Preview of September 8 meeting of Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen will meet on Tuesday, September 8, in Town Building. 

Selectmen will review an update on the status of the Town Center development from Chuck Irving, principal of Twenty Wayland, LLC and KGI  Properties.  The firm has continued with the permitting process for the mixed use retail/housing/office development with Conservation Commission and the Historic District Commission while pursuing a parallel track to re-tenant the office building.  Substantial costs associated with the duration of the Town Center permitting process and the difficult economic climate have jeopardized construction of the mixed use project.

The Board is expected to approve the draft format and announcement of a State of the Town meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 30th.  This forum will give citizens an opportunity to hear brief presentations from community leaders on critical issues and strategies, as well as the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments.

Selectmen are expected to finalize plans for a Special Town Meeting to be held in mid-November.  A fall town meeting has been held for the past several years to reduce the number of articles to be dealt with at the annual town meeting each spring, as well as time-sensitive matters.  Town officials anticipate approval later this month from the state school building authority to proceed with a proposal for a new high school.  The town meeting would be preceded by a debt exclusion ballot vote.  Among other potential articles is adoption of the local option tax on meals and hotels and a report from selectmen on the traditional spring article recognizing citizens and employees for extensive service.  Selectmen have considered splitting the agenda for the fall town meeting so a potential high school vote could be held on the same date as the primary election to fill the vacancy for US Senate.  Town Clerk Lois Toombs will speak to the Board to review the difficulties of a combined vote and to state her preference for a separate November ballot.

Selectmen will consider a draft letter to the state legislature advocating for passage of a bill setting a minimum percentage for matching local CPA taxes and clarifying the ability to expend these funds for rehabilitation of existing recreational facilities.  Members will also consider establishing an advisory committee to work with the consultant hired with a state grant to determine the feasibility of development of town-owned parcels adjacent to Doran Road and Curtis Road for housing, community septic treatment and passive recreation.  The proposed committee is modeled after the Nike Site Reuse Advisory Committee that has shepherded the Oxbow Road housing and passive recreation project through permits and construction.

The complete agenda is available on the Town’s website at http://www.wayland.ma.us/selectmen/agenda.htm

The meeting begins Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room.
 
Fred Turkington
Town Administrator

 

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