The Friends of the Rail Trail monthly meeting is intended to inform, and drive progress with the trail.   We will start with an update on Wayland's progress, then open for questions.  We will then discuss the action plan for both our short term objective (removing the tracks and creating a three mile soft surface path across Wayland), and our long term objective (a 26 mile hard surface trail).  

• Improving safety, and developing a trail maintenance plan for the existing trail
• Working with DCR to begin removal of tracks and ties
• Planning events on the Wayland trail and visiting other rail trails
• Working to improve the Friends website and overall communication

If you would like to help, but can't make this meeting, please email Larry Kiernan at larrykiernan04@gmail.com or call at 508-358-2568.  You can sign up for our newsletter at www.waylandrailtrail.org

Have you ever thought about tutoring someone in English?  Most people who decide to become tutors are thinking of the good it can do, helping others become more proficient in English and better able to cope with employment, landlords, schools or the medical profession.  But then they discover the rewards, the satisfaction that comes as progress is made and a relationship develops that enriches both learner and tutor.  Tutors often speak of their pleasure in learning about another culture and their greater appreciation for the challenges facing those who are adapting to ours. 

Because of the constant demand for tutoring, all available tutors are now working with students, and the next tutor-training course has been scheduled.  Program director Ginny Steel is currently enrolling prospective tutors for the five-session course that starts on February 29.  The class will meet in the Raytheon Room at the Wayland Library on five consecutive Wednesday mornings, from 9:30 – 12:30.  No prior knowledge of a foreign language is needed, just an openness to other cultures and the desire to share your knowledge of English.  The training is free, although it is necessary to purchase a textbook for about $20.   

For more information or to enroll in the tutor-training course, you can phone Ginny Steel at 508-358-7517 or email her at virginia@thesteels.com.

SOAR 55 is currently accepting applications from former and current (part-time) executives/professionals with marketing or development expertise who are available to help local nonprofits with management projects through the award winning SOAR 55 Nonprofit Management Consulting Group program, generously funded through the Tufts Health Plan Foundation. The group works in teams of 3 on assignments lasting 6-9 months and requiring approximately 20-25 hours a month when on assignment. Qualified candidates will be interviewed and those selected will participate in a comprehensive 45-hour training program over an 8-10 week period beginning in November. Ongoing support is provided while on assignment.  

This is an opportunity to use your skills, connect with others in a purposeful endeavor and to make a difference in your community.

Please contact Jan Latorre-Stiller at 617-969-5906, ext 120 or at jlatorre-stiller@ncscweb.org. Please visit us at www.ncscweb.org/programs/soar55.

SOAR 55 is a program of Newton Community Service Center, with a satellite office at the Framingham Public Library, and part of a national network of volunteer agencies mobilizing adults 55 and over to contribute their skills and experience to help strengthen and expand the capacity of local community service organizations in Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Newton, Wayland, Wellesley and Weston

The school council, including the school principal, shall meet regularly and shall assist in the identification of the educational needs of the students attending the school, make recommendations to the principal for the development, implementation and assessment of the curriculum accommodation plan, and shall assist in the review of the annual school budget and in the formulation of a school improvement plan.

Please nominate someone (or yourself) to serve by visiting http://www.happyhollowpto.org/parentresources/schoolcouncil.html and filling out the form today!  Nominations will be accepted until October 11th.  Nominees are asked to submit a paragraph about themselves to: happyhollowpto@gmail.com. 

This post was submitted by mollyfaulkner.

Water chestnuts are an invasive species that just a few years ago completely covered many parts of the pond from shoreline to shoreline. In 2003, there were 1.2 million pounds of the weed harvested, and in 2010 just 427 pounds of plants. This dramatic decrease cannot be taken for granted, since water chestnut seeds may have a seven- to 12-year dormancy in the sediment, and complete eradication for a number of harvesting seasons is required to bring the infestation under control.

Lycott Environmental employees Travis Williams and Jake Duncan were out on the pond recently, harvesting the very difficult to reach southwest shoreline.

The town of Wayland has contracted out this type of work, while a Surface Water Quality Committee volunteer effort will remove the weeds in the easier to wade portions of the pond along Pelham Island Road.

Please email Tom Largy, the project manager for Heard Pond or call him at 508-358-4646 if you would like to volunteer or just discuss invasive aquatic weeds in general, since Largy has literally seen millions of them in recent years.

In related news, the Board of Public Works at its meeting on June 20, 2011, voted to dissolve the Wellhead Protection Committee and establish a new Wellhead Protection Advisory Committee in view of the evolving roles and responsibilities related to wellhead protection efforts. The newly formed advisory committee will develop and make recommendations on strategies necessary to protect our water supply and encourage community involvement on water resource protection issues through public outreach and education. The Wellhead Protection Advisory Committee will report to the Board of Public Works and make recommendations on wellhead protection issues. The advisory committee will be comprised of five members appointed by the Board of Public Works for staggered three-year terms.  Any interested residents are encouraged to submit letters of interest to Jon Mishara, Chair of the Board of Public Works, at jmishara@comcast.net on or before July 15, 2011.

This post was submitted by mollyfaulkner.