The Swellesley Report

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

Wellesley town government meetings for week of April 13, 2026: Town Meeting debriefs; Lower Falls Area Study Discussion

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A sampling of Wellesley, Mass., meetings and agenda items for the week of April 13, 2026:

Board of Public Works (April 13, 5pm, online)

Annual Town Meeting Recap & Follow-up; Contract Award – Schofield School Playground Installation; Contract Award – Wellesley Free Library Parking Lot Renovation Project; Contract Award – Reeds & Duck Ponds Dredging Project; Contract Award – Auto Gate Controllers at RDF

Planning Board (April 13, 6:30pm, online)

Project of Significant Impact (PSI)-25-04 – 592 Washington Street condo development – Continued from 3/23/26 – to be continued to 4/27/26; PSI-26-01 – 26 Washington Street – Continued from 3/23/26 – to be continued to 4/27/26; Lower Falls Area Study Discussion; Planning Director Discussion and Potential Vote

Select Board (April 14, 6pm, online & town hall)

Executive Session (behind closed doors): M.G.L. c. 30A, § 21(a)(3), to conduct strategy with respect to potential litigation regarding 40 Oakland Street (MassBay land sale); Discuss and Vote Modification to Development Agreement Pertaining to 140 Weston Road; Annual Town Meeting Debrief: Discuss Separate Motions for Town and Schools 

School Committee (April 14, 6:30pm, online)

Discussion: SY26/27 Academic Calendar; Discussion: School Enrollment Report (FutureThink) Presentation; Discussion: Select Board Encroachment Policy; Discussion: Annual Town Meeting Debrief 

Council on Aging Board (April 16, 4pm)

Agenda to come

Natural Resources Commission (April 16, 7pm, town hall)

Agenda to come

Trails Committee (April 16, 7pm, police station at 485 Washington St.)

Agenda to come

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Get ready: Wellesley Wonderful Weekend 2026 is just around the corner

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Wellesley Wonderful Weekend, 2026The town of Wellesley is preparing for one of its most anticipated traditions as the Celebrations Committee gears up for Wellesley Wonderful Weekend. This year’s festivities are set to be particularly historic, as the community gathers to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.

The major events include the Veteran’s Parade, followed by the Town picnic, concert, and fireworks, on Sunday, May 17. In addition, there’s plenty to do  over the whole weekend including checking out historical displays; open houses all over town (police, fire, MLP, and more); the Schofield 5k Wonder Run; Rotary Club of Wellesley’s Pups in the Park event; and so much more.

Honor our local heroes

At its heart, Wellesley Wonderful Weekend is about honoring those who have served. As always, the Celebration Committee invites everyone to recognize the veterans who have defended our country, and the organizations that serve our community every day.

If you are a Wellesley Veteran, the Committee wants you to be a part of the festivities. All local veterans are encouraged to sign up here to participate in the parade, join the reviewing stand, or attend the special reception.

Join the march

The Wellesley Veterans’ Parade is a massive undertaking that traditionally brings the entire town to the streets. In past years, the parade has featured over 104 units, 14 bands, and more than 2,500 participants.

The Celebrations Committee is now accepting registrations for groups that want to march in this year’s milestone event. Whether you represent a local organization, a youth group, or a community service club, now is the time to register and join the ranks of those celebrating Wellesley’s spirit.

Your community “to-do” list

To make this weekend happen, the Celebrations Committee relies on the generosity and participation of residents. Here is how you can get involved today:

  • Donate to the cause: Please contribute to the event fund. Every donation goes toward supporting the parade and the various community activities held throughout the weekend. Donate today to help recognize those who serve.
  • Register to march in the parade.
  • Vote on parade balloons: The Committee has already begun inviting the public to vote on which balloons will soar through the streets this year. Vote here.
  • Clear your calendar: Wellesley Wonderful Weekend will take place Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17. From the Picnic in the Park to the fireworks spectacular at Hunnewell Field, you won’t want to miss a single moment of the fun.
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Wellesley Kitchen and Home Tour
Sports

Wellesley Athlete of the Week: Boys’ volleyball’s Paxton Lee

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Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance. The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.

Athlete of the Week: Paxton Lee (9th grade)

Paxton Lee, volleyball player

Sport: Volleyball (setter)

When & how you got involved in volleyball: I started playing volleyball at the age of 11 by doing clinics over the summer. Then I started playing club volleyball at the age of 13.

What you love most about volleyball: Being in club volleyball has allowed me to meet people from across the country. I have built relationships with my teammates that I know will last me a lifetime with the memories that we have created. There is a large sense of camaraderie in volleyball.

Pre-match routine: I listen to music before a game and have a protein bar.

Top goal for this season:  To be a better all around volleyball player and help my team improve and win.

Thoughts about this year’s team:  We are still getting used to each other and we’re getting better with each game.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: My club volleyball team is very successful. We are the highest ranked volleyball team in our age group in New England. The last tournament of this past season I received an All Tournament recognition.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: For me the inspiring story on this team is that I have been able to join the varsity team as a setter being an “undersized” freshmen. A setter is equivalent to being the quarterback of the team and that is a lot of pressure as a freshmen. I hope to come out of this experience being a more vocal and better leader by the end of the season.

Interests outside of volleyball: Outside of volleyball I enjoy playing video games and hanging out with friends.

What other sports do you play, if any? I used to play club and town basketball.

Coaches Carlos Mercado and Vivien Huang: “Paxton has truly earned recognition as Athlete of the Week for his outstanding performance and leadership on the court. As a freshman setter for Wellesley Boys Volleyball, he demonstrates a level of poise, vision, and consistency well beyond his years, making smart decisions and elevating the play of everyone around him. His experience competing at the club level with the 15s National Team has clearly shaped his high-level skill set and competitive mindset. Volleyball has been part of Paxton’s life from an early age, inspired by his family’s deep roots in 9-man volleyball, and that passion shines through in every match he plays. With his strong work ethic and natural feel for the game, Paxton is already making a significant impact. We look forward to seeing how he continues to grow and contribute throughout the rest of this season and the years ahead of his high school career.”

(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)

Past Athlete of the Week profiles

Deland, Gibson, Wellesley

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Rotary Club, Taste of Wellesley
Education

Wellesley Public Schools appoints Dr. Diana Guzzi as next Schofield Elementary principal

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Dr. Diana Guzzi, principal at the Bowen Elementary School in Newton for the past 17 years, has been appointed as the next principal of Wellesley’s Schofield Elementary School (27 Cedar St). Guzzi, who starts July 1, had previously been a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Newton.

She’d also recently been a candidate for a principal’s position at a Westwood elementary school, but withdrew from that process in March.

Dr. Guzzi earned a Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education from Boston College, a Master’s Degree in education with a specialization in literacy from Lesley University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Boston College.

Wellesley Public Schools posted the Schofield principal job opening earlier this year, as Dr. Stephen Goodwin was hired last year as principal on an interim basis.

According to state data, Schofield has enrollment of 274 students for 2025-2026.

Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Friday is letters-to-the-editor day—read what Wellesley Middle School students have to say

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Each year Wellesley Middle School Social Studies students take part in a Civics Action Project. In partnership with The Swellesley Report, some of the students choose to write an editorial about a wide range of topics reflecting their individual interests. They are then responsible for emailing their editorials to us.

Thanks to WMS Social Studies head Adam Blumer, and to the entire social studies department, for spearheading this important civics project.

We’ll publish several letters per week.

In this week’s letters from the middle schoolers:

In a letter from the wider community:

You can see all the letters here.

How many Fridays are we going to encourage this display of civic involvement? For as many as it takes for the WMS Social Studies students to air their opinions.

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Music

Wellesley Town Band, Choral Society uniting for concert at high school (April 12)

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The Wellesley Town Band and Wellesley Choral Society for the first time will be performing together at a concert on Sunday, April 12 at 3pm at Wellesley High School (50 Rice St.)

The Town Band will be joined by the Choral Society in performing pieces such as “Shenandoah, Gloria Tibi” from Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, and “America the Beautiful,” with lyrics by Wellesley’s own Katharine Lee Bates.

In addition, the Town Band will play three rousing marches (by John Philip Sousa, Sergei Prokofiev, and Kenneth J. Alford), plus Percy Grangier’s “Country Gardens,” and the theme from “The Incredibles.”

The Band will also perform “Rhapsody for Flute” (Stephen Bulla), with their own Marie Nagode as the flute soloist. The piece’s blend of classical and jazz styles showcases the flute’s lyrical and virtuosic capabilities.

Mark Maiden, chair of the Wellesley Town Band Executive Committee said collaborations like that between the Band and Choral Society can help “promote greater awareness of local live performances.”

The Wellesley Town Band is a non-audition group open to new members at all levels (Grade 8 and up). They rehearse on Monday evenings at Wellesley High School (learn more: info@wellesleytownband.org.  For more on the Wellesley Choral Society, please visit www.wellesleychoralsociety.org.

Admission to the concert is free and Wellesley High School is an accessible venue. Free refreshments will be served after the performance.
This event is supported, in part, by a grant from the Wellesley Cultural Council – a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Wellesley Town Band
Wellesley Town Band
Wellesley Choral Society
Wellesley Choral Society

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Wellesley in Bloom starts May 2!

Wellesley in Bloom starts May 2!