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Non-Profit Highlight
Dignity Matters
Mission: Dignity Matters’ mission is to assist homeless women and girls by providing underwear and feminine hygiene products when they need them most. Through our action we support women in regaining self-confidence and dignity by helping them stay healthy and clean.
Waylandenews Executive Director Kim Reichelt is a member of the Wayland School Committee
Wayland News
News in the past week
* Stories on the racist incident at the Wayland-Westford girls basketball game:
* Fall out continues in Westford over racist taunts of Wayland girls’ basketball player. Racist taunts aimed at a Black Wayland High School girls’ basketball player during a recent game at Westford Academy have prompted Wayland officials to pull their teams from any spring games against Westford, according to letters sent by school leaders.
* Wayland Basketball Player Targeted With Racial Taunts Speaks Out. A Wayland High School basketball player said students at Westford Academy began taunting her before their words became racist and hurtful. Saniyyah Phillips said she loves basketball but isn’t sure she will ever feel the same on the court again.
* Feds Rule Against Protect Sudbury Group In Transmission Line Case. A key federal board has ruled against a Sudbury group seeking to stop an Eversource utility line project in town, the latest in a series of legal setbacks for Protect Sudbury Inc. In a Feb. 1 decision, the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) denied Protect Sudbury’s request to declare that a former MBTA rail line has not been abandoned. Eversource is planning to use the east-west railroad corridor to bury transmission lines between Sudbury and a substation in Hudson.
* Parmenter of Wayland grants $236,000 to support MetroWest non-profits. The Parmenter Foundation, a Wayland-based charitable organization providing support for end-of-life care and bereavement services, announced $236,000 in new grants to MetroWest Boston nonprofit organizations offering programs and resources in the areas of grief support and hospice care.
HDSA Curling For A Cure Takes Place March 5. The Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s (HDSA) Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter will be hosting Curling For A Cure on Saturday, March 5 at 11:30am at Broomstones Curling Club in Wayland. The event will recognize those who have made an impact in their community while inspiring others to join the fight against Huntington’s disease. Event Link: https://massri.hdsa.org/events/curling-for-a-cure
Domestic Violence Roundtable Collects Valentine Donations for Families in Shelter. Each February, the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable collects items for Valentine’s Day and fills gift bags for women, men and children temporarily living in local domestic violence shelters and transitional housing programs: REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence. The Valentine Bags are decorated by the children from Sudbury Extended Day.
Members of our local communities are cordially invited to participate in this collection again this year. We welcome your donations, but due to Covid 19 restrictions and social distancing, we will not be inviting donors to join us this year in assembling the gift bags. However, this is a great opportunity for civic organizations, workplaces, families, friends, and neighbors to contribute to the Roundtable collection and to help us make lives brighter for families affected by domestic violence. Small acts of kindness like the gift bags let families know they are supported in their decision to leave an abusive situation and brighten their day. These gestures are especially appreciated during the pandemic.
Some examples of needed items are gift cards for CVS, Target, Market Basket, Gas etc. For mothers and teens some items would include full size bath products, fuzzy socks, cosmetics, nail polish, hair products, journals, etc. Items for children could include playing cards, art supplies, small toys, small stuffed animals, matchbox cars, and educational items. Baby items may include toys, rattles, baby cups, baby socks, bibs, and baby body products.
In past years the Roundtable has provided as many as 125 bags for families in shelter and transitional housing.
If you are interested in contributing to the Valentine’s Day collection and have questions, please contact the Roundtable at info@dvrt.org. Donations may be left in the collection baskets provided at Sudbury Wine and Spirits in the Rugged Bear Plaza Road, 410 Boston Post Road, Sudbury or at Spirits of Maynard, (next to Market Basket) 4 Digital Way, Suite 3, Maynard. The collections will start on January 22nd and end on February 5th. Thank you for your consideration.
Next training program for ESOL tutors will begin in February. The program of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) of the Wayland Library continues to flourish in spite of the limitations due to the pandemic. Approximately 35 tutors are working with learners, some with as many as three individuals. These learners range from beginners, like the grandmother from Russia who must start by mastering our alphabet, to well-educated immigrants who want to pursue further studies or work in their previous professions. Most tutors are teaching remotely, using whatever technology works for both tutor and learner, be it Skype, FaceTime, Zoom or email and telephone. A few have found places where they feel safe together without masks.There is always a need for tutors, and the next training course will run (virtually) March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. The only cost for the training is the purchase of a book for about $40. More details online here. If you are interested in the possibility of becoming a tutor you can contact Ginny Steel for more information.
Heart of Hunger 28-Day Fitness Challenge raises money for area United Way food pantries. Join the United Way’s 2nd Annual Heart of Hunger 28-Day Challenge. During the month of February, participants will commit to run or walk a minimum of one mile, outdoors, every day! Why? Because exercise is good for you AND you’ll be helping people who don’t have enough to eat.
Your new year’s resolution to get fit doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon; you just need to be committed! This is a great activity to do with family and friends and is suitable for all ages! Funds raised from the registration fee will support United Way of Tri-County’s three food pantries and two hot meal programs providing fresh, nutritious food to residents of the MetroWest/495 community. 100% of the $15 registration fee will support the food program of your choice. T-shirts are available for purchase and a portion of t-shirt sales also helps those who need access to fresh, healthy, and nutritious food.
Progress is tracked via online leaderboards by participants who enter their distance. All participants who enter their mile(s) each day in February will be entered into a raffle for some great prizes, and the farther you go, the more raffle chances you receive! To register or sponsor the event, please visit the United Way’s website at uwotc.org/heart. Questions can be directed to Sandy Baldi, Special Events Manager, at 508.370.4873 or sandra.baldi@uwotc.org.
Wayland Community Fund serving Wayland residents temporarily in need of financial assistance. Please call us if you need help!
The Wayland Community Fund (WCF) provides short-term emergency financial assistance to Wayland residents who have lived in Wayland for at least one year. WCF provides funding for basic needs such as utilities, rent, food, medical bills, and other living expenses. Please call us if you need help with your bills, 508-358-3624 or go to the town website for an application.
Join the MRC! New Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers are always needed! We have a great group of volunteers, however, we would love to recruit new members. If you are interested in helping out your community and would like to volunteer please contact the Health Department at Health@wayland.ma.us.
Upcoming Meetings
Meeting Schedule for The Week: See the Town Website’s Calendar online here. Please check the online calendar for the latest updates, as meetings noted below could have been updated (change in date, time or location) since we captured them. Also, some meetings could have been added since we collected the calendar information.
Please check the Town Calendar to confirm meeting times, locations and agenda. There can be updates from when we capture the schedule below.
Note: Links to all remote meetings are available via this page
Monday, February 14
* No meetings currently scheduled
Tuesday, February 15
* Historical Commission, 6:30pm [Remote]. Agenda includes: Grants, Reports from Other Boards, House Plaque, Railroad and Rail Trail, Archaeology, FY23 Budget
* Board of Public Works, 7pm [Remote]. Agenda includes: PFAS program, working group, project, Monitoring Well data discussion, Town Meeting Articles (Whittemore Lane, Stonebridge Road), MWRA study, operational budget, Route 20 South Landfill
* Finance Committee, 7pm [Remote] FY23 Operating Budget, discussion and possible vote of article write-ups
* Planning Board, 7pm [Remote]. Public Hearing re: Zoning by-law amendments, Conservation Cluster developments, Zoning Amendments to facilitate outdoor dining at restaurants, Energy and Climate Commitee presentation
* Finance Committee, 7pm. [Remote] Agenda includes: FY23 Operating Budget, possible vote of article write-ups
Thursday, February 17
* Historic District Commission, 7pm. [Remote]. Agenda includes: Wayland Town House/Collins Market, consider amending design review guidelines for solar panels
* River’s Edge Development Public Involvement Site Meeting, 7pm [Remote]. VERTEX will host a virtual public meeting on Thursday February 17, 2022 at 7:00 PM to update the public on environmental response actions taken to date for the Alta at River’s Edge.
* Great Presenters: Ocean Exploration, 7 Miles Down (March 1)
* Tax Forms are here. Please take only one of each. If you need additional forms or schedules, the Reference Librarian will be happy to print them for you, free.ESOL Tutors Needed
Announcements:
* Historical Typist Needed. That is, someone who would be willing to transcribe some of the contents of our collection of historical documents so we’ll have them in digital form. You don’t have to be historical yourself. Contact mwright@minlib.net for further information.
* ESOL Tutors Needed. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak a foreign language or have never taught before. Once you complete the Library-sponsored training course, you’re ready for what could be a wonderfully rewarding relationship. The course for this winter/spring will be on Zoom, from 2-5 p.m. on five consecutive Wednesday afternoons: March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30. For more information or to enroll, contact Ginny Steel at 508-358-7517 or virginia@thesteels.com.
* Youth Services: NEW SHELVING COMING TO THE CHILDREN’S ROOM! We are excited to announce that the Children’s Room will be getting new moveable shelving in early March. The Children’s Room will remain open for browsing and checkout through February, but will be probably be closed for about a week in early March. The inconvenience will be temporary and short, and the result will be well worth it. Please bear with us.
* Zoom Storytime with Ms. Elise: Hot Diggity Dog!: (February 16)
* 4th/5th Grade Book Club: The Goldfish Boy (Feb 15)
February Vacation Specials:
* Kids Take & Make Craft Kit: Boredom Buster
* Teens Take & Make Craft Kit: CD Scratch Art
* Make a Birdfeeder (February 23)
* Comic Making Workshop with Jarrett Lerner over Zoom (Feb 24)
* Kids Cooking Green: Chocolate Peppermint Cookies (Feb 25)
Curbside Pickup. Need a hand picked selection of books for your children? Please call us at 508-358-2308 and we would be happy to put a collection together for you for curbside pickup.
Nomination papers for 2022 Annual Town Election are available now at the Town Clerk’s Office, and are due on March 22nd. Information about this, and open elected positions, is available on the Running for Elected Office link on the Town Clerk website.
Candidates seeking elected office must “run” for office by obtaining Nomination Papers from the Office of the Town Clerk, obtain necessary signatures of voters, and file papers by appropriate deadline. Each candidate shall file with the Town Clerk, prior to obtaining blank nomination papers, a written statement containing his/her name and address, and the town office for which he/she intends to be a candidate. The Board of Registrars must certify each candidate’s voter registration status prior to candidates qualifying to obtain nomination papers. Upon certification of sufficient signatures for all candidates seeking nomination to the offices for which papers had been obtained, the candidate qualifies to have his/her name on the ballot for the election.
Wayland’s League of Women’s Voters will hold a candidate’s night on Thursday, April 14, 2022. Location TBD.
Complete details and list of offices up for election on May 10 are online here
Public Hearing on the 2020 Massachusetts Uniform Citation Data Analysis Report, Feb 28-March 2. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is holding public hearings on the 2020 Massachusetts Uniform Citation Data Analysis Report on Monday, February 28, 10am-12pm, Tuesday, March 1, 3:30-5:30pm and Wednesday, March 2, 1-3pm on zoom. Details are online here. EOPSS will accept public comments on the 2020 Massachusetts Uniform Citation Data Analysis Report authored by Salem State University and Worcester State University. Wayland’s data page from the report is online here.
Wayland Cultural Council seeks artists to paint utility boxes in town. Call for Local Artists. The Wayland Cultural Council(WCC) invites artists to participate in the town’s Utility Box Mural Project. The theme is NATURE and the vision of the WCC is to bring more vitality to the town by highlighting its beautiful surroundings and adding new creative opportunities for artists and the greater community. There is a $500 stipend to each artist. Proposals are due March 31st. Let us know if you have questions by emailing wccmembers@wayland.ma.us. Details online here
WHS Second Virtual Annual Winter Art Show. The Wayland High School Annual Art Show is available online until March 1. The show covers art classes at the school, from Art 1 to AP Art, from Jewelry to photography. The show is available via this link.
A Community Conversation for Black History Month, February 17. Our Wayland, a Town Administrator Working Group, looks forward to hosting the fifth event of its “Community Conversations” series on Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 5:30-7pm, in celebration of Black History Month. The event will feature Dr. Omar Easy, Superintendent of Wayland Public Schools, as he presents “No Road is Easy”, a personal account of his life’s experience and how his journey brought him to the Town of Wayland. The event will take place through Zoom. More information will be available soon. The event is free to the public and all are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please “like” the Facebook page to receive the latest updates. Please register for the event online here.
From the Council on Aging. Registration is required, contact the COA at coa@wayland.ma.us or 508-358-2990.
The Changing Story of the Fire Service. With Wayland Fire Chief Neil McPherson. Thursday, Feb. 17, 11:00 a.m. in the Council on Aging and on Zoom. The Wayland Fire Department receives between 3,000 and 4,000 calls for service each year. Those calls represent a wide range of requests for assistance from Wayland residents. The role of the Fire Department has changed over the years, as new equipment, new technology, and new challenges emerge. Learn from Chief McPherson what it means to be a firefighter in Wayland today. Registration is required, contact the COA at coa@wayland.ma.us or 508-358-2990. $3 per person.
Reflecting on Reflux: A Healthy Eating Plan. Wed., Feb. 16, 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Diet plays a major role in controlling symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and is often the first line of therapy. Knowing what and when to eat can go along way in preventing GERD flare-ups. Join licensed dietician/nutritionist Traci Robidoux from BayPath Elder Services on Zoom to learn more. To register, contact the Council on Aging at 508-358-2990 or coa@wayland.ma.us. Registration is required, contact the COA at coa@wayland.ma.us or 508-358-2990. $3 per person.
Armchair Travel: Iceland. Tuesday, Feb. 15, 1:00 p.m. on Zoom. Iceland is known as the land of Fire and Ice (and lots of waterfalls). Join Guest Host Judy Currier for a virtual tour of southern Iceland with its stunning and diverse landscapes of glaciers, volcanos and geothermal fields. Registration is required, contact the COA at coa@wayland.ma.us or 508-358-2990. $3 per person.
Announcements from Prior Newsletters
The Vokes Players of Wayland present Sense and Sensibility by Kate Hamill, directed by James Barton. Performances will be held at Beatrice Herford’s Vokes Theatre, Route 20 in Wayland from February 25 through March 12. Every week of the run there will be performances on Friday & Saturday evenings at 8pm, and Saturday matinees at 2pm. There are also two Thursday evening performances, on March 3 and 10. For tickets and information call 508-358-4034, or order online via the Vokes’ website. Ticket prices are $20 for Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees; $24 for Friday & Saturday evenings. For more details, including synopsis, cast, and COVID protocols, click here
State Representative Carmine Gentile (D-Sudbury) will hold virtual office hours on Friday, February 18. Office hours are for constituents only. Meetings will take place via Microsoft Teams video call from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Residents of the 13th Middlesex District (Sudbury; Wayland: Precincts 1, 2, 3; Marlborough: Ward 1, Ward 2: Precinct 2, Ward 7: Precinct 1; Framingham: Precinct 3) are encouraged to schedule a time to talk with Representative Gentile or his staff.
Any constituent who wishes to speak to Representative Gentile can sign up for a 20-minute time slot by emailing Rep. Gentile’s legislative aide, Ravi Simon. Constituents signing up for a meeting must provide their full name, address, phone number, email, and their discussion topic. Please provide all necessary details in describing the topic of discussion so the Representative may prepare for the meeting. Individuals should make sure that they have the appropriate equipment and good internet service for a video call. For any questions regarding office hours and other matters, please contact Rep. Gentile’s legislative aide, Ravi Simon, by emailing ravi.simon@mahouse.gov.
River’s Edge Public Involvement Meeting. A Public Meeting to provide review of the Draft RAM Completion Report and Draft Downgradient Property Status Opinion Report will be held through ZOOM by The Vertex Companies, Inc. on February 17, 2022 at 7:00PM. Please access the meeting via this zoom link or by calling 646-558-8656 using ID 884 9836 5549 and passcode 01778. A copy of the Draft RAM Completion Report will be available February 3, 2022 and a copy of the Draft Downgradient Property Status Opinion Report will be available February 17, 2022 at this link. Physical copies will be available for review at the Wayland Town Clerk’s Office.
Metrowest Visitors Bureau announces mini grant program. The MetroWest Visitors Bureau announced today that their annual mini grant program is now accepting applications. Designed for marketing projects that will promote tourism in MetroWest, mini grants are available for funds up to $5,000 each. The MWVB will consider applications for projects devoted to marketing a MetroWest event, attraction, business, service, or cultural or recreational offering. The applicant does not need to be a 501(c)3 charitable organization, but must be based in one of the 19 towns that comprise MetroWest or be devoted to attracting potential visitors to those 19 towns. Eligible projects include brochures, print or online advertising, social media, websites, apps, and other print materials. The marketing project must be targeted, at least partially, at potential visitors who live more than 50 miles from the event or business location. Grant applications can be submitted at www.bit.ly/minigrant2022 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis from now until April 1. Awarded grant funds must be spent prior to June 30, 2022. For questions, or to discuss your project idea prior to submitting an application, please contact MWVB Executive Director Erin Lynch at erin@metrowestvisitors.org.
Musucians of the Old Post Road presents Earthly Baroque. Saturday, March 12, 2022, 7:30 pm at First Parish Wayland, and livestreamed at oldpostroad.org. Online Tickets: $10 students; $35 individual; $70 family
In-person Tickets: $25 subscriber; $58 non-subscriber. For more information and tickets, visit www.oldpostroad.orgs or call 781-466-6694
Musicians of the Old Post Road presents Earthly Baroque, the third concert of its subscription series, on Saturday, March 12 at 7:30 pm EDT at First Parish, Wayland and online via livestream. The program features delightful Baroque instrumental selections inspired by the sounds of nature for flute, strings, and harpsichord. For complete details, click here.
Boat Rack Storage at Wayland Town Beach. Wayland Town Beach offers 33 storage racks for sunfish, canoes, windsurfers, kayaks, SUPs for beach pass holders. Store boats March 1 through October 31. Online registration opens for Wayland residents with beach passes on March 1 at 9am. A boat sticker will be mailed to you. Boats are stored at owner’s risk
The Wayland Public Ceremonies Committee is Seeking Nominations for the 2022 C. Peter R. Gossels Good Government Award. C. Peter R. Gossels cherished democracy. A resident of Wayland for 58 years, he first served on the Finance Committee and then as Town Counsel, followed by 30 years as Wayland’s elected Town Meeting Moderator. Peter’s non-partisan generosity of spirit, fairness, and passion for good government marked his 50 years of volunteer service to the Town of Wayland.
The Wayland Public Ceremonies Committee is proud to announce a new award – the C. Peter R. Gossels Good Government Award, named in his honor – and invites all Wayland residents to offer nominations for this annual distinction. The criteria for selecting the award recipient are as follows:
The C. Peter R. Gossels Good Government Award is bestowed upon a long-time resident of Wayland who has served as a volunteer for 20 years or more with generosity of spirit to improve and support operation of good town government. The award honors unpaid, secular service that promotes positive citizen engagement with town government; provides information to voters and officials to enhance fairness and well-informed decisions; and may recognize innovative initiatives that enhance operation of the Town of Wayland. The award will annually recognize an individual who exemplifies Peter’s passion for justice, civility, and high standards of conduct. This award may also be bestowed posthumously.
The deadline for consideration is Friday, February 25, 2022. Submissions are limited to 500 words or less and must include your contact information. Please submit your 2022 C. Peter R. Gossels Good Government Award nomination by mail or e-mail to: Donna Bouchard, Wayland Public Ceremonies Committee, 72 Concord Road, Wayland, MA 01778. Email: dbouchard@wayland.ma.us
The winner will be announced at Wayland’s 2022 Annual Town Meeting. For more information, please click here
Lifelong Learning at Regis: spring classes begin in February. Lifelong Learning at Regis College (LLARC) is learning at its best. Join a community of adult students who strive to continue learning for daytime courses and lectures designed and taught by their peers. For more information, visit http://www.regiscollege.edu/llarc or email llarc@regiscollege.edu
Click the image at right for a program flyer.
Enjoy Nature with SVT this Winter! Anyone with an interest in nature and the outdoors is invited to participate in upcoming outings and webinars being sponsored by Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT). Most programs are open to the general public at no charge. During the winter, SVT will lead group walks at properties in Berlin, Wayland, and Northborough. Wildlife-themed outings include a Full Moon Owl Prowl and a Winter Wildlife Tracking, both planned for February. For those who prefer to enjoy nature from home, SVT will broadcast webinars on “Sri Lanka: A Unique Journey Through Nature” and “Wildlife in Winter.” All programs require registration. More details are available at www.svtweb.org/calendar.
It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time! The girls are back in town – with all of your favorite Girl Scout cookies! If you are not contacted by a local girl scout (via text, email, or social media), find us at bit.ly/wgsCookies. See where we are selling locally, or get cookies shipped directly to you! Send cookies to people you love, treat yourself, or donate to our Community Caring program. And be sure to try our new Adventurefuls cookie. Still $5 per box. Thank you for supporting Wayland Girl Scouts!
Registration Open for Wayland Youth Soccer spring season. Registration for the Spring 2022 season for players in grades K through 12 is now available online here. It is never too late to start; novice players are welcome! Our emphasis at all levels is for kids to have fun learning to play soccer and to make new friends. Soccer requires little equipment (cleats and shin pads) and a lot of games that involve running with the ball and developing foot skills. Almost 60% of our school children have participated in Wayland Youth Soccer at one time or another and we would love to have your child join us as well.
Snowpal Building Contest. All winter long. Build your best thing: a snowperson, a snow fort, whatever. Send a photo to rec@wayland.ma.us. Be creative! Winners will be announced on March 11, and receive a prize.
Office hours with Select Board member Adam Gutbezahl. Select Board Member Adam Gutbezahl invites you to attend his weekly remote, virtual office hours. Please feel free to sign up to ask questions, discuss topics of interest, or simply say hello. Office hours are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9pm and Thursday afternoons from 12-2pm. You can reserve an appointment online through Calendly.
Office Hours with Senator Rausch: Senator Rausch has shifted her monthly in-person office hours to remote, virtual office hours held on Fridays. Conversations with the Senator and her staff will take place via phone call or video conference. During these virtual office hours, residents from any part of the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District are welcome to share their questions and opinions on state issues with Senator Rausch and her staff. Any constituent may reserve a 15-minute appointment. Click here to sign up for a slot.
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