March Newsletter & Upcoming Events Dear Wayland Dad, With a big town election coming up Tuesday, March 31st, Wayland Dads wanted to send out a special "get out the vote" newsletter.  Above anything else we as members of the community need to be involved in local politics.  Be it voting tomorrow or attending Town Meeting next week, it is essential you voice your opinion.    Thank for your support and involvement in Wayland. Wayland Dad's Group  wayland.dads@gmail.com Join our member page. In This Issue Drop in Play Saturday March 14th Politico - Town Meeting "Get out the VOTE!"
Kids Drop in Play -              "Get the kids out of the house and set them free" Saturday April 4th @ Loker Gym from 9-11:30am  Location: Loker School Gym When: Saturday, April 4th, 9:00-11:30am We are hosting a special "prepare for Town Meeting" Dads Drop-In on Saturday.  Since many of us are new to town and the Town Meeting forum, we thought it valuable to review some of the nuances of Town Meeting, review some of the Warrants on the ballet and host a general instruction.  Stay tuned!     Politico -              "March 31 Tues - ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION" We need to turn out the vote!!!   Polls are open from 7:00am - 8:00pm tomorrow or you can stop by the Town Clerk's office this morning to file an absentee ballot. Note:  Given some of the logistical challenges that families with children are faced with when it comes time to vote we will be collecting cell numbers to keep folks up to date via text blasts or for questions.  If  you would like to receive text blasts during this town voting cycle please reply to this email  (wayland.dads@gmail.com) with your name and cell number.     ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION    Tuesday March 31st from 7am  - 8pm Mark your calendar, put a reminder on your phone - get to the polls tomorrow to vote in the Wayland town elections!  There are two contested races and a write-in opportunity.  Participation is key. Please vote. Selectman: Vote for two:  Lea Anderson, Mary Antes, George Harris Recreation: Vote for two:  Bruce Cummings, Heidi Seaborg, Brud Wright Assessors: Write-in two names:  There is wide support for the two write-in candidates Cheryl Kane and Zack Ventress. Key Information Sources WayForward:    http://wayforward.us/ Wayland Town Meeting 2015:  http://www.wayland.ma.us/Pages/WaylandMA_Selectmen/ATM2015 Polling Station:   http://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx Wayland Community Center:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/633705603417999/ WDG Blog:   http://waylanddads.blogspot.com/   ANNUAL TOWN MEETING    Starting Monday April 6th @ 7:30    Through Wednesday April 8th @ 7:30 Mark your calendar as the town meeting spans several days starting on April 6th and finishing on April 8th.  If needed there could be a fourth night of April 13th.       Likely agenda for April 7th will include Articles 25 and 26 summarized below:     Article 25 Summary:  Acquire Municipal Parcel in Town Center and Convey Access Easement in Town Center Cost: $1.00 This article, if passed, will allow the Board of Selectmen to acquire or lease a 4-acre parcel of property at the Town Center to serve a municipal function. The article will also allow the BOS to grant an easement on land at the Town Center near the waste water treatment facility in order to improve traffic flow and access to parking for the second phase of construction (located just after the Verizon Wireless Store on Andrew Ave). This article would have to pass in order for testing and feasibility design of the proposed Senior Center/Recreation Center (Article 26) to be considered-without this land, there could be no proposed plans for a municipal building at the Town Center.  Read More  Article 26 Summary: Appropriate Funds for Due Diligence and Feasibility Design for a Proposed Council on Aging/Community Center at Wayland Town Center Cost: $150,000 This article, if passed, will allow the Town to explore and study proposed plans for a Council on Aging/Community Center at the "municipal pad" at the Town Center. Such studies include: Confirming programming requirements for the COA/Rec Center Reviewing site conditions of the land Identifying permitting needs Creating conceptual/schematic designs for the building Plans for the site include renovating the existing building to create a multi-generational facility to be used by the COA and other groups, including the Recreation Department. Other potential components that are currently being explored by other groups, but would enhance the Community Center project include: Walking trails to connect the Community Center to the river, A potential "Community Boat House" for canoeing/kayaking, Connecting the Town Center to the Rail Trail bike trail system This article involves a two-phased project: due diligence and feasibility design. The second phase of the project, the feasibility design, will only be undertaken if the results of the due diligence indicate that a functional building at the municipal pad is permittable.   Read More   The week of April 6th the WDG will host a 3 day continuous Tail Gate Party!
About Us The Wayland Dads Group is a community-building program for dads and their children and a great way for families to meet other families in the community. Its cornerstone activity is the Saturday morning Drop-In where dads and kids meet on alternate Saturdays of each month during the school year. Goals: *    Fun with our kids through planned activities - Saturday drop ins and trips *    Give dads an easy, fun option for their kids on a Saturday morning *    Building a sense of community among kids and fathers *    Giving moms a break!  (And scoring points) *    Make it through winter without going stir crazy What:  Bi-weekly Drop in Plays Where:   Loker school gym When:  Alternating Saturday mornings throughout the school year Thanks for your support!