On the Button: Wellesley Senior Center supporters

senior buttonsTom Coyle from the Friends of the Wellesley Council on Aging, says the group is making available a variety of $1 buttons for those in favor of building the Tolles-Parsons Senior Center in town.

Supporters of such a center, to be built at the old American Legion property at 496 Washington Street under the latest proposal, were buoyed by approval for design and permitting funds at the most recent Town Meeting.

The subject sparked vigorous debate, with opponents questioning the need for a standalone facility, which is expected to cost millions to build and bump up tax bills.

 

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Justine’s Table to remain BYOB for now

justine's tableJustine’s Table, the Rte. 9 East restaurant in Wellesley that opened last year, has withdrawn its application for an all-alcohol license after Wellesley Board of Selectmen members raised many concerns and questions during a public meeting earlier this month.

Questions were raised about who really owns the business (various names have been involved over the past couple of years), with the board seeking to straighten that out before considering an all-alcohol license. The current owner, Gordon Breidenbach, and restaurant group’s attorney explained that they’ve worked to clarify ownership in recent months by filing appropriate paperwork. Still, the board said that uncertainty surrounding construction of a residential apartment building behind Justine’s (construction is expected to get underway this summer) raises fresh questions about the appropriateness of granting an all-alcohol license at this time. Terms such as “troubled” and “premature” peppered the comments from the board members.

Board members expressed an appreciation for the business owner’s desire to move forward with an all-alcohol license to help fuel interest in the restaurant. After all, the restaurant group’s attorney acknowledged that business has not been as brisk at Justine’s as hoped for. He said the lack of tenants upstairs (and the lack of residents from the apartment building to be built) has eliminated some potential customers, and noted that feedback from actual customers is that BYOD doesn’t fit well with Justine’s fine dining approach — they’d rather buy their booze on-site.

Withdrawing the application spared Justine’s of having its application denied by the board, and gives hope that the restaurant group can re-apply once paperwork is tidied up and the construction project is further along.

RELATED: On-demand video of May 6 Board of Selectmen meeting

WHERE to eat in Wellesley

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Lincoln gets a Swellesley Report of its own

squirrelCongrats to Alice Waugh, a journalist and communications professional, for launching The Lincoln Squirrel, a hyperlocal website in her hometown of Lincoln, Mass.

I met with Alice last fall to discuss the origins of The Swellesley Report, back when she was noodling the idea of site for the town where she grew up and moved back to a few years ago. The Squirrel started up late last year, and now features a steady stream of news, photos and events.

 

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Ex-Wellesley School Superintendent looks to get back in the game

Bella WongBella Wong, who resigned as Wellesley’s school superintendent at the end of this past school year, is one of 3 finalists for the interim superintendent/principal at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School.

Wong late last year was named Weston’s representative to the Minuteman High School Committee.

More on the L-S Regional High School process (Boston.com).

 

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Morses Pond beach tags on sale

Morses Pond, April 2012Residents can now purchase Morses Pond beach tags, while non-residents can buy tags starting next week.

The pond officially opens for swimming on May 25, the start of Memorial Day weekend. Tags cost $25 for kids up to age 16, $30 for adults and $25 for senior citizens until June 11. The child and adult tags cost an extra $5 after that date.

Daily tags cost $5 for residents, $10 for non-residents.

For more info, swimming lesson info, visit the Wellesley Recreation Department website.

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Ex-Red Sox player Carl Crawford sells Wellesley home for $2.6M

39 Temple Rd Wellesley MACarl Crawford, the $140M former Red Sox outfielder now playing for the LA Dodgers, last month sold his 5, 235 sq. ft. ,Wellesley home at 39 Temple Rd., for $2.6M.

He was looking for $3.2M last summer when the single-family home with batting cage near Dana Hall School hit the market, but settled for a little bit more than the $2.5M he paid for it 2 years ago.

carl crawfordAs for Crawford, he’s bounced back a bit baseball-wise, batting over .300 so far this season after a couple of disappointing injury-plagued seasons in Boston.

Former Celtics player Ray Allen, the other big pro sports player who lived in Wellesley but headed out of town, sold his mansion for $4.6M earlier this year to break even on the investment.

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Watertown police, marathon bomber copter expected at Wellesley Veterans’ Parade

Boston Marathon 2012, halfway homeThe Wellesley Celebrations Committee plans during the 45th Annual Wellesley Veterans’ Parade on Sunday, May 19 to honor those whose efforts helped capture the Boston Marathon bombers and protect the public during the events.

From 3-3:15pm at the 13.1 Mile Mark (halfway home) of the Boston Marathon, a ceremony will be held to salute “Boston & Wellesley Strong,” according to Roy Switzler, chairman of the Wellesley Celebrations & Parade Committee. A band will play the National Anthem and America the Beautiful, a Marine Color Guard will be in attendance, and the street will be marked with a painting of the Boston/Wellesley Strong symbol, he says.

What’s more, expect an appearance by the Watertown Police Department and a fly over by the helicopter used to locate the 2nd marathon bomber in the Watertown boat. The state police copter is expected to land later at Hunnewell Field, though that depends on whether it has any assignments that day.

RELATED: Wellesley Veterans’ Parade to honor town’s finest

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