Wayland Energy Committee Delays Grant Application, Plans Fall Heat Pump Event

WAYLAND — June 16, 2026 — Wayland's Energy and Climate Committee delayed a major state climate grant application and set a September community energy event at its June 16 remote meeting. Chair Ellen R. Tohn led the committee to consensus that Wayland will not meet the August deadline for the Climate Leaders implementation grant — which can provide up to $1.15 million for school building decarbonization — because the middle school heating project lacks a defined scope; the committee will instead apply in February 2027, still allowing summer 2027 construction. The committee voted 4-0 to reappoint associate member Paul Dale with a charge to "provide support in our outreach to promote heat pumps and household clean energy actions," fulfilling a Select Board requirement for defined associate portfolios. Sustainability Coordinator Olivia Lizardo announced Wayland received two Mass EVIP grants — a new EV charging station and a fully electric Chevy Silverado for the Police Department — at the request of Director of Public Safety Mark Hebert. The committee also committed to holding a community heat pump and energy bill checkup event on September 23 at the Council on Aging, modeled on events in Natick and Acton, and Tohn said she will build a Google Sheet tracking chart within three weeks to begin a formal review of the town's original climate action plan ahead of a fall strategic planning session.