Wayland Reaches Deal To Hire First Permanent Town Manager

WAYLAND, MA — After nearly a year without a permanent chief administrator, the Wayland Select Board has reached a deal to hire Michael McCall as Wayland's first permanent town manager.

McCall, who is the town manager in Southbridge, was picked for the job by the select board on Dec. 10. They have been negotiating a contract in the intervening weeks, and reached a deal on Thursday.

"Michael is a proven leader and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all aspects of government administration and procedure, and we are very excited to welcome him aboard as our next town manager," Select Board Chair Cherry Karlson said in a news release. "We thank the community for their participation in this process and for helping us find a town manager that represents the values of our community."

Wayland hasn't had a permanent chief administrator since Louise Miller left in early 2022 to become Framingham's chief financial officer. In March, Gov. Charlie Baker approved a change in the town charter — previously approved by Wayland Town Meeting — to switch to a town manager system. Miller was the town administrator in a system where only some town departments reported to her office.

Since Miller left, Stephen Crane — now the Ipswich town manager — and Assistant Town Manager John Bugbee have served as interim town managers.

McCall, a Chelmsford resident, previously served as an attorney for police departments in Pelham and Milford, NH, and as Chelmsford's assistant town manager. He was also previously a Chelmsford Select Board member, and Chelmsford Town Meeting member.

"I am truly honored to serve as Wayland’s first town manager," McCall said in a news release. "I am looking forward to working with the residents, staff, and select board on their goals and objectives, and I am eager to get started."