Wayland wastewater panel rejects condo billing deferral, cites precedent

WAYLAND — March 9, 2026 — Wayland wastewater commission denies condo billing deferral and offers last 4,928 gpd to Town Center. The Wastewater Management District Commission on March 9 turned away a request from Jeff Maimon of the Wayland Commons Condominium Association to push the first usage-fee bill back one quarter, with Chair Mike Gitten citing decades of "first come, first served" practice and calling early payments "an investment" in keeping rates down. Administrator Sarah Pawluczonek confirmed the plant's remaining 4,928 gallons per day has been offered to a Town Center applicant at the $24.75-per-gallon rate, yielding a base privilege fee near $122,000 before design costs. The commission has booked $334,000 in privilege fees this fiscal year and interest income of $24,886, tracking toward a $625,000 revenue forecast at the 66 percent mark. Commissioner Darrin Bock noted a budgeted plant re-evaluation could unlock more capacity by fall; DPW Director Tom Holder warned that ongoing fats-and-grease discharges from Alta at Oxbow are causing "premature deterioration" of pumps.