Wayland Select Board inserts 19 warrant articles, swears in acting police chief

WAYLAND — January 20, 2026 — Wayland Select Board inserts 19 warrant articles and swears in an acting police chief. The board voted 3-0 to add Articles H, S, T, BB, CC, DD, FF, GG, HH, II, LL, MM, NN, OO, PP, QQ, RR and SS to the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant and to co-sponsor Article II, the Board of Public Works request for MWRA connection and Happy Hollow Wells funding. Chair Carol B. Martin said 52 articles have been submitted, including seven petitions still being certified. Town Manager Michael McCall introduced Lt. Mark Hebert, a 17-year department veteran, as acting chief, saying Hebert "has the skills necessary to run that department for the short term." Resident Andrew Carpenter urged the board to slow the roughly $200,000 Holiday Road appraisal under Article DD until the School Committee's willingness to release the parcel is clear. Surface Water Quality Chair Tom Klem said a 2025 Heard Pond herbicide trial cost $9,500 with mixed results; a larger 2026 application could run near $20,000 against a $30,000 committee budget.