Wayland Planning Board approves removal of 33 scenic-road trees

WAYLAND — February 9, 2026 — Wayland Planning Board clears 33 scenic-road trees, resists Select Board's Route 20 task force. The board and the Board of Public Works voted 5-0 on Feb. 9 to approve removals on Glezen, Plain, Draper, Lincoln, Rice, Oxbow, Sherman Bridge, Claypit Hill, West Plain and Pelham Island, including a rare chestnut at 101 Plain Road that Eversource said could not be protected from primary-wire burn damage. Town Planner Robert Hummel told members that, after a funding request was "pushed back," Planning Department staff will draft board minutes until July 1. In a joint session, Chair Anette Lewis called proposed Article EE — which would route site plan appeals through the ZBA — an overreach that "costs the town huge amounts of money," and Vice Chair Robin Borgestedt said any Route 20 drafting team needs "people with actual legislative drafting experience," not another committee. Members previewed five zoning articles (LL, MM, NN, OO, PP) for Town Meeting.