Wellesley Natural Resources Commission’s top goals for FY26
The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission recently held its annual retreat meeting and came up with a list of fiscal year 2026 goals, in no particular order that were shared during the NRC’s regular meeting on July 24:
- Clocktower (Wellesley Hills) and War Memorial (at Town Hall): Work with the Department of Public Works to approve design plans to fix deterioration.
- DarkSky compliance for buildings and lights on NRC land: Investigate and consider a DarkSky policy as new facilities come online (Hunnewell Team Room, Morses Pond, etc.)
- Dogs in parkland: Work with Police Department and Town partners to increase education and enforcement of leash laws in parklands.
- DPW Coordination: Improve coordination and information-sharing between NRC and DPW regarding planned capital improvements to NRC lands, such as for playgrounds.
- Encroachments: Continue implementation of new encroachment process and work with Select Board to revise Town-wide policy.
- Land Conservation Plan: Finalize and approve Land Conservation Plan; secure approval of funding mechanism at Annual Town Meeting.
- Morses Pond: Conclude supplemental feasibility study and begin design phase regarding Morses Pond Beach and Bath House project. An advisory committee has been meeting on this topic. Town Meeting approved funds for the supplemental feasibility study earlier this year.
- Ouellet Park: Investigate replacement of hardcourt and other improvements to this Cedar Street park.
- Schofield parkland: Investigate replacement of hardcourt.
- Wight Pond: Complete analysis and determine whether NRC should pursue acquisition. Wight Pond was the topic of a Community Preservation Committee motion at Annual Town Meeting for spending on studies related to the town’s possible acceptance from a trust (adjacent land owners) of a 5.5 acre parcel of land including Wight Pond that are near the Wellesley Farms train station. The studies would look at current conditions and risks associated with the property.
More from the July 24 NRC meeting:
- Michael D’Ortenzio wrapped up his stint as chair, and Jay McHale was voted by fellow board members as the new chair. McHale has previously served as chair.
- NRC Director Brandon Schmitt earned a glowing performance evaluation from the commission. D’Ortenzio said Schmitt’s efforts have been invaluable to him as commission chair, and cited Schmitt’s thinking through issues thoroughly before presenting them to the elected commission.
- The Wellesley High School 3 O’Clock Jazz Band had its request approved to perform a free concert at the Town Hall green in mid-August. Details to come…
See Wellesley Media recording for entire July 24 NRC meeting.