Wayland committee backs both herbicide and hand-pulling for Heard Pond

WAYLAND -- February 3, 2026, Wayland's Surface Water Quality Committee approved a dual attack on Heard Pond water chestnuts. Members voted 3-0 to contract for both Clearcast herbicide application and hand-harvesting this season, with scope capped by a roughly $30,000 budget. Chair Thomas Klem is drafting an RFP for the herbicide work; hand-pulling falls under the town's $10,000 RFP threshold. Klem said he will proceed under the Conservation Commission permit despite no response from U.S. Fish and Wildlife about treating waters inside the Great Meadows refuge boundary, "the other reality is it will never, ever be checked," member Thomas J. Largy said. On Dudley Pond, a consultant survey found ProcellaCOR unnecessary in 2026. The Select Board has signaled it may consolidate the standalone committee under another town body. Member Carole Plumb resigned, citing her work for The Wayland Town Crier.