Residents press council for soil testing after material dumped at Pate Farm; council requests admin report

Residents from the neighborhood near Pate Farm told the council they are concerned that soil deposited on town property (reported to be from Wayland School) could contain asbestos or other contaminants. They said rumors and a privately‑initiated sample associated with a separate household illness had raised alarm in the neighborhood.

Councilman LaPlaccio asked residents to state their concerns and then moved that the council send a letter to the administration requesting test results from when the town acquired the property, details about testing of soil deposited there and the town’s plan for grading or removal if contaminants are found. Councilman Pollock seconded the motion. The council approved the motion by voice vote and continued the issue to the December meeting so staff could provide residents with an update.

The council did not authorize testing funds during the meeting; the motion directed staff to report past results and to outline next steps to present at the next council meeting.