Town of Wayland Creates Gift Fund on Behalf of the Eliza Juliet Norton Foundation

The Town of Wayland Select Board is pleased to announce the unanimous vote to approve the creation of a gift fund following the generous donation from the Eliza Juliet Norton (“EJN”) Foundation. At the Select Board meeting held on April 24, 2023, representatives from the EJN Foundation, including Mark Norton and Steve Schamberg, met with the Select Board to provide information on the donation to the Town. The overview included a request to have four new dugout facilities installed at Cochituate Field. The proposed new dugouts would be similar to those currently installed at the Art King Memorial Field adjacent to the Town Building.

Under MGL 44 Section 53A, the Select Board, “may accept grants or gifts of funds from the federal government and from a charitable foundation, a private corporation, or an individual….” The Select Board is then required to deposit said funds with the Town Treasurer which are then held in a separate account. Those funds may only be spent in compliance with the expressed purpose of the donated funds.

Select Board Chair Cherry Karlson stated, “On behalf of the entire Select Board, I would like to thank the EJN Foundation for this extremely generous donation. The Board accepts this donation with heavy hearts and with full appreciation of the importance of this project, particularly how it relates to the memory of Eliza and improving a place that is special to her friends and the Wayland community.” Town Manager Michael McCall added, “The Town and staff pledge to do their absolute best to honor Eliza’s memory by making this project the best it can be.”   

“We are grateful the Town of Wayland Select Board voted in support of this donation from our Foundation,” said Mark Norton, Co-chair, Eliza Juliet Norton Foundation. “This is an important project for our family, the EJN Foundation and the broader Wayland community and falls right in line with the goals of our Foundation. Through this project, Eliza’s impact will continue to be felt in our local community in a space where she thrived – Cochituate Field. We look forward to working collaboratively with the town as this project advances.”

The Eliza Juliet Norton Foundation aims to continue Eliza’s legacy by providing children with increased access to and enhanced experiences in athletics and beyond with a focus on teamwork, good sportsmanship, and community building.