MassVoter.com← WaylandMunicipal votes · 2022–2023 Board
Wayland Select Board
How the Wayland Select Board voted, from the Select Board’s official minutes. 5 Select Board members elected townwide for three-year terms. On May 23, 2022 the board chose Cherry Karlson as Chair (3-2) and David Watkins as Vice Chair (5-0). The same five members served until the April 2023 town election. Covers 40 meetings, May 23 to May 2, 2023.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the Select Board do? It is the town’s executive board. It prepares the Town Meeting warrant (the list of articles voters decide), appoints members of many town boards, hires the town’s top staff, signs warrants to pay town bills, and grants licenses and permits.
Town Meeting, not the Select Board, votes the town budget and town bylaws.
Sources: Massachusetts Select Board Handbook (MMA) · Mass. Division of Local Services: the town budgetBoard years
Coming up
No upcoming meeting is posted yet. Check the official calendar →
Under the state Open Meeting Law, boards post notice at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays.
Members
Thomas FayMember · At-large · at 39 of 40 meetingsAdam GutbezahlMember · At-large · at 34 of 40 meetings
Carol MartinMember · At-large · at 38 of 40 meetings
William WhitneyMember · At-large · at 1 of 1 meetings · from May 2023"At X of Y meetings" counts the members the minutes list as present at the start of each meeting in this record. Members who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: Wayland Select Board minutes (the board was called the Board of Selectmen until March 2022) from January 8, 2018 through September 8, 2026: 376 meetings and 2,527 votes. Minutes from 2018 through 2024 come from the town’s Document Center (Agendas & Minutes prior to 2025, Select Board), which holds the board’s open-session minutes back to July 2009 (MassVoter has loaded 2018 on); minutes from January 2025 on come from the town’s Agenda Center. All the minutes are typed documents with searchable text. Not here: executive-session minutes; two dates with no meeting (October 8, 2019, when there was no quorum, and September 30, 2021, when no meeting was called to order); March 25, 2025, when the board attended a Board of Public Works forum (agenda only, no minutes posted); and meetings after September 8, 2026 (the September 22 and October 5, 2026 minutes are not posted yet). On three days in early 2021 the board met twice; the morning meetings are listed as Special so the two stay separate. Wayland’s minutes record nearly every vote as a roll call by name (“YEA: T. Fay, D. Levine, C. Martin, C. Reynolds and W. Whitney. NAY: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Adopted. 5-0-0.”), and we show each member’s vote as recorded; members listed as absent for a vote or not listed are not shown as voting, with a note. Where a roll call lists a member twice, names someone the minutes do not show as present or no longer on the board, or does not match its stated count, we show the count only, with a note (16 votes). Where the minutes write “Adopted” but the roll call shows more no votes than yes votes, the motion is shown as failed, with a note. At joint meetings (with the Board of Health, School Committee, Board of Public Works, Board of Assessors, Planning Board, Housing Authority, Recreation Commission, Trust Fund Commission and others), only the Select Board members’ votes are shown, and votes taken by the other boards alone are left out. We will ask the town to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where members disagreed
Most board votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one member voted no or abstained, newest first.
Apr 10Approve the charge and committee members set forth in…Motion: T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, vote to approve the…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Martin
April 10, 2023: Approve the charge and committee members set forth in the memorandum relative to the Route 20 South Landfill Visioning Committee, dated prepared April 4, 2023, as presented on page 197…
T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, vote to approve the charge and committee members set forth in the memorandum relative to the Route 20 South Landfill Visioning Committee, dated prepared April 4, 2023, as presented on page 197 in the packet.
Yes: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson, WatkinsAbstained: Martin
From the minutes
“T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, vote to approve the charge and committee members set forth in the memorandum relative to the Route 20 South Landfill Visioning Committee, dated prepared April 4, 2023, as presented on page 197 in the packet. Roll Call Vote: YEA: T. Fay, A. Gutbezahl, C. Karlson, D. Watkins. NAY: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: C. Martin. Adopted 4-0-1.” (Motion: Fay, second: Gutbezahl)
Apr 3Approve the minutes of March 23, 2023, as amendedMotion: T. Fay moved, seconded by D. Watkins, to approve the minutes…Passed 3–0 · Abstained: Gutbezahl, Martin
April 3, 2023: Approve the minutes of March 23, 2023, as amended
T. Fay moved, seconded by D. Watkins, to approve the minutes of March 23, 2023, as amended. C. Karlson corrected the header on the draft minutes.
Yes: Fay, Karlson, WatkinsAbstained: Gutbezahl, Martin
From the minutes
“T. Fay moved, seconded by D. Watkins, to approve the minutes of March 23, 2023, as amended. C. Karlson corrected the header on the draft minutes. Roll Call Vote: YEA: T. Fay, C. Karlson, D. Watkins. NAY: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: A. Gutbezahl, C. Martin. Adopted 3-0-2.” (Motion: Fay, second: Watkins)
Mar 20Approve the Verizon contract as presented beginning on page…Motion: D. Watkins moved, seconded by C. Martin, to approve the Verizon…Passed 4–0 · see note
March 20, 2023: Approve the Verizon contract as presented beginning on page 23 on the packet
D. Watkins moved, seconded by C. Martin, to approve the Verizon contract as presented beginning on page 23 on the packet.
Yes: Fay, Karlson, Martin, WatkinsThe roll call lists Adam Gutbezahl as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“D. Watkins moved, seconded by C. Martin, to approve the Verizon contract as presented beginning on page 23 on the packet. Vote: YEA: T. Fay, C. Karlson, C. Martin, D. Watkins. NAY: None. ABSENT: A. Gutbezahl. ABSTAIN: None. Adopted 4-0.” (Motion: Watkins, second: Martin)
Mar 20Approve the minutes of February 27, 2023, as amendedMotion: D. Watkins moved, seconded by C. Martin, to approve the minutes…Passed 4–0 · see note
March 20, 2023: Approve the minutes of February 27, 2023, as amended
D. Watkins moved, seconded by C. Martin, to approve the minutes of February 27, 2023, as amended.
Yes: Fay, Karlson, Martin, WatkinsThe roll call lists Adam Gutbezahl as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“D. Watkins moved, seconded by C. Martin, to approve the minutes of February 27, 2023, as amended. Vote: YEA: T. Fay, C. Karlson, C. Martin, D. Watkins. NAY: None. ABSENT: A. Gutbezahl. ABSTAIN: None. Adopted 4-0.” (Motion: Watkins, second: Martin)
Mar 20Approve the minutes of March 6, 2023, as amendedMotion: T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, to approve the minutes…Passed 4–0 · Abstained: Martin
March 20, 2023: Approve the minutes of March 6, 2023, as amended
T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, to approve the minutes of March 6, 2023, as amended.
Yes: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson, WatkinsAbstained: Martin
From the minutes
“T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, to approve the minutes of March 6, 2023, as amended. Vote: YEA: T. Fay, A. Gutbezahl, C. Karlson, D. Watkins. NAY: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: C. Martin. Adopted 4-0-1.” (Motion: Fay, second: Gutbezahl)
Feb 27Insert Article II. Banning the use of Second-Generation Anticoagulant…Motion: T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, to insert Article II.…Failed 0–5 · No: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson, Martin, Watkins
February 27, 2023: Insert Article II. Banning the use of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticide
T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, to insert Article II. Banning the use of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticide. C. Karlson noted that the article was submitted and voted by the Conservation Commission after the warrant closed and cannot go forward.
No: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson, Martin, Watkins
From the minutes
“T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, to insert Article II. Banning the use of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticide. C. Karlson noted that the article was submitted and voted by the Conservation Commission after the warrant closed and cannot go forward. Roll Call Vote: YEA: None. NAY: T. Fay, A. Gutbezahl, C. Karlson, C. Martin, D. Watkins. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion failed, 0-5.” (Motion: Fay, second: Gutbezahl)
Feb 27Insert and recommend approval Article CC. Revise Finance Committee…Motion: T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, to insert and recommend…Passed 4–1 · No: Watkins
February 27, 2023: Insert and recommend approval Article CC. Revise Finance Committee Appointment
T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, to insert and recommend approval Article CC. Revise Finance Committee Appointment. In discussion, A. Gutbezahl stated that the subcommittee did not hear reports of this model causing any acrimony among finance committees. D. Watkins cautioned the Board to not underestimate the dynamic of the Finance Committee, and reported that he would not support the motion.
Yes: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson, MartinNo: Watkins
From the minutes
“T. Fay moved, seconded by A. Gutbezahl, to insert and recommend approval Article CC. Revise Finance Committee Appointment. In discussion, A. Gutbezahl stated that the subcommittee did not hear reports of this model causing any acrimony among finance committees. D. Watkins cautioned the Board to not underestimate the dynamic of the Finance Committee, and reported that he would not support the motion. Roll Call Vote: YEA: T. Fay, A. Gutbezahl, C. Karlson, C. Martin. NAY: D. Watkins. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Adopted 4-1.” (Motion: Fay, second: Gutbezahl)
Feb 27Recommend approval of Article V. Finance Committee; Finance Committee…Motion: A. Gutbezahl moved, seconded by C. Martin, to recommend approval of…Failed 2–3 · No: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson
February 27, 2023: Recommend approval of Article V. Finance Committee; Finance Committee Appointing Board
A. Gutbezahl moved, seconded by C. Martin, to recommend approval of Article V. Finance Committee; Finance Committee Appointing Board.
Yes: Martin, WatkinsNo: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson
From the minutes
“A. Gutbezahl moved, seconded by C. Martin, to recommend approval of Article V. Finance Committee; Finance Committee Appointing Board. Roll Call Vote: YEA: C. Martin, D. Watkins. NAY: T. Fay, A. Gutbezahl, C. Karlson. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion did not pass, 2-3.” (Motion: Gutbezahl, second: Martin)
Feb 27Insert Article Z. Personnel Code revisionMotion: A. Gutbezahl moved, seconded by C. Martin, to insert Article Z.…Failed 0–5 · No: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson, Martin, Watkins
February 27, 2023: Insert Article Z. Personnel Code revision
A. Gutbezahl moved, seconded by C. Martin, to insert Article Z. Personnel Code revision. In discussion, A> Gutbezahl noted that Town Counsel advised against this warrant article.
No: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson, Martin, Watkins
From the minutes
“A. Gutbezahl moved, seconded by C. Martin, to insert Article Z. Personnel Code revision. In discussion, A> Gutbezahl noted that Town Counsel advised against this warrant article. Roll Call Vote: YEA: None. NAY: T. Fay, A. Gutbezahl, C. Karlson, C. Martin, D. Watkins. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion failed, 0-5.” (Motion: Gutbezahl, second: Martin)
Feb 27Insert Article BB. Fund Equity AuditMotion: A. Gutbezahl moved, seconded by C. Martin, to insert Article BB.…Failed 0–5 · No: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson, Martin, Watkins
February 27, 2023: Insert Article BB. Fund Equity Audit
A. Gutbezahl moved, seconded by C. Martin, to insert Article BB. Fund Equity Audit.
No: Fay, Gutbezahl, Karlson, Martin, Watkins
From the minutes
“A. Gutbezahl moved, seconded by C. Martin, to insert Article BB. Fund Equity Audit. Roll Call Vote: YEA: None. NAY: T. Fay, A. Gutbezahl, C. Karlson, C. Martin, D. Watkins. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion failed 0-5.” (Motion: Gutbezahl, second: Martin)
From the Wayland Select Board’s official minutes: 2018 to 2024 from the town’s Document Center (Agendas & Minutes prior to 2025, Select Board), and 2025 on from its Agenda Center. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Wayland Patch candidate profiles (Thomas Fay, May 2022; William Whitney, April 2023; Carol Martin, April 2024; Doug Levine, May 2024), photos courtesy of the members. Christopher Reynolds from his candidate profile in The Wayland Post (April 2026).
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