Author: League of Women Voters of Wayland

The League of Women Voters is a political grassroots network and membership organization that believes the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue. For more than a century, we’ve worked to empower voters and defend democracy. As a women-led organization, we encourage everyone to take part in our democracy.

Governor’s Council Candidates’ Forum–Questions Needed!

~ League of Women Voters of Wayland ~ Leave a comment

Wayland is now in District 3 for the Governor’s Council! The League of Women Voters of Wayland is a partner in a Candidates’ Forum to be available on August 31 that will feature the candidates for this position: Marilyn Petitto Devaney (incumbent) and Mara Dolan.

We need your questions! Please read the responsibilities of the Governor’s Council below and send us your questions or other information you would like to have in order to make an informed choice to info@lwvwayland.org.

The Massachusetts Governor’s Council, also known as the Executive Council, is composed of eight individuals elected from districts, and the Lieutenant Governor who serves ex officio. The eight councilors are elected from their respective districts every two years. The Council meets weekly to record advice and consent on warrants for the state treasury, pardons and commutations, and recording advice and consent to gubernatorial appointments such as judges, clerk-magistrates, public administrators, members of the Parole Board, Appellate Tax Board, Industrial Accident Board and Industrial Accident Reviewing Board, notaries, and justices of the peace.

LWV of Wayland Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 9 at 7 pm

~ League of Women Voters of Wayland ~ Leave a comment

Join other LWV of Wayland members on Zoom on Thursday, June 9 at 7 pm for our Annual Meeting! Our speaker will be Wayland resident Karen Montague who has been volunteering at the International Institute of New England (IINE) with other members of her church to help settle Afghan Refugees.  The agency has settled 500 Afghans so far and is expecting another 150.  (The agency is also receiving Ukrainian refugees now.  See more about IINE below.)  Karen cooks with the women each week despite the language barrier and collects items for the families’ homes. 

The International Institute of New England is a United States non-profit organization serving immigrants, refugees, asylees, and other vulnerable populations in the Boston area.  Affiliate branches are located in Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire. In 2017, the IINE assisted nearly 2,000 people from more than 60 different countries, including, but not limited to, Burma, Bhutan, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The business part of the Annual Meeting will follow the presentation. The Zoom link will be sent to League members the week of the event. If you have any questions, please email info@lwvwayland.org.

Wayland Town Meeting Issues Forum, May 5 at 7 pm

~ League of Women Voters of Wayland ~ Leave a comment

The League of Women Voters of Wayland will hold a public forum on Thursday, May 5 at 7 pm on some of the major issues to be discussed and voted on at Annual Town Meeting.

Audience members will be able to call in to ask questions of the presenters. The meeting will take place via Zoom; the link is  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85471012067?pwd=cmJXNlJFdXJMRE96L0xpRjhsMWhlQT09.

Topic included in the discussion are:

  • construction of the COA/community center;
  • the Loker grass field;
  • purchase of Launcher Way and a property on Sherman’s Bridge Road; and
  • appointment of the Finance Committee.

Pam Roman, chair of the Finance Committee, will also explain the two excluded debt questions that will be on the Town Election ballot.

Iryna Priester will moderate the discussion.

Town Elections are Tuesday, May 10th and Town Meeting begins on Saturday, May 14th. Be sure to vote, since democracy is not a spectator sport!

72nd LWVW Candidates Night

~ League of Women Voters of Wayland ~ Leave a comment

The League of Women Voters of Wayland will hold its 72nd Annual Candidates Night on Thursday, April 14th at 7pm via Zoom. Karen Kavet is organizing the event and Nancy Brumback from the Sudbury League will moderate. All candidates will be invited to participate.

Questions for the candidates must be submitted in advance of Candidates Night. Send your questions to info@lwvwayland.org

  • The following offices are up for election:
    • Board of Selectmen (one 3-year term)
    • School Committee (one 3-year term)
    • Board of Assessors (one 3-year term)
    • Trustees of the Public Library (two 3-year terms)
    • Board of Health (one 3-year term & one 1-year term to fill a vacancy)
    • Planning Board (one 5-year term)
    • Board of Public works (two 3-year terms)
    • Recreation Commission (two 3-year terms)
    • Commissioner of Trust Funds (one 3-year term)
    • Housing Authority (one 5-year term)
    • Town Clerk* (3-year term): The Town Clerk was made an appointed position with passage of the Select Board/Town Manager Act at the 2021 Annual Town Meeting. It awaits final approval from the Legislature.

It appears that there may be at least two contested positions. The Zoom link will be available closer to the event.

Upcoming events for 2022:

  • Thursday May 5:  Town Meeting Issues Forum
  • Tuesday May 10:  Town Elections
  • Saturday May 14:  Town Meeting Begins (Continues on Sunday May 15 and Monday May 16 if needed)
  • Tuesday September 6:  State Primary Election
  • Tuesday November 8:  State Election

Special Town Meeting, Sunday, October 3rd at 12:30 p.m.

~ League of Women Voters of Wayland ~ Leave a comment

Be sure to vote at the Special Town Meeting on Sunday, October 3rd at 12:30 p.m. at Wayland High School!  The primary article calls for a three-year moratorium on turf fields.  In addition, funding will be requested for three grass fields:  design money for a grass field at the Loker Conservation and Recreation area, and feasibility study money for a potential field at the former DPW site near the middle school and at another site.

LWVW Forum on the Special Town Meeting

~ League of Women Voters of Wayland ~ Leave a comment

Join us on September 30th at 7pm when Iryna Priester will moderate a forum to discuss the four articles that will be considered at Town Meeting on October 3rd.  The primary article calls for a three-year moratorium on turf fields.  In addition, funding will be requested for three grass fields:  design money for a grass field at the Loker Conservation and Recreation area, and feasibility study money for a potential field at the former DPW site near the middle school and at another site.   

Join us to learn more on the issues to be voted on, and bring your questions! Here is the link to the meeting: LWVW Forum on Wayland Special Town Meeting