Wayland eNews

When my wife Karen and I moved to Wayland over 23 years ago, we knew it would be a wonderful place to raise our family. The excellent school system, semi-rural environment, high quality of its programs and services, and the fact that it was a caring community which placed a premium on volunteerism, made Wayland a very attractive and special community for us. And our expectations have been met, as our three children have had a high quality education, and as a family we have reaped the benefits of all that Wayland has to offer.

However, primarily due to the severe fiscal constraints which Wayland and every other municipality in the Commonwealth has been facing over the past decade, it has become an increasingly difficult challenge to maintain the high quality of life that is so valued by all of us.

The good news is that over the past three years, we have collectively—as a town—made great progress in meeting this challenge.

We have made great strides in developing and implementing a long term plan for fiscal stability. This includes (1) the implementation of several of the 40 recommendations of the Ad Hoc Budget Committee, which has already resulted in dramatic savings to the town, and (2) structural changes in our health insurance and pension programs. We have continued to streamline town government, have had a smooth transition to the town administrator form of government, worked to improve the delivery of services, and have avoided a budget override this year without cutting core services. We have resolved several long-standing personnel and litigation matters to the benefit of the town. We have even created a model for future public –private partnerships, which is exemplified by the Wayland-to-Waveland effort and the funding for the new turf field. And over the past three years we have engaged a whole new generation of concerned residents who have energized this town and are ready to move Wayland into the future.

This is all reflected in the fact that Wayland is one of only 12 municipalities in Massachusetts with a AAA bond rating, the highest possible rating. Most important, if we are able to bring the town center back to life, a project supported by 80% of the electorate, the likelihood of long term fiscal stability should become a reality.

Although we cannot go back in time to protect what gives Wayland its unique character, we can preserve all of what makes Wayland special by wisely investing in the future. By investing in our future, I mean investing in our schools, buying and conserving open space when the opportunity presents itself, creating new recreation space, maintaining the infrastructure of our town—whether it be roads, buildings or new technology, creating opportunities for affordable housing, and developing the town center with all of its benefits.

Finally, we must continue to applaud, encourage and participate in the extraordinary volunteerism which makes Wayland particularly unique. It is said that one can truly judge the quality of a community by its volunteerism, and if that is the case, then Wayland stands out above all. This is reflected in the fact that several volunteer organizations in Wayland have literally become models for other communities throughout the country.

There is a renewed positive spirit and energy in Wayland, a spirit and energy which we should all embrace as we move forward. We have a great deal to be proud of, but there is still much work to be done. If re-elected to the Board of Selectmen, I will do everything I can to provide the leadership and vision to continue the progress we have made together over the past three years.

Candidate Statement:

When I'm asked where I live, and reply Wayland, more often than not the reaction is - "Where's that?"

My wife, son and I have been citizens of Wayland for the past seven years. Yet in that brief time, we have become practically the longest term residents on our street. At a startling rate, our older citizens are moving out - "Just too expensive."

Many of our new neighbors will go so far as to admit that Wayland was their choice for their children's school years but more than likely not thereafter - "Just too expensive."

Successful town financial models require that only 20% of its households contain school age children. Otherwise, the town is simply - "Just too expensive."

Admittedly, the character of today's society is far more transient than rooted. But even after several years, most of our new neighbors seem only to see Wayland as their home addresses and their children's schools. While Wayland needs leadership willing to confront the cost of citizenship, we also need to do more to bind people to Wayland despite the expense - people with and without children.

To that end, Wayland needs to be a recognizable community beyond its schools. Nurturing a sense of community can be done by many small efforts woven into town management and largely without significant expense (and usually with private financial support). Individually, such efforts may seem trivial but not so cumulatively. For example, many cities and towns mark their borders and main streets with banners that their citizens look forward to seeing change seasonally. Annual fairs draw citizens to public spaces and become anticipated events. And outdoor concert series become focal points of people's leisure plans. Even something so simple as promoting attendance at High School football games builds a stronger community.

Our citizens, new and old, need reasons to have a sense of community that fosters commitment to Wayland. Our leadership needs to be committed to providing those reasons. Otherwise Wayland's - "Just too expensive."

© 2007 WaylandeNews. All rights reserved. Last updated: Sunday April 22, 2007 07:47 AM.
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