Wayland’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony are this morning. Details are online here.
If you’re reading this right as we are sending it, you are not too late for this morning’s Troop 1 Pancake Breakfast (which runs until 10:30 at St. Zepherin’s)
Interested in serving on School Committee? There is a vacancy, and it will be filled by appointment jointly by the Select Board and School Committee. The term will run for until the next election in April. Details are online here.
If you would like to submit a post on our website, click here for information on how to add your post. You can also email us at info@waylandenews.com
-Kim Reichelt
The Eliza Juliet Norton Foundation aims to continue Eliza’s legacy by providing children with increased access to and enhanced experiences in athletics and beyond with a focus on teamwork, good sportsmanship, and community building.
The HRDEIC has updated their community resource guide. It can be found here and on the HRDEIC web page (top left)
Wayland News
Latest News
* Wayland Purple Heart Winner Preps For Memorial Day Leadership Role. In the early 1960s, Richard Turner knew he had bigger things to do than cut grass in his hometown. After graduating from Wayland High School in 1962, Turner took a job in the parks department as a laborer. But as the nation’s investment in the conflict in Vietnam grew, Turner decided to enlist in the Navy — the start of a career that would take him from the naval shipyards at home to the waterways of Vietnam, where he piloted a gunboat and earned a Purple Heart.
* Wayland School Committee Member Resigns Citing Conflict Of Values. A member of the Wayland School Committee has resigned following a tumultuous several months when committee members launched an inquiry into Superintendent Omar Easy, and eventually voted to place him on indefinite leave with no explanation. Jessica Polizzotti resigned on May 11, part way through her first three-year term. Polizzotti said she was “unable to reconcile my morals and values” following recent committee decisions.
* The Wayland Cultural Council is excited to announce Go Out Doors. The Wayland Cultural Council is excited to announce Go Out Doors – Neighbors, an art installation on the rail trail and invites you to come take a look. A project initiated by Umbrella Arts in Concord and undertaken in several Metrowest communities, the initiative is intended to inspire exploration of outdoor spaces and the communities connected to them.
* We Bet You Didn’t Know There Was A Pet Cemetery On This Massachusetts Hiking Trail. There is always something new to discover on a walk through the woods. The grounds of the Greenways Conservation Area in Wayland, Massachusetts are no exception. While you are bound to see beautiful trees, flowers, and wildlife, you may be surprised when you stumble across a pet cemetery. The Greenways Conservation Area is protected by the Sudbury Valley Trustees and is located on part of the former Paine Estate.
* Former Newton schools chief hired as Wayland acting superintendent. With Superintendent of Schools Omar Easy remaining on administrative leave, Wayland Public Schools has hired an acting schools chief for the 2023-24 school year. Former Newton Superintendent of Schools David Fleishman has been named acting superintendent, effective July 1, and will serve for the 2023-24 school year.
Boys’ Soccer seeks sponsors for Day of Service. Please sponsor the Wayland Boys Soccer Team for their Day of Service. The WHS Boys Soccer program is providing free yardwork services to the seniors of our community on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Please donate. Scan QR Code for Venmo (@Darryl-Quinn-7 write FUNDRAISER in comments) or write a check to TEAM WAYLAND and send it to: Wayland Athletic Department, Wayland High School, 264 Old Connecticut Path, Wayland MA 01778 (memo line: Boys Fundraiser)
Wayland Boosters Barbecue Party Fundraiser. Pig Roast Slider Bar & sides! Who is pouring? House of Smith from Oregon Wine & Sudbury Craft Brew Beer – Tastings & Bar. Live Music with Wayland Daddy O’s and Boston Cornhole Competition!
Limited tickets available. Buy tickets or donate online here
This is a fundraising event for the Wayland Boosters. Boosters provides spirit, logistical and financial support to the teams, players, coaches and administration of Wayland High School and Middle School athletic programs.
June 8, 6:30-10:00pm (Cornhole starts at 7:00pm) at Alta Oxbow Apartments (Red Farmhouse Building), 492 Boston Post Rd, Wayland, MA.
$100 ticket – General Admission, $110 ticket – General Admission + Cornhole Tournament, $10 additional per participant
Come as a team, or be matched with someone at the event. Prize for the winner! Donations accepted as stand-alone if you cannot attend
Please Consider Donating Menstrual Products And Diapers To Help Those In Need. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Weston, MA now has two permanent collection bins located by the back door to benefit Dignity Matters and the Diaper Depot in Waltham. Here is a short description of both organizations.
Dignity Matters is a non-profit organization that collects, purchases, and supplies menstrual products, bras, and underwear to women and girls who are homeless or disadvantaged to help them stay healthy, regain self-confidence, and live with basic dignity. You can’t purchase menstrual care with SNAP/Food Stamps or WIC (the most significant sources of support for women and families in need), and there are no federal or state programs that help women in Massachusetts buy these products. These monthly items are expensive and have risen in price 25% since 2022. Last year, Dignity Matters distributed almost 3,000,000 items helping 15,000 women/girls each month with menstrual care, bras, and underwear. Dignity Matters serves over 170 Massachusetts shelters, food pantries, clinics, public schools, and community colleges. *There is greatest need for tampons so please consider buying those instead of pads.
Diaper Depot: Christ Church Waltham created Diaper Depot in 2007 to provide low-income families with diaper supplies. Diaper Depot provides diapers and feminine hygiene supplies to Waltham residents that qualify for financial assistance (WIC or Mass Health) monthly. This has become an especially important outreach mission as the need for disposable diapers is ongoing and critical. One in three mothers struggle to buy diapers for their babies, and unfortunately diapers cannot be purchased with WIC assistance and other assistance programs like SNAP. Most day care providers require that children arrive with their own supply of disposable diapers causing an additional burden to working mothers. Babies born into low-income families may spend an entire day or more in one diaper, leading to serious health risks. At the Diaper Depot, we are currently servicing over 100 Waltham children, distributing over 4,000 diapers a month. Generous donations help to alleviate the burden of diaper need for many families in Waltham. *The greatest need is for diaper size 5, 6, & 7 (60% of diapers distributed are sizes 5 & 6).
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 and hybrid meetings are available via this page
Monday, May 29
* Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 30
* Zoning Board of Appeals, 7pm [Hybrid] Agenda includes: 10 Riverview Circle (porch), 99 Dudley Rd (rebuild on same footprint), 47 Edgewood (relocate shed), Herb Chambers/533 Boston Post Rd (add service bays and storage)
* Planning Board, 7pm [Remote] Agenda includes: MBTA Communities as of Right Multi-Family Zoning discussion, 40B at 124 Cochituate Rd, Herb Chambers planning
Wednesday, May 31
* Library Director Screening Committee, 3pm. Agenda includes: project plan and timeline, job posting, surveying staff and trustees, Director qualities and skills, interview process and questions
The Wayland Police Department is excited to announce its first annual Junior Police Academy. The Junior Police Academy (JPA) will run over the course of one week in August. The program is designed for students entering the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the fall. The JPA features a variety of training situations in which all cadets will participate. The JPA will include, but not be limited to: classroom instruction, hands-on police tactics training, physical training, and more. Lunch will be provided each day. Police Officers act as staff instructors and supervise the cadets throughout each day of the program. The JPA begins promptly at 8:00am and ends at approximately 4:00pm each day. A limited number of cadets will be accepted to the program. You must be sure you can attend during these dates before submitting an application. If a cadet fails to comply with the rules of the JPA or fails to cooperate with fellow cadets or staff, he or she will be immediately removed from the program.
The dates for the 2023 Wayland JPA are August 14th – August 18th – 2023
Registration is available online here. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Preference will be given to Wayland residents. Questions about the program can be directed to Wayland School Resource Officer Shane Bowles at 508-358-1730 or Sbowles@wayland.ma.us
From the COA
Wayland’s 12th annual Community Concert Series begins on Thursday, June 15 at 7pm. in the Town Building Courtyard. The series of five concerts will continue through Thursday, July 13. The lineup of local bands offers a range of musical styles, including jazz, Latin, New Orleans, Irish, and more. Bring a chair, food and drink if you like, and come enjoy a fun hour of music in the great outdoors.
The Summer Concert Series schedule is:
* June 15: Classic Groove (jazz and Latin)
* June 22: Gumbo (the music of New Orleans)
* July 29: Black Velvet Band (Irish/American)
* July 6: The Deloreans (’70s and ’80s)
* July 13: Sudbury Valley New Horizons Band (local musicians playing classical to popular favorites)
The series is presented to the whole community — all ages! — by the Wayland Council on Aging. The COA is grateful to the generous sponsors who make the series possible: The Village Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank, Sharry Realty Partners, Avenu at Natick, Joanne Berry, Coldwell Banker Real Estate; Mary Ann Morse Health Care; and The Residence at Paine Estate. The series is also supported by a grant from the Wayland Cultural Council, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Concerts will be canceled in inclement weather. Check the Wayland COA website for updates on concert days.
Announcements from Prior Newsletters
Wayland Democrats Invited to Caucus to Elect Delegates to 2023 State Convention. The Wayland Democratic Town Committee (WDTC) invites you to the 2023 Caucus to elect delegates to the Massachusetts State Democratic Party convention. The Massachusetts State Democratic Party convention will be held on Saturday, September 23rd at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.
The Caucus will be held in-person at 3pm on Sunday, June 4, in the Large Conference Room at the Wayland Town Building. The Town Building is located at 41 Cochituate Road. Any Wayland resident registered as a Democrat is eligible to participate, vote, and run for delegate at the Town Caucus.
Anyone interested in being a delegate from Wayland must attend the Caucus in-person. The only exception is for those serving in the Armed Forces of the US, with prior notice to Co-Chairs via Waylanddems@gmail.com.
The doors to the Caucus will open by 2:45 pm for registration. Anyone who wants to participate must be in the Large Conference room or already standing in line to be registered by 3:15 pm. Anyone who joins later than 3:15 pm will not be able to vote or run as a delegate.
Celebration International Church Food Pantry serving the community for over 25 years Celebration International Church in Wayland partners with the Boston Food Bank to serve the people of Metrowest by providing groceries in a time of need. If you or someone you know is enduring unemployment, financial hardship, a disability, or something similar, we would like to help! Visit https://www.cicalive.org/food-pantry for more information.
Spring 2023 RAD – Women’s Self-Defense Course – Wayland Police Department The Wayland Police will be running an adult RAD class again this Spring! If you are interested in taking a self-defense class for women now is your chance! There will be four three-hour classes. Classes will be held June 5th, June 8th, June 12th, and June 15th from 6-9pm. If you would like to sign up please send an email to Sbowles@wayland.ma.us or Mhebert@wayland.ma.us. If you would like more information about the class feel free to reach out to one of us. Flyer is online here
Metropolitan Area Planning Council seeks resident feedback in Health Assessment Survey. We want to hear from you! The 2023 MetroWest Community Health Assessment survey is now open and available in three languages. Please take a few minutes to share your experiences with health and community services in the region, then share the links below with a friend or neighbor who lives in MetroWest. The survey takes less than ten minutes to complete and responses are anonymous.
The Community Health Assessment survey is part of a multi-tiered process to understand our region’s health needs through data gathering and research. The end product will be made available in the fall at mwhealth.org
For more information about the survey and the Community Health Assessment process, visit the survey resource page or contact Kate Baker, our research director, at kbaker@mwhealth.org.
Upcoming from Arts Wayland:
Honor the Man in Your Life with a Gratitude or Commemorative Mosaic. Father’s day is around the corner. Now’s the time to honor your father or any other man in your life whether it’s your grandfather, brother, lover, husband, cousin, etc. Celebrate a life event like a graduation or marriage. Make a mosaic statement that includes objects they love. You can include photos, tools, pictures, a golf ball, a poem. Whatever is meaningful to them. Let them know how you feel about them through art. You’ll make a cool mosaic using materials you bring as well as glass, recycled jewelry, polymer clay tiles that the instructor will supply. (Saturday, June 3)
Arts Wayland Expo 2023 Saturday, May 20. Grab a picnic blanket and bring your coolest sunglasses! The Arts Wayland Expo will rock the Wayland Town Green on May 20. This year’s event stars Billboard Magazine Top 20 Blues Artist Danielle Miraglia and the Glory Junkies, Laura Sanchez Flamenco, beach vibe party band Sway Island, and the ever popular Wayland High School Honors Jazz Ensemble. Last year, this event drew 300 attendees. By popular demand, this year we have expanded the program to include a vibrant dance performance, tents with a marketplace for visual artists, and more food and beverage trucks.
Wayland’s First Multicultural Community Festival: Wayland Window on the World. Fun for the whole family: Performances, Music, Arts, Crafts, Activities and Food from around the world. Sunday, May 21
Infinity Scarf Workshop with Dahlia Popovits Weave an Infinity Scarf Workshop on a pre-warped rigid heddle loom. The workshop is designed for beginners who may only want a one time experience, or experienced hand weavers who are interested in learning to use a very portable rigid heddle loom for self expression. No previous experience is required, and you’ll go home with a wearable finished infinity scarf at the end of the session. The finest luxury designer yarns in natural fibers will be provided in varying materials and thicknesses for a variety of colors and textures. (Wednesday, June 7)
The May Online Exhibit. Take some time to view the spectacular collection of art in our online May exhibit. The genres range in style, and the talent on display is second to none. This exhibit will be available for viewing online through May 31.
Arts Wayland Presents: Four Song Creators. Arts Wayland Presents an evening of song craft with four unique songwriters, each performing their own original songs, and offering entertaining insight into the creative process of writing. Enjoy the comfortable seating at the renowned Beatrice Hereford’s Vokes Theater in Wayland, MA. Doors open at 7:30 with music beginning promptly at 8PM on Saturday, June 3, 2023. There is plenty of free parking. Refreshments and snacks will be available in the lobby.
Arts Wayland Presents: Summer Winds Quintet. Music for a Sunday Afternoon: “Summer Winds”. On June 4th at 4 pm at the First Parish in Wayland, Arts Wayland is excited to continue our classical music series, Music For a Sunday Afternoon with the Summer Winds Quintet. Summer Winds celebrates the outdoors through the centuries. Three Short Pieces of Jacques Ibert convey the gaiety and charm of 1930’s Paris. Darius Milhaud’s Cheminee du Roi Rene (The Chimney of King Rene), one of the twentieth century’s most beloved works for woodwinds, is a pageant of medieval Provence. Jousts, jugglers, hunters, wild boars, and the haunting call of curfew recall a heartier and simpler time. Concluding the program is a world premiere performance inspired by dreams and the swirling resonance of woodwinds. Stay after the performance for light refreshments and thank you to our co-sponsors of the event, The First Parish in Wayland and the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund.
First Parish in Wayland Yard Sale, June 3. Please join First Parish in Wayland for a fun and kid-friendly yard sale on June 3, 9am-1pm. The church is located at 225 Boston Post Rd., at the intersections of Routes 20, 27, and 126. You’ll find antiques, books, costume jewelry, native plants, décor, kitchenware, and other useful or fascinating items. Please plan to pay with cash. Kindly bring your own bags.
Ten percent of sale proceeds will be donated to World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in response to humanitarian crises. World Central Kitchen has earned Charity Navigator’s highest rating – four stars.
Parking: Except for handicap parking spots, parking is not available in the First Parish parking lot. Please park in the Trinitarian Congregation Church lot across the street.
Grief Retreat in Maine, June 9-11. Rett’s Roost, a nonprofit organization providing holistic retreats that create connection, nurture hope, and honor the power of grief, is offering an Open to Healing Retreat for MetroWest families affected by childhood cancer and loss. A free intimate weekend retreat in Ogunquit, ME to connect and support grieving families and to honor the children lost too soon. Space is limited so register today online here
2023 Hazardous Waste Collection for Wayland residents. First $50 of Hazardous Waste is Free. Residents will pay overages
In the past the Wayland Health Department has held an annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day (HHWD) for Wayland residents through Clean Harbors. We understand how important it is to properly dispose of household hazardous waste and have held these events at least twice a year for many years. Despite a lot of outreach to Clean Harbors and research into other vendors we have not been able to secure a date for this event in over a year. According to the state, many municipalities are having the same problems with obtaining a vendor to host a HHW event. This is due to a shift to regional HHW collection depot models which at this time there is no ability for Wayland to join one but there may be an opportunity in the future.
We have been able to identify an interim solution and we have made arrangements with NEDT New England Disposal Technologies. Beginning on April 1 and through June 30, 2023, Wayland residents may drop off hazardous waste to their facility and Wayland will cover the cost up to $50 per household.
We urge residents to contact the facility of your choice prior to traveling to confirm posted dates, times of operation, and types of waste accepted. Payment by resident can be made to NEDT in the form of cash or credit card.
Golden Tones Chorus is Together and Live. It’s a music-making opportunity for MetroWest people of retirement age with NO AUDITIONS and a come-when-you-can attendance policy. Join us in-person (observing protocols to minimize covid risk) or via zoom, Tuesdays, 11am-12:30pm. Choir experience and music-reading are NOT required to have fun singing, dancing, playing, and creating live concerts for the MetroWest community! Visit goldentones.org, email office@goldentones.org, or call us at 508-318-6318.
Emergency alert notifications may include missing children or missing persons, criminal activity, fires, drinking water contamination, utility outages, various threats to people or the environment and other incidents as deemed necessary by Town public safety officials. Those enrolled also may receive timely non-emergency alerts, including road closures, snow plow schedules and more. The alerts are sent to residents via phone call, text message, email and social media.
All community members are invited to register for the CodeRED notification system to receive important alerts and updates. To sign up for these informative, lifesaving alerts, please click here. Registration is customizable, allowing users to choose which alerts they’d like to receive, as well as preferred ways like text, email, cellphone, landline and more.
Community members are encouraged to download the CodeRED Mobile Alert app available in the App Store or Google Play after they sign up to receive alerts.
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