The Swellesley Report

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

Anti-bullying protest planned at Wellesley High

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Wellesley High School, fall 2020Those outraged by the Wellesley Public Schools’ handling of discipline and communication surrounding a violent bullying incident involving students over the summer plan to gather for a peaceful protest at Wellesley High School on Oct. 20 at 7am. The demonstration’s stated purpose is to create awareness around recent incidents of violence, bullying and injustice, and to urge the school administration to take stronger action.

The family whose son was the victim of the attack near Bates Elementary School in mid-July has opened up about the incident over the past week, first during citizen speak at the Oct. 12 Wellesley School Committee meeting, and this week in an interview with WCVB-TV. The student attends Wellesley High, as do some accused of assaulting him.

Among parent Dylan Ade’s complaints is that while Wellesley Public Schools has sent out communications to the school community about other serious incidents, it hasn’t issued any about the one involving his son. “This was more than bullying, this was a beating,” he said at the start of the Oct. 12 School Committee meeting. Administrators “dropped the ball” on this, he said, calling for stricter consequences for students involved and a stronger anti-bullying policy within the school system.

The incident was originally documented in general terms in a Wellesley Police log item.

The school administration issued a statement to WCVB-TV in which it said: “Student safety is always our top priority. We do not tolerate bullying and take reports of any instance very seriously. When we were informed of this situation, we promptly investigated and disciplined the students involved according to state regulations, and safety planning was immediately enacted and remains in place to help ensure that all students feel secure and supported.”

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Linden Square, Wellesley
Write Ahead, Wellesley
Watertite Roofing

Active shooter training for staff at Wellesley High

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The Wellesley Police Department will be joining forces with Wellesley High School staff on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 2:45-3:30pm for an active shooter training drill.

Wellesley High SchoolAccording to a letter to the WHS community from Principal Dr. Jamie Chisum, the drill requires no students to be in the building or on campus during this time. Extracurricular activities will be moved until after this time period. No in-person extra help will be available after school on that day.

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London Harness, Wellesley

Wellesley wants your input via two surveys: climate plan & open space

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The Town of Wellesley is developing a Climate Action Plan to engage the community, set goals for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, define and prioritize actions, and create a blueprint for building resilience and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Goals set by Annual Town Meeting in 2009 and revised in 2021 call for net zero town-wide emissions by 2050, a 75% reduction below 2007 levels by 2040, and a 50% reduction by 2030. These goals align with state and federal targets.

Give input on the plan design and priorities by taking a 5-minute confidential survey.

Your responses will help the Climate Action Committee develop climate change mitigation programs focused in the areas of energy, buildings, mobility, waste, natural resources, and governance.

Take the Wellesley Open Space & Recreation Plan Community Survey 2021

Wellesley Recreation 3The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission invites you to take a 7-minute online survey to help direct the future of Wellesley’s open space and recreational resources.

The purpose of the survey is to help the town as it updates the 2015 Open Space and Recreation Plan.

You can access the survey at this link.

Questions? Please contact [email protected]

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Wellesley Youth Hockey

Wellesley Business Buzz: Caskata the latest to enter the home decor scene; think pink with the Ellie Fund

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Our roundup of the latest Wellesley MA business news:

Caskata skates into Wellesley Square

Caskata, Wellesley
Caskata, Wellesley Square

Caskata, a dinnerware design company, has opened its offices at 103 Central Street, known as the Hathaway House.

Although not a bricks-and-mortar retailer in the classic sense, owner Shawn Laughlin invites the public to stop in and see a selection of Caskata’s wares through Friday, October 22, 9:20am-5:30pm. Primarily an online retailer, after Friday the spot will be open by appointment only. When we stopped in we browsed a unique blend of classic and contemporary tableware; lead-free, dishwasher-safe glassware; handcrafted charcuterie boards; seaside-themed linens; and more.

Donate $250 or more to the Ellie Fund in person at Caskata and take home a gift of select Hand Blown Quinn Optic Glassware, plus be entered to win a special Collection of Caskata Rose Hand Blown Quinn Optic Glassware. In addition, Caskata will donate 10% of all retail sales of Caskata Rose Quinn Glassware made on caskata.com through October 23, 2021.

Wellesley goes pink for the Ellie Fund

Ellie Fund, WellesleyMany Wellesley retailers have banded together in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Through Oct. 23, participants are decorating their storefronts pink, hosting an event, donating a percentage of sales, or collecting contributions in support of the Ellie Fund.

The Ellie Fund’s mission is to provide essential support services for breast cancer patients to ease the stresses of everyday life, allowing the focus to be on family, recovery and healing. The foundation provides transportation to medical appointments, light housekeeping, nutritional and grocery assistance, childcare reimbursement, nutritious prepared/delivered meals and integrative therapy services free of charge. No proof of financial need, residency, or citizenship is required.

Wellesley participants

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Tenacre, Wellesley

Film on Wellesley High lacrosse star Connor Darcey making area premiere

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“16,” a documentary celebrating the life and legacy of the late Wellesley High School and Penn State University lacrosse star Connor Darcey, makes its area premiere next week at Babson College’s Sorenson Theater.

16_Poster_PSU_Final

It’s been more than 6 years since Darcey died at the age of 21 in a 2015 car accident in Boston that also killed the driver and injured Wellesley High grad Harry James.

darcey plaqueWhile family, friends and teammates mourned Darcey they have also honored his memory in numerous ways that have benefitted many. These efforts have included various sports-related fundraisers, his initials and #16 adorning Penn State lacrosse helmets, and most notably, in the form of a plaque on the donor wall at the Wellesley High School track and field which underwent a renovation funded in large part through the efforts of Darcey’s family and friends.

And now the documentary directed by Penn State alum and Opening Statement Productions’ Paddy Cotter, and produced/edited by Wellesley High alum Connor Cassidy, shares Darcey’s story with a wider audience. Tickets for the Oct. 24 (5pm) Babson screening and a Q&A with the filmmakers afterwards are available for purchase by the public. The film begins streaming on Nov. 3.

We caught up with Cassidy, whose family is close with the Darcey family, to learn more about the film, which has been in the works since 2018.

Cassidy, who credits Julie Spilka’s classes at Wellesley High for inspiring him to get into filmmaking, saw a rough cut of the film in early 2020 and Director Cotter asked for his thoughts on it after interviewing Connor Darcey’s brother Will. This united Cotter, who was closer to the Penn State side of things, and Cassidy who was closer to the Wellesley end.

“’16’ was an emotional rollercoaster, but I am grateful Paddy trusted me to help him tell the Darcey’s story,” Cassidy says. “The film was about 95% finished—some scenes needed some reworking and the total run time needed to be shorter, but overall it was in really good shape. With the backing of the company I work for, Boomshot, we helped recut and finish the film in NYC.”

Cassidy sums up the film as tackling “how a group of friends, family and a lacrosse team deals with the loss of a loved one from a tragic accident.  Lacrosse has long been regarded as a game of medicine and healing. This theme plays an important role in ’16’ as the subjects use lacrosse and Connor’s jersey number to persevere through grief and continue to honor Connor’s legacy.”

Cassidy hopes the film will gain a special place in the hearts of those who knew Darcey and introduce him and his friends and family to those who didn’t.

“The film will make you laugh, cry, and will tug at the heart strings of anyone who enjoys a good sports story,” he says.

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Register now for the Wellesley Turkey Trot

Wellesley Turkey Trot 2021

Wellesley Free Library’s main branch to reopen soon

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It’s been a long six months for the 1,000+ daily visitors who count on the Wellesley Free Library’s main branch as an essential community resource. The 530 Washington Street location has been closed for a $2.8 million dollar renovation since April 2021. Although the 2 branch libraries have been open, along with a Temporary Main Library in Wellesley Square (now permanently closed), the void has been felt by patrons.

library renovations sign
The main Wellesley Free Library will soon open its doors to patrons again.

Right now it’s looking like the reopening will happen in the beginning of November.

There was hope that the doors would open a little earlier. At the October 12th Select Board meeting, Megan Jop during the Executive Director’s Report said, “We received word from [Town of Wellesley Facilities Director] Joe McDonough that the library will be reopening on October 23rd…can’t wait to see how it’s going to look.”

Turns out a few more delays derailed that plan. Stay tuned for updates.

If you also can’t wait, take a look at our recent post, Sneak Peek: we storm the gates of the Wellesley Free Library.

WELLESLEY LIBRARIES—LOCATIONS & HOURS

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Wellesley hydrant flushing: Oct. 18th-22nd

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Wellesley fire hydrantThe Water & Sewer Division of the Wellesley Department of Public Works will be flushing water mains throughout the town Monday, October 18th through Friday, October 22nd. The purpose of flushing is to remove sediment buildup in the mains and to verify the safe operation of hydrants and valves.

The flushing may result in temporary discoloration of the water, caused by small particles dislodged during the flushing as well as possible reduction in pressure. The Division recommends restricting water usage. Discoloration of the water will be temporary and is not harmful. However, the discolored water might stain your laundry, especially white materials as well as the possible staining of plumbing fixtures.

Hydrant flushing is performed between the hours of 8am and 5pm. If you would like additional information, please call the Water Division at 781-235-7600 ext. 3355.

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