Town Sets July 30 Public Meeting on 195 Main Street Environmental Site
The town has scheduled a public meeting for July 30 on environmental conditions at 195 Main Street, the former DPW garage site, while separately seeking a resident volunteer to serve on a Fire Department Staffing Working Group — two moves that put public process front and center heading into summer.
TOWN HALL
The town posted notice Tuesday that a Public Involvement Plan meeting will be held July 30, 2026, for the 195 Main Street site, the former Department of Public Works garage on Main Street that has been vacant while environmental testing continues. The meeting is designed to give residents an opportunity to engage in the cleanup planning process.
Also posted Monday, the town is looking for one volunteer to fill a seat on the Fire Department Staffing Working Group, a body reviewing recommendations from a recent staffing study of the department. Interested residents are encouraged to apply through the town's website at https://www.wayland.ma.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=80.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Wayland Museum & Historical Society has a pair of events tied to its current "Little Liberties" exhibit and its ongoing Tracing Liberty series in the days immediately ahead. On Saturday, June 27, the museum hosts a family-friendly "Reading Frederick Douglass Together" storytime from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. A full public reading of Frederick Douglass's "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" follows on Tuesday, June 30, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to all. The museum is located at 12 Cochituate Road.
The Wayland Free Public Library reminds patrons that summer weekend hours take effect this Saturday, June 27: the library will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and closed Sundays through August 29. Today, Wednesday June 24, the library's Summer Reading Program — themed "Plant a Seed, Read" — is underway, having launched June 15.
The Vokes Players are gearing up for their summer production of *Over the River and Through the Woods* by Joe DePietro, directed by David Berti, running July 24 through August 8 at Beatrice Herford's Vokes Theatre, 97 Boston Post Road.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Wayland Residents To Get Update On Former DPW Garage Testing" — Wayland Patch reports that residents will receive an update in July on environmental testing at the vacant 195 Main Street property, a story the town's News Flash also covered this cycle (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wayland/wayland-residents-get-update-former-dpw-garage-testing).
"Wayland Looking For Volunteer To Join Fire Staffing Review" — Per Wayland Patch, town officials are seeking one resident to join a working group that will review findings from a recent Fire Department staffing study, mirroring the town's own announcement (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/worcester/wayland-looking-volunteer-join-fire-staffing-review).
"Wayland Eatery Offering Summer Prix Fixe Menu" — A Wayland restaurant is offering a limited-time seasonal prix fixe dinner menu this summer, per Wayland Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wayland/wayland-eatery-offering-summer-prix-fixe-menu).
COMING UP
- **June 27** — Wayland Museum & Historical Society: "Reading Frederick Douglass Together — Family Storytime," 10:30–11:00 a.m., 12 Cochituate Road (free, all ages) - **June 27** — Wayland Free Public Library summer weekend hours begin; Saturdays 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Sundays closed through Aug. 29 - **June 26** — Library outdoor program: Sing with Erica from Parody Playhouse, Hannah Williams Park, 71 Main Street (babies to age 6 with caregivers; register at waylandlibrary.org) - **June 28** — Wayland Museum "Tracing Liberty" Walk, Wonder, and Discover nature walk, 9 a.m., Dudley Woods Trail, Pond Drive & Doran Road - **June 30** — Wayland Museum & Wayland Free Public Library: "Reading Frederick Douglass Together" public reading, 7:00–8:30 p.m. (free, register at waylandlibrary.org) - **July 1** — Wayland Museum "Tracing Liberty" online/in-person talk: Selections from the Experience Wight Richardson Diary (1728–1782), 7 p.m., Wayland Free Public Library and Zoom - **July 30** — Public Involvement Plan (PIP) Public Meeting for 195 Main Street site (save the date) - **July 24–Aug. 8** — Vokes Players: *Over the River and Through the Woods*, Beatrice Herford's Vokes Theatre, 97 Boston Post Road