The first public updates since Thanksgiving Eve about the town of Wellesley’s potential litigation with the Commonwealth regarding the disposition of surplus MassBay Community College land are slated to come on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

On the Select Board meeting agenda for Tuesday are two intriguing items:

Under Annual Town Meeting Preparation: Article 7 Transfers (Legal, HR/Finance): “We will anticipate a legal transfer for additional legal services pertaining to MassBay. We do not have an estimate at this time, but will hold a motion for ATM regarding the transfer of Free Cash for this purpose.”

Discuss and Vote Special Counsel: The Board has identified Special Counsel to assist in the MassBay Development Proposal. MOTION MOVE to approve the hiring of Phillips & Angley as special legal counsel for the Town of Wellesley and to authorize Chair Marjorie Freiman to sign an engagement letter on behalf of the Board.

The town of Wellesley on Thanksgiving Eve announced postponement of the visioning workshop it planned for Dec. 8 to provide the state with input ahead of requesting proposals from developers to build housing on MassBay Community College property. The postponement was prompted by the town’s consideration of legal action against the Commonwealth.

Walking MassBay forest & Centennial Reservation

The Wellesley Trails Committee led a walk at the MassBay forest and adjacent Centennial Reservation on Saturday, Dec. 13 to raise awareness of the area in light of the state’s plan to dispose of what it describes as “an underutilized 45-acre parcel including a 5-acre parking lot adjacent to the MassBay Community College Wellesley Campus.”

About 50 people, and a handful of pups, took the 1-hour walk and learned about the property. The Trails Committee has installed signage making clear the distinction between MassBay property and the town’s Centennial Reservation—many have assumed that the MassBay land was part of Centennial.

This was the third such walk held in the area as part of an awareness campaign.