Wellesley Annual Town Meeting Warrant open until Dec. 18; Town Election nomination papers available Dec. 4

November 20, 2024 by admin Leave a Comment

It’s not too soon to get ready for 2025 Annual Town Meeting, which—no fooling—starts on April 1 at 7pm at Wellesley Middle School.

To ensure Town Meeting members have something to talk about and vote on, the Town Meeting Warrant will need to be compiled by 4pm on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The warrant is now open. The warrant typically includes a few dozen articles on topics such as finances and zoning.

Individuals or groups wishing to have an article included in the warrant must submit a petition signed by at least 10 registered Wellesley voters to the town clerk. Contact the clerk with questions.

Separately, Wellesley’s 2025 Annual Town Election will take place on Tuesday, March 4. Nomination papers for a town-wide office candidates will be available from the clerk beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

More: About Wellesley Town Meeting

Town personnel news: Wellesley Deputy Police Chief appointed; Mobility Manager hired; Firefighters graduate from academy

November 20, 2024 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The town of Wellesley has made the following appointments and hires:

Renzella promoted to Wellesley Deputy Police Chief

Veteran officer and lifelong Wellesley resident Jeff Renzella has been promoted to deputy chief at the Wellesley Police Department. He was sworn in at the Nov. 19 Select Board meeting and his wife, Maura Renzella, pinned on his new uniform hardware (see Wellesley Media recording at about 4-minute mark).

Renzella’s community contributions beyond his police work include being an assistant coach for the Wellesley High football team.

Chief Scott Whittemore said of Renzella: “Jeff knows what the department needs and how to make it better.”

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Renzella was recognized with a formal salute from his officers outside the Tolles Parsons Center.

New Wellesley Police Deputy Chief Jeff Renzella gets pinned by wife Maura — Maura Renzella pins badge on uniform of new Wellesley Police Deputy Chief Jeff Renzella (Town of Wellesley photo)

Mobility Manager hired

Wellesley has hired Sheila Page as its first Mobility Manager, reporting into the Select Board office. Page has planning experience in recent years with the towns of Ashland and Lexington.

In posting a job opening earlier this year for a Transportation and Mobility Manager, the town sought someone “to provide professional, administrative, and technical work in the development and implementation of neighborhood-based and town-wide transportation plans.” During public discussions on adding this job to the payroll, one goal cited was aiding the town in grant writing. At a recent meeting, it was mentioned that Page could play a role in reviewing transportation strategies at Wellesley Park, where The Nines apartment complex is located.

New firefighters on board

Four recently introduced Wellesley firefighters have become official members of the team after graduating as part of a class of 31 from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program in Stow. The Wellesley firefighters are Ivan Cabassa, Sean Higgins, Kevin Leland, and Kyle Sikora.

Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Class #325 graduates (Department of Fire Services courtesy photo)

Fire Chief Steve Mortarelli at the Nov. 19 Select Board meeting also introduced three more recruits who will be going through the academy (see Wellesley Media recording at about the 40-minute mark).

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Wellelsey police interrupt Livingston Road home break-in, make arrest

November 19, 2024 by admin Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Police Department on Monday, Nov. 18 shortly after 6pm received a residential burglar alarm for a home on Livingston
Road. As two officers arrived at the residence, they interrupted a breaking and entering in progress and encountered two individuals fleeing on foot.

Officers and Detectives from the Wellesley Police Department, Dover, Needham, Wellesley College Campus Police and Massachusetts State Police
responded to assist in searching the area. At approximately 7:00 p.m. a resident reported seeing a male party running through their yard on Longmeadow Road. Lt. Jeff Renzella encountered the male party, later identified as being from Denver, and he was taken into custody.

Officers continued to search the area for the second individual with the assistance of two Massachusetts State Police K9’s, the State Police Airwing and
officers from area forces. Drones were also deployed by the Dover and Wellesley Police to assist with the search, but it was ultimately determined that the second suspect had fled the area.

The Wellesley Police encourage residents to report any suspicious active to the Emergency Communications Center by calling 9-1-1.

The incident remains under investigation.

For sale: Unique modern home in neighborhood with tremendous privacy—176 Hilllcrest Rd., Needham

November 19, 2024 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED CONTENT: Welcome to your Bird’s Hill Needham dream home! This unique modern-style residence at 176 Hillcrest Rd. has a wonderful floor plan. A grand 2-story glass foyer showcases stunning sunset views. Spread across two, not three, above-ground levels, the living space feels spacious. The first floor features an in-law suite with a bedroom, walk-in closet, and full bath with a stunning roll-in shower, ideal for guests or multi-generational living. Entertain with ease in the dining room, complete with a wet bar, beverage fridge, and custom shelving, perfect for displaying your favorite glassware. Retreat to the luxurious primary suite, boasting dual walk-in closets, an oversized shower with three shower heads, and a relaxing soaking tub. The walkout basement adds versatility, with a bedroom, exercise room, playroom, wet bar and beverage fridge, and media room, catering to all your lifestyle needs. The just-under 14k sq. ft. property includes two patios and nice yard/plants. Located near the town center, Hersey train station, Broadmeadow School, and Perry Park. Don’t miss the chance to make this exquisite residence your own.

Bill Paulsen, Keller Williams, Needham — 176 Hillcrest St. in Needham is a unique modern-style residence with a wonderful floor plan.

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Business buzz: Wellesley Square’s Taylor Block on the block; Hungry Pot opens in Natick; Heat pumps & your wallet

November 19, 2024 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Wellesley Square’s Taylor Block on the block

Wellesley’s Taylor Block, consisting of 540-568 Washington St. at the intersection with Grove Street, is up for sale.

The Boston Globe reports that brokerage firm Colliers is shopping the property across from the Wellesley Square train station to developers.

Businesses such as Old School Pizzeria, Rice Burg, and Comina are among the tenants on this stretch.

A Colliers brochure about the two- and three-story property promotes the town’s multifamily development rule changes in line with the MBTA Communities Act. The buildings currently host retail on the first floor, with some offices and apartments above. The brochure cites there being about 128,000 developable square feet of property.

The Globe quotes a Colliers executive named Frank Petz saying: “It’s such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity given the scale of what we’re talking about, the prime location in the heart of Wellesley, and the strength of the [housing] market.”

According to a 2013 post on the Wellesley History blog, the block was constructed by Charles N. Taylor in 1904 to house the Wellesley National Bank that he led, as well as the Post Office that moved across the street to its current Grove Street location in 1964.

Know of businesses coming or going? Don’t keep it to yourself: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

3 Easy Steps to Estate Planning (Sponsored)

First taste of Natick’s new Hungry Pot restaurant

We checked out the newest area restaurant, Hungry Pot, which is located on Rte. 9 east in Natick. You can choose between hot pot and Korean barbecue… we went with the hot pot.

Read more about Hungry Pot in our Natick Report piece.

Heat Pumps can be good for the environment & your wallet

From Larry Derany and Duncan Perry of Smarter Bear Financial

You’ve probably seen a lot of advertisements about heat pumps and their installation. Heat pumps can meet your heating and cooling needs, replacing natural gas, oil, or propane equipment. Recent technology improvements allow heat pumps to work well at the low temperatures in New England winters. Previously, you would need a backup heat source on very cold days. Whole house heat pumps are a perfect upgrade when your current heating system uses forced hot air. If your current system uses forced hot water – mini-split heat pumps would be the better fit. Mini-splits are ductless systems that consist of a unit outside your house and one or more small units mounted on a wall inside the room that needs heating and cooling.

Wellesley makes heat pump upgrades a great deal for your family budget in two ways. First, there is a valuable rebate program—all the details can be found at https://wellesleyma.gov/1641/Heat-Pump-Program. In addition, Wellesley has one of the lowest rates for buying electricity in the state at around $.17/KWH compared to a state average of $.29/KWH. Wellesley should be able to keep rates low for residents as the Municipal Light and Power (MLP) team recently activated a giant battery system that can help avoid higher costs of acquiring electricity at peak usage times. The MLP does not generate electricity; they purchase electricity using cost-effective long-term contracts, and the battery system will avoid paying high market rates when demand is high—an intelligent move by the MLP.

More financial information of interest is available in Smarter Bear’s free monthly newsletter.

Please support Swellesley, your local news source, by advertising or contributing.

Wellesley High girls’ soccer team headed to Division 1 state final

November 18, 2024 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley High School girls’ soccer team topped Brookline High by a 2-1 score in overtime on Monday night in Weymouth to advance to the Division 1 state final. Peyton Keyes knocked in a penalty kick early in OT for the victory.

#3-ranked Brookline sent the game into overtime by scoring with just three seconds left in regulation. The #2-ranked Raiders took an early 1-0 lead on an own goal just a few minutes into the first half.

For Wellesley Coach Dave Wainwright, this marks the second year in a row he has led a team to the Division 1 finals. Last year, he led Natick to the title, and it looked like the Raiders might be facing the Redhawks in the finals in what would have been a classic matchup. Natick had already defeated Wellesley twice by 1-0 scores this season.

But #4-ranked Bishop Feehan knocked off undefeated Natick in double overtime by a 2-1 score later on Monday night in Weymouth. Natick topped Bishop Feehan for the state title last season.

The 2024 finals are set between Wellesley and Bishop Feehan for Saturday, Nov. 23 at 3pm at Worcester State.

Wellesley’s and state’s oldest resident, Herlda Senhouse, passes away at 113

November 18, 2024 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Those in Wellesley and beyond this week are mourning the death and celebrating the life of Herlda Senhouse, who passed away at the age of 113 on Saturday morning, peacefully in her sleep. She was the oldest resident in Wellesley as well as the state, and the second oldest in the country, having turned 113 on Feb. 28.

Herlda is survived by four generations of nieces and nephews, and countless friends who loved and cherished her.

Here’s the formal obituary for Herlda Senhouse.

We were fortunate to celebrate several of this extraordinary women’s recent birthdays, which were marked by good cheer as well as the presentation of the Boston Post Cane, allowed out of the Wellesley Historical Society’s collections but once a year for its annual photo-op with the town’s eldest resident.

Herlda Senhouse, 113, Wellesley — Herlda Senhouse in February, upon turning 113 years old

At Herlda’s last birthday party, one attendee said: “She’s just a fun person, a great role model to look up to.”

The longtime Wellesley resident attributed her longevity to her many friends, her church family, and her zest for life. Just last year, she and friends took a train to New Jersey for an anniversary party.

“Aunt Herlda,” as she was known to many, lived at Glen Grove in town, though her most recent birthday was celebrated in the hospital. She lived in Wellesley for more than 45 years.

Herlda was born in Piedmont, W.V., in 1911 as one of 10 children, and moved to Woburn, Mass., in 1927. She married William Senhouse in 1933 and they were married for 62 years until his passing. She worked as a nanny for years.

According to her obituary: “While civil rights leaders marched in the 1960s for equality and against racism, Senhouse showed her activism through jazz dance shows. She founded Boston’s Clique Club, a social club of dancers and musicians to help educate Black students. Senhouse helped countless Black students pay for everything from books to college tuition through the Clique Club.”

A memorial service will be held at 11am on Dec. 21 at Myrtle Baptist Church in Newton (21 Curve St.). According to her friend, Margaret Robinson, Herlda in true fashion made arrangements to donate her brain to the lab at MassGeneral Hospital for research on longevity. And one of her last activities was to vote by mail in the 2024 election, according to the town.

The Select Board plans to recognize Herlda Senhouse’s passing during Tuesday’s regular meeting.