More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley resident Trond Undheim, who spoke up at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday regarding the recent drowning at Morses Pond, has published an expanded explanation of his thoughts on how to best make use of human resources during an emergency situation. As Undheim stated during the meeting, he was at the beach that day and his efforts to involve himself and other adults on the scene in the emergency response were unsuccessful.

Undheim, a management expert who lectures at MIT, writes in part:

“I do not blame the lifeguards. The eight lifeguards I saw conducting water rescue were professional. I do not blame the first responders, police, firemen or AMR. I do not blame the Wellesley Town recreation department or indeed anybody else. I do not blame parents or the drowning victim’s caretakers. This was a tough situation, but nevertheless one we need to learn from.

I want to start a debate about the risks of letting our kids and youngsters swim and play at Morses pond. I also propose to change the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and missing person protocol at Morses pond to allow for volunteer efforts, in and out of water. Furthermore, I think that authorities, large and small, should listen to good ideas, regardless where they are coming from, even in a stressed situation.  This is simply good practice.”

Another Wellesley resident this week made a plea for the community to show its support for the Morses Pond lifeguards and other first responders.

The town is using outside consultants to examine its Morses Pond safety procedures and the safety conditions at the pond, which is still closed to the public. Board Chair Terri Tsagaris said during the Monday meeting that public sessions will likely be held to give more residents a chance to share their thoughts once the consultants have done some of their work, and that an online venue for asking questions and getting information might also be made available.

A Wellesley resident has posted on Tumblr a plea for the community to rally around Morses Pond lifeguards in the wake of the recent drowning at the local breach.

Mark Nikolewski writes that he swung by the Board of Selectmen’s meeting last night to get an update on the Morses Pond investigation, to share concern about the recent push to boost attendance there and to express his support for local emergency responders and lifeguards. He notes that this portion of the meeting, during which Wellesley Police Chief Terry Cunningham provided an update and discussed the hiring of outside consultants to review Morses Pond safety practices, was brief, so he missed it and didn’t get a chance to have his say.

In the Tumblr blog, Nikolewski focuses on the lifeguards and writes in part:

Before leaving I noticed a group of folks standing outside the hall. Turns out they were a group of Morses pond staff, lifeguards and their families. 

They said they had no idea when the pond would reopen -but that they’d be ready this weekend.

When I realized who they were I took the opportunity to share my appreciation for all that they did and do for us. I let them know that we’re behind them and understand that this must’ve been an awful experience -that I couldn’t imagine the grief and pain they must be feeling.

Many an eye welled up. One of them said said “I wished you’d have been here earlier to say that in the meeting.”

I was left with the distinct impression that these folks are hurting that if we as residents could find some way to express our gratitude and support of our lifeguards it would really make a difference in their lives.

Nikolewski goes on to say he’d love to get suggestions for how the community can respond to these first responders.

Chief Cunningham said during the Selectmen meeting that it’s possible the pond could reopen to swimmers as soon as this weekend, depending on what the consultant finds.