Why Wayland Select Board's Carol Martin Is Seeking A New Term In 2024

WAYLAND, MA — There are no contested races in Wayland's 2024 town election, but voters still have an opportunity to get acquainted with the candidates who will help to run the town over the next few years.

Wayland Patch asked the two unopposed select board candidates to answer two questions to help voters get to know them better (again). Here's how incumbent Carol Martin answered:

Can you reintroduce yourself to voters and say why you're running for another term?

Hi. I’m Carol Martin and I seek your support as a candidate for re-election to the
Select Board.

Fourteen years ago, I was appointed by the then Board of Selectmen to the Senior Tax Relief Committee. The next year, I was appointed to the Council on Aging Committee. In 2012, I was appointed to the Finance Committee. I was re-appointed in 2015 and again in 2018. During my nine-year term on the Finance Committee, I served as Vice Chair for two years and as Chair for two and half. In 2021, I was elected to the Select Board and am serving as Vice-Chair this year. During my tenure, I have served as a liaison to nearly every Board, Committee and Commission. It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn what works within our town government and what we can do better.

I joined the Select Board to bring my knowledge of the Town’s financial operations and municipal finance to the Board. I applied this knowledge while serving on the ARPA funds Sub-Committee, as liaison to the Finance Committee and in preparation of Select Board sponsored warrant articles. Two of the Select Board’s goals are financial: formalizing the Town’s financial policies and establishing a Long-term Capital Planning Committee. I am running for re-election to contribute my financial skills and municipal knowledge to this process.

I have supported the community by attending other board and committee meetings and participating in many community forums, events and functions. As a Select Board member, I helped select/hire the Town’s inaugural Town Manager.

I have and will continue to support respect for our neighbors and insist inclusion be part of the selection process when filling committee vacancies.

Joining the Board, I worked hard to study the affordable housing issues facing the town, get myself up to speed on potential housing projects and ultimately was able to support projects that not only enhance the Town’s Housing Production Plan but have extended the Town’s Safe Harbor until July 2026. I am running for re-election to further the Select Board’s goal of Affordable Housing.

As a Select Board member, I will continue to be fully prepared for each meeting and to consider all viewpoints. I will support prudent decisions to preserve Wayland’s small-town charm. It’s what drew me to Wayland in 1983. I am running for re- election to help make Wayland an even better place to live.

It has been an honor and privilege to serve you. I respectfully ask for your vote on Tuesday, May 7th. Thank you for your consideration. www.SelectCarol.com

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing Wayland at the moment, and what do you want to do about them?

The Select Board through the Town Manager is responsible for operation of multiple town departments and functions and policy development. On a daily basis the Board has many issues before it. In addition to ensuring the Town is operational, I believe Wayland’s current key issues are: Formalizing the Town’s Financial Policies, ensuring quality drinking water, Affordable Housing and supporting our two distinct Town Centers.

Financial Policies and Long-Term Planning: To achieve our goals of superior schools, ample playing fields, providing residents quality water and the services residents want while moderating tax increases, Wayland needs to formalize its financial policies and establish a Long-Term Capital Planning Committee. The Town has some interesting and exciting projects ahead including the revitalization of Route 20 and determining how to best use the South landfill area as well as necessary key projects including joining the MWRA and possibly a new school. These will be best accomplished with a planned approach that includes project funding.

Quality Drinking Water: Join the MWRA. The Town needs to take this big, but very important step to ensure quality water while protecting taxpayers from major unknown costs.

Affordable and Community Housing: Support projects that implement the Housing Production Plan, providing affordable and community housing for all: first buyers, families, seniors and employees.

Town Centers: Maintain the integrity, appearance, and character of our two Town Centers: Route 20 and Cochituate Village.