The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Open conversation about residents' health needs

What’s Next for Wellesley?

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From the Wellesley Health Department:

The Town of Wellesley has been the recipient of Opioid Abatement Funds and expects to continue to receive funds through 2038. To use these funds responsibly, we have solicited feedback from a wide cohort of community stakeholders. The results of that feedback will be used to direct Health Department programming overall as well as the use of Opioid Abatement Funds.

On behalf of the Wellesley Health Department, we would like to invite you to a community forum on February 23rd, 6-7 PM to discuss the results of our recent Community Health Needs Assessment, and how we can best use these results to plan for Opioid Abatement Fund Spending. Please see flyer for full event details. The event is free and open to all.

The full report and related documents are linked below: 

We value resident input and encourage you to share your thoughts, questions, and perspectives as the Town considers next steps. 

Share your thoughts and provide feedback, or call us at 781-489-4407. You can also email us at health@wellesley.ma.gov.

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black & blue, Wellesley
Olive Tree Medical, Wellesley
Wellesley Counseling and Wellness

Wellesley community unites to read Frederick Douglass speech at start of Black History Month

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To mark the beginning of Black History Month, on Sunday, Feb. 1, Wellesley Hills Congregational Church hosted a reading of Frederick Douglass’ inspiring speech, What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?

The event included musical interludes by the Wellesley High School Jazz Combo, a timely introduction by Dr. James Kloppenberg, and 50 readers sharing passages of the speech.

This event was planned by a team of community members and the readers represented over 20 Wellesley organizations.

speech black history month
Courtesy photo

More: Black History Month events in and near Wellesley

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Wellesley election, Costas Panagopoulos

Wellesley, Mass., town government meetings for week of Feb. 9: Town meeting prep & budget

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A sampling of Wellesley, Mass., meetings and agenda items for the week of Feb 9, 2026.
 
Board of Public Works (Feb. 9, 5pm, online)

Encroachment policy draft; FY27 budget; DPW master plan
 
Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals (Feb. 9, 6:30pm, online)

Zoning Public Hearing -2026 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) a. Minor Amendment to Zoning Bylaw Section 3.7 Flood Plain or Watershed Protection District b. RIO Task Force Update/Amendment to Zoning Bylaw Section 3.2 Residential Incentive Overlay (RIO) District 4. Project of Significant Impact (PSI) a. PSI-25-04 – 592 Washington Street – Continued From 1/26/26 (To be continued to 2/23/26); Approval of Major Modification Written Decision for 192/194 Worcester Street/150 Cedar Street; Zoning Board of Appeals – Site Plan Approval a. ZBA-2026-07- 106 Central Street – Wellesley College Residence Hall Swing Space
 
Select Board (Feb. 10, 6:30pm, town hall & online)

Joint Meeting Human Resources Board: Discuss ATM Article 30: Amend Town Bylaw Requiring Personnel Bylaws to be Approved by Town Meeting; Discuss ATM Article 32 RIO Zoning Bylaw Modifications – Requiring Select Board to Enter into Development Agreements; Policy Subcommittee Update • Discuss Town-Wide Capital Planning Committee; FY27 Budget Update • Discuss FY27 Operational and Capital Budgets • Discuss School Allocated Costs; Annual Town Meeting (ATM) Preparation • Discuss and Vote Draft Select Board Motions
 
Library Board of Trustees (Feb. 10, 7:15pm, Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington St.)

Our Future Memory – Digital Rights for Memory Institutions, Michael Menna; Overview of Staffing, Programs, Projects, Buildings and Issues; Friends and Foundation Update; Annual Request to the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries; Cash Capital Reduction; Hills Exterior Sign; Fines and Fees Chart
 
Advisory Committee (Feb. 11, 6:30pm, town hall & online)

Wellesley Public Schools FY27 Budget Requests
 
Cultural Council (Feb. 11, 7pm, online)

Update from the MAPC – Lafayette Cruise, Lourdes Alvarez Silva; Grant reception planning (spring 2026)
 
Natural Resources Commission (Feb. 12, 7pm, town hall)

Agenda to come
 

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Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley

Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, 2025

Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, 2026

Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, 2025

Sign up now for summer camp in Wellesley (and beyond)

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SPONSORED CONTENT: It’s that exciting time of year again—time to register your children for summer camp. Most programs have their sign-up links ready to go, so now’s the time to jump on things, before spaces fill up.

The Swellesley Report’s Summer Camps page lists over 100 programs from local day camps to overnight adventures.

Thanks to NEOC for their swell sponsorship of our Summer Camps page. NEOC sparks and stokes the excitement, discovery, and fun children have while outside and builds their understanding of nature, where kids explore and play outside at an easy pace, without any technology at all.

Don’t see your camp listed, or want to update your current listing? Contact us at theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Why summer camp?

The gift of a summer camp experience is an investment in your children’s personal growth that will yield cherished memories and life-long skills.

Summer camp offers a transformative experience that extends far beyond a simple vacation. It’s an opportunity for children to engage with the world around them in a dynamic, supportive environment. By immersing themselves in new activities, from arts and crafts to outdoor adventure, to tech-based experiences, campers build self-confidence, develop crucial independence, and discover hidden talents. These experiences foster resilience as they navigate challenges alongside their peers, learning the invaluable lessons of teamwork, compromise, and friendship.

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Super Bowl Sunday

‘Go Pats!’ from Wellesley’s Morses Pond

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The New England Patriots are getting support on Super Bowl Sunday from icy Morses Pond in Wellesley, where the words “Go Pats!” have appeared.

“I felt the team out in sunny Santa Clara needed a message from snowy New England,” says Erin Reilly, a pond neighbor.

Go Pats morses pond
Photo courtesy of Erin Reilly

 
Hazel Hodge, seen here checking out the message, trying to get to the bottom of how the artist kept footprints out of it.

Go Pats hazel
Photo courtesy of Tom Hodge

 

 

See something? Send something: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Jim Regan Services
Human Powered Health, Wellesley
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Enhanced ACT vs. the Digital SAT. Which one is right for your student?

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The Enhanced ACT vs. the Digital SAT. Which one is right for your student?

With college admission cycles becoming increasingly competitive, today’s high school students are constantly seeking ways of standing out from the pack. And while a number of colleges no longer require standardized testing, scoring well on the ACT or SAT can offer teens a valuable edge. Fortunately, recent changes to the SAT and the ACT have made both tests shorter and more accessible than ever.

Prepped and Polished has more than two decades of experience in tutoring and test preparation, along with a passion for helping students achieve their educational goals. Keep reading to learn more about the Enhanced ACT and Digital SAT and discover which testing option will work best for you.

More…

Check out The Swellesley Report’s Private Schools page, sponsored by Prepped and Polished. With over 40 private schools listed in and around Wellesley, Mass., it’s the right place to start your search.

Prepped’s motto is A, B, C. Always do what’s Best for your Child. Contact 781-753-9951 or visit www.preppedandpolished.com

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Sexton Test Prep, Wellesley

Sports news: New England Patriots merch shop pops up ahead of Super Bowl; Wellesley Youth Soccer Club spiffs up website

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The latest Wellesley, Mass., sports news:

Patriots merch pops up at Linden Square

A Patriots-themed Ring Season shop has popped up in Linden Square on the Roche Bros. side of the street just in time for this Sunday’s Super Bowl.

We reached out to a contact for the shop with a few questions, and will update this if we hear back. A comment on their Facebook page indicates the shop is open 10am-8pm daily. There’s also a shop in Norwell, Mass.

I’m sticking with my old school Vincent “the Undertaker” Brown jersey… though it is annoying when people assume from this color blue that it’s a Buffalo Bills Jersey.

patriots jersey

Wellesley United Soccer Club sports new website

Wellesley United Soccer Club is fired up about its revamped website, designed to make it easier for families, players, coaches, and volunteers to find information and stay connected. It also has action shots and fancy statistics.

The Club serves more than 1,800 players, and registration is open for spring.

wellesley youth soccer

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Emergency crews respond to hazmat call at Wellesley daycare

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A slew of Wellesley Police, Fire and other emergency personnel were on the scene at he Bright Horizons early education center at 60 William Street in Wellesley on late Friday morning for a hazmat call involving what turned out to be a soap snafu.

The town received a call from an employee at the daycare center reporting that a student had been inadvertently exposed to a commercial grade dish soap while washing their hands. “Upon arrival the Wellesley Fire Department personnel learned that more than one student had washed their hands from this dispenser and as a precaution requested that multiple ambulances respond to the scene

Fire Chief Steve Mortarelli told local TV news stations, including Boston 25 News, that about 40 kids between the ages of 1 and 5 were at the daycare, and that 11 of them were hospitalized with “minor, superficial rashes,” similar to a bad sunburn. One adult was also taken to a hospital due to skin irritation. No further updates on the patients’ status was available as of late Friday afternoon.

The Wellesley Fire Department requested that the State Hazmat Team respond to investigate the incident.

“After an extensive recon of all rooms, the Haz-Mat team found that three of the soap dispensers contained a commercial dishwashing concentrate that was stored in the general vicinity. The Board of Health will be in contact with the business owner regarding next steps,” according to the town.

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