Wayland 2021 Candidate: Sherre Greenbaum, Board Of Public Works

WAYLAND, MA — With four candidates running for two seats and a recent crisis over contamination in Wayland's water, the 2021 Board of Public Works race has taken on a new significance.

Sherre Greenbaum is one of four people running in 2021. Member Jonathan Mishara is not running again this year, leaving Clifford Lewis the only incumbent in the race. Apart from Greenbaum, Abner Bruno, Jr. and Duane Galbi are vying for a seat.

The two winners will be tasked with helping to fix Wayland's PFAS problem. The town recently discovered elevated levels of the harmful chemicals in the Happy Hollow well field, Wayland's main water supply. Under new state regulations, the town has to come up with long and short-term solutions to remove the contamination from the water.

Patch sent each of the four candidates a questionnaire so voters can get to know them better. Here's how Greenbaum answered:

Sherre Greenbaum

Position Sought: Board of Public Works
Family:Stephen, husband; Jonathan and Alia, children; Roxy, dog
Education: B.A. Political Science, University of Wisconsin J.D. Boston College Law School Radcliffe Seminars Landscape Program
Occupation: Current: Garden Designer, owner, Sage Gardens (22 years) Previous: Legal career including attorney for the Social Security Administration
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: 10 years as an active volunteer on Wayland’s Beautification Committee, 1998-2008; 4 years as Chair of Wayland’s Wellhead Protection Committee, 2007-2011; 6 years of service on Wayland’s Conservation Commission, including 4 years as Chair from 2014-2018
Campaign website: www.electsherregreenbaum.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have chosen to run for a seat on the Board of Public Works primarily because of my background and interest in the Town’s water resources as the Board evaluates a potential switch from Town wells to the MWRA water supply. With new, stricter state requirements in place regulating PFAS in our drinking water, the Board faces additional challenges to continue to provide safe and reliable water to residents. I believe I have a unique skill set to make a real contribution toward both short- and long-term solutions to ensure the public health and safety of our community.

The single most pressing issue facing our town is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Drinking water.

At this time, the confusion and concern of many Wayland residents about PFAS in the drinking water have taken over the town discussion. PFAS, the “forever chemicals,” are linked to many human health issues including cancer, immune system suppression, low infant birth weight, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and others.

Massachusetts recently established a PFAS standard which the Town’s water has exceeded for three consecutive months. This puts the Town in non-compliance of the state protective level. The federal government continues to assess risks and has not yet set a federal standard.

Because the Happy Hollow wells, which provide more than 50% of the Town’s drinking water, have PFAS readings in excess of the MassDEP protective standard, the Town is required to immediately come up with a short-term solution, in addition to providing bottled water to certain sensitive residents. The most plausible immediate solutions are to find and remediate the source of the PFAS near the Happy Hollow wells; treat the water at its source with a filtration system; or connect on an emergency basis, fully or partially, to the MWRA supply. I would support a fact-based and transparent decision-making process to hopefully allay the collective anxiety of residents. Based on the information available to me at this time, I would support remediation, if possible, and/or adding filtration at the Happy Hollow wells and possibly the Chamberlain well, where PFAS concentrations are approaching exceedance of the state standard.

A successful long-term solution is a major decision affecting the health and safety of current and future residents. As such, it must be based on a comprehensive and deliberative process that considers both the quality and quantity of available water sources. I would consider all the available information as well as input from the community before deciding whether the Town should continue to use all or some of the Town wells with additional treatment, switch to the MWRA supply for all or part of the Town, or drill new wells, if an appropriate site could be located.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have professional training as a lawyer; extensive Town Committee and Commission service; an in-depth knowledge of water, conservation, and land use laws and regulations; and a longstanding commitment to the betterment of Wayland.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I do not consider myself a challenger in this election. I am running for the seat of a current Board member who is not seeking re-election. He served the Board very ably for several terms and is a lawyer. My legal background and years of service in town government would help to fill that vacancy and complement the other Board members’ strengths and capabilities.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

The Health Director and Public Health nurse have done an excellent job during the pandemic based on the information and resources available to them.

I was also very impressed with the grass roots efforts of community members who responded in meaningful ways to the crisis. Neighborhood support groups were set up through Neighbors4Seniors, an effort by Dave Watkins, and Wayland Sews, a local volunteer group, supported healthcare and frontline workers by providing masks and other PPE.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I would also address compliance with the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) Permit requirements, which is crucial to reducing the impact of polluted stormwater on local water bodies; financial challenges facing the Town’s Transfer Station and what services best benefit residents; evaluation of options for reuse of the old South Landfill; maintenance of Town recreational facilities to ensure safe and reliable playing fields; and the ongoing Tree Inventory along public roads, which will help maintain the Town’s character and improve air quality.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As the Chair of the Wayland Wellhead Protection Committee, I developed expertise in the quality and quantity of our drinking water. The 4-year effort of our committee culminated in Wayland’s first-ever Wellhead Protection Plan (www.waylandwells.info), approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) in 2011. The Plan identified potential sources of contamination affecting Town wells and provided management strategies to protect and maintain a sustainable water system. In 2013, our Plan was recognized by the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord River (SUASCO) Stewardship Council for our dedication to the protection of our water resources, and by the EPA for promoting water conservation.

As a member of the Conservation Commission for 6 years, serving as Chair from 2014-2018, I developed a deep understanding of State and Town laws and regulations regarding wetlands and stormwater and how they affect both private and municipal projects. It also significantly added to my historical perspective on land use issues.

With my professional training as a lawyer and strong critical thinking skills, I can evaluate and make fact-based decisions based on relevant laws and legal precedent.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans” (often attributed to John Lennon)

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am informed, prepared, and eager to serve the Town as a member of the Board. Please see my website for more information www.electsherregreenbaum.com