Wayland’s Board of Public Works invites public comment on the proposed Wellhead Protection Plan on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Building. The draft Wellhead Protection Plan, which is on the DPW page of the Wayland town website (www.wayland.ma.us/Pages/WaylandMA_DPW),  identifies potential sources of contaminants in our drinking water supply, prioritizes the risks to the water supply, and provides strategies to mitigate or eliminate those risks. The Wellhead Protection Plan was the culmination of much hard work by the Wellhead Protection Committee and was prepared with the assistance of the Mass Rural Water Association. The Wellhead Protection Plan is part of the town’s continuing efforts to protect all sources of drinking water and to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for all residents.

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.