The Swellesley Report

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

Archives for December 2019

MBTA to share plans in Wellesley—not that most commuter rail users will be around for meeting

by

Wellesley hills commutet rail

Officials from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Massachusetts Department of Transportation will visit Wellesley Town Hall on Monday, Jan. 6 at 3pm to discuss plans for service and station improvement, including fare collection. Station accessibility will surely be one topic of interest.

While MBTA officials can’t be expected to have all their meetings at nights or on weekends, it’s likely that a weekday afternoon meeting in Wellesley will be of little use to most daily Wellesley commuter rail and green line users. And it’s these patrons, who have been stuck with higher fares this year while still often experiencing late trains, who would be most likely interested in what the MBTA has planned and have the most input to share.

As a regular commuter rail rider myself for the past 2 years, I know the good and bad. I appreciate that Wellesley has 3 stations and a few others nearby. The trains are usually on time out of South Station, but frequently late out of Wellesley. I find the temperature control on the trains generally good. I’ve tried taking earlier trains to ensure my arrival at work on time, but these trains seem to be late half of the time. Late commuter rail trains literally cost me hundreds of dollars per month in lost time that I can’t bill for at work.

Even if you can’t attend the MBTA meeting in Wellesley, you can submit questions through the town at shawkinson@wellesleyma.gov.

Questions might include:

  • What are plans for increased frequency, including on weekends?
  • Are there any plans for later trains, so that if someone were to attend a concert or other such event in Boston that they could get back to Wellesley by commuter rail?
  • What are plans to make Wellesley’s stations accessible to those with physical disabilities?
  • What are monthly commuter rail pass holders actually getting for their 7% fare increase?
  • Any thoughts about widening space between seats to accommodate those over 6-feet tall?
  • WiFi?
  • Is there really a Commuter Rail Wheel of Excuses?

The MBTA has held a series of meetings over the past year or so to discuss its Rail Vision plans, which seeks to find cost-effective ways to transform the current system. This could include much more frequent trains, which could make the commuter rail viable for late night or weekend travel, which it really isn’t now.

More:  Wellesley train platforms now boast solar-powered “station brightening” displays

image_print

Advertisements

Linden Square, Wellesley
Everwood Day Camp
Wellesley Lacrosse

Wellesley Christmas leftovers

by

A round-up of Christmas and year-end holiday leftovers:

Rudolph alert: Good to see Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer is a protected species in the Wellesley Farms area of town

Rudolph sign Wellesley

Santa stuck: Let’s hope St. Nick can free himself up

santa wellesley woodlawn or hundreds

Award winner: Wellesley’s Department of Recreation awarded the Sweetsers of Eisenhower Circle with the award for having the Best Decorated House in town. Wellesley Rec’s Brandon Fitts says:  “The Sweetsers put a lot of work into the decorations and you can see their house shine at night. When we delivered their award (a trophy, bragging rights, and a bag of Wellesley Recreation swag), they were kind enough to invite us inside. To our delight, the inside of their home was a winter wonderland full of decorations and holiday cheer. It was impressively festive.”

sweetser eisenhower
Award winner went with traditional New England theme

 

We’re guessing Rec wasn’t going to touch this house…for political reasons.

Shopping local: Mrs. Swellesley gives Mr. Swellesley a touch a class.

swellesley support

image_print

Advertisements

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
Haskins Automotive, Wellesley

Remembering Tom Lee, longtime Wellesley official had softball field named for him

by

Thomas E. Lee marker
Lee Recreation Area is currently under serious renovation along Washington Street in Wellesley

 

I’ve seen the name Thomas E. Lee dozens or maybe hundreds of times on my way past the sports fields on Rte. 16 in Wellesley. There’s a marker on a stone right along the street bearing Lee’s name, and the softball field that’s currently undergoing reconstruction is named after him.

But I never really knew who Tom Lee was until I came across his obituary this past week. That’s when I learned about his many contributions to the town, and figured others in town would be interested in learning more about him, or remembering him.

Lee, who died in Bellingham at the age of 85 after battling ALS, served Wellesley proudly for many years. The Wellesley High grad and U.S. Marine Corps. veteran began his Wellesley town career as an engineer in the Department of Public Works, then spent 37 years as executive to the Board of Selectmen.

He was honored as Grand Marshal of the Wellesley Veterans’ Parade in 1994.

In 1997, the Lee Recreation Area was dedicated at a June ceremony from which we’ve embedded the program below. Rene Rancourt sang “America the Beautiful” and Lee’s daughter Michelle tossed out the first pitch before the first softball game at the new field. Lee at the time told the Wellesley Tab that he was surprised to be honored but glad the one-time snow dump would be used for sports.

Lee recreation area dedication
Lee Recreation Area dedication (photo courtesy of the Town of Wellesley)

 

Services for Lee have already been held. He is survived by children Thomas, Michelle and Timothy, as well as 2 grandchildren. We share our condolences with family and friends.

Download (PDF, Unknown)

More Wellesley obituaries

swellesley support

image_print

Advertisements

YMCA, Swellesley ad
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra
Wellesley Field Hockey

Line between Wellesley-Natick blurred due to downed sign

by

Entering Wellesley sign

Wellesley became a little less welcoming over Christmas on Rte. 16, as the “Entering Wellesley” sign (or “Entering Natick,” if you prefer) could be seen leaning on a stone wall near Hunnewell Farm rather than atop its usual steel pole. (Update: As of the morning of Dec. 26, the sign is now gone.)

If Mr. Swellesley were a more emotional man, he would have shed a tear at the sight. After all, that sign serves as our logo, with the red “S” added via the magic of the web.

We’ve even done some supermodeling in front of that municipal boundary sign.

 

Entering Wellesley sign pole
Wellesley sign pole beheaded

 

Our preliminary crime scene investigation showed no evidence that the sign pole had been smashed into by a vehicle. No tire tracks in the mud or snow.

However, there did appear to be missing bolts that would have attached the sign to the pole. We weren’t sure if the downed sign was the result of an accident, mischief or more legitimate activity.

The hefty sign, known by highway officials as a “book leaf” for its shape’s similarity to an open book, is large at 48×60 inches. Not so easy to run off with by a prankster.

We notified the Wellesley Department of Public Works, which has had its hands full in 2019 with missing Old Town Road street signs, as well as the Wellesley Police Department. The police told us they were letting the state’s DPW know.

In the meantime, you’ll just have to take your chances on mistakenly winding up in Wellesley or Natick, depending on which way you might travel along Rte. 16.

wellesley sign

swellesley support

image_print
Newton-Wellesley Orthopedic

Tom Ulfelder seeks re-election to Wellesley Board of Selectmen

by

I am announcing my candidacy for re-election to the Board of Selectmen in the election on March 17, 2020. It would be a privilege to continue to serve the Town.

I serve currently as the Vice Chair of the Board of Selectmen and the School Building Committee. I served a two-year term on the Sustainable Energy Committee and I continue to serve as a Town Meeting Member.

During my first term, the Selectmen worked with the Planning Board to produce the Town’s first Housing Production Plan. The Unified Plan has been approved and offers an opportunity to select initiatives that can move forward. Residential units have been approved at the Wellesley Office Park, and I successfully negotiated beneficial electrification rather than the use of fossil fuel for the development thereby reducing carbon emissions while increasing revenue for the Municipal Light Plant.  I advocated strongly for the construction of a net zero ready Hunnewell School and the Hardy-Upham school as well. The proposed Hunnewell School design achieves this goal and serves as a model for future municipal building.

Three years ago we faced the selection of a new Executive Director and Police Chief. Chief Pilecki now serves the Town with distinction and the Selectmen secured the return of Meghan Jop, a long-term Town employee who is a highly valued member of the staff.

We are looking for new ways to approach the budget to ensure an excellent education for our children and a continued high level of Town services while assessing the tax impact of both the operating budget and long-term capital plan. Wellesley faces a number of important capital projects. Carefully prioritizing the projects while considering tax impact is crucial to welcoming new families and supporting our senior population who wish to remain. The Housing Production Plan is a guide for decisions that encourage housing for our older population, options to downsize, increased diversity, and housing for the middle income work force who contribute to a vibrant and balanced community.

Wellesley faces important questions regarding economic development. New opportunities for tax revenue, commercial growth, and residential construction must be balanced with an overall vision for our Town. The Selectmen must engage the Town to determine the best path forward and this must start with an extensive public deliberation through which the Selectmen can have confidence in making choices that will shape our Town and our future quality of life.   

I ask for your support and your vote on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 for a second term on the Board of Selectmen.

Thomas Ulfelder

Candidates are welcome to send election/re-election letters to: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

image_print
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, Jan. 2025 concert

Wellesley Town Hall strips down

by

Despite the cold temperatures this month, Wellesley Town Hall has shed a layer. Much of the envelope protecting exterior work on the 1880s building has been removed, providing a much better backdrop for photos of the holiday symbols situated in front of it.

Town Meeting this past spring unanimously approved $576K in additional funding to support the renovation. Work began in mid-2018 to shore up interior and exterior degradation of the building.

Also in the plans: A Town Hall annex to be built next to the Wellesley Fire Station on Rte. 9.

wellesley town hall post envelope
Wellesley Town Hall, late December

 

Wellesley Town Hall, Christmas tree
Wellesley Town Hall, early December

 

image_print
NEOC, Wellesley

Wellesley generosity overflows the Salvation Army Red Kettle

by

Wellesley residents take Salvation Army Red Kettle time seriously. Each year over 200 volunteers sign up for a shift and ring the bell  in front of Roche Bros. in Linden Square. Their efforts help raise over $30,000 at that one kettle, funds that are used to help community members. Money raised is distributed to those in need by the Wellesley Council on Aging, Wellesley Department of Health, and Wellesley Friendly Aid. Holiday-time services include providing toys for needy children, food and clothing for families, and small practical gifts for shut-ins. The effort is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Wellesley

Salvation Army, Wellesley
The Swellesley family and one member of the Elwy clan took our turn at the kettle. From left, Ben Elwy (WHS Class of 2019); Mr. Swellesley; Caleb Brown (WHS 2016); Duncan Brown (WHS 2019); Mrs. Swellesley.

The Swellesley family and one member of the Elwy clan took our turn at the kettle as Chanukah was just getting started and Christmas was moving full steam ahead. It was an evening of high spirits for all as we were greeted by friends and neighbors who stopped by to help fill the kettle. One woman figured with five of us out there, we would likely break into carols if she waited around long enough. The Swellesleys are all pretty tone-deaf (I can’t speak for Ben), and assured her we were doing the world a big favor by keeping our songs in our hearts.

As I watched the steady stream of donations  — everything from pennies to twenty dollar bills — make their into the slot, I was struck by the incredible generosity of the community. There’s still time for you to give to the kettle. The last shift ends at 6pm tonight as the final bell-ringer, Peter Monson, brings it home, and Roche Bros. closes its doors for the holiday. (The store is closed on Christmas Day and re-opens Thursday, Dec. 26, 7am.)

To everyone I saw out there ringing the bell — members from the Board of Selectmen, the Trails Committee, and Town Meeting; Municipal Light Plant employees, first responders, private citizens, students, and the many, many others who escaped my notice — happy holidays. To all those who benefit from donations, thank you for being an essential part of Wellesley and for your many contributions to the town.

image_print