint.

Other Terriers on Ice

BU Today 2/23/10: Other Terriers on Ice. When the BU Curling Club got its start in 2006, “four or five of us would rent a car and come out here every Friday and just slide down the ice,” says club vice president Devina Dalmia (CAS’10). She stands outside Broomstones Curling Club, a cathedral-shaped arena hidden in the woods of Wayland, Mass., 20 minutes by bus from Boston, where the group holds weekly practices. “We would train for a couple of hours and we’d all come back happy. Now we have an entire bus.”

Make that five years in a row for girls swimming and diving

Wayland Town Crier 2/22/10: Make that five years in a row for girls swimming and diving. Last year the Wayland girls swimming and diving team graduated the first class to win four years in a row, a group of six seniors that many teams figured were the reason why the Warriors had so much success. Senior captain Emily Wright understood the pressure. "There was a little pressure going into this meet. We (graduated) a lot of seniors last year who scored a lot of points for us, but we knew this going into it. We trained long and hard for this and were ready for the challenge," Wright said. After graduating all of the first state champ team members from 2006, Wayland proved its ongoing strength and enthusiasm on Sunday when the Warriors won for the fifth year in a row, a feat that few can ever own.

Moderator Institutes Change in Town Meeting Rules and Regulations

We received the following from Moderator Peter Gossels regarding Town Meeting Rules and Regulations:
Those of you who attended the November 18, 2009 session of our Special Town Meeting, or saw it on television, will recall that I made a controversial ruling in response to a request by more than seven voters that I recount a [...]

Wayland Club On The Strategy Behind Curling

WBZ TV 2/19/10: Wayland Club On The Strategy Behind Curling. Once every four years the spotlight shines on the Olympic sport of curling. We see teams sliding heavy stones down a lane of ice, furiously sweeping in front of the stone. Curling is a bit of a mystery to most, but at a club in Wayland, curling has been king for more than 40 years. It's called the Broomstones Curling Club. With their own indoor ice facility and a ton of enthusiasm, members play every day. "It's a game like chess on ice," says Gordon Swan, who has been playing for 50 years.

Division 2 Swimming: A perfect five for Wayland

Metrowest Daily News 2/22/10: Division 2 Swimming: A perfect five for Wayland. It was a different group of girls, but the same result as the Wayland swimming team won its fifth consecutive Div. 2 state championship on Sunday evening at Harvard's Blodgett Pool. Last year's senior class was the one that started the championship run as freshmen in 2006, but the team did just fine without them as the Warriors scored 223 points to edge out Weston's 202 points on the night.

Wayland girls Div. 2 swim champs

Boston Globe 2/22/10: Wayland girls Div. 2 swim champs. Wayland’s swimmers are drowning in championships. A day after the boys beat the field, the girls devastated the competition to take their fifth consecutive Division 2 state title yesterday at Harvard’s Blodgett Pool. “I’m real proud of these girls, they performed really well today,’’ coach Mike Foley said. “We hung on and held off Weston once again, and they just keep charging at us.’’ Wayland amassed 223 points, while Weston finished second with 202. Marblehead (115), Duxbury (112), and Northampton (95) rounded out the top five.

Schools roundup: Wayland boys swimming team takes Division 2 state title

Metrowest Daily News 2/21/10: Schools roundup: Wayland boys swimming team takes Division 2 state title. Mike Ren knew his Wayland swimming team needed a big performance as he prepared to jump into the pool for the 100-yard breaststroke, the second-to-last event of the Division 2 boys state championships yesterday at Harvard.

Wayland finds a way to keep its crown

Boston Globe 2/21/10: Wayland finds a way to keep its crown. The chants of “Foley! Foley! Foley!’’ were too much to ignore, so without hesitation, Wayland coach Mike Foley leaped into Blodgett Pool yesterday to join his team in celebration of its second straight Division 2 state boys’ swimming championship. Wayland (154 points) held off Dual County League rival Weston (141) and Bishop Feehan (131). Although Weston was close the entire meet, Wayland wins in the 200-yard medley relay and the 200-yard freestyle relay helped it maintain the lead. Wayland placed first in two other events, the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke. Weston defeated Wayland twice this season – once during a dual meet and again during a DCL meet.

Slippery rocks: It was far from a sweeping success in her curling debut

Boston Globe 2/19/10: Slippery rocks: It was far from a sweeping success in her curling debut. My introduction to curling started at the Broomstones Curling Club in Wayland, a cozy facility that feels like a cross between a ski lodge and hockey rink. The Scottish plaid carpeting, a nod to the sport’s European origins, [...]

Girls swim to sectional crown

Wayland Town Crier 2/16/10: Girls swim to sectional crown. The Wayland girls swimming and diving team had a solid start with the medley relay at last weekend's North Sectional Meet at MIT en route to the team title.

‘Wayland A-Z’: ‘S’ is for ‘Simpson Estate/Mansion Inn’

Wayland Town Crier 2/19/10:  ‘Wayland A-Z’: ‘S’ is for ‘Simpson Estate/Mansion Inn’. Could Michael H. Simpson have known the mansion he was building in 1880 on the corner of West Plain Street and Old Connecticut Path was on the site of an ancient cremation cemetery? Probably not.

Community welcomes TD Bank branch

Wayland Town Crier 2/19/10:  Community welcomes TD Bank branch. Judging from the buzz on a recent weekday morning at TD Bank’s new location at the intersection of routes 27 and 30 in Wayland, "America’s Most Convenient Bank" has arrived. The 3,000-square-foot "store," as TD likes to call its branches, opened last month, and customers are already streaming in to make deposits and withdrawals or to speak with staff about loans, safe deposit boxes, investments or insurance. Or staying in their cars to use the handy drive-through facility.

Wayland and Sudbury continue to pursue ideas for sharing services

Wayland Town Crier 2/18/10: Wayland and Sudbury continue to pursue ideas for sharing services . In an effort to come up with new cost saving solutions, the towns of Sudbury and Wayland are considering sharing a variety of services from library programming to advanced life support services. Through consolidation, "there are some opportunities to be able to improve services," said Wayland Town Administrator Fred Turkington. If consolidation saves money and improves the quality of services, "It’s all right for everybody." One consolidation effort – a shared recreation director – is already working in favor of both towns.

Challenges of consolidating transfer stations in Wayland and Sudbury

Wayland Town Crier 2/18/10: Challenges of consolidating transfer stations in Wayland and Sudbury. Not everyone is pleased with the idea of consolidating transfer stations in Sudbury and Wayland. Among those with concerns is Peter Harvell, a member of the Solid Waste Management Option Committee, which had been considering solid waste disposal options for Sudbury. "We never heard the town mention the transfer consolidation when we studied options for solid waste disposal," said Harvell. "All of sudden there comes this regionalization thing that was never brought to the attention of the committee." Harvell questions if money can be saved with consolidation. Last week, Sudbury selectmen announced they are examining the feasibility of consolidating the Sudbury station with Wayland. One idea is to have the two stations share services. The stations are currently open in both towns on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The new schedule may have Sudbury open on Tuesday and Wayland open on Thursday, with the stations in both towns opened Saturday, said Board of Selectmen Chairman Bill Keller.

Town receives perfect credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service

Wayland Town Crier 2/18/10: Town receives perfect credit rating from Moody's Investors Service. Despite the crippled economy, the town of Wayland received a perfect credit rating from Moody’s Investor Service late last month. Moody’s Investors Service conducts research and analysis of commercial and government finances, and assesses the credit worthiness of borrowers. The rating indicates "the continuing confidence of independent evaluators of the town’s fiscal condition, management and long-term financial planning," said Town Administrator Fred Turkington. He said the purpose of the rating process is to give investors a comfort level when they are purchasing bonds. According to the Moody’s report, the town’s rating is based on a number of factors including "substantial wealth levels that greatly exceed commonwealth medians," and a healthy financial position. The town has also "demonstrated strong voter support for operating overrides and has a modest debt burden that is expected to remain very manageable." "Wayland’s financial strength has improved significantly due to management’s conservative approach to budgeting revenues and managing expenditures," the report said.

Caraway’s says goodbye to Wayland center

Wayland Town Crier 2/18/10: Caraway's says goodbye to Wayland center. Caraway’s, located near the center of town, has been a part of the Wayland scene for 25 years. Ownership of the café changed 10 years ago, when Michael and Joan Franklin bought it, with the small local diner becoming established as a community watering hole. Its imminent departure will certainly leave a void in the town’s social scene. The closing is currently scheduled for Monday, Feb. 22, to make space for the relocation of CVS Pharmacy. Most of the Caraway’s staff, in turn, is moving with the Franklins to the couple’s Franklin Caterers at the Pinefield Plaza, 1 Nicholas Road, Framingham, a short drive from Wayland.

Bernard Lee, poker spokesman for Foxwoods

NECN 2/18/10: Bernard Lee, poker spokesman for Foxwoods. Bernard Lee of Wayland, Massachusetts is a nationally known poker player. He's won $1.3 million playing cards, was the top New England finisher in the 2005 World Series of Poker. Lee writes for the Boston Herald and co-hosts a weekly poker show on ESPN.com. He has just been hired as the poker spokesman for the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. Before playing poker professionally, Lee had a job in marketing, and explains how his career has come full circle.

Wayland wins Division 3 wrestling title

Boston Globe 2/18/10: Franklin wins Division 1 wrestling title. The Division 3 championship went down to the wire, as Wayland (25-4-1) nipped Pembroke, 28-27, in a match that was decided by the heavyweights. Abe Freedberg held off Nick Morey, 7-5, at 285 pounds, giving his team the three points needed for the title. “We came close the last two years, so to wrap it up my senior year is unbelievable,’’ said Freedberg. “I beat him before, so I knew a little bit about him. He gets tired fast, so I knew that if I got to the third period with him I could win it.’’ Wayland received an early 12-0 boost when Carter Shearer and Ryan Malloy pinned their opponents in the opening matches.

Seventh- and eighth-grade students at Junior District Festival

Wayland Town Crier 2/16/10: Seventh- and eighth-grade students at Junior District Festival. The Wayland Fine Arts Department proudly announces that 29 of its musicians will be participating in the 2010 Eastern District Junior District Festival on March 5 and 6 at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Seventh- and eighth-grade members will include, David Dines (mixed chorus), Andrea Vogt (orchestra), Yun-Jae Lee (orchestra), Emma Conroy (mixed chorus), Tori Gitten (mixed chorus), Gene Barton (mixed chorus) and Eli Bucher (mixed chorus), Andrew Chen (orchestra), Katherine Wang (orchestra), Darby Douros (mixed chorus), Lizzy Wells (treble chorus), Jennie Paik (orchestra) and Allen Horine (orchestra); Jonathan Qu (orchestra), Brendan Murphy (mixed chorus), Jesse Hoopes (orchestra), Nick Hebert (mixed chorus), Theo Hieronymus (mixed chorus), Isaac Greenawalt (band), Rachel Hawley (orchestra) and Isabel Pongratz (orchestra).