Wayland Finance Committee backs $9.4 million capital budget, defers two articles

WAYLAND — March 16, 2026 — Wayland Finance Committee unanimously backs $9.4 million capital budget and clears the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Vice Chair Carl Barnes led the 6-0 vote on a fiscal 2027 capital plan funded by $6,331,507 in levy taxation, $2,189,766 in free cash, $692,277 in capital closeouts, $105,000 from the ambulance fund and $100,000 from capital stabilization, part of a $122,382,803 omnibus budget. The committee deferred recommendations on Article O, the personnel bylaw and wage plan, and Article OO, Route 20 West multi-family zoning, citing missing figures and unresolved Planning Board questions. Member Iris Hoxha said of Article O, "How could I possibly support something when I don't understand?" Barnes also disclosed that the state denied Wayland's revolving-fund application for the long-term water supply project, scoring it at roughly half the 500 points needed, with appeals underway and water rates potentially rising 35 to 40 percent.