Wayland wastewater panel backs $320,539 retained-earnings draw for FY27

WAYLAND — January 12, 2026 — Wayland wastewater commission backs $320,539 retained-earnings draw to soften FY27 rate hike. The Wastewater Management District Commission voted 3-0 on Jan. 12 to include up to $320,539.36 from retained earnings in Town Meeting's Article E, a placeholder cap rather than a spending commitment. Administrator Sarah Pawluczonek said the move, built on roughly $200,000 in new privilege-fee revenue, would hold the rate increase to 9.85 percent and User Charges to $585,000, versus a 14 percent hike and $650,000 projected a year ago. The draw covers a $144,000 debt-service gap, full small capital and contingency, and $35,000 toward a treatment-facility study. DPW Director Tom Holder called it "the highest level of retained earnings that we might use." Member Darrin Bock moved; Chair Mike Gitten seconded; Ed Chiang concurred. About 5,000 gpd of design flow remain available.