Happy April, I hope your spring is off to a wonderful start!

April is off to a busy start with several upcoming events and initiatives hosted by several Town Departments and Boards/Committees, such as Household Hazardous Collection Day, Public Forums on Annual Town Meeting Articles, Ribbit Ranger Program, and several family-fun events hosted by Wayland250! I encourage the community to attend these events. Learn more about these and additional upcoming events in the rest of the newsletter!

The Town of Wayland is conducting a short survey to better understand how residents currently manage their trash and recycling and how households might respond to potential future service options. Your responses will help the Town evaluate current waste disposal practices and inform future planning. Individual responses will remain confidential, and results will be reported only in summary form. Please share your input by completing the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RWGKDMD

The Town of Wayland is pleased to announce the Town has been awarded $1.4 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, administered through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) towards completing the Snake Brook Dam Rehabilitation Project. This project will address several structural deficiencies and bring the 150-year-old dam into compliance with engineering and safety standards.

Additionally, the Town is officially certified as a Climate Leader Community by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. Wayland is now one of the 35 communities with this distinction.

With Annual Town Meeting in about a month, I encourage residents to visit our Moderator's webpage to watch a new informational series on how to navigate Wayland Town Meeting. Please visit Annual Town Meeting Video Series.

Lastly, my next office hours will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Building, 41 Cochituate Road. Please stop by to say hello, ask questions, or express areas of interest/concern.



I hope you have an excellent and safe April! 

Sincerely,

Frances Perkins: A Woman’s Work, April 10, 7 p.m. | First Parish Wayland, 225 Boston Post Road.

Brought to you by Wayland250.

Join us for an inspiring and professional one-woman, one-act play that tells the story of the first woman to hold a Cabinet position—Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. As the primary architect of FDR’s New Deal legislation, Perkins gave us Social Security, the 40-hour work week, a minimum wage, child labor laws, and more.

She was instrumental in both the Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA put 26 million workers back to work on projects around the nation, including right here in Wayland, where New Deal projects included improvement work on the Cochituate Fire Station, the Dudley Pond Bathing Beach, the Old Town Hall, and work on Wayland’s roads and waterworks.

Presented by Jarice Hanson, Professor Emerita of Communication, University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is also a member of Actors’ Equity (AEA) and the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG-AFTRA). In addition to her scholarly research, she has written documentaries and hosted/produced public television programs.

FREE EVENT! Register by clicking button below!

Public Forum Regarding 25 Holiday Road Article| April 13, 7:15 p.m. | Town Building and Zoom.

Hosted by the Select Board.

The Select Board invites the community to attend a public forum to discuss Article 16: 25 Holiday Road – Appropriate Funding for Preliminary Design and Engineering Study and Appraisal that will be considered at 2026 Annual Town Meeting.

25 Holiday Road is a 13.72 square acre parcel of land, currently in the care, control, and custody of the Wayland School Committee. The property was acquired in 1956 as a potential site for a new school, but has remained undeveloped. It has been identified for a variety of potential uses including, but limited to, active or passive recreation, town use, including as the site for a future school or for the development of housing.

The article seeks to determine whether the Town will vote to appropriate $200,000 under the joint direction of the Select Board and School Committee for studies, planning and analyses relative to the determination of site suitability for the potential sale or redevelopment.

This public forum will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the property, the town meeting article, and to ask questions.

The public forum will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. in the Wayland Commons Room (formerly COA Room) at Town Building, 41 Cochituate Road. For those who cannot attend in-person, a virtual option will be available via Zoom. A Zoom link will be made available on the Town website the day of the meeting at https://www.wayland.ma.us/public- body-meeting-information-virtual-inperson-and-hybrid.

"1776", The Movie Screening | April 15 | 1PM

Enjoy a free community film screening of “1776” at the Council on Aging Community Center. This award-winning musical dramatizes the debates and personalities behind the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Reserve your seats by calling the Council on Aging at 508-358-2990.

Fire Hydrant Painting Resumes!

Hosted by Wayland250

Put your creativity to work and make some public art on a Wayland fire hydrant. Individuals, families, groups, and organizations can register to paint a fire hydrant (or more than one) to celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary. Paint kits are available, or use your own.

To register, simply select a hydrant that isn't already painted (or more than one) and email Select Board member Tom Fay at tfay@wayland.ma.us. Tom will send you the guidelines and the agreement for hydrant sponsors to sign.

The Tracing Liberty series continues in April highlighting Sleeping with the Ancestors by Joseph McGill. Join our book talk on Wednesday, April 1, 7 P.M. in-person (Wayland Free Public Library) and via Zoom!

Mark your calendars to join us on Sunday, April 26, 9AM at Historic District, Wayland Museum, 12 Cochituate Road to explore history in our green spaces.

This series is free and open to all. Registration is required. Walks will be family friendly and scavenger hunts will be made available for those who attend.

Register for our April and future events by clicking the button below!

The Town of Wayland and Wayland Museum and Historical Society are excited to launch Tracing Liberty: History Talks and Nature Walks in collaboration with Wayland250 and Wayland Free Public Library, celebrating 250 years of America. Funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.

Long Term Water Supply Forum

Join us for a presentation and open discussion on the Long Term Water Supply Project, which is necessary to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to residents.

Learn more about the Annual Town Meeting Article to be voted on this year in relation to the project construction funding.

Hear from the Board of Public Works, Town Staff and Engineers on this important Town investment regarding the provision of drinking water. This is an opportunity for residents to ask questions regarding the project, $7 million fee waiver and the upcoming warrant article.

📅 Tuesday, April 7

⏰ 7:00 P.M.

📍 COA/Community Center, 8 Andrew Ave, Wayland, MA 01178.

Time to Brush Up on MS4 Best Management Practices for Landscapers and Businesses

As we start to celebrate the renewal of Spring the Wayland Department of Public Works reminds our dedicated landscaping and business community about the crucial MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) Best Management Practices (BMPs) as we prepare for this growing season.

• Native Plantings: Prepare for post-winter landscaping that supports stormwater management, like planting deep-rooted native plants for better absorption and filtration.
• Grass Clippings: Let grass clippings drop on the lawn, instead of using a grass catcher. The clippings act as a natural fertilizer.
• Erosion Control: Ensure erosion control measures are in place, especially around construction sites, to combat the effects of melting snow.
• Piles of Soil: Cover exposed piles or bags of soil, groundcover and other materials with plastic sheeting to prevent it from blowing or washing into the storm drain system.
•  Nontoxic Fertilizers: Use nontoxic alternatives instead of traditional pesticides and fertilizers.
•  Hazardous: Do not put pesticides or fertilizers in the trash. Dispose of hazardous materials through a hazardous waste hauler or take them to a household hazardous waste collection site to be recycled. 
• Wise water use: Control the amount of water and direction of sprinklers, to avoid waste and runoff. 

Let’s Protect Wayland's Waters Together: Your actions make a difference!

For more information about calculating fertilizer quantities and get soil tested, check out our webpage: Wayland DPW Stormwater.

Calling all Ribbit Rangers!

As we enter spring, we are looking at prime conditions for amphibians to begin their migration to vernal pools. Crossings could happen all over town, possibly right in your neighborhood. We’d like to identify the biggest crossing spots so we can send volunteer teams where they’re needed most.  

Check the Conservation department’s website for information on where to sign-up, safety guidelines, maps, and how to report your observations.

Let’s help our amphibian neighbors make it safely across the road! 🌧️🐸

📷 Photo Credit: S. Fischer

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

The Wayland Health Department will host a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Wayland DPW Garage, 66 River Road. This event will allow Wayland residents to safely dispose of hazardous waste materials. 

Drop-off is by appointment only and registration is required. Registration is now open and can be done online here: https://forms.office.com/g/qNFm15STZX. Additionally, registration forms can be found at Health Dept or Transfer Station.

The event is open and free to all Wayland residents. To view the detailed list of accepted and non-accepted items, please click the button below!

Naloxone (Narcan) Availability in Wayland

Naloxone (also known by the brand name Narcan), is a safe, life-saving nasal spray that reverses opioid overdose. The Town of Wayland participates in the Community Naloxone Program, making naloxone available to the community (residents and non-residents), free of charge. Getting naloxone into the hands of community bystanders aims to prevent death from opioid overdose. The Wayland Health Department invites and encourages but does not require those seeking naloxone to meet with the Town’s public health nurse (mcarter@wayland.ma.us; 508-358-3617) for support with how to use naloxone, to review what resources are available to you or your loved ones, or to discuss related questions or concerns.

Here are ways to get naloxone in Wayland:

• Town Building at 41 Cochituate Rd (pictured below); indoors in the hallway outside of the Health Department; during business hours
• Public Safety Building at 38 Cochituate Rd; indoors near the main building entrance; 24/7
• Wayland Co-Response Clinician, Lauren Keating; during working hours or Social Worker Drop-In Hours at the Wayland Free Public Library on most Tuesdays, 5-7pm – see library calendar; lkeating@wayland.ma.us
• Call/text the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline 24/7 at 800-327-5050 and ask where you can get naloxone

No Changes to Recommended Vaccines in Massachusetts 💉

The Wayland Health Department and Board of Health would like to provide clarification regarding recent updates to the federal childhood immunization schedule. You may have seen recent reports indicating that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had modified its universal recommendations for several childhood vaccines.

The Wayland Health Department, Board of Health, and Wayland Public Schools remain committed to promoting and protecting the health and safety of our community. We align our advisements with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), which continues to strongly recommend a full range of vaccines to protect individuals and children of all ages from preventable diseases and severe illness. MDPH’s vaccine recommendations are guided by the most current science and driven by evidence and data. The state’s recommendations align with those of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative and leading physician professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. There are currently no changes to the state-mandated vaccinations required to attend school in Massachusetts.

We encourage every individual, parent and caregiver to discuss their own and their child’s immunization status with their primary healthcare provider during their annual physical exam to ensure they are fully protected.

MDPH provides vaccine information for the general public here.

You may also view the full list of state requirements on the Mass.gov School Immunizations page.

Become a Metro West Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer!

The Metro West Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a unit of the national MRC and maintains a group of volunteers to support public health across local and regional communities. Both licensed medical professionals and non-medical volunteers are welcome! MRC volunteers are able to participate in a variety of no-cost trainings to develop skills in health promotion and emergency preparedness and response.

For more information or to apply, please email metrowestmrc@amoroc.com or visit https://region4ab.org/mrc/metro-west-mrc.  

Keep Yourself Safe from Ticks!

The start of spring also means the start of tick season. Residents should protect themselves from tick bites by checking your body, clothes, and pets for ticks, leave minimal amount of skin exposed (i.e. tuck pants into socks when outside), walk on trails and avoid tall grass, use deet-based repellent and wear close toe shoes and light-colored clothing.



Did you know Wayland has joined a tick testing program through the Great Meadows Public Health Collaborative? This program can help Wayland residents learn what disease causing microbes in a discovered tick may be carrying. If you are bitten by a tick, use tweezers to grab tick and slowly pull upward. Immediately clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Save the tick for testing if possible, place in sealed bag and label with name, date, and site of bite. 

For more information on the program, click here!

Meghan Bouffard has joined WFPL as the new Programming and Reference Librarian, and her first day was March 9!

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies from Keene State College and a Master's in Library and Information Science from Simmons University. Her previous work experience includes serving as the Information Services Librarian at Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough, MA for the last 6 years, and prior at Wellesley College in multiple roles including business analysis and student records. Meghan is a collector of hobbies and will try any art or craft at least once. She's a huge movie fan, and loves reading and watching horror, especially stories involving witches, crumbling haunted manors, and dark twists on folklore. She lives in Marlborough with her husband and two cats, Luna and Fran. 

Please stop by and introduce yourself to Meghan!

Welcome Officer Jen Stroller!

On Monday, March 16, the Select Board held a swearing-in ceremony for Wayland's newest police officer Jen Stroller.

Officer Stroller began her Field Training Officer (FTO) Program as a patrol officer.

Congratulations to Officer Stroller and Welcome to Wayland!

💊 The Wayland Police Department is proud to support National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 💊

This important initiative helps prevent medication misuse and protects our community by providing a safe, secure way to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. Take a few minutes to clean out your medicine cabinet—proper disposal helps reduce the risk of accidental poisoning, misuse, and environmental harm.

We encourage all residents to check their homes for unwanted medications and dispose of them safely. Together, we can help keep our community safe.

The Wayland Opioid Task Force in collaboration with SAFE Great Meadows will host a free event on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 6:30 - 8pm! Tired of Thirsty Thursdays? Have you been looking for a third space to connect with people that doesn't center around drinking? You're not alone. There's never been a better time to explore alternatives to alcoholic beverages. Join us for "No Proof Required" - an evening of conversation and mocktail tasting with Dry Humor, an Easthampton non-alcoholic bottle shop. Hosted by the Wayland Opioid Taskforce and SAFE Great Meadows. More details and registration here: https://tinyurl.com/noproofrequired 

Are you interested in treatment for a substance or alcohol use disorder, but finding a detox facility that takes your insurance seems like a daunting task? The Wayland Opioid Taskforce has compiled a list of detox facilities in Massachusetts, including which MassHealth plans they accept. Find the list in the Public Safety Building lobby next to the Naloxone, or outside the Health Department in the Wayland Town Building. 

Does your loved one suffer from a substance or alcohol use disorder, and they pose a threat to themselves or others? Get more information about a Section 35. You can grab an info packet at the Public Safety Building or Health Department.

Contact the Co-Response Clinician with the Wayland Police at LKeating@wayland.ma.us, or go to: www.mass.gov/section-35. 

Happy April from the Sustainability Department

Spring into action by taking these 2 steps to improve your family’s carbon footprint!

Spring is finally here, and so are your Q4 Real Estate & Personal Property tax bills—they’re on their way, so keep an eye on your mailbox! If you don’t receive yours by the end of the week, no worries—you can easily download and pay at CityHallSystems.com, or send us an email and we’ll be happy to help: treasurer@wayland.ma.us.

If you applied for an abatement or exemption and it was approved by March 16, 2026, you’ll see that adjustment on your bill. If it was approved after that date, the change is in our system, but a new bill won’t be sent out but will be reflected in the “due now” balance on City Hall Systems. We have received several payments since the bill file was sent for printing so if you’ve made a recent payment, that won’t be reflected on your bill. Reach out if you have any questions.

Motor Vehicle Excise tax bills were due on March 25th. If you own a vehicle and didn’t get a bill, please reach out by phone or email—we’re here to help! Demand fees will be applied & notices will be going in the mail in a couple weeks. The 2^nd Excise tax file from the RMV will be processed in a couple weeks as well so if you’ve been looking for the bill on that new car, it should be in the mail by 4/21, and due by 5/21.

Finally, we saw an increase in the number of online bill payments sent by banks lacking sufficient information to easily apply to tax bills. When that happens, we need to take extra steps to locate the bill# that you’re paying. Please remember to update your memo when utilizing your online banking service & don’t forget to allow adequate time for that check to be delivered by the USPS before the due date otherwise interest accrues each day.

Wishing you a wonderful spring! 🌷

2026 Annual Town Election | April 28, 2026

Nominations for the 2026 Annual Town Election have closed, and the ballot has been sent to the printers. If you have requested a vote-by-mail ballot for the upcoming Annual Election, it will be mailed to you this week.

To view a draft of the ballot, click HERE or the button below!

Municipal elections shape our community - from schools and services to spending priorities - so participating ensures your voice is part of those decisions.

2026 Vote-by-Mail Applications

The Town Clerk’s Office has received over 1,400 vote-by-mail applications for 2026. With 3 elections scheduled this year, residents who wish to vote by mail can find the application HERE or submit the request online HERE.

Please note that there will be no in-person early voting for the Annual Town Election.

The last day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot for the Annual Election (4/28) election is April 21 at 5:00 PM - postmarks do not count!

2026 Annual

Town Census

Wayland currently has an 85% return rate for the Annual Town Census. Thank you to the residents who have already submitted their census forms. Returning the census ensures that you remain active on the voter list and avoids additional paperwork when voting.

If you still have your 2026 census form, it is not too late to return it. However, in April, residents who have not returned the census will be marked inactive on the voter list, which means additional steps will be required when voting.

Annual Dog Licensing Registration 🐶

Thank you to everyone who has registered their dog(s). Since early December, the Town Clerk’s Office has registered 1,450 dogs. However, we are aware of at least 315 dogs that still require registration. If you have not yet registered your dog, please do so as soon as possible. Residents age 70 and older receive their first dog license free of charge, but registration is still required.

Serve your community with flexibility. The ZBA seeks an Associate Member to participate as available and assist with voting when a quorum is needed. Associate Members are appointed by the Select Board for three-year terms and participate in ZBA proceedings in accordance with state law.

Learn more on how to apply here: Wayland Board/Committee Vacancies