Wellesley’s police and fire department leadership shared quarterly updates with the Select Board on March 25 in the wake of numerous promotions taking place in recent months and new personnel joining the forces (see Wellesley Media recording).
Police Chief Scott Whittemore discussed the town’s prep for next month’s Boston Marathon, during which race organizers are emphasizing keeping the course as clear as possible for participants. Deputy Chief Jeff Renzella has been spearheading organization for Wellesley Police. One challenge is that Wellesley will be putting resources, including communications-related ones, to work in Concord the weekend before for the Concord 250th celebrations, so will need to make the transition of those back here for the marathon.
On the crime front, Wellesley Police worked with FBI related to a break-in on Livingston Road and wound up identifying seven suspects who were federally indicted for that and other east coast break-ins. He also touched on convictions at the district court level related to a previous break-in on Tanglewood Road. Mailbox theft has tailed off, with the most recent case a couple months back resulting in two arrested suspects during early morning pursuit.
On mental health, the Wellesley and Weston Police Departments continue to share a counselor; she remains very busy though is able to focus on long-term solutions for people. Whittemore said that as Wellesley’s apartment population increases the department may need to take a look at whether more mental health resources will be needed.
As always, hiring and retaining crossing guards remains a challenge, the chief said.
Whittemore remarked on the recently 30th anniversary of the death of Wellesley Police Officer Stewart Savage, who died while on duty. An effort is in the works to establish a memorial for Officer Lamars Hughes, who passed away in 2023.
Whittemore also discussed collaboration between the police and fire departments in areas such as IT support to enable improvements in dispatch communications, etc.
Fire Department update
Fire Chief Steve Mortarelli has new firefighters in the pipeline and there are plans for a new entrance exam in the fall to keep that going. Like Whittemore, Mortarelli praised the town’s human resources department for its assistance. He also cited work by firefighter Gerard Jones, who put together a program to educate Wellesley High students about what’s involved in being a firefighter. “We do not have a lot of firefighters now from Wellesley. Some of these kids might not know what the job entails,” he said.
Returning to marathon prep, the chief said his department has come to rely more on golf-cart like vehicles to assist with medical issues along the course where full-blown ambulances and fire engines would be much harder to navigate (this also leaves those traditional emergency vehicles available for calls elsewhere).
Technology improvements continue at both fire stations, including new wiring for speakers at the Rte. 9 station that improves dispatch communications. Wi-Fi is up and running as well, and ongoing software upgrades are taking place, with a payroll and scheduling module now rolling out.
The big topic regarding the fire department in town is undertaking a master plan to determine what to do about the outdated station on Weston Road and the possible need for dedicated fire services at the east end of Wellesley. The plan is cited in the Town-Wide Financial Plan (“The Town has just released a Request for Qualifications to conduct a study to determine the future needs of the Fire Department. The study is funded with $50,000 from cash capital, and $100,000 from the Wellesley Office Park Development Agreement. Current and future development on the eastern part of town—near Route 128—will be a critical consideration in the study, which will evaluate the need for a third fire district and station.”)
Mortarelli said nine consulting firms came to town in late February to tour the fire stations and see their condition. Proposals are due in April, with interviews and possibly a contract negotiated in May. The formal study could start as soon as June, and would likely last for the rest of the year.
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